We recently had the chance to connect with Decardrea Mckay and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Decardrea, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is a normal day like for you right now?
What’s a normal day in the hair world!? Honestly we see so much and hear things people are insecure about. We’re in position to make you look good which will result into you feeling good!
Of course I wake up & get my life together. After that I gather all the things I need for that day for all my clients. I’ll text my first client, let them know when I’m headed to them. I’m a mobile Braider so I travel a lot!
Finish everyone up, make sure I eat something or drink a protein shake throughout the day. Go home and repeat It never stops! All I can say is MOTION!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, my name is Drea Maria. I am known as Florida braider I specialize in Braiding hair on specifically natural hair alopecia/hairloss or protective styles. I work with a couple celebrities as well as attended the hair shows since I was 14 years old.
I’m just a country girl born in Georgia raised in Florida. I did have a two pair at home however we did experience trials and tribulations like normal families. So as a black girl, I had a lot of hair and no one wanted to do it. So my mom took me to the hair salon one time and I got my hair braided. It took her all day. It was two girls on my head. I was there from 8 AM to 2 AM the next day and it cost a lot of money because I had a lot of hair. So with that price, I don’t even remember the price, but it was crazy. She couldn’t take me all the time so I learned how to start writing my own here and then going into high school that’s when everything like was going to stand still.
My mom, I’m gonna incarcerated my dad kind of moved in the picture as the main parent so it was a little hard for change, but we got through it.
Braiding really helped me cope with that.
Fast-forward my mom gets out I move back with my mom. I have a job I’m braiding hair and I’m going to school. I also got my braider’s license in high school when I was 16 years old.
I graduate I get out of school decided to stay out a year after high school, which resorted to me getting a hair salon. I was a salon owner at 19 years old until hurricane Michael hit, what I’ve never thought that that time would’ve took my shot so we had to start over.
I became mobile. I traveled Tallahassee Panama City, Tampa, Orlando, Miami, Alabama, Georgia.
I still travel to this day I feel like that’s where I make more money. Plus I had to shop before it was alot for a 19-20year old. Plus around this time people really didn’t want to come in the shop as often. I would get more late night after our appointments versus in the shop. I moved to Tallahassee started braiding there. Moved on the Tampa, made my mark there, after that it was Orlando, Miami everybody else just lined up right behind each other. Now I am in Atlanta. Just made it to Atlanta voyage magazine go check out that interview as well as my Orlando voyage interview. I did for my first interview with you all & I want to thank you guys. I love working with you guys very blessed to have this opportunity it has opened so many doors!
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was just a girl! A girl with a dreams, goals and a notebook of plans. I start off one strand of hair at a time. After which I started to open up to small opportunities that became my reality!
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could go back in time I would tell my younger self to let go and let god. Don’t stress about anything everything is going to work out in your favor. Look where we are today go harder, have faith and remain humble! Follow your heart don’t let no one discourage you. The last thing I would tell myself is that it’s lonely at the top ,you cannot bring everyone with you. Stay focused and pray!
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
You guys should know the answer to this question based on what I do Hair Girl!
Hair is a culture value of mine it mimics as a symbol of identity social status spiritual beliefs.
It’s another way to express ourselves and enhance our appearance.
Also when you look good you feel good!
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
This is actually funny because this happened to me a lot until I realized I will never be satisfied. I’m hungry I’m determined, passionate, eager and very grateful. I give everything to god. I give all my problems to him. Everything’s been working out in my favor. My clientele has grown a lot as much as I don’t see it. I am very appreciative and I won’t stop until I’m satisfied. So when I accomplish a goal, it’s time to hit the next goal.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://voyageatl.com/interview/life-work-with-decardrea-mckay-of-atlanta-georgia
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/floridabraider?igsh=cHNmODlsbXphbGds&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/16XsAku9cD/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@floridabraider?si=CThVHsZWrRvRAlGc
Image Credits
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