Life & Work with Jocelyn Walker of Southfield

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jocelyn Walker

Hi Jocelyn, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Jocelyn Walker I am a 30 year old full time entrepreneur. I am a mom of a fantastic 7 year old son, Wade. I was born in Detroit MI and eventually moved to the out skirts of the city around 11 years old. As a kid I always had a gravitating personality despite my introverted ways. I could literally make friends effortlessly. As I got older I noticed that my welcoming aura made individuals feel safe and with that they always wanted to release when they were with me. I guess maybe I should have been in the counseling field lol. However with this comfortability I grew a passion for people and their stories. During high school my friends would ask me to do their hair from time to time. While doing their hair they would tell me about whatever they wanted to share at the time. Overtime I really began to grow a liking for doing hair and hearing people’s story. So from there my family members started asking me to do different styles for them especially my mom and sister. They became my live in muses. It was a time for us to bond and have girl talk as well. In 2015 I decided to take a stab at furthering my desires for the hair industry and I enrolled into cosmetology. I was attending Douglas J Aveda in Royal Oak. I went in super excited about what was next and I was literally ready to take the cosmetology field by storm. Well at least that’s what I thought. I was 21 years old at this time and I was literally having a hard time balancing work school and my social life. Needless to say my lack of focus landed me in a rough position and I ended up getting withdrawn from the program due to my tardiness. I was so discouraged after this I ended up taking a long break. I had started focusing more into work and my social life. I was super consumed with my relationship at the time and it completely pulled me away from my true aspirations. Then In April of 2016 one of the most tragic events happened to me and my family. I received a call April 23, 2016 that my youngest sister Bethany had been shot at a bowling alley while out with friends. Later that night we soon learned that she didn’t withstand the impact of the injury. She was only 18 and this took a huge toll on my family and I. The process of grieving this great loss only pushed me further from my desire to pursue my dream of going back to cosmetology school. I ultimately went on a downward spiral. In my distorted mindset that same relationship I was in felt like my only source of strength at the time. I became distant from family and friends and my dreams. Later that year I find out I was expecting and the void I felt from the loss suddenly felt as though it was going to be filled again. April 22, 2017 a year and a day ahead of the terrible day we lost my sister my beautiful baby boy was born. I instantly felt my joy and strength trying to come back. I knew things had to turn around especially since now I had someone depending on me. In 2019 I eventually ended up severing ties with that relationship that no longer consumed or served me, It was now time for “ME” to come back. I realigned with family and regained my focus. Just when I’m feeling my power coming back March of 2020 rolls around and the pandemic hits and turns the world completely upside down. Despite the horrific events of the pandemic it really became a blessing in disguise. It gave not only myself, but people around the world a chance the play catch up. Also to really dive deeper within ourselves to bring out our creativity. So after a year of sitting around I decided to get back to myself. I knew it was time for me to invest back into my desires and dreams. A revival was in full affect and I decided to re-enroll back into cosmetology school but this time at Dorsey College( School of beauty). I started January 11,2021, and it started out virtually due to the world still being on lock down. Eventually as things opened up in the world we were then able to start going into the school 2 days out of the 5 day week. This gradual process of getting back into the swing of things was perfect for me especially now having a little one compared to the first time. As time progressed and the lock down lifted we were going in the building 5 days a week. We would wear mask and get our temperature checked at the door but it was worth it just to be around other people all sharing similar goals. The journey of being back in cosmetology school was so amazing. I felt right at home. My instructors were the absolute best and they really helped me along the way. The program was a year long and boy did that year fly! My 1500 credit hours had been completed in January of 2022, and it was now time to celebrate my completion. To top it off we actually got to walk across the stage which was a phenomenal experience. Our ceremony was June 23, 2022. It was the first one Dorsey had since before the pandemic. So not only was the graduating class excited so were the instructors and faculty. This was the best way to take my life back by storm. Graduation felt so empowering. However I still had one more challenge to take on before completely claiming my full revival. After graduation my instructor held study sessions where we would take practice test for the state board exam. This exam consisted of two parts a hands on portion called the practical exam, and a written portion called the theory exam. In my head I was super confident in my practical exam but on the theory exam I was not as confident. Standardized test taking had always been a struggle for me. However I was hitting the books night and day to drill the material in my head. I would go to Bells Isle and just sit there by the water and study until it would get dark. I knew the material but the anxiety of test taking was driving me crazy! The day finally arrived for me to take my exams and ya girl passed both on the first try! All my hard work had literally paid off. I felt invincible and immediately was ready to take on my next step. I had found a local salon to work at and it was a great start for me. I did a ton of model days where I only took tips for services. I also would run a ton of specials. This was for sure my trail and error season lol. I did learn a lot while working at my first salon. After about 9 months I took my career a step further by renting my first salon suite. It was a 9×10 suite but I made it my own. It was super cute and homey. By this time I had built up a decent clientele but was still growing for sure. I was so elated because I was really doing it! Exactly what I set out to do. My clients were happy and they were able to relax and release while I revived them. Revival was a recurring theme for me and it really became something I lived by. This had been my journey of revival and I wanted to help others get back to themselves as well through beauty and self care. This is how Revived Styles was birthed. I spent about 6 months in my salon suite before a greater opportunity opened up for me. There was another salon suite available however this one was way more spacious and it would allow me the opportunity to hire other stylists to work as independent contractors under my Revived Styles brand. This was my very first salon business. I received the keys for this new location in June of 2023. Everything I had envisioned for myself back during the pandemic was all aligning right before my very eyes. I had my grand opening August 20.2023. This day was super magical and emotional and full of love and support. The girl who wasn’t focused enough to finish hair school back in 2015 was now officially a salon owner. God had really did his big one! Revived Styles has literally been making history ever since or should I say Her-Story. Revived Styles LLC isn’t just a beauty business but its a safe space. It’s a transformation station as well as a place to truly get a full revival experience. We specialize in natural hair care and restoration. We thrive on creating a divine experience for every customer. We offer services for women men and children. We are always growing and expanding and there is still so much more to come. We will be launching our hair care line very soon! As well as teaching an intro to cosmetology course for middle and high school students. our goal is to make impact and to continue reviving lives one at a time.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
This journey has definitely been a bumpy one. The biggest struggle I faced was my lack of discipline and self control. Until I grasped the concept of those two major things I would not have been able to accomplish the goals I’ve hit thus far. This is for sure still an uphill battle of mine but I totally understand my assignment now and I won’t be deviating from it any time soon.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am the owner and Ceo of Revived Styles LLC. Revived Styles is a licensed beauty establishment that specializes in natural hair care and restoration. Our aim to establish healthy hair growth and restoration by stimulating hair follicles that may be dormant. This is our main focus because we noticed other stylist focus on extension and wig services while negating the neglecting the natural hair. So what sets us apart is that we will help restore any damage caused by these services or other underlying causes such as inflammation of the scalp. We are known for our loc and braid services. Our proudest accomplishment at the moment is our hair care line that will be launching next month. it will consist of shampoos, conditioners hair growth oils, and so much more!

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Revived Styles can be reached on Instagram and Facebook at Revived Styles LLC. We are also on google under Revived Styles LLC. We are always open to donations and collaborations. Also brand deals and community events and referrals.

Pricing:

• $25 off for any service with this coupon from this interview!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://revivedstylesllc.square.site/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/revivedstylesllc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therevivequeen/