I’m back with my second interview of my #BestLife Series and this time I’m featuring the woman who flat ironed to the straightest and best it’s ever looked. That was years ago and I’ve yet to find a stylist as talented as Courtney Patterson. She is not only a phenomenal hairstylist but owns Pretty Strands Hair Products and produces the ever-so-popular Pretty Strands Oil that sells out in stores all over Southern California. Keep reading so you too can be inspired by Courtney’s story.
For those who may not know you, can you please introduce yourself? What do you do? Where are you from and where do you reside?
I’m Courtney Patterson, child of God, wife, mommy of four, hairstylist, business owner, a splash of Rihanna, Oprah and Gandhi, all mixed in one! I’m from Inglewood, California and have lived in many parts of Southern California but I now reside in Los Angeles.
Can you give us a little more information about how you got started as a hairstylist and what made you expand your entrepreneurialism via your popular hair oil, PrettyStrands?
Growing up in a family of predominantly women and with a mom that was a hair stylist, I was always around hair. I was that kid that made over my friends changing their hair and trying new techniques when they would come to spend the night. I even tried to give my sister a French roll using a banana when I was about 6 years old. I was constantly researching hair care and hairstyles and was very fascinated whenever I would go to the salon. As soon as I graduated high school my friends went to college and I went directly to cosmetology school.
I started doing hair out of my Grandparents kitchen at the age of 18 and became licensed at the age of 23. I’ve assisted for a few great stylist, worked for myself, own a salon, and developed hair products. When I was in school I would always be asked what I want to do in the field. My answer would always be ” salon owner and a line of hair care products,” not knowing that my obsession with hair care was already preparing me to do so.
Fast forward to 2009, my daughter Feenix suffered from a severe case of eczema which was also on her scalp. We tried many products and all seemed to irritate the problem. Out of desperation I used my knowledge and expertise and created what is now called “Pretty Strands Oil.” When my family, friends, and clients, saw what this oil was doing for her they began to ask for some and it took off from there. We are now in many stores in Southern California and ship worldwide.
What are some of the challenges you face as an entrepreneur? How have you been able to combat them?
Being an entrepreneur is very challenging but is definitely well worth it. I would say my biggest challenge is having balance. Because of the technology that we have today and the power of an iPhone, I find myself working all the time. I’m waking up to work, I’m working when I’m waiting and cooking and working when I’m with my hubby and kids. And I can even work myself to sleep at night. I try to find that balance of working and then shutting down but It can be hard to resist when you know there’s so much work that needs to be done and it can be done by picking up that phone (laughing). I now set times and put myself on restrictions which works for me.
My purpose for starting this #LiveYourBestLife series on my blog is so I can shine a light on some of the fabulous people I come across who I believe are living their best life. What do you love most about your life? And if you could change one thing about it, what would you change?
I love that living this life I live has taught me many lessons. I can say I have finally gotten to the point where I understand that life is what you make it and so is happiness. In life, we will always be entering a storm, going through a storm or coming out of a storm. I’ve learned to dance in the rain and to see the good in everything even when things seem extremely gloomy. I would never change anything because everything has taught me something and wisdom is priceless!
PrettyStrands oil is a big deal and I frequently see you posting about the product selling out in stores. New entrepreneurs can learn a lot from you… Do you have any advice for folks who are interested in a career in cosmetology or want to start a company in the beauty industry?
I would advise anyone interested in cosmetology or starting a business in the beauty industry is to just start and be true to you. A lot of times people are discouraged in this industry because the market seems so saturated. God created everyone uniquely different so we all have something we can add that nobody else has. With every step you take there’s always something new to be discovered.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your career and what’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned? I don’t know, I’m constantly learning! And they all seem like the biggest as I’m going through them lol. But someone once told me never get comfortable and complacent because that means you’re not living life to its fullest.
BONUS QUESTION:
Lastly, the weather is changing and maintaining moisture in natural hair can be a challenge for some of us. Do you have any suggestions for winter hair care so that we can have “pretty strands” like you?
In the African American community, there’s a myth that suggests cleaning your hair less frequently is actually helpful. I strongly disagree. I believe water is key to moisturizing. Shampoo hair, deep condition, moisturize, and seal with oils to maintain healthy hydrated Pretty Strands!
Find out more about Courtney or life and a mompreneur by following her on Instagram @PrettyStrands.
You can grab your bottle of Pretty Strands Hair Oil or other amazing products by visiting Courtney’s website.
I am so happy that I stumbled upon this. I don’t watch t.v. too often just to set the record straight. I have no cable. My sister was talking to me and several times through the conversation she kept using the phrase “living my best life”. And I ask her, “why do you keep saying that.” She laughs and says she “won’t say it no more” but I still want to know why is this a part of her vernacular. We laugh it off but I never received a concrete answer. So the next day my coworker says that phrase and i’m like “WHERE DOES THAT COME FROM? WHY DOES EVERYONE KEEP SAYING THIS!?!!?” Finally, she let’s me know it was Oprah, which made so much sense I was kinda embarrassed lol.