Today we’d like to introduce you to Shauntoria Thomas.
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 always like to begin my story with the statement, “I didn’t choose locs; locs chose me.”
And I say that because hair, particularly locs, was something I had spent much of my life running away from. Ironically, when I finally decided to embrace it, it happened during one of the most pivotal seasons of my life, a season when my only prayer was to be free.
At the time, I was working in IT, navigating corporate America, and struggling with the reality that I wasn’t able to be as present in my daughters’ lives as I wanted to be. I knew I desired something different, but I didn’t necessarily know what that looked like.
Then came COVID. A former classmate reached out through my inbox and asked if I could do her locs. That one request became an opportunity. One client turned into another, one social media post led to the next, and before I knew it, something I had spent years running from was becoming the very thing that was creating a new path for me.
Looking back, I realize that what started as a simple request was so much bigger than doing someone’s locs. It was the beginning of a journey toward the freedom I had been praying for. And what I initially saw as an unexpected opportunity ultimately became my purpose.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I would say that, for the most part, the journey has been a smooth one. However, one of my biggest challenges has been unlearning the hustle mentality and recognizing that I don’t have to operate from a place of constantly doing more to prove my worth or sustain my success.
I’ve also had to work through people-pleasing and understand that being passionate about what I do doesn’t mean I have to be available to everyone, all the time. Learning to establish boundaries, honor my time, and recognize my own value has been a necessary part of my growth, not just as a business owner, but as an individual.
I’ve learned that building a successful business isn’t just about knowing how to work hard; it’s also about knowing when to slow down, when to say no, and when to choose yourself.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a professional loctician specializing in traditional loc maintenance and styling. Through my business, The Nappy Naturalist, I focus on helping clients achieve healthy, neat, and sustainable locs while embracing the individuality of their loc journey.
What I believe truly sets me apart is that I don’t just maintain locs; I educate my clients on how to care for them. I’m passionate about teaching proper loc care, understanding the importance of healthy loc practices, and helping clients make informed decisions that promote longevity. I want every client to leave my chair with more than just a fresh retwist. I want them to leave with knowledge.
What I’m most proud of is the stability and opportunities I’ve been able to create for my family through full-time entrepreneurship. Being able to build a business around something I genuinely love while creating more freedom and flexibility for my family is an accomplishment I don’t take lightly.
Ultimately, I want to be known for more than my work behind the chair. I want to be recognized for the knowledge I share, the integrity behind my craft, and my commitment to changing the way people understand and care for their locs.
My philosophy is simple: It’s not just about having locs; it’s about knowing how to maintain them.
What are your plans for the future?
I think this next chapter of my life and business is centered around expansion, intentionality, and creating a legacy. I’ve spent the last several years building The Nappy Naturalist and establishing a name for myself through hands-on work. Now, I’m looking forward to expanding beyond the chair and creating opportunities to share my knowledge on a larger scale.
I have plans to develop educational resources, offer more classes, and create digital products that allow me to teach proper loc care and introduce more people to The Nappy Way™ without being limited to appointment availability.
I’m also looking forward to being more intentional about how I operate as an entrepreneur. Motherhood and family remain important to me, so creating a business model that allows me to generate income while having the freedom to be present with my family is a major priority.
Ultimately, I want to build something that extends beyond me doing hair. I want The Nappy Naturalist to become a trusted educational resource and a lasting brand within the loc community. I’m excited about evolving from simply providing a service to building a platform, creating opportunities, and leaving a legacy.
I don’t necessarily want to work harder; I want to build smarter, expand my impact, and create something that can grow beyond my hands.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenappynaturalist/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/booknappynow/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@thenappynaturalist
