KISH: Tell us about you..
I am extremely simple. Just a little brown girl that was raised in the hood. Grew up in a two-parent household along with 3 older brothers. I had a dream to own something but was not sure what that “something” was. Since I was the only girl, and youngest, my mother was weak in the hair styling department. I started doing my own hair at the age of 9 and the rest is history. Fast forward to 2021, I am now a serial entrepreneur with 4 salons, products, and a business program in the making.
KISH: What is your dream and how will accomplishing your dream benefit you and others?
Kali: My Dream is to have household name products, schools and establishments that will provide employment to those that look like, grew up like and inspire to be like me.
KISH: Who or what inspired you to pursue this dream?
Kali: My upbringing honestly. Watching the majority of the population in my community, close friends and family struggling was a daily reminder for me to work hard. I was determined not to let my surroundings trick me to believe that better opportunities didn’t exist.
KISH: What challenges have you encountered while pursuing your dream?
Kali: One major one that transformed my career was completing hair school. Working without a license was challenging. I feel I messed up and missed out on some opportunities trying to beat the system. I would start and stop school over the course of 10 years. The move to Atlanta made me buckle down, take things serious and finally complete the hours, graduate at the top of the class and get licensed. Opportunities just began to fall into my lap afterwards. That’s when I realized skipping steps really can cause you to go backwards.
KISH: Who or what inspired you to keep pushing regardless of the challenges you’ve encountered?
Kali: My family. I always want to make them extremely proud of me. Now that I have a daughter, the burning desire to succeed is 100x stronger. Lol.
KISH: Please provide final thoughts/advice for others by finishing this sentence… dream.
Kali: I’m sure you all have heard this before but this keeps me going. No matter how old it gets-
“It’s up to you to turn your thought into a reality. So, no matter what, never stop going after your dream.”
You can follow me on Instagram @businesscoachkali , @pressbarsalon, @dreamsalonsuites on ig and facebook
Photo Credit Jakeem Smith of @lifestyleimagesatl
