Today we’d like to introduce you to Ami Aladdin.
Hi Ami, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Hair was always something I loved until, at some point, it wasn’t. My journey with hair has had its ups and downs, and there was a time when I had to step back, reflect, and find the strength to fall in love with it again. I had to face the fear of failure and remind myself that even if something doesn’t work out the way you imagined, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed.
Growing up was extremely hard for me. I often felt like I wasn’t accepted, and there were many moments when I felt underestimated by the people around me. It was difficult for me to believe in myself and see things through when I constantly questioned whether I was capable of reaching the things I dreamed about. But hair became an outlet for me. It gave me a way to express myself when I didn’t always know how to put my feelings into words. In a world where I sometimes struggled to feel accepted, hair gave me a space where I could feel creative, confident, and like myself.
Growing up, I was always fascinated by the beauty world. I loved exploring different hairstyles, hair textures, beauty enhancements, trends, and the many ways people used beauty as a form of self-expression. That curiosity eventually grew into something deeper for me. I realized that doing hair wasn’t just about creating a style, it was about making someone feel confident and allowing them to see themselves differently.
As I began working with clients, I learned that becoming a great hairstylist required much more than knowing how to do hair. I had to learn how to listen, provide exceptional service, accept constructive criticism, learn from my mistakes, and continuously improve. Every client, every experience, and every challenge taught me something that helped shape the stylist and business owner I am today.
There were definitely moments when I wanted to give up and moments when seeing things through felt almost impossible. But I did. I kept going. I continued learning, practicing, growing, and finding my way back to the reason I started in the first place. Over time, my passion became a commitment, not only to my craft, but to the people who trusted me with their hair.
Today, I’m proud of how far I’ve come and of the business I continue to build. Whether a client has natural hair, relaxed hair, textured hair, or anything in between, I want them to know that they have a place in my chair. I don’t want anyone to feel limited by their hair type or feel like their vision can’t be achieved.
What started as a love for hair has grown into something much bigger for me. My hands allow me to create, but my clients have taught me the importance of trust, connection, patience, and consistency. I’m grateful for every person who has trusted me to bring their vision to life and for every experience that has challenged me to become better.
Today, I’m not just a hairstylist. I’m a business owner, a creative, a supporter, and someone who genuinely cares about the people who sit in my chair. I’ve come to understand that my journey with hair was never about being perfect or never experiencing failure. It was about continuing to grow, proving to myself that I could see things through, finding my passion again, and becoming the woman and stylist I am today.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Living on my own at an early age and experiencing heavy hardships forced me to grow up quickly. I’ve faced moments where I felt underestimated, unaccepted, and unsure of myself, but I never allowed those experiences to define what I could become.
There was even a time when I lost my love for hair, something that had always been an outlet and a form of expression for me. I had to find my way back to myself, rebuild my confidence, and remind myself why I started.
Every setback, criticism, and difficult season taught me something. Most importantly, they taught me resilience. I’ve learned how to fall, regroup, and keep going. No matter how many times life challenged me, I found a way to push forward.
I’m proud of where I am today because I know I didn’t get here easily. I’m still growing, but I’ve proven to myself that I can overcome, adapt, and see things through
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in hair health, hair extensions, protective styles, and natural hair. I’m especially known for prioritizing the health of my clients’ hair and for my sew-in services. For me, it’s never just about creating a beautiful style it’s about making sure my clients can maintain healthy hair while still achieving the look they want.
What I’m most proud of is that I didn’t give up on myself or my craft. There were times when I felt unsupported and experienced failure, but I stayed true to who I was and refused to let anyone else’s doubts determine what I was capable of.
My clients have challenged me in ways that have helped me grow. Every new texture, style, or request has given me an opportunity to learn something new. I’m a firm believer that as a hairstylist, you are always a student. Trends change, techniques evolve, and there is always something new to learn. I’m willing to keep practicing, learning, and perfecting my craft because I never want to stop growing.
I believe what sets me apart is my resilience, willingness to learn, and commitment to my clients. I bring honesty, passion, and a genuine desire to give every client an experience they can trust and I’ll always continue learning so I can give them my best.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I’m Sierra Leonean and Lebanese, and I’m proud of where I come from and how much it has shaped me. Growing up, I didn’t always feel accepted, and I’ve definitely experienced being underestimated and feeling like I had something to prove.
But I never wanted anyone else’s opinion of me to decide who I was going to become. I’ve been through some things that could have easily made me give up, and honestly, there were times when I wanted to. But somehow, I always found a way to keep going.
Hair became a big part of that for me. It gave me a way to express myself, be creative, and eventually create something of my own. I’ve failed, I’ve had to start over, I’ve questioned myself, and I’ve had people who didn’t believe in me. But I stayed true to myself.
I’m proud of the fact that I’m still here, still learning, still practicing, and still building. I don’t have everything figured out, and I don’t think I’m supposed to. I’m just grateful that I never completely gave up on myself. I want people to know that you can come from hard places, be underestimated, and still create something you’re proud
Pricing:
- Hair Extensions/Installs: Starting at $215
- Natural Hair Services: Starting at $125
- Custom Hair & Extensions: Pricing varies based on length, density, and customization.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://a1beautyexperience.com/pages/our-story
- Instagram: A1beautyyyy
