Meet LaToya Holloway | Owner of Luxxe Looks by LaToya & Founder of Victorious Youth Queens Mentoring Org.

We had the good fortune of connecting with LaToya Holloway and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi LaToya, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
In all honesty, the decision to start my own business and be a fulltime entrepreneur is what I would call a move of faith. I’ve started several businesses  years ago such as Toya’s Hair Collection- a virgin hair extension company and partnered with my husband to launch Victorious Youth Kings and Queens- a youth mentoring organization, but my contributions to both were given on a part-time basis being that I had a corporate job that consumed most of my time in addition to being a mother of two. In 2020, I entered a new season in my life where my comfort zone was no longer comfortable. Instead, it was a space filled with torment, misery, stress, frustration and confusion and for 3 years, I felt like I was wrestling with God’s call to new beginnings. I was so afraid to make the move, but after several medical leaves, anxiety attacks and doctor’s visits, I was fed up and decided to answer the call on 11/16/2023 by resigning from an 11-year career from one of the top oil and gas companies to begin a new journey as a full-time salon owner of Luxxe Looks Hair Studio. It was an extremely difficult decision to make, but I must say that after I took the leap of faith, God has been showing up and showing out ever since and has consistently showed me that I made the right move. Now I can testify that obedience is much better than sacrifice!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I was blessed to recognize that I was gifted in art and math as a little girl and always kept it in the forefront of my mind knowing that one day, those gifts would be activated. Near the end of my senior year in high school, I wasn’t too pressed about going to college because of my goal to become a licensed cosmetologist but when I was offered a volleyball scholarship to attend Southern University and A&M College, I could not pass up the opportunity. So, I put my dreams on hold to pursue a different path. However, I am grateful because I met my husband along the way and 4 years later, I finished with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting as the Valedictorian of the Fall 2010 class- an achievement I did not foresee falling in my lap! BUT GOD! A few months after graduating, I was a newlywed and a new mom working as a contractor for Halliburton. Eight months later, God blessed me to work as a permanent hire at Chevron- a job that made me feel very successful, but all along the burning desire to go to cosmetology school resurfaced. So, while I was working my day job, within a span of 8 years off and on, I attended 3 cosmetology programs to achieve both a braiding and cosmetology license. It was not an easy process, but I stayed focused because I knew that the industry in which I worked was not secure. I survived 3 major layoffs, and I knew the time would come when I would have to transition into the purpose God created me to live. Now, I have begun living in my purpose and I am so proud of myself for courageously taking the leap of faith by obeying God’s voice to shift in this season. What I learned is that God is ultimately in control. Thankfully he is merciful and will allow you time to accept His will for your life. It was very hard to walk away from my job, the relationships I’ve gained and let’s be honest, the consistent pay, benefits and perks I was entitled to. But I heard the Executive Pastor, Pastor Walker at The Luke say that if God asks you to give Him something that is so hard for you to release, it is because He has something greater to give to you. Now that I have done the hard part, blessings and ideas have been flowing in nonstop! All I had to do was obey the call from God. My plan is to start my business by braiding only and grow from there by specializing in hair care and teaching women and men the different hair care regimens, the importance of nutrition and holistic health and wellness, as well as offer braid classes primarily for the youth and others who want to learn.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Being that Houston has a ton of places to visit, I would first take my best friend to a spa to be pampered somewhere in the Galleria area and from there we would go to the Washington area and visit Kiss which is one of my favorite restaurants, or Graces, Warwick, or Juliet on day 1. Day 2 through 3, I would take her to the Pleasure Pier in Galveston, eat at the Rainforest Cafe and relax on the Sea Wall or to the Lagoon in Texas City which is another favorite place of mine. Days 4 through 5, we would go to the Southside Sports Club to enjoy the zydeco music and good food or go to downtown Houston to visit the Discovery Green or visit the farmers market by the Allen Center. Another area I would take my friend would be in the 3rd ward area where we all know Queen B is from and the place where good food and great entertainment can be found. Day 6, I would take her to the Improv to enjoy some good laughter from some of the best comedians. Lastly, on day 7, since I am an athlete at heart, a great way to end her trip would be to take her to a Houston Texans game to be a part of the excitement and atmosphere.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to shoutout my tribe which consists of so many warriors that I’ve been blessed to have in my corner! My mom, Mary Bean, who I call my “ride or die” and the one who will get in the trenches with me. Of course, my dad, Richard Bean, as I am a proud daddy’s girl! Whenever I call, he will answer and show up no matter the time nor the hour. My siblings, Richard Bean, Jr. and Daphne Brownlee, are the perfect pair and a great support system filled with so much support and love. My best friend/sister Brittnee’ Cooper, who I am so grateful for. She always encourages and supports me regardless of the situation. My beautiful grandmother, Louise Bean, my aunt Louise and cousins Shanita, Brittany, and Tamara as well as the support system I’ve gained from Chevron’s Black Employee Network and coworkers who turned into family and great mentors- Nakia Gantt, Connie Malone, Akasha Winston, London Worrell, Mira Crenshaw and Don Scott. To save the best for last, I must shoutout my college sweetheart and husband of almost 13 years, Don Holloway, Jr. and our two beautiful angles, Layla and Don Holloway, III. The support I receive from them is the oxygen I need to keep going. God has blessed me beyond measure with a supportive husband and kids that pours into me as they are the fuel to my fire.

Instagram: Luxxelooksbylatoya

Facebook: Toya Holloway

Image Credits
AC Photography by Alexander Oveal TRJ Photography by Terrennce Jackson 14 Photography by Melea Vaniah