Hidden Gems: Meet Antwanette Spencer of BraidLove

Today we’d like to introduce you to Antwanette Spencer. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve been interested in doing hair since I was a kid. It started with me doing my little sister’s hair. In middle school, I would braid my friend’s hair just for fun. High school and college are when I actually started taking clients at home. I didn’t take braiding seriously for a long time, it was just a way to make extra cash. It wasn’t until 2018 that I had the thought of leaving my job of 6 years to pursue braiding as a career. I was scared but I realized I had the real skills and eventually left my job in December 2018 to work in a salon, Xclusive Beauty Lounge. I started part-time, braiding at the salon and at home, for about 4-5 months. I then became full-time. One of the best decisions I’ve made! 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Due to my work schedule, I was only able to braid on the weekends, mainly Saturdays and Sundays. I had some adjusting to do at the salon. I was used to being available only on these days, therefore I had to promote my work more to get clients during the week. For the days when I had no clients or last-minute cancellations, I started doing Lyft to make up for it. After I gained more clientele, I no longer had to drive for Lyft. 

As you know, we’re big fans of the name of my business is BraidLove. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I specialize in protective braiding styles, including feed-in braids and regular cornrows. My most popular style is knotless box braids, which are done with a feed-in technique. The neatness of my braids, being detailed oriented, and being personable are what sets me apart. I’m grateful for the clientele I have gained, my support system, and most proud of my growth these past three years. There were times when I considered going back to the corporate world, and I’m happy to have people around to help motivate me to keep going on this journey. 

My booking link is StyleSeat.com/Nette spencer 

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
The book I’m currently reading, set boundaries, find peace. 

Contact Info:

• Website: StyleSeat.com/nettespencer
• Instagram: @Styleseat and @X_braidlove_x
• Other: www.tiktok.com/@braidlove131

Image Credits
Jamie Lynn