What I Wish I Knew Before I Burned Out
I used to think burnout was something that happened to people who didn’t love what they do. But no one warns you that burnout can creep in because you love it — so much so that you stop protecting your peace, your time, and your body.
I said yes to everyone. Every early morning booking, every last-minute “emergency” appointment, every text at 10 PM asking for hair advice, makeup tips, or availability they could’ve found on the website I built myself. I was constantly available, constantly producing, constantly pouring… and barely receiving.
I thought being “booked and busy” meant I was successful. But in reality, I was tired, short-fused, and emotionally tapped out. I missed birthdays. I skipped meals. I’d finish a 10-hour day, come home to my kids, and have nothing left in my tank.
Looking back, I realize I wasn’t just exhausted — I was disconnected from myself. I didn’t know how to rest. I didn’t know how to say, “That’s enough for today.” And I definitely didn’t know how to set a boundary without feeling guilty.
Burnout didn’t come in a blaze. It came in waves. Subtle, silent signs that I ignored until I was standing in my salon one day, looking at a full schedule — and feeling absolutely nothing.
This post isn’t about blaming myself. It’s about seeing myself clearly now — and telling the truth so another woman doesn’t have to learn the hard way.
What I Wish I Knew Before I Set My First Price
When I first started doing hair professionally, I was scared to say my price out loud. I wanted to be agreeable, affordable, and booked—but deep down, I was shrinking. I didn’t factor in my time, energy, or even my product costs. I was just hoping the number felt “safe.”
But low prices brought high stress—and clients who didn’t value what I brought to the table.
In this post, I’m sharing the mindset shift that helped me start charging with confidence, clarity, and intention. If you’ve ever felt nervous to raise your rates or feared what people would say… this one’s for you.
👉🏽 Read the full post inside Behind the Chic
What I Wish I Knew Before I Took My First Client
In high school, I started doing my peers’ hair. I was passionate, talented, and still figuring things out. Doing hair in the basement of my mommy’s house. But what I didn’t realize was that just because I had a gift didn’t mean people would automatically respect it. One of the first people to teach me that lesson was a guy I went to school with. He will remain unnamed in this case. He had hounded me down for weeks to do his locs multiple times, and one day I accepted his appointment request—he decided to skip out on paying me. Just like that.
What I Wish I Knew Before Picking Up That Comb & Brush
I didn’t pick up that comb because I was confident—I picked it up because I had to. My mommy was busy, appointments were too expensive, and I was tired of waiting on someone else to show up for me. So I did what a lot of Black girls do when life gets real: I figured it out.