Today we’d like to introduce you to Chinonye Nduaguba.
Hi chinonye, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Nonye Hair Braiding will be celebrating 20 years in business in less than a year. When I look back at how it all started, I’m amazed by how different the journey has been from what I originally planned for my life.
When I moved to the United States in 2007, I had no plans of starting a business. My goal was to pursue a master’s degree, build a career, and eventually work in accounting or education. But life had a different plan for me.
My journey with braiding actually began when I was 12 years old. I attended boarding school for middle and high school, and finding someone to braid my hair was not always easy. Most girls already had braiding partners, so I figured the easiest solution was to learn how to braid myself.
The first time I realized I had a real talent for it was when I braided a friend’s hair. She had long, beautiful hair, and the braids came out so well that she received compliments everywhere she went. That was when I discovered that I could look at almost any braid style and recreate it. What started as a practical skill became something I truly enjoyed.
After moving to the United States in 2007, I began braiding family and friends out of my living room while I worked on applying to graduate school. At first, it was simply a way to earn some extra income. I never imagined it would become a business.
Then something unexpected happened. People who saw my work began asking me to braid their hair. Word spread, and before I knew it, I was building a clientele. The transition from braiding as a necessity to braiding as a business happened almost naturally. I had the passion, I had the talent, and most importantly, my clients loved what I was creating. I realized that if I was going to serve my growing clientele, I needed to create a more professional and comfortable environment, so I formalized the operation and began building what would become Nonye Hair Braiding.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not by a long shot. Even as the business grew, I still considered it my “side hustle.” In 2010, I decided it was time to pursue the career I had originally envisioned for myself. I applied to Texas A&M University-Commerce and was accepted into the Master of Science in Accounting program.
At the time, I was already working long days, raising toddler twins, and pregnant with my third child. I knew going back to school would be difficult, but I was mentally prepared for the challenge. I took two classes each semester and managed to get through the first two semesters.
Then I encountered my biggest challenge: Tax Accounting.
The course required an understanding of the smallest details of tax code, something that was completely unfamiliar to me. I struggled with the class and eventually had to withdraw. For the next two years, I focused on my business and my family. I felt stuck and wasn’t sure what my next step should be.
Then I had a realization that changed everything.
I began to understand that while I was chasing a career in accounting, I was overlooking the talents I already had. I loved numbers, but I also loved creating, teaching, and building. And I realized that my business allowed me to do all three.
That realization changed my perspective. Instead of seeing my business as something I was doing on the side, I began to see it as part of my purpose.
I applied to change my degree from an MS in Accounting to an MBA, and my application was approved. When I returned to school, everything felt different. This time, what I was learning in the classroom connected directly to what I was doing in my business. I could take concepts from my classes and immediately apply them to my company.
Three years later, I graduated from Texas A&M University with my MBA.
Looking back, the journey was not easy. There were moments when it felt impossible to balance school, motherhood, family, and a growing business. There were moments when I questioned what direction my life was taking. But I kept going.
What started when I was a 12-year-old girl learning to braid because she needed a braiding partner eventually became a business that has grown into something much bigger than I ever imagined.
Nonye Hair Braiding started out of necessity. It became a hobby, then a side hustle, and eventually a business and a career. And as I approach 20 years in business, I realize that what I once thought was a detour from my original plan was actually part of the journey that brought me exactly where I needed to be.
My story is a reminder that sometimes, the path we plan for ourselves is not the path we end up taking—and that doesn’t mean we have failed. Sometimes, life introduces us to gifts and opportunities we never knew were waiting for us.
I didn’t plan to become a business owner. But I embraced the opportunity, learned along the way, kept growing, and refused to quit. And today, I am incredibly grateful for the journey.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work involves much more than simply running a business. I oversee and manage the many moving parts that keep the business successful and growing. I am responsible for staffing and staff retention, scheduling, inventory and stock management, accounting, advertising, and, most importantly, customer service.
I have had to learn to wear many different hats, from managing finances and monitoring inventory to recruiting and retaining the right team, creating schedules, promoting the business, and ensuring that every customer has a positive experience. I take pride in being hands-on and understanding every aspect of the business, which allows me to identify problems quickly, create practical solutions, and keep operations running efficiently.
What I am most proud of is building a business that is driven by both quality and people. I care about creating a positive experience for customers while also creating an environment where staff feel supported, valued, and motivated to stay and grow.
What sets me apart is my ability to balance the operational and people sides of the business. I am not focused on just one area. I am constantly thinking about staffing, finances, inventory, marketing, scheduling, customer satisfaction, and long-term growth as interconnected pieces. Being able to manage all of these responsibilities while continuing to improve the business is something I am particularly proud of.
How do you think about happiness?
Happiness for me comes from watching my kids and family grow, blossom, and become the best versions of themselves. I find joy in the little and big moments. laughing until my stomach hurts, creating something from nothing, learning and improving, and building a life I can be proud of. I’m happiest when I feel like I’m growing while also helping the people around me grow. Knowing that my presence, kindness, encouragement, or even something I’ve created can positively impact someone’s life brings me a deep sense of fulfillment. At the end of the day, happiness for me is about love, growth, meaningful connections, and knowing that I’m leaving the people and places around me a little better than I found them.
Pricing:
- Our pricing varies depending on the service, style, length, and level of customization. We aim to keep our pricing competitive while maintaining a high standard of quality and customer experience. Clients can contact us directly (5129094777) or visit our booking page (www.nonyehairbraiding.com) for current pricing and service details.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nonyehairbraiding.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nonyehairbraiding?stkn=ZG12YzJocHA5MzNv
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554860502372
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nonyehair
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@nonyehairbraiding?_r=1&_t=ZN-9ACYfNsHhPa
