Today we’d like to introduce you to Lamiya Kirby.
Lamiya, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
How I started?… I have many diverse roles and responsibilities. Today I am a mother, an entrepreneur and a college graduate. I have studied Social Work, Nursing and Psychology during my undergrad years and School Counseling during my grad year. It’s apparent that I have a fond relationship with mental health and understanding how the human mind works. However, growing up I’ve always loved all things beauty and I give a lot of credit to my grandmother when I talk about my career path and life as an entrepreneur. My grandmother; Joyce Gross, influenced me in so many ways because she was so great at what she did and the best at being a grandmother. Her role as an Addictions Counselor influenced my interest in mental health. Her eye for style/fashion, hair and love for shopping influenced my passion for all things beauty. She taught me to lead and never follow. If something interest me and I love it; I will pursue it, perfect it and master it and that is how Joyce Essentials became.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been a smooth road whatsoever at being a small black business owner. I’m sure we all know the hindrances when opening a business as a black woman. Especially in the beauty industry where most beauty supply stores are predominantly owned by Koreans. As a beauty supply store owner I find myself having to navigate and go through obstacles when it involves inventory or term credit. It was also challenging to secure loans at the beginning stage. However, I choose not to focus on those and use those struggles to elevate. I love when I get through my struggles and elevate every time. I do not regret those challenges that I’ve faced or still face today. I use those challenges to assist and educate others on how to maneuver when becoming a business owner.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Joyce Essentials is a Beauty Supply Store that provides haircare and skincare products as well as supplies and equipment for licensed professionals in the beauty industry. Retail services are provided to those living in the Anne Arundel County area and shipping services are available to customers anywhere in the U.S. In addition to products Joyce Essentials also offers natural hair care services and 100% Raw Hair Extensions.
Joyce Essentials has a competitive advantage to other Beauty Supply stores in the area and in general because number one we are a small black-owned business. There aren’t many black owned Beauty Supply Stores in this industry. You don’t walk into your local beauty supply store and see people who are black and brown selling products for people who are black and brown. Furthermore, we offer natural haircare services and products all in one setting. We give local brands who are just starting their business the opportunity to market and sell their products at our Gambrills location while other Beauty Supply Stores focus on bigger brands. While we offer many of products that are owned by people who are not minority, we also make it our mission to provide a large variety of products that are owned by black and brown women and men.
I am most proud of our loyal customer base. Especially from our customers who stuck around to see our growth from the start. They had so much genuine faith in me; 100% complete strangers. Joyce Essentials has thrived because of our loyal customers and the trust that they have for us. I am also proud of the selection of products we carry. We carry essential products not just what’s trending. We actually research and give first-hand feedback where we can. We ask our customers for feedback on our services and on products so that we can provide that impeccable customer service that people want from beauty supply stores.
Our goal is to provide our customers with the best hair care, luxury extensions, skincare, beauty tools, professional advice and impeccable customer service experience possible.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love the Gambrills area. As mentioned before I receive most of my support from residents of the Gambrills, Crofton and Bowie area. I see the same faces and we become like family. I enjoy seeing my people who genuinely want to see me succeed.
Contact Info:
- Website: JoyceEssentials.com for Beauty Supplies and RawestXHairExtensions.com for our Rawest Hair Extensions.
- Instagram: JoyceEssentials IG: https://www.instagram.com/joyceessentials?igsh=c2ZjbG9xeGtlMjQ5&utm_source=qr RawestXHairExtensions IG: https://www.instagram.com/rawestxhairextensions?igsh=NGdsM2djMDl2d2dx&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoyceEssentials
- Twitter: JoyceEssentials Twitter: https://x.com/joyceessentials?s=21 RawestXHairExtensions Twitter: https://x.com/rawestxhairext?s=21
