Today we’d like to introduce you to Akira LaSha.
Hi Akira, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Akira La’Sha, and I was born and raised in Memphis, TN. As an only child, I’ve always been extremely independent. From a young age, I knew I was destined to be a business owner. Doing hair came naturally to me, but believe it or not, it wasn’t my first career choice.
I got my first job at 16, and I instantly fell in love with the feeling of making my own money. After high school, I went to Tennessee State University and majored in Business Administration. After a year, I realized it wasn’t the right fit for me, so I made the bold decision to move to Miami and attend the Miami International School of Art and Design. That journey didn’t go as planned either, and I eventually moved back home to Memphis.
At that point, I felt disappointed in myself. I remember thinking, “My next decision has to be my best decision.” I was only 22, but I knew it was time to get serious. I decided to enroll at Paul Mitchell The School here in Memphis — and that ended up being one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
While still in school, I started building my clientele, and business was booming. The same month I graduated and became a licensed cosmetologist, I also quit my job and went all in. I haven’t looked back since.
Now, 8 years later, at 29 years old, I’m preparing to open my very first salon suites location in Collierville, TN — Savour Salon Suites. This space is designed for beauty entrepreneurs to create, grow, and give their clients a high-end experience worth remembering. This isn’t just a salon — it’s a vision come to life, and I’m so proud of how far I’ve come.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There were plenty of moments when I questioned myself and my path. After leaving TSU and then moving back home from Miami, I felt lost and disappointed in myself. It was one of those moments where you feel like you’re starting over, and that’s never easy. I remember telling myself, “This next move has to count.” That kind of pressure can be heavy, especially when you’re young and trying to figure out your purpose.
Another major struggle was working and doing clients while I was still in school. I was balancing classes, trying to perfect my craft, working a job, and still trying to market myself all at the same time. There were days I was exhausted, and unsure if I was really cut out for this. I even worked myself into the hospital for 3 days, But deep down, I knew I had something special. I just had to stay focused.
Even now, stepping into a new version of entrepreneurship and opening my first salon suites location is exciting, but it’s also a huge leap of faith. There are risks, challenges, and so many unknowns, but I welcome it all because I know this is what I was meant to do.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a licensed cosmetologist and beauty entrepreneur with 8 years of experience in the hair industry. I specialize in healthy hair care, natural styles, and protective styles. I take pride in helping my clients not only look beautiful, but feel confident. My chair has always been a place where women come to relax, reset, and leave feeling their best.
Over the years, I’ve become known for my consistency, professionalism, and attention to detail. I’ve always been big on giving my clients a full experience. I believe the energy you create as a stylist is just as important as the style itself.
What I’m most proud of is the growth, both personally and professionally. From building my clientele from the ground up to now opening Savour Salon Suites in Collierville, TN, I’ve worked hard to turn my vision into reality. This new space is more than just a business for me it’s a place where other beauty professionals can build their own dreams, just like I did.
What sets me apart is my mindset. I’m not just doing hair. I’m building an empire rooted in purpose, quality, and experience. I’ve learned to take every setback and turn it into fuel, and I think my clients feel that in everything I do.
How do you think about luck?
I’ve definitely had moments that felt like “bad luck” at the time. Honestly I wouldn’t really consider it bad luck because it was all apart of my journey, like when I left college, or when my move to Miami didn’t work out. I felt like I kept hitting roadblocks while trying to find my path. But looking back, those situations were really just redirection. They pushed me to tap into my true passion and build something for myself. So what I thought was bad luck was actually divine timing.
I’ve also had some “good luck” in which I consider blessings, like connecting with the right clients at the right time, or being offered opportunities that helped me grow.
So yes, luck has played a part. But I’ve learned that what really moves things forward is faith, hard work, and trusting the process even when it doesn’t make sense in the moment.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.akiralasha.com
- Instagram: @akiralasha @savoursalonsuites
