Today we’d like to introduce you to Kennedi Martin
Hi Kennedi, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started out as a kid who always braided my own hair for fun, helped my mom do her hair from time to time. When i was 12, my mom died and my dad had to raise me on his own. As a man, he had no clue how to raise a teenage girl. To keep up with the trends in high school, i did my own hair. As time went on i had classmates asking me “who did your hair? Can you do mine? I’ll pay you..” With my moms death affecting the family in many ways, i was able to contribute to my own teenage girl needs by just doing a sew in after school.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has not at all been smooth due to me being so young and naive of the talent i have. I grew up with a lot of people telling me “doing hair was not a real job, it was just a side hustle” & i carried it as such as a teenager. I was in high school, i worked at McDonald’s, & i did hair. With everyone in my ear about going to college and getting a “real job” i treated it how everyone tried to put it in my head. So i always put doing hair off for fun, or sleep, or McDonald’s. I didn’t hold my talent as high as i should’ve when i was a younger.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
When i was a teenager a friend gave me the name “Ken-Doll” after getting dressed up for an event. “Houseofdollz” is what i like to call “home of dolls”. You book an appointment to come sit in my chair and be dolled up leaving with the feeling of feeling like a complete doll. I offer a ton of weaving/ lace services and can include the hair extensions as well. I’m particularly known for my lace installations. With it being a ton of hairstylist in STL & I try my best to signature my work in my own unique way with styling .
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
The best advice i can give is Never get comfortable…. Always stay on your feet. Always rememebrr that everything can be gone within a blink of an eye by being careless or cocky. And Its ok to be vulnerable with your business. Vulnerability is the closet thing to your genuine heart. Your business or your talent is always something you are given from god. To share. To grow with others. To make a difference in. Only you can destroy you. Also never let outside talk ruin your vision that you have for yourself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/Xokendoll
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_houseofdollz?igsh=MW04aHJ0M2dtbXNyZQ==&utm_source=ig_contact_invite
