Today we’d like to introduce you to Tameshia Effinger.
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 developed an interest in Braiding as a young child, I would say around 12 years old. When I entered high school is where I took cosmetology, Under the instruction of Mrs. Sharon Green Lynn.
At the time the new Natural Hair License in Tennessee was born. Mrs. Lynn asked me would I be interested in applying for the license since I had developed enough hours which is 300 total clocked hours. I took the natural Hair license exam and passed, making me graduate high school with a trade license and high school diploma at the same time.
At 17/18 years old, I didn’t know the importance of the license that I held, so my plan after high school was to go to Nursing school. I have had several career temps I even went to college and obtain some certifications and diplomas. I was a Certified Nursing assistant, A EMT, and even attempted to be a correctional officer.
All the attempts at other careers over the years lead me back to my Natural Hair License. I became a full-time Natural Hairstylist in 2014.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
At first, I thought it was a smooth road until I realized I was a full-time entrepreneur, and I was responsible for everything, the good bad, and the ugly. Over the years, I have maintained a pretty booked and busy schedule, but I’ve learned that it also comes with discipline and structure, and you can always count on the unknown to happen.
My biggest obstacle was in 2018 when I decided to open my Natural Hair School “The Institute for Braiding and Natural Hair”. There I was with my I’s dotted and my T’s crossed. I drove to Nashville to sit before the Tennessee State board of cosmetology to get my approval to open my school.
When I walked in I was greeted by one of the board members and was notified that there was a deregulation law coming through the pipeline. What did that mean? It meant that if the law was passed there would be no need for a natural hair license or a school. Devasted I was but still optimistic. Well, I got approved and the deregulation law was not passed.
Almost 2 years later, we are in a global pandemic (Covid-19). Something scary I had never seen before. In a business where we deal with the public on a daily basis, we were told we were nonessential workers and had to close down for 2 months. Still hopeful and optimistic, the state board approved us to start having virtual classes.
This seemed to have worked better anyway because students were able to stay safe and still clock their hours to obtain their Natural hair License.
As you know, we’re big fans of The Institute for Braiding and Natural Hair. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
The Institute for Braiding and Natural Hair is a Natural Hair School, students are to complete a combined total of 300 clocked hours that includes theory and practical training. upon completion, they are approved to sit before the Tennessee State Board of cosmetology and test for their license.
I am Master Educator and director at the school along with 2 other instructors Mrs.Lynn and Mrs. Jones. I am also a Master Braider who is actively working as a Hairstylist, this gives me the advantage of continuously learning new techniques and bringing them back to our enrolled students.
I specialize in Alopecia Braiding, I have several clients that suffer from Alopecia and I am able to service them with a style that gives them confidence and an opportunity to wear their hair in different styles that they thought they could never wear.
I am known for my many Braid styles and the services that I offer, this is what also sets me aside from others. I have the ability and willingness to teach skills and braid techniques that most schools don’t teach.
Brand-wise, I am most proud that our Brand gives people an opportunity to achieve their goals and dreams. We offer several programs that cater to a lot of people. We have of course the Natural Hair Program, we also have the 16-hour sanitation and hygiene course (Registered Braider).
We also offer a teen braider program for teenagers aged 14-16 (braid training skills and certification), and we also have what we call mini skill courses, this is for those that only want to learn a braid skill so that they maybe can do their own hair or their children.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My advice to anyone starting out is to make sure you do your research.
Get the license that you need to successfully run your business, seek advice from someone in the industry, and don’t take shortcuts. There is no elevator to success, you have to take the stairs.
Pricing:
- Natural Hair Program $3500
- Teen Program $150
- 16-hour Sanitation and hygiene $150
Contact Info:
- Website: www.institutebnh.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebraidinstitute
