Today we’d like to introduce you to Sierra Brown.
Sierra, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
It all started with my baby dolls! Every Barbie doll I got, I cut the hair off every chance I could. I had so many bald dolls and dolls with short bobs (which is funny because now I can actually do a precision cut on a client).
Honestly, one of my biggest motivations for going to cosmetology school was my dad. He truly pushed me toward this passion of mine. I used to tell him I didn’t like doing hair, but every time he came over, I was always doing somebody’s hair. He would tell me that this was exactly what I needed to be doing. I eventually started touring schools and ended up attending Avenue Five, where I earned my cosmetology license. My dad was right there with me from the very beginning until graduation.
My journey as a hairstylist started in my mom’s kitchen, where I would take two clients after getting off work and do silk presses. I eventually moved into my first salon, where I gained and maintained a clientele that I will forever cherish. From there, I decided to branch off and open my very own mini salon suite. Since then, I’ve continued educating clients and helping them embrace and fall in love with their natural hair.
When I first started, I thought I wanted to master extensions and color, but somewhere along the way, I fell in love with natural hair. I fell in love with how versatile it is and how beautiful it can be in its natural state. I fell in love with learning about my own hair and the hair of those around me. Most importantly, I fell in love with helping children embrace their natural hair and showing them that their hair is beautiful, no matter what their coils look like.
Education is another huge part of my passion. I love learning about the scalp, the immune system, and the different factors that can affect hair growth and scalp health. There’s so much more to healthy hair than what we see on the outside, and I genuinely enjoy understanding the science behind it all.
I truly believe I thrive in my business because I’m in love with what I do. This isn’t just a career for me. It’s something I’m passionate about, something I continue to learn from, and something that allows me to make a difference in the lives of others.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
SMOOTH? I WISH! This has had to be one of the rockiest journeys I’ve ever experienced! Being an entrepreneur is not for the weak, and I’ve definitely learned that firsthand. I’ve faced so many denials and been passed up for loans, grants, and scholarships that I honestly lost count. There were times when I questioned how I was going to continue growing my business without the financial support I was hoping for, but somehow I kept finding a way to make things work.
One of my biggest struggles has been learning not to overwork myself. I’ve pushed myself so hard that I’ve had to take four separate breaks from my business because of my health. I wasn’t listening to my body, and eventually, my body made that decision for me. When you love what you do and have clients depending on you, it’s easy to convince yourself to keep going, even when you know you need to rest. That has definitely been one of the hardest lessons for me.
Another challenge has been accepting that I can’t please everyone, no matter how hard I try. I remember receiving my very first client complaint and not knowing how to handle it. I was so used to making everyone happy that I didn’t know what to do when someone wasn’t satisfied. But I listened, did my best to make things right, and learned from the experience. The funny thing is, that same person is still my client to this day! That situation taught me that it’s not always about getting everything perfect, but how you handle things when they don’t go as planned.
Then there are the ups and downs of running a business. I’ve experienced seasons where my books were completely full and others where I went a couple of weeks with barely any appointments. That can be discouraging, especially when you have responsibilities and bills that don’t stop just because business slows down. It’s a lot mentally, emotionally, physically, and financially.
So no, this journey has been far from smooth, but every challenge has taught me something. I’m proud that even through the denials, setbacks, health scares, and slower seasons, I’ve continued to show up and find ways to keep going. I wouldn’t say I’ve mastered entrepreneurship, but I’ve definitely grown through it.
As you know, we’re big fans of RootedBySiee. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
RootedBySiee is so much more than just a hair salon to me. It’s a place where hair heals, confidence is restored, and women can come in and feel comfortable being themselves. I specialize in natural hair care, healthy hair growth, restoration, and length retention. I’m big on educating my clients because I don’t want you to just come sit in my chair, get your hair done, and leave. I want you to understand your hair, your scalp, what your hair needs, and how to properly care for it when you’re not in my chair.
One thing I feel sets me apart is that I genuinely care about the health of your hair before anything else. I’m not just focused on making your hair look good for the moment. I want it to be healthy long after you leave my salon. That’s why I’m so intentional about my treatments, trims, and the products I use. Every client has different needs, and I believe their hair care should reflect that. I also take pride in creating a safe, judgment-free space because I never want anyone to feel embarrassed about the condition of their hair or scalp when they come to me. Whether you’re dealing with breakage, thinning, or simply trying to learn how to love and manage your natural hair, I want you to know you’re welcome in my chair.
What I’m most proud of is the trust I’ve built with my clients and the relationships that have grown beyond just hair appointments. Watching someone who once struggled with their hair begin to love it, understand it, and see progress is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do. RootedBySiee was built with love, faith, and a genuine passion for helping others. My goal has always been to make a difference, one head at a time. I want people to know that when they come to RootedBySiee, they’re not just investing in a hairstyle. They’re investing in the health of their hair, their confidence, and an experience where they feel seen, heard, and cared for.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned along my journey is to give myself grace. Being an entrepreneur, you have to have some strong faith in GOD because this journey is not always easy. I’ve learned the importance of setting boundaries and actually standing on them. I’ve also learned that it’s okay to say “no,” take a step back, and enjoy my days off without feeling guilty about it. When you genuinely love what you do, sometimes it’s hard to separate yourself from your business, but I’ve learned that taking care of myself is just as important as taking care of my clients.
Another lesson I’ve learned is the importance of understanding the business side of being a hairstylist. When I first started, I was so focused on doing hair and building my clientele that I didn’t take the business side as seriously as I should have. Looking back, I wish I had established a stronger business foundation before building my name and clientele. It’s definitely a lesson learned, but it’s also something that has helped me grow as a business owner. I’m still learning, still growing, and most importantly, learning to trust GOD’s timing while giving myself grace along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://RootedBySieeLLC.as.me/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootedbysiee?utm_source=qr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@rootedbysiee/video/7551482281660075294?_r=1&_t=ZP-9ANgi0jFvG3
