Today we’d like to introduce you to Karsyn.
Hi Karsyn, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Graduating from middle college and high school at CBU, not Hollis’ price we’re a different breed over at CBU. I graduated with a 4.0 GPA, and early college credits & was our senior class president and prom king. Apart from the national honor society, student council, and dance team, created our high school step team, & a part of the track team and drama club.
I excelled in high school. I ran the 110-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles I missed those times. After graduating, I continued my education at Southwest TN Community College where I joined the cheerleading team and took classes to gain my general studies associate degree. However, things took a turn during my first year of college I started working at Burger King and XPO Logistics warehouse as an inventory specialist and I had no real bills and money to spend honey I shopped traveled, and played around I was just getting to know what the streets were honey and I loved them, I was outside!
I lost focus for a minute on the real goal and flunked every class I had and from there it started going downhill I was making the wrong choices and with the wrong crowd and it took me on a path I’d never regret or take back because it brought me to exactly where I am today. I got into an incident at a local Memphis iHop with the manager and a group of friends of mine at the time of course I am a homosexual so I was out with my people and my transgender friend whom I call my gay mother was being very disrespected, we were discriminated against and gave terrible service things took a terrible turn a fight broke out and let’s just say after the dust settled I was the one who got 5 years of my life taken away from me, but I wouldn’t change a second.
I spent 13 hours in jail after going to a precinct to let them know what had happened days after the incident occurred thinking I was just going to tell my story and my statement got me right behind bars child I was through. It was my first offense I wouldn’t wish the system on anyone. The whole process was just demeaning it sent me to a dark place inside honestly after those 13 hours had passed I had cried and cried got my little cell and boom posted a bond. Couldn’t have done it without my parents my mom and my stepdad and dad and stepmom, yep 4 parents, don’t know where I’d be without them I love them dearly especially my mom her talks and how she loves have always held me and kept me.
From there, I was given diversion for 3 years 2019-2023 and it was horrible couldn’t get a decent job because of my background I have house visits, random tests, and screens, anger management classes, and community service like literally so much they want u to do to prove you’re not a violent person and I’m not I’m a person that’s going to defend what’s right and stand up for myself and those I love. I respect everyone so there’s no reason I shouldn’t be offered the same respect even given my flamboyant style creativity and nature.
I’m outspoken, driven, dedicated, smart, and talented and it took me going through all of that to see that there’s nothing wrong with who I am or how I am. During that time, on diversion I started my own business I was working different jobs that didn’t last too long here and there I would find I cleaned schools, worked for uHaul, worked as a sales agent for crisp connections, beauty, and company and I took that time to go back into school and study something I found love in doing which was makeup. I went to Gould’s Academy where I studied to become a licensed aesthetician and graduated in Sept. 2021.
As I grew into the LGBT community from 2016 until now I started to see so many things drag queens, Butch queens, transgender men, and women, stems, fems, trade, & studs that have these amazing styles and fashions and flow, and sassiness and cockiness it was literally where I belonged I was astonished. Being introduced to these things in 2016, I researched, I tried things and I figured out exactly who Karsyn was, I consider myself an androgynous or non-binary person I don’t fit into one category because I love to be both.
After getting my record clear in 2023, I began in the caregiving field I’m CPR certified and Med certified in the state of TN I started back at Southwest TN Community College with 1 year left I have successfully still been able to service clients after becoming a licensed aesthetician in Memphis TN I started my business synthetics selling strip lashes and servicing men and women in facials, waxes, body contouring, and makeup services from 2019-present. I’m pursuing my dreams in fashion, acting, modeling, and dancing. And I’m grateful and happy with where I am today.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not a smooth road at all! It’s been a tough one. I’ve battled with depression and suicide because sometimes life can just really seem like it’s too much is this really what’s going on right is what you ask yourself sometimes.
Going through that legal battle was one of the toughest and longest things I thought it wouldn’t end. Literally 1 year of court battles then you get sentenced to 3 years of diversion you do those then 1 more year of court battling come 5 years I struggled with trying to make ends meet and having a stable income but I got through God made a way out of no way every time and I’m grateful for my path I’m grateful for my struggle.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My aesthetician business synthetics specializes in facials & skincare, body waxing, lashes, brows, body contouring, & makeup services available for men & women, I am a freelance model, and I act, dance, and style men and women. I am known for my aesthetic, style, and sense of fashion, my beauty, cosmetic, & personal care business, and my creativity.
I am most proud of following every dream I set out for myself as a little boy I’m on a mission & I’m not going to stop. This is only the beginning! The thing that sets me apart from others mostly is the way I carry myself, my business mindset, my skills and ability to adapt to change, & my goals and aspirations. I’m a jack of all trades and I can’t wait to show the world!
Networking and finding a mentor can have a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Honestly putting yourself out there has always been a great risk taker for me. As long as I was scared and didn’t try, I didn’t get what I truly wanted but if I risked everything and went for what I wanted anyway I swear to you, I would get it every time!
As far as looking for a mentor or finding help god will always place someone in your life unexpectedly that’s the one you keep. I don’t trust easily but what has helped me is taking the risk honestly you have to just do it! And of course, my amazing mother has always inspired my life encouraged me supported me, and motivated me she molded me into who I am today without her I am nothing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/Iamkarsyn
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/iam_karsyn
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@lifeofsyn9779?si=sF3cDfrTQpJuYdZ9
Image Credits
Kodak Court, Josiah Roberto, and Dewayne Hambrick
