Inspiring Conversations with Lee Hicks of Leaving Pretty

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lee Hicks.  

Hi Lee, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Let me starts out with just saying being yourself is so important, don’t compare yourself or keep up with the next person, for me faith and trusting in God mix with a lot of hard work, dedication, consistency and never giving up! Life growing up was not hard but as an adult, I never had the easy way out, I had and still have to work hard! I’m 34, a mom with 2 kids ( Loriyell and Julius) and I am very hard working! To do all that I do, it would not or could not get it done if I did not have an amazing support system, From my fiancé (my kids father) my amazing mom, of course my brothers! my Dad who passed away 3 years ago and grandmother who passed away 6 years ago! I know it’s cliché but they are who I do everything for! I really wish they was here to see me now, to see my success and how far I came! My kids, my legacy, is Who and what I work so hard for! with society and social media being so strong and influenceable (good and bad) you question yourself! You question the phase that you are in life! it has been plenty of times I question myself and wanted to give up on my dreams! I’m glad I didn’t! But seriously, you have to realize whats for you, is for you no matter what, I had to continue to trust God. And believe me it is easier said than done especially when you have life going on around you moving at a fast pace…

So with that being said, from the beginning, I always dabbled in hair, I did and started cosmetology in high school, I’m 34 now, so I know my way around a styling chair! But it was not a easy road by far. After High school, I stop practicing hair for about 4-5 years, I probably was doing hair from time to time for friends and family only because they was asking me but it wasn’t a thing for me at that point in time in my life! But funny thing is every time I touch someone hair I felt at peace! my grandmother JP who is now passed away pushed me and made me do hair! Especially her hair every 2 weeks and when I did it she knew it was a real joy, a passion for me! She always told me not to let my talent and knowledge about hair go to waste! In addition, she made me open my eyes to a different way of thinking! Regarding the business point of view. she did not care that she was my grandmother she always said when my hand is in her hair (or anyone hair) she was a client, she forced me to accept her paying me, (this is the one lesson I take very seriously in being a entrepreneur). okay, so 12 years ago, I was working other jobs and doing hair only part time here and there and once I had my first child, my daughter, I end up being more interested in it probably because I had a daughter with ALOT of hair but through it all, I never lost my passion and the LOVE for hair! I always wanted to focus on healthy hair, promote healthy hair so I began to do it more often! My biggest struggle was building clientele. it was tremendously hard for me, plenty times I wanted to give up, so being safe I always worked a full time job, I even went back and got my associates degree in psychology because I was not sure what career path I was going to take, but All at the same time I still continued to do hair part time! I’m good at all hairstyles but my passion is for natural hair and hair growth.

So I continue to build my clientele, I do have some amazing clients, some who stuck through it with me from the beginning! I couldn’t get to where I am without the clients who supported me through it all!! What also separates me from the rest is my professionalism, personality, sense of humor, communication skills, also being someone my clients can talk to (I guess that psychology degree do come in handy behind the chair) and it is a plus I always had amazing customer Service. but, long story short I stuck with it and it wasn’t until six years ago, on a Sunday morning I went to church and we had a guest speaker and that pastor who was the guest speaker, called me out and pulled me to the side, he didn’t know me and I didn’t know him but no one knew except for my mom and my fiancé, that I was struggling between just putting my all into cosmetology or just let it go and continue to work (I actually had 2 good job offer on the table) because although I was doing hair part time and still building clientele, lets be real financially it just wasn’t enough! but back to this pastor, he stopped and told me too continue to use my gift, he confirmed, I had a gift with my hands and To just let all my doubts go, he told me to choose my gift and trust in God and he also told me that my gift with my hands was going to bring me success, and then he asked can he pray over my hands and he did! That day my decision was made I was sticking with continuing to use my gift and do hair! I put my all into hair and start doing it full time But ever since that day he prayed over my hands and me paying my tithes every single Sunday and continue to have Faith in God, clientele was and is falling into my lap! no joke my life changed and my clientele changed after that prayer as well, my clientele was and current still growing rapidly, at that time I was doing hair out of my house that I use to live in, in Detroit, then two years later I was in a suite where I’m still at currently and its been 3 years strong here in Oak Park! My fiancé is one of my biggest supporters, he also made sacrifices to help see me win. Also he helped me come up with my brand Name “Leaving Pretty”. I went from struggling to building my clientele into being booked 2 to 3 months in advance! I am even able to hire someone to help me as an assistant (and I have 2 amazing assistants, and they know who they are). Also, I was able to come out with my own hair oil! My Oil is amazing and all my clients love it. They purchase it, I mean multiple bottles at a time for their self and for others. even people who is not my clients contact me to purchase my hair oil! When I am in stock, it sales out completely in days to the point I am currently in the process as we speak opening up an online store to go main stream with my product! Even through Covid, and in this pandemic I was and still able to thrive. Through this whole process, I was blessed that I didn’t have to take out any business loans or nothing! I still remain humble, When I tell you for the last 4 years I was working so hard (and still am, but not as many hours as I did) from early mornings too late nights. not seeing friends and family as much. I am now able to say it was/is  ALL worth it. now, I can help with continuing putting me and my family in a good financial position. also, At the end of 2021 Me and my fiancé was able to check one of ours biggest goals off our list and was able to make an Big purchase and close on our new home that’s 4 times the size of our first home! ( with being able to keep and rent out our other property). Showing our kids with hard work and dedication, you can do anything and nothing is handed to you! My big motto is: stay in my own lane, stay humble! TRUST in GOD! 

