Rising Stars: Meet L’Vynder Renae of Southfield, Michigan

Today we’d like to introduce you to L’Vynder Renae

L’Vynder, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was around 10 years old when my mom saw I had an interest in braiding hair. She invested in my mannequin head, I would practice with it a little bit but not much. There were a good handful of times I would ask my aunt if I could braid my little cousins’ hair, I would do their hair braid it, and put beads on it. As I grew older I didn’t have the same interest to braid hair anymore. Though I didn’t have much interest in being a braid stylist I would still braid my hair or at least try to. I didn’t go to hair school. I would watch YouTube videos on how to add synthetic braiding hair to do what was once popular box braids on myself. I couldn’t get it on the first, second, or third time lol but kept trying until I FINALLY got it. From the moment I got it I was braiding my own hair. People would ask me “Who braided your hair?” when I would tell them I braided my own hair people would always be like “Oh wow you’re talented” or “Really!? You did a good job”. It wasn’t till after high school, I was 19 years old I had moved back home with my mom. I remember going to her and telling her my plan to braid hair. I was like “mom I’m going to get back into braiding, don’t book my little sisters appointments with anyone for braids. I’m going to be their braider” (I have two little sisters on my mom’s side we are 10 & 11 years apart).

I created a vision board of what I wanted my life to look like as an entrepreneur/braider. My first braider Instagram name was “Stylesbyrenae”. I chose that name because I have the same middle name as my nana Venesa Renae and though she passed away when I was 18 I wanted to keep her name going so it was something meaningful to me. Furthermore, I continued to braid my mom’s and siblings’ hair and even my hair. Changed my stylist name to Braided By Lav on Instagram (my clients loved my first name which is pronounced lavender so I thought why not change it to my nickname). Fast forward to about 6 months to a year in of braiding my mom’s and siblings’ hair. I would get clients main people I knew from school days or referrals. I lived at my mom’s at the time to I ended up becoming a travel braider. From 2019-2021 I was travel only. It had its pros & cons but I love the flexibility and freedom it gave me plus the passive income. I also started my YouTube channel around 2019 but was on and off with it.

I took a break from braiding hair to work full-time at Comcast, I was braiding hair on the days I had off work. I worked at Comcast for about 2 years. I believe in God, I fasted for clarity and confirmation on quitting my job. I stepped out in faith and quit my job to go back to braiding hair full-time and content creation.

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, the challenges I’ve faced are becoming a mother and finding a balance between motherhood and entrepreneurship. Also, being back in the rebuilding clientele phase while growing my YouTube channel has been a journey. I’ve struggled with confidence in myself and knowing my purpose in entrepreneurship. I’ve lacked funds to invest in my skills and businesses (braiding & content creation). I’ve had many challenges with finding clients who value my expertise, see my work and braid experience worth the price, and people not respecting my time. I’ve learned a lot and am grateful for every challenge I’ve faced because it’s gotten me to where I am today.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I work in Salon Versus hair shop located in Southfield Michigan; I specialize in knotless braids, feed in braids, kids braids, and men’s braids. I provide braiding hair and shampoo for my clients to experience luxury braid services. I do content creation full-time on YouTube, my YouTube channel is LVynder Renae- subscribe to my channel. I’m grateful for the ups and downs and look forward to more growth and prosperity.

I am most proud of myself for never giving up on God and myself, always believing and walking by faith even when it doesn’t make sense.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
In the braiding industry, I see myself hosting braid classes for kids of all ages who want to learn how to braid hair and also for adult ladies who want to learn a new skill. I see myself hosting more women’s empowerment events, doing things that will bring our community together, and using my gifts and skills to pour back into girls and women. Lastly, if it’s the Lord’s will for me, I would love to do a braid tour or a braid class tour!

Pricing:

• Feed-in braid range from $60-$130
• Girls 8-17 braid pricing range from $100-$222
• Knotless braid pricing range from $180-$275
• Boy’s/Men’s braid pricing range from $45-$60
• Maintenance braid services range from $50-$150

Contact Info:

• Website: https://BraidedbyLav.as.me/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/braidedbylav/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LVynderRenae