Exploring Life & Business with Kathy English of Alotta Locs Hair Suite

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathy English.

Hi Kathy, 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?
Behind her businesses, Kathy H. English

Is the founder and Owner of Alotta Locs Hair Suite®, Self-made Entrepreneur, Loctician Specialist, Published Author, of “Intro To Starter Locs: A Beginner’s Guide now available on Amazon, and podcaster of the Minding My Black-Owned Business: Women In Business Podcast

Michigan native, born and raised from the Eastside of Detroit, Michigan, and the product of a single-family home always expressed dreams of going to college, giving back to the community, and aspired to become a successful business owner. Even though growing up Kathy had struggles and downfalls, she has created her narrative for black excellence.

Today, Kathy is a mother of three beautiful daughters; a wife to her husband, Rodney going on 13 years married, a successful serial entrepreneur, business owner with two college degrees, and a business certification in entrepreneurship. Kathy is immensely grateful for the continued outpouring of love and support received from family, friends and her community.

Alotta Locs Hair Suite® was established in 2015 and started in her home. Now, has grew with a team of stylists and moved into a brick and mortar studio Located in Southfield, Michigan, minutes away from downtown Detroit where diversity thrives with deep-rooted culture.

The hair studio is a welcoming, professional, and clean environment specializing in Sisterlocks™, and offers additional natural hair alternatives for men, women, and children. The Alotta Locs team takes pride in respecting each client’s time; providing clients high-quality services with a touch of class. Your experience with ALHS will be relaxing, and drama-free without waiting to be serviced.

About two years ago, Kathy written and published her first, book “Intro To Starter Locs: A Beginner’s Guide “ which is used as an teaching guide for beginners to cultivate locs and maintain healthy hair. This book was developed as a resource to provide natural hair care education on hair locking techniques, loc history, loc maintenance, product education for locs, and this book will show you how to learn a new skill as a full time career. Anyone can do it!

Kathy’s podcast was developed at the height of the pandemic to cultivate a space for celebrating, highlighting, and uplifting successful, Dope, Black Women Entrepreneurs in the community who represents the culture. The podcast focuses on sharing free business tips, business education, and resources from experts to inspire others to start their businesses and to help small, women lead businesses to grow stronger. The podcast is available on all podcast platforms.

Kathy has an intelligent mind, kind spirit, and very ambitious. She strongly believes in giving back to the community and she is very passionate and intentional in all things. Kathy continues to support the community by serving additional time with two organizations as a active member of the Order of Eastern Star, Prince Hall Affiliation Jurisdiction of Michigan, and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Not at all. I was raised in a low-income community living in a single-family home. There were many struggles and barriers, I wasn’t going to let that discourage or limit me. The love of my village kept me going while growing up and having a mentors help instill values that kept me wanting more out of life.

We’ve been impressed with Alotta Locs Hair Suite LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am the founder and owner of My business. I have always been in love with hair. Was raised into it! Everyone in my house did hair, from my grandmother, mom, aunts, uncle, and cousins. Hair was a really big thing; on weekends our kitchen was like the salon. Everyone would gather together, bond over hair and talk about what plans they have for the week.
I always knew that I would be a hairstylist with juggling all the other things I did. Hair is my passion and I have a true talent for it. I’m a loctician specialist. A loctician is a stylist who cultivates locs, from your own natural hair without the use of chemicals, heat, and perms. African-Americans have beautiful, multi-textured hair from kinky, curly textured hair, to fine hair. Natural hair has all hair types and textures of the African diaspora. Our ancestors is where we get it from, it’s in our DNA.

I’m a full-time, professional Loctician Specialist, for men, women, and children. I specialize in loc care, services I provide includes; Sisterlocks™️, which is a trademarked brand that you must be trained in order to provide services. Locs are an investment! These locs are very tiny, low maintenance, uniformly cultivated by a grid, and versatile for all lifestyles. I also provide Microlocks, which are also small but not trademark by a brand they are just as beautiful and versatile – not as pricey as Sisterlocks™️ More affordable and carefree. Starter locs are for those who are getting locs established for the first time. This service is lease expensive, and can cultivated in many ways. For the most part, locs can be stared on most hair textures. Before any client begins there Loc Journey, we always do a loc consultation to assist them with making the appropriate decision for their hair types and budget.

The loc community is continually growing. Locs we’re not as widely accepted about a decade ago. When I began my loc journey 10 years ago, I felt liberated to embrace my own natural hair and proud! Today, locs are seen everywhere, and some have been discriminated against having them. But I thank God, that times are changing and as black people we can embrace our full selves. In reference to the acts of discrimination, The CROWN Act was created in 2019. The focus of the CROWN Coalition, in partnership with then State Senator Holly J. Mitchell of California, to ensure protection against discrimination based on race-based hairstyles by extending statutory protection to hair texture and protective styles such as braids, locs, twists, and knots in the workplace and public schools.

What sets me and my brand apart from other locticians is that, I focus on the whole client. I provide hair care education, support for clients whom are transitioning from permed hair to natural hair and ongoing education services for healthy hair growth. I build relationships and trust with my clients to have a bond. It’s more than just hair!

That’s what I want people to know about my brand.

My brand does offer hands-on classes in-person and virtually for people who want to learn about locs, and mentoring such as how to maintain locs or maybe want to start their own loc business through our Hair Academy at the studio. Classes are affordable, with materials included. classes are ongoing throughout the year and hosted by me. All details can be found on the business website at alottalocs.com and social media platforms at alottalocs.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Find your niche. Be consistent, seek education, training and invest in yourself to be the best you can be.

Contact Info:

• Email: alottalocs@gmail.com
• Website: alottalocs.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/alottalocs
• Facebook: locsbykathy
• Twitter: _alottalocs
• Youtube: alottalocs
• Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/minding-my-black-owned-business-women-in-business/id1566783895