Me personally, I’m so private, I have nothing to prove to no one, that’s another reason why I stay focused!. I literally do everything for my kids! That’s who I am only impressing! Not only I am a hair care specialist, I have the ability to be a hair stylist as well because there is a big difference! I have a saying “Everyone who can use a flat iron and can do hair, but not everybody can specialize in healthy natural hair, don’t be fooled..” I AM a brand in itself! My clients leave out my chair “Leaving pretty” inside and out!  Every day I am still growing, Still learning, still teaching myself! I am comfortable where I’m at in life but I still continue to work hard, to grow because where I want to be is just ahead of me!

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?
No, as stated before this road has not been smooth at all! with being a second away of giving up on my gift and talent, having 2 kids, financially trying not to put the stress on my significant other (which he did not mind) because I still had to maintain a comfortable lifestyle! And we did just that! but as a women like me who want to add to our family, because I’m very independent I have to be able to stand on my own 2 feet, and trying to have my own independent success, that was hard. So in a nutshell, struggling with my path career wise, and which path I wanted to take was a Daily struggle, on top of being a hands on mom and a good one at that. I knew at the end of the day I wanted more and wanted to be my own boss. I wanted to add to the table, I wanted to be a team player. and I wanted to prove to myself that what I wanted in life can be achieved! I was struggling within myself. no matter how hard, I wanted to be a business woman. An amazing entrepreneur! I wanted to make boss moves. and I wanted to continue to give my kids everything,  show them new possibilities, introduce them to other things.  I had to really put my faith to work! especially with growth and success it comes with a lot of ups and downs, especially with knowing it is people who do not want you to win in life or people not wanting to see you grow mentally and successfully. but hey it comes with the territory. but with having GOD, positive people around you and a amazing support system it means everything!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
My Business and brand is Leaving Pretty LLC.. The name in itself explains it all! I am a hair stylist, but my pride and joy is being able to be a natural hair care specialist, with specializing in healthy and growing hair. I have my own 100% all natural hair oil “LP Liquid Gold” that I take pride in hand making myself and sale. It is made with 100% all natural ingredients! I represent my brand every here I go and my work and product speaks for itself! no matter how much success I continue to strive for, I still remain myself and remain humble. Also I have an Secret, I’m also in the process of moving forward in producing my own shampoo and conditioner hair care line! (That’s one of my main goals for 2022). I have so much more things to bring to continue the success of my brand, I’m just getting started! 

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
being relatable, being real, being myself, loving myself, never giving up, being

genuine, being hard working, never getting relaxed, stay in grind mode! Also having respect for others, and most of ALL being professional at all time, being nice, and simply being Me!

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://square.site/book/F216S6SXMJ9EK/
• Instagram: @styles_by_lee
• Facebook: Lee Hicks
• Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC9Z8Vv-xJtHC6YqmMYmqQeQ

Image Credits
Loriyell Davis
Kaila Davis