Meet Franklin Berry | Hairdresser

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

Hi Franklin, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I believe taking risks are necessary in order to elevate yourself. I took a risk by moving to Atlanta without knowing exactly what I wanted to do with my life & I found hair. I then took a risk by moving to New York City to further my education. Both of these risks have paid off tremendously. I’ve received education that in otherwise I wouldn’t have received if I decided not to take the risk.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a Hairdresser & Hair Educator. I work behind the chair, on set, stage/hair shows, online education & in product sales. I’m extremely humble & grateful for everything so that in itself allows me too see people & situations differently. I have worked my butt off. I’ve given a lot of my time/talents to various people & organizations for free (which gives me joy) & In doing so I’ve met some of the most amazing people. It gave me an opportunity to build my network hone my craft & grow as a professional in the hair industry. It hasn’t been easy but it was all worth it. I’ve been broke (financially & spiritually) homeless depressed & wanted to give up many many times. Thank God for instilling such a strong faith in me my mom & family who never allowed me to quit & my church family at Rendall Memorial Presbyterian Church who has always had my back. I’ve learned that failure is the best teacher & I welcome a challenge. When I’m faced with it I meet it head on knowing that at the end of it I’ll be better & stronger. Along my journey I’ve learned to be patient with myself, everything happens exactly how it’s supposed to, stay humble, & be the light in every situation. I would love for everyone to know that I put my blood sweat & tears into my craft, I’m far from perfect & Franklin Berry truly cares about the health of my clients hair, being an inspiration to the world /hair industry & that I’m always a student who’s willing to learn.If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The first thing I would do is take them to The Breakfast Klub for breakfast. Then we would take a short drive down to my home town Galveston Tx. There we would grab some food from Leon’s BBQ or Allen’s Kitchen & hit the beach. We would have lunch while enjoying the views then later that evening go to Club 68 where we would listen to some great blues music & have some light cocktails. After leaving Club 68 we would probably grab some seafood ( I love seafood) from Huli Huli Hut before taking it in. We would get up the next morning grab breakfast & go view the African American Museum in Galveston before driving back to Houston. We would stop by Space Center Houston before grabbing some lunch at Papadeaux’s. After lunch we would head to the George Floyd Memorial site then to the Gite Gallery to see some artwork. After leaving the museum we’d go grab some dinner at Del Frisco’s before taking it in. The next morning we would grab breakfast at the Black Walnut Cafe & head to the Woodlands to ride the large duck boats at Riva Row Boat House. We would then go to Herman Park or Discovery Green to just chill out. Later I would take them for a cocktail & dancing in the Gayborhood on Montrose.Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There were many people who have helped me along my journey & I’m so grateful for each one of them. First & foremost I wanna thank God for instilling this dream in me. Without him none of it would’ve been possible. Secondly I wanna thank my mom Phyllis Ann & supportive family who’s always been there to root me on & pick me up when I fall. My sister Nikki Darden who recently passed away for opening her doors to me when I moved to Atlanta. Next I wanna thank my hair school teacher Nigel Purdie for making me see that this was my calling even when I fought it tooth & nail. Next Victor Young who introduced me to my first mentors Dwight Eubanks & Jamel McDowell at the Purple Door Salon in Atlanta. They saw something in me & hired me while I was still in school. At the Purple Door Salon I was exposed to every aspect of the hair industry while I was there & my dreams got bigger. Next I would like to thank Thando Kafele for being a friend & introducing me to Leslie Correra. Leslie hired me mentored & at Capelli D’Oro 5th Avenue Salon in New York City. At Capelli D’Oro I learned so much so fast & experienced the NYC hair industry fast. I would also like to thank Stephen Lightfoot, Evie Johnson, Lia Elizabeth, Shannon King, Drew Browman ,Shawn Lamar, Jackie Bell, Arthleen Legair, Rev. Dr. Flora Wilson Bridges & Rendall Memorial Presbityerian Church, my Mizani family & a host of others who took the time to instill something in me. I carry a piece of each one of them with me & im forever grateful.

Website: Www.StyleSeat.com/franklinberry

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hairdr_franklin/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franklin-berry-65817468/

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/hairdr_franklin

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Franklin-Hair-Designer-Berry-498028696889059/ https://m.facebook.com/franklin.berry.9?ref=bookmarks

Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCfAmRLnx11HM9eB1Pg1IBCQ

Other: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMe8e1QcW/

Image Credits
Photoghrapher: Atarah Atakinson @atarahatkinson Model: Lucci @onlylucci MUA: Shawn Lumaban @shauneylicious, Photographer: @hairdr_franklin Model: Misti Moreno, Photographer: Marc Richard Tousignant @mrtphoto Model: Lucci @onlylucci MUA: A. Love @_alovethepro, Lucy’s Magazine @lucysmagazine Photographer: Jose Espaillat @josespaillat Model: SharDay @shar.tutu MUA: Shawn Lumaban @shauneylicious Stylist: Carl Lation @carllation, Photographer: Pierre @prlphotos Model: Kathriana @kathriana.k MUA: Sterling Tull @sterlingtullnyc Stylist: Ericson Davidson @ericsondavidson Hair Assistant: Caldwell Caldwell @nyccaldwell, Design Scene Magazine @designscene Photographer: Elena Kuznetsova @studiokuznetsova @elenakuznetsova Model: Chloe Lecareux @chloelecareux MUA: Hiroto Yamauchi @hirotomakeup Stylist: Chekalina @chekalina @miro_nyc, VGXM Magazine @vgxwmagazine Photographer: Jose Espaillat @josespaillat Stylist: Brandon M. Garr @brandonmgarr #MakeUpArtist: Chris Sams @chaosiancreations #Model: Cole Catlin @cole.catlin46 Stylist Assistant: @kellenjae Photo Assistant: @pratya_photographer Face mask @mgdesign.co, Creem Magazine @creemmag Photographer: Hjin Park Model: Charlette Ley MUA: Jiyeon Kim Stylist: Soo Kei