We recently had the chance to connect with OG Barnes and have shared our conversation below.
Hi OG, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Honestly, what’s been bringing me the most joy lately is running. When I joined my run club, it was just about fitness over time it became so much bigger than that. My children and I found a second family. We discovered a safe space where we can show up as ourselves, be pushed, and be inspired in ways we didn’t even know we were ready for. Running and calisthenics have given us a way to bond as a family, but also to connect with people who truly look out for us. The energy of the community has been life-changing whether it’s someone cheering you on when you hit a PR, or just sharing laughs after a tough workout. It’s brought me joy, peace, and a whole new level of growth, not only in my body but in my spirit.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Octavia Barnes, but a lot of people know me as the Fairyy Loc Mutha I call myself a loc artist because what I do is more than hair it’s creation, it’s care, and it’s healing. When someone sits in my chair, I’m not just styling locs; I’m curating an experience. From the way I wash and cleanse the hair, I’m intentional about using that moment to speak life over their crown asking God to remove heaviness, negative energy, and anything that doesn’t belong. For me, hair care is spiritual. It’s a safe space where we talk about everything from relationships and parenting to faith and personal growth, all while nurturing their loc journey. I also love creating signature styles like my Fairy Locs and Fairy Locs 2.0 which give my clients the best of both worlds with curls and locs blended together.
Beyond the chair, I extended that same care into my product line, OG SEA MOSS. It all started with Seamoss Gel, because so many of my clients were showing up as caretakers for everyone else while putting themselves last. I wanted to create something that reminded them to pour back into themselves. From there, the line grew into herbal hair oils, hydration sprays, detox and turmeric soaps, Seamoss infused body butters, and more. Everything is handcrafted with intention and inspired by the people I serve.
What makes my brands unique is that they’re not just businesses they’re born out of community, spirituality, and a genuine desire to see people whole. Whether it’s through their hair, their skin, or their wellness, my goal is to help people feel lighter, more confident, and more connected to themselves
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that has most shaped how I see myself is definitely my journey as a parent. Becoming a mother pushed me into a deep process of unlearning and relearning. I had to take a hard look at my own childhood, decide what lessons I