Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenidia Quinones
Hi Kenidia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, I’ve always had a deep love for making people feel beautiful, both inside and out. My journey into the world of beauty started when I was around 12- 13. It began with braiding my friends’ hair at school, then moved to doing the same for neighbors on the balcony of our apartment in the projects. Over time, my love for beauty grew, and I started experimenting with silk presses and makeup.
By the time I was 15, I had the opportunity to start college early, having graduated high school at that age. While my family supported my creative passions, they saw hairdressing more as a hobby than a career. So, I pursued a degree in Hotel Management and Tourism. But despite my academic path, the pull toward hair was always there. I continued doing hair “on the side,” and it wasn’t long before I realized that my heart wasn’t in hotels—it was in hair.
When I turned 18, I made the bold decision to cut off my permed hair. That moment was pivotal. My love for natural hair, especially curly hair, bloomed, and I felt a connection to something much bigger than just styling. I wanted to help others see the beauty in their natural selves, just as I had come to see in mine.
After, God had other plans, Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, and I faced one of the toughest decisions of my life: to leave home and start over. I moved to Atlanta, Georgia, and decided to temporarily put my hairdreams on hold.
But the passion never left me. When the pandemic hit in 2020 and I lost my serving job, I decided it was time to stop ignoring my calling. I began doing hair full-time, starting small in the vanity of my bedroom. My journey then took me to Tennessee and Florida before I decided to settle down and plant roots.
That’s when Curling Me Krazy was born. I enrolled in cosmetology school and, right after graduation, was fortunate enough to gain a loyal client base that allowed me to open my own suite. It was in that moment, standing behind the chair, that I realized this wasn’t just a career—it was my purpose in life.
Today, I focus entirely on curly hair—helping others accept, love, and nurture their natural textures. I want every person who sits in my chair to walk away not just with great hair, but with a renewed sense of confidence in who they truly are. And though I’ve come a long way from those days on the apartment balcony, I still carry that same love and passion for it.
Looking ahead, I dream of expanding and sharing my knowledge, teaching others how to care for curly hair with the love and attention it deserves. This journey hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been mine, and it’s brought me to a place I feel so deeply connected to. The road has been full of challenges, but each one has only strengthened my belief that following your heart, no matter the detours, will always lead you exactly where you need to
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s definitely not been a smooth road. The path to becoming a hairstylist has been filled with obstacles that tested my determination at every turn.
One of the biggest struggles I faced was early on, with my family not seeing hairdressing as a profession. While they supported my passion, they always encouraged me to pursue something more traditional. Which it led me to study Hotel Management and Tourism, even though my heart was in hair.
Then, there was Hurricane Maria. The devastation of that storm forced me to make the hardest decision of my life—leaving Puerto Rico. Moving to Atlanta to start over felt like I was leaving behind everything I knew, and once I got there, I had to put my hair dreams on hold.
In 2020, when the pandemic hit, I lost my restaurant job, and that was the turning point. However, even then, there were financial struggles—starting from scratch, working out of my bedroom, and trying to build a client base with little money or resources. I moved around a lot, from Puerto Rico, Tennessee Florida, and each time I had to rebuild from the ground up. It was draining, both physically and emotionally, and there were days when I wondered if I would ever make it.
After enrolling in cosmetology school, I faced more challenges—balancing school, clients, and the stress of being in a field that wasn’t always inclusive or supportive. But even with it all, I pushed through and every struggle has shaped me into the person and stylist I am today.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Curling Me Krazy, specialize in working with curly hair—helping people embrace and care for their natural texture. I’m particularly passionate about empowering my clients to love their curls, whether they’re just starting their natural hair journey or have been embracing their curls for years. I focus on educating and providing personalized services, teaching my clients how to maintain healthy curls and how to style them in a way that fits their unique personality and lifestyle.
What sets me apart is the personal connection I have with each client. I’ve been through the struggle of learning to love my own natural hair, so I understand the challenges that come with embracing it. I don’t just “do” hair; I help people build confidence and self-acceptance. And making my them feel good in their own skin, with their natural hair, every single day.
Starting out doing hair in my bedroom, moving from city to city, and building Curling Me Krazy from the ground up. It hasn’t been easy, but seeing my clients reaction and leave my suite with not only healthier hair but a renewed confidence is what makes all the challenges worth.
What truly sets me apart is my approach to curly hair, which is rooted in a deep understanding of the unique needs of curly textures. Many people with curly hair have never been taught how to care for it properly, and my goal is to fill that gap.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I believe the most important quality to my success has been resilience. There have been so many times in my journey when things seemed uncertain, and I could have easily given up. Whether it was facing doubts from my family about my career choice, overcoming the devastation of Hurricane Maria, or starting over multiple times, and always being in “survival” mode the ability to keep pushing forward, even when things felt impossible, has been crucial.
Resilience and perseverance has allowed me to keep my focus on my passion, even during the toughest times. It’s not just about bouncing back from setbacks—it’s about finding strength in the adversity, learning from the challenges, and using them to keep growing. I’ve learned to adapt, stay persistent, and trust in God that every obstacle is part of the bigger picture of my path and success. This mindset has been essential in building Curling Me Krazy and continuing to evolve as a stylist and business owner.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
https://www.instagram.com/lynetteortiz.photo?igsh=MXV4bGp3bnhsdnJvdQ==
@lynetteortiz.photo (Instagram)
