Meet Andrea Kerr of Angie’s Knots

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Kerr.

Hi Andrea, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Throughout my life, I had never worn my hair. As a child, I had braids and relaxers, and even “jerry curls.” As an adult, I transitioned back and forth between relaxers, weaves, braids, wigs, ponytails, etc. After an extremely bad experience with micro-braids, which created extensive damage along my edges and an allergic reaction to a relaxer; which caused a large bald spot in the crown of my hair. I knew I had to do something different to maintain the health of my hair. To free myself from chemical hair alterations, so I started researching various hair locking techniques. I knew I wanted to lock my hair, but traditional locks was not the look that I wanted; I eventually came across SisterlocksTM and instantly fell in love.

In 2011, I found a certified Sisterlocks consultant to establish my Sisterlocks and for the first time in umpteen years – I found hair freedom. At the time, I was elbows deep in the corporate world doing Accounts Payables for a Fortune 500 company. However, I was unhappy with my position, where I was heading within the company and with my duties. I was so irrevocable in love with my hair, I decided to get the training so I too can offer African American women the freedom to break from the “bad hair” stereotype and fall in love with the hair they have been blessed with.

After my Sisterlocks training in 2012, I bought a used salon chair and started my part-time business in my living room while working full time at my corporate job. Two years later, my oldest son moved out and I moved my business in his old room as my clientele had grown without me even noticing. I created a website and learned to market my work on social media, which increased my business ten-folds. Ultimately, the demand for my part-time services outpaced my desire to be at corporate. In 2015, I stepped out on faith and jumped.

The love of my business fueled my passion to become educated and certified as a Hair Loss Specialist. The more knowledgeable I became, the more my clientele grew. I was now working full-time hours 6 days per week. In 2019, at the age of 49, I decided to go to Cosmetologist school. Besides the teacher, I was the second oldest person in the classroom (I was the “aunty” of the class). The program was full-time for one year, which reduced me back to working part-time at home. The program ended December 2019. I took my state exam and became a Licensed Cosmetologist February 2020. I moved into my Salon Suite April 2020.

I close with this reflection…..everything that I have experienced in my life has prepared me for this moment! Right now! Where I’m at! I am a minority female entrepreneur who has found her niche by providing clients with “hair freedom, one lock at a time.”

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the biggest obstacles I had to overcome was my mental constraints. I had to liberate myself by de-programing my mindset where being “successful” meant clocking in and out of someone else’s company. I had to learn to trust myself to make decisions that determined my future, and to know that even if the end result is not positive, it does not mean failure.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am Licensed Cosmetologist and a Certified Sisterlocks consultant. I am versatile and known for my abilities to provide various hair locking techniques within the lock community-I am well-rounded. I a teacher whom trains clients who want to self-maintain their Sisterlocks. I am a friend, a listener, a confidant, and a shoulder, to name a few. I also provide a mentorship program for Sisterlocks trainees, where I teach them how to fine tune their newly acquired training and turn it into a successful business.

Contact Info:

• Email: angiesknots@gmail.com
• Website: angiesknots.com
• Instagram: #angiesknots