Meet Manikka Trim | Stylist, Salon Suite Owner, Mentor & Cosmetology Instructor

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

Hi Manikka, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Well, let’s just say I didn’t want anyone delegating my time and how much fun I should be having at work. I mean, don’t get me wrong I’ve had a job or two or way more and I just didn’t like punching a clock. The more they told me to stop being goofy the more I didn’t want to come to work. Like many I would always have side hustles, but my passion drew me this way all the time and I just knew it was my calling to go for what I believed in. Making my own schedule and just enjoying life with my family was the goal. Life moves slow but it really moves fast and I wanted to enjoy my clients and my family

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
What sets me apart from other stylist is that I actually connect with my clients on more of a personal level. I mean we become family and you know family will tell you what you need to hear. So therefore, I need them to be comfortable enough to open up about decisions that we are making to lead up to a healthy service, I take my car5eer serious and if they leave the care in my hands, I need them to know that they can trust me.

I’m most proud of becoming a Cosmetology Instructor & a Salon Suite Owner all at the same time. I was literally studying, taking business mentorship monthly, and custom building my ten suite salons for other stylist to come and open their own business. I wanted to give stylist an opportunity that I didn’t have by helping them succeed with their own success story. I’m so excited about this journey I can hardly stop talking about it.

Growing, learning, training classes and having a business mentor helped me get to where I’m at today.

Easy, No way. My road to get here was like doing construction on the street with traffic here and there and then finally we are moving along. You must remember I started in high school so a lot of people didn’t want us so young because they didn’t feel we would be serious. I even had one of friend’s mom asking could I afford certain things because of the career I chose. That hurt my feelings and almost made me rethink my purpose. I joined where someone would hire me and had to work my way up. No finance training, not even how to save my money and invest in better supplies. So, I endured a lot of losses on the way, some which included faulty landlords taking my money to faulty contractors and with that alone it makes you want to give up hope and just believe it isn’t worth it, but I’m here to stay the course.

I mean, it took a lot out of me some days. I did a lot of meditating and praying to God and just learning who I was all over again. I needed to make sure that I was in the right head space to mentor and inspire my peers. It felt like I started over, but it was necessary.

This is my third salon. I’ve had to learn so much as I grew finance, taxes, business structure, and overall, not to compare my Chapter one to someone else’s chapter thirty. and also, not to listen to what others may think of you no talking all action will show what you’re truly made of. I’m ready to conquer the world now.

I can definitely tell you that procrastination was one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned. Never keep waiting to do something the time is NOW.

What I want the world to know about Mane Couture, is to be beautiful in the skin you’re in. I want my clients to feel fancy with a healthy Mane. You know kind of like when we were little and wanted to play dress up with our little kitten heels on lol. I want my ladies to feel that way when they leave my chair. Full of confidence without a care in the world. We are here to make you feel your best on a bad day and I pride myself with that. Not only do you look good, I speak life into you, encourage you, and also an inspire you to be the best you. Relax and enjoy The Couture way.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My mother, my best friend from day one she allowed me to do hair in our home and help me with supplies when i didn’t have as much in the beginning. she supported every single thing I asked her for to make sure my business was successful. when i said mom, I want to take cosmetology in high school, she was on it. She used to tell me stories about her and my grandmother and how they both went to cosmetology school, and I couldn’t believe it. i was even more excited about going. My mom didn’t let me slack she would let me know if my shampoo didn’t feel good or where i needed to improve. she also taught me that no matter what to keep going. I never saw my mom make a sweat of anything so her hustle I most definitely get from her.

My grandmother, rest her soul. She was my girl and always perfecting me on my finger waves, lol. one thing I always wanted to do was make her proud instead she used to always tell me I made her proud. My mom gifted me my grandmothers last license as a gift, and I fell to my knees with tears of joy. Everything I do for my business has a part of her soul and grace, from the name to style to how I carry myself, I always want her to be here with me.

My husband, my right-hand man, Donald. I can’t tell you how many times He’s stayed up with me to listen to all of my goals and helps me pursue whatever I need to accomplish them. He literally will ask baby what you need and will give with no hesitation. He supports everything I do especially since it used to be his field as well. He’s the painter, the electrician, the assembler, the flooring guy, the picture person, I mean he literally has a hand in everything that I do, and I need that because it can get rough, I can decorate but I need his hands for everything else lol. He doesn’t mind at all. He wouldn’t let me give up on myself no matter what. He shows that he will always be here to make sure I make it as far as I want to go.

My god sister, Alicia she was one of the first people who let me do her hair. There were some good days and some bad days. She would always let me practice different styles on her and lord knows they weren’t always cute lol. She stuck by my side though as I got better. She helped me get clients by always giving out my number and she’s always my hair model still till this day lol She was my first assistant at the time, and we spent a lot of days at the salon, but I appreciate her more than she knows. Shes definitely a part of my growth and my business bestie.

God, whew where would I be if I didn’t know him. I live by a scripture that has taken me a long way and whatever journey I’m on I know to trust to see it through. I didn’t know I would be chosen to become a business owner full time, but God had other plans. I’m just the vessel carrying his message to show others it can be done if you believe and follow the path you are given. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord. ‘ Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

My clients for sure, my family, and friends have all help to mold me who I am today. I love them all.

Website: www.themanecouture.com www.mcsalonsuites.com

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Image Credits
@prisma_media