Meet Brittney Ball | Cosmetology Student, Hair Therapist & Creative Genius

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

Hi Brittney, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born in Germany. My dad was in the Army and my mom followed him there. After military life we ended up in Houston, TX. Although we lived everywhere in Houston, Alief and the entire southside has been my home. We didn’t grow up in the best conditions. We were poor lol Having to grow up and learn survival skills early on is probably the biggest reason why I am the way I am. Having to figure out a way out of no way, as a kid, has definitely helped with my independent woman mindset. As a kid, I was very resourceful, I mean I had to be. Me, my siblings and my cousins all came together to make sure we were all taken care of when our parents couldn’t. That way of life and living at a young age left a mark in my life. Being from where I’m from, we stick together despite any differences. When one is down, we all lift each other up. That’s something I live by to this day. Without the hard times, I would not be here doing this interview. I wouldn’t have a sense of teamwork or empathy. If I could go back, I wouldn’t change a thing.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am the owner and stylist of The Melanating Bee. It started off as a hair care line that I have been working on since ’88 lol. I originally started off as a hair influencer in 2013. I used to do hair reviews and tutorials on YouTube and social media. From there I started making my own hair products such as hair masks, protein treatments, deep conditioners etc. One day I noticed my hair was growing at a crazy rate. I thought maybe it was all in my head, so I started making more and using it on my family and friends. Once I saw that their hair was growing fast too, I said to myself ‘ I am going to start a hair care line”. Fast forward some years, after creating a successful product, I figured I would start doing other people’s hair to demonstrate how my product work and now 8 years and 3 attempts at cosmetology school later, I am finally on my way to becoming a hair care professional. I still have some ways to go but I at least have one successful product that people are going crazy over. It wasn’t easy to get here. Like I stated, I started in 2013. 11 years later and I am just now making strides. Thats the beauty of it all though. I have been showing my followers that great things take time and God’s timing is never when we want it but always right on time. I didn’t give up. I may have taken different routes and moved at a slow pace but rushing things will only lead to failure. The best feeling, for me, is knowing that I kept myself educated. I always leave myself open to take in criticism from those around me because let’s face it, I don’t know everything and the things I do know, I could always improve and expand on that knowledge. I had some challenges for sure. One way I learned to overcome those obstacles was by not looking at others and what they were doing. I noticed the minute I looked in the rearview mirror or checked those side mirrors that’s when doubt, fear, comparison, envy and jealousy came creeping in. My journey is mine. How I get to the next level and the things I obtain on the way will not be the same for the next person. I learned the hard way lol. Once I stayed in my lane, stayed true to myself and what I want, things started to change for me. So, I encourage those reading this to NOT compare your garden to another person’s garden. The timeline is different for each person, and everyone isn’t sowing into their garden the same way as the next.

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.
I would definitely take my best friend to do something arts and crafts. I love going to comedy shows, painting with a twist, pottery classes and maybe go take a cooking class. There are a lot of places here in Houston that can spark a person’s imagination and get the creative juices flowing. I would take her to eat some Vietnamese or Japanese food. I love Asian cuisine. In Houston, it’s a big melting pot. You can experience all cultures and food. I have a thing for spicy food so Indian food will be somewhere on the list. I don’t get out much as it is so there are some things I have on a bucket list to do. Me and my friends enjoy being with each other, talking business so I would set up a vision board party. Brainstorm and come up with solutions and put our dreams out in the open.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have so many shoutouts lol I think first and foremost I want to shoutout GOD. The journey to get to where I am at was not an easy one. Without my faith I probably wouldn’t even be alive today, let alone telling my story in an interview. I know it may seem cliche, but God has taken me through some storms to be the woman and entrepreneur I am today. All glory goes to God. Another person I would like to shoutout would be all my amazing clients that have trusted me to use them as my guinea pig. There were times when I didn’t know where my next meal was going to come from and one of my loyal client’s booked with me to help me feed me and my kids. My clients speak life into me, and they are always rooting for me. I can’t acknowledge my accomplishments without shining a light on them. When there wasn’t family, there was my clients, and I am appreciative of every person who has sat in my chair or kneeled over my kitchen sink. One more shoutout would be to everyone who is out here working hard to achieve our goals and going after our dreams. No one talks about the lows of building an empire. They dress it up and make it look cute. It is far from that. Shout out to my risk takers, my dreamers, my ambitious go getters. Shoutout to the ones who don’t eat, sleep, or breathe until they have made a dent in their goals. The ones who feel me will feel me. Alot of times people think I have had it easy, and that life is just handing me roses every day. But truth is, they didn’t see the tears, the evictions, the homelessness, the starvation etc. they never seen that so they can’t understand why we are beyond favored and blessed. This is for us!

Instagram: @themelanatingbee

Facebook: TheMelanatingBee

Youtube: the Melanating Bee

Other: TikTok: Beetheinfluencer