Hidden Gems: Meet Troianna Ramsey of Styled by T and TMichelles Closet

Today we’d like to introduce you to Troianna Ramsey.

Hi Troianna, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Troianna, born in Miami, FL, raised in Atlanta, GA! I am a whole one woman show! I am a single mother to my beautiful daughter, Tiana. I attend Valencia College where I am pursuing my Business degree and running my two businesses which are TMichelles Closet. (swimwear boutique) and Styled by T (hair business). Growing up my mother used to dress me as a little businesswoman.

At first, it was just a cute child thing but I can honestly say now that this was just the beginning! I always wanted to be an entrepreneur! To build a legacy for my family and my future children then their children’s children. My love for hair started very young around 12. I used to help my mother do her hair sew ins, quick weaves, braids etc. Then, I started to do her hair as I learned and got better at the styles. During high school I started to make my own wigs as well as doing my own hair. My senior year I decided to loc my hair which was in 2014.

After graduating high school, I attended Hollywood Institute, Hollywood, FL, to study Cosmetology! Now I would be licensed, able to earn my own money and open my salon one day! Going to school for hair I learned so much we learned about skin, hair, nails, massage and makeup. It was an experience of a lifetime. I would recommend anyone to go to cosmetology school to widen your knowledge on hair and become licensed! Upon completing Cosmetology school it was time to take the state exam to make it official! As well as find a nice salon to start my career.

Unfortunately, I was very nervous about taking the exam so it took me 2 years to actually go and take the state exam but in the meantime, I found an apprentice position with All Dolled Up salons. I met some wonderful stylists who taught me how to care for hair to prevent damage to our beautiful natural hair. They pushed me to go get my license helping me study, just encouraging me to take the state exam which I did and passed the first time! This was a natural hair salon where not only are they working on the look but the hair care which is rare these days. On top of that, they had products, team activities, workshops and we traveled to hair shows just so much to take in. It was amazing that I had the opportunity to see the business side of hair, makeup and everything beauty! I was a kid in a huge candy store. This is where I found my passion for specifically the type of hair I would love to do! I specialize in maintaining and styling dreadlocks. I have been doing locs for 6 years so I have had lots of practice! This is my zone in hair where I am able to create beautiful styles for my clients with locs!

I recently moved to Kissimmee so currently, I am trying to build up my clientele and open up a studio. I have invested into my business and turned my dining room in my apartment into a station for my clients! I have a stylist chair, stylist mat, wash bowl and organizer for my tools, etc. So, I could really use some support. My socials are IG:nicoleluxor.hair. I have a Booksy where potential clients can look at my work or book me it’s tnmstyles.booksy.com.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
All my experiences in business wouldn’t have been possible if I did not take the opportunities when I had them. I overcame so many hardships which I would like to touch on for a bit. My experience at All Dolled Up Salons was amazing but cut short because I got pregnant which became a high-risk pregnancy due to some complications. Unfortunately in my situation I was now a single mother so I no longer could continue with All Dolled Up but it was an experience a lot of stylists don’t get the opportunity to be a part of. It has taken me 3 years, due to me raising my Princess, to finally get back to my purpose. We have struggled together and my daughter is my saving grace. Some would say struggling with your kid is not good but it’s a humbling experience. Another obstacle was getting through cosmetology school. It’s kind of like high school again drama, immaturity plus distractions so you have to stay focused on finishing cosmetology school to obtain your license. Then, after you finish school do not hesitate like I did to wait 2 years to take the exam then pass the first try but if you do hesitate I am proof it is NEVER too late! Now it is time to build something for my family to get back to that main goal of why I started down my path of entrepreneurship. One thing I want to say about obstacles is that when you are uncomfortable, having to overcome something is only to get to your goal. You are moving the things that are blocking you out the way to focus on your purpose. I am a church-goer as well shoutout to Alive Church in Orlando as my pastor said people want God to move in their lives to make them comfortable but God moves in your life when you are uncomfortable to get you to your final destination. I say that, to say these obstacles you are going to face are not bad, they are all learning lessons to make you stronger, wiser and to make better decisions moving forward. Family and God are my driving forces to keep moving forward, which you will need support to help you to push through these hardships. Mine is through Christ yours can be whatever you make it but do not I repeat DO. NOT. QUIT.

We’ve been impressed with Styled by T and TMichelles Closet, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
What sets me apart is me. Knowing that my family has overcome the most monumental things you could ever imagine drives me to want to make a change. Even with me, I was born with club feet so I am very limited on walking or how many hours I can actually stand on my feet. A lot of people with my condition are in wheelchairs but by the grace of God, I can walk so I value life to the fullest extent. I will never be able to walk in heels or bend my feet to a perfect point but I will make my mark.

Growing up I knew I wanted a business but a lot of people want a business but do not know how to properly run it for longevity. I searched for answers but I was not getting what I felt I needed to help me. So I decided to start college last year to pursue my Bachelors in Business Administration. My short/long term goal is to teach myself how to run a business effectively the most cost-efficient way to mentor others. In both of my businesses integrity is very important to me I am very professional.

I want my clients to feel good respected and taken good care of!

I just started an online swimwear boutique named TMichelles Closet I have a website check it out. As well as I am revamping my hair business which I got recognized for and after 6 years I really appreciate this! I am proud to be an independent single mother, in college, running two businesses and making time to earn income. That is what makes my brand different!

I am selling swimwear for women to feel empowered even if we have some extra weight because I do I am a woman who has given birth so I have extra weight I understand the struggle. My focus for my brand was to provide a little more coverage for us women to still look gorgeous in our swimwear. My swimwear line is for women to know its never to late to blossom. I offer 2-piece to 3-piece swimwear sets all hand packaged, quality checked, and coming directly from me.

In my hair business, I am specializing in helping others properly take care of their locs. Helping them know all the ways that locs can be styled, how beautiful and bold it can be! Which I am a bold person. Currently, I am doing more styles and ready for my next steps in both of my businesses.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Finding mentors for me happened naturally. I would consider myself an organic learner. I had a wonderful professor last semester that had some great business advice to give me. She was also a business owner. Every time you meet someone like this you should want to ask questions to expand your knowledge especially if they are further than you.

Every time I go out to hang out or any social even I am networking. I talk to people tell them about my businesses I build a rapport with others. I meet the bosses of businesses and grasp as much information as I can from them on a business standpoint. My advice is to take every moment to promote you even if you are just hanging out with friends this is the one time strangers have whole conversations it is an opportunity and you must take it!

My advice would also be to make sure before you start anything you do work on myself. I had to go through a lot mentally with my business. We need support mentally in order to maintain I have had breakdowns and it is not a space you can be at your full potential in. Always always take care of your mental first because when you are not clouded in your mind or spirit you will be able to make decisions with a clear mind.

Lastly, have some patience I have waited a long time to see some growth until I put more into myself and my business but it is taking starting from Level 1 but that is ok. Make sure you learn to have patience with your business build with it and grow with it do not rush your plant to grow!

Contact Info:

• Email: support@tmichellescloset.com
• Website: www.tmichellescloset.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/troianna.nikoall/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/troianna.nicole/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/TmichellesC
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_L-t5TgjFxzA9Z3M8jV7CQ
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleluxor.hair/

Image Credits
Troianna Ramsey
Janiyah Wilcox