Meet Adaeze Achinivu

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

Hi Adaeze, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Flexibility, creative freedom. The multifaceted nature of running a business will also keep me learning and engaged long enough not to get bored.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Hi, My full name is Adaeze which means Princess but most people call me Ada or Ayda. My love for hair and beauty drove me in hairdressing as young as my teenage years but I started the formal journey in 2012 when I decided to get a formal qualification in hair dressing, styling, and management.

So I’ve formally been in the beauty industry for over 10 years but informally more than 2 decades. My passion for transforming people’s looks while enhancing their natural beauty is what drives me.
What sets me apart is my personalized approach to each client. I believe beauty is unique to every individual, so I don’t believe in a “one size fits all” approach. Whether it’s a hairstyle for an event or a flawless makeup look, I focus on creating styles that not only look amazing but also make my clients feel confident in their own skin.

I’m most proud of building a loyal client base and seeing the joy on their faces after their transformation. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that my skills can boost someone’s confidence, make their day better and in general be a positive part of their life’s journey.
I’m excited about constantly learning new techniques and staying up-to-date with trends, so I can always offer the latest styles to my clients.

The journey hasn’t been easy, I first started in the the UK and only moved to Houston a few years ago. I am building my reputation from scratch, working long hours and sometimes taking on jobs that weren’t glamorous to gain experience. understanding the difference in styling choices. There were many moments of self-doubt, especially when trying to stand out in such a competitive industry. However, I focus on my craft, continue to understand my environment and clientele, and I tell you I have started building genuine relationships with clients.

One of the biggest challenges was balancing a new environment with my creativity . I had to learn how to market myself here, manage finances, and navigate client expectations.
To overcome these challenges, I kept a growth mindset. Every setback was an opportunity to learn something new and improve.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that consistency and authenticity matter more than anything. Clients appreciate when you are reliable and when you genuinely care about their experience.
I’ve also learned the importance of adapting. The beauty industry is ever-evolving, and staying flexible with trends and technology helps keep me relevant.

Another lesson is the power of building strong client relationships. Word of mouth is incredibly valuable in this business. When clients feel comfortable and taken care of, they not only return but also recommend you to others.

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

My brand is all about empowering individuals through beauty. Whether it’s creating a stunning bridal look or giving someone a fresh haircut, I aim to make every client feel confident and beautiful in their own skin. My story is one of dedication, creativity, and continuous learning. I want people to know that beauty is not about fitting into a mold but about enhancing what makes you uniquely you.

If you’re looking for a stylist or makeup artist who listens to your needs and works to bring your vision to life, I’d love to work with you. I’m always excited to meet new clients and help them discover their best self!

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.
Wow, I’ll try to keep it local so only Houston/Texas only places So to eat we’ll try places like Breakfast club, Toasted egg, First watch, Mike’s seafood, Pappadeux, State fare, delfrisco, truluck, Texas road house, Gringo, Gyu-kaku
The Houston Zoo, Seismque, Butterfly musuem, Waterwall park, to name a few places to visit.

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 am grateful to my family and friends who have supported my journey thus far.

Website: aydathairandmakeup.com

Instagram: @aydathair