Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Hill
Hi Jennifer, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always wanted to do hair, even as a young child. If the doll didn’t have hair I wouldn’t be interested. Many times, I got in trouble for using my shampoo and conditioner on my dolls. According to me – ‘they needed their hair done.” I often found myself doing my own hair and sometimes the hair of others as I transitioned into being a young adult. I didn’t have the opportunity to attend a trade school, so cosmetology school came much later for me. I attended a four-year university, at my mother’s request, and I graduated with honors. Just like any other 22-year-old I was more interested in ‘making money’ than attending cosmetology school, after my college university graduation. My interest in the field never went away and I often found myself trying new styles on myself and being obsessed with products.
At the start of June 2007, I decided to have my own new beginning and start to wear my natural hair instead of continuing to get a relaxer. During this time YouTube was not what it is now and there weren’t as many women embracing their natural hair. This forced me to get creative with styling my own hair. I often received stares as I tried styles I had never seen before – but people liked it. For several years I traveled to client’s homes to do their hair on a regular basis. I had a small clientele of 4-5 women who would trust me with their hair. One client, who was more like family, really encouraged me to attend cosmetology school. After many conversations with her, I finally decided to take the leap.
In 2016, at the age of thirty, I decided to take a leap and attend cosmetology school. I initially started the research process several years earlier and talked myself out of it. Knowing I had such a passion and interest in the field I knew I needed to take the leap of faith and find a school that worked for me. I started attending Empire Beauty School in January 2014, while working full time. This created a remarkably busy schedule for me. I worked from 8am until 5pm and attended cosmetology school for four hours in the evening Monday through Thursday. This heavy schedule lasted for two years… and two months. I was determined to finish school on time because I didn’t have any time to waste. March 2016, I graduated from cosmetology school and by mid June 2016 I had also earned my cosmetology license for Maryland. I was elated!
From there I maintained my corporate career and worked part-time in a corporate salon, I did hair from home sometimes and eventually moved to a suite with a friend. This friend is an esthetician who had just gone back to a suite and decided to invite me to share the space with her. I worked in the suite with her for over a year before I decided I needed to pivot yet again. In June 2018 I decided to leave my corporate job to focus on my dream job. It was exciting and liberating to welcome my new freedom as an entrepreneur.
Most days I was much slower than I thought they would be, regarding servicing clients. I thought I would open my schedule, and everyone would want to book with me – I was wrong. It doesn’t quite work that way. By January 2019, I knew I needed to make a change; I transitioned to a salon called Trends and Tresses in Owings Mills in April 2019. When I left my corporate job, a coworker was kind enough to share the salon owner’s information stating, ‘if I ever needed anything to give her a call.’ I started at the salon as a commission stylist and eventually transitioned to be a booth renter as of 2021. It’s a blessing to be at a salon that has truly become family to me. We work well together while encouraging each other along the way.
I have seen so much growth within my business over the last several years. I’ve gained many new clients; I have several regular clients and some that are internment. No matter their schedule I’m always ready to welcome them with open arms and to help them to better understand their natural hair. At Crown of Love we take pride in educating each client that comes through the door. We educate our clients on treatment recommendations while explaining why they are necessary and make product recommendations.
I have had an employee, Renaya, and she has been working with me for the last few years. She acquired her Maryland cosmetology license while in high school. She started as a shampoo assistant with me; though she still helps me she does take clients a few days a week.
So much has happened and we look forward to more wonderful things to come.
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?
I would love to say that the road was smooth but that would be a lie! There have been difficulties but thankfully there have been far more ups. It’s not a straight path to success. It takes lots of hard work, dedication, discipline, mentorship, and support from those around you.
Entrepreneurship is a journey, but the growth is depicted by the level of commitment made to the business. Some of the most challenging things I have encountered have been the initial growth phase, surviving COVID, maintaining ongoing mentorship, and locating funding.
The initial growth phase was challenging being a first-generation entrepreneur in my immediate family and figuring out how and where to start. I decided to utilize some one on one and group mentorship that was helpful as I got started on my journey. It was a slow start, but every step was worth it.
The year prior to COVID I had taken a step back from full time entrepreneurship to work as an employee in a salon. This time was essential as I built my clientele and skill level. When COVID began in March 2020 I was devastated that I was unable to work (who knew I’d ever feel that way). I was off for 11 weeks and spent a lot of time promoting business but also secretly submitting job applications – not one of them called me back. Though it seemed like a loss at the time, it worked out for my good. When I returned to the salon in June of 2020, I did not think clients would be willing to come to the salon; I was wrong and I’m glad I was. I met more new clients and had many returning clients. The following year is when I started to manage my own business on a full-time basis.
Locating ongoing mentorship and help can also be a challenge. Without proper mentorship it can be difficult to continue to grow. It helps to get help from someone who has been in your shoes and had similar experiences. Back in 2018 I met another natural hair stylist at a show in Atlanta and I had no idea her mentorship would be so helpful. In 2021 she started a group coaching program that I joined and multiple things I learned while collaborating with her have helped me to build my business to where it is today. I have collaborated with her on numerous projects over the years. She is a retired stylist that has worked in the industry and adds so much value to my business.
One of my major challenges have been locating funding for business. Applying for grants and never hearing back or getting the response that I didn’t receive it is very discouraging. I’ve had this happen so many times now, but I do still aim to apply to things as I see them become available. What many people don’t understand is that it’s extremely expensive to run a business the correct way. I wish it were easier to receive funding to assist with day-to-day expenses. I maintain hope that one day I’ll be the recipient of funding to help my business to continue to run smoothly.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I initiated my business in 2016 before I had any clients and before I was even sure what I’d be doing exactly. The name Crown of Love came easy to me when I thought about feedback from clients on how gentle I am with clients and how creative I am. I had the thought of your hair being your crown and treating it with love; from there I somehow produced Crown of Love. We specialize in natural, healthy haircare and help clients to maintain and understand their hair. I specialize in twisting client’s natural hair in a variety of styles using individual and flat twists.
Natural hair styling is more mainstream now, but this has not always been the case. I have trained with Rare Essence Academy and The River Oshun to enhance my skills. I also like to do routine training to stay up to date on coloring techniques and some of the latest products. I have trained with Amore Colore, Moroccanoil, and others.
Educating clients on how to understand their hair and what characteristics we notice during an appointment sets us apart from other stylists. My creative twist styles also have attracted many clients to my business. It always leaves me in awe to listen to clients share how they travel from Pennsylvania, Delaware, Northern Virginia, and all parts of Maryland to be serviced by me. Unfortunately, there are not many stylists that specialize in twisting natural hair. For this reason, I often did my own styles because I didn’t have any other resources. I have also found that many stylists don’t take the time to talk with clients about what is going on with their hair and producing an ongoing plan. Having the proper skill and allowing the clients to have a role in their appointment makes a difference in the client experience.
To be a trusted brand where women feel the need to return to and send referrals to is my greatest accomplishment and makes me immensely proud. When I started out on this journey, it was simple – I enjoyed doing hair and wanted to walk in my gift. The reviews that clients have left and the smiles when they leave the salon always warm my heart. It’s astonishing to think that a little girl from west Baltimore gets to live out my dream every day doing what I love; I thank God for this blessing daily.
I also had the pleasure of having my work featured in Sophisticate’s Black Hair magazine in the April/May 2019 issue; my work is shown in the clip and snip section. I had no idea I had even been featured until another stylist from the photoshoot contacted me to inform me of the wonderful news.
If you are looking for someone to help you with your natural hair journey – we would love to create a positive salon experience for you. We offer a variety of styles primarily focusing on twisting the natural hair, but we also offer silk press services, rod sets, texture enhancing services and more. If you are unable to book a full appointment, we encourage you to book a maintenance appointment where you can get a cleanse and condition service and add on a treatment and/or a haircut if you need to. We also offer products and have a hair care guide to assist clients that may not be able to make it to the salon. This guide is fillable, and you can document your journey and includes over twenty pages of information and styling tutorials. The guide can be found on my website that is listed below.
Jennifer typically books 2-3 weeks out and Renaya takes clients a few days a week. Follow us on Vagaro to learn about last-minute openings and what is happening within the business. Appointments can be booked by using our booking site which is www.vagaro.com/crownoflove
Here is our website: www.iamcrownoflove.com
We can also be found on social media using the following links:
Instagram www.instagram.com/_crownoflove_
Facebook www.facebook.com/CrownofLoveHair
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Some of my favorite things about Baltimore are the variety of history, culture, restaurants, and things to do. Nothing beats a fun festival on a warm summer day – good food and music are definitely always a good time. I also enjoy the communities and surrounding areas – it’s one place where you can drive an hour in each direction and feel that you’re in a different place.
Though there have been many improvements to downtown Baltimore and surrounding neighborhoods, one thing I least like is how much the harbor area has changed. As recent as a decade ago, It was really hustling downtown when The Gallery and both pavilions were actively busy. As a teen and young adult I worked downtown in different capacities and it has a different feel now. I know there are plans to make future changes and I can’t wait to see it happen. I’m sure there are great things in store for my city!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.iamcrownoflove.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_crownoflove_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crownoflovehair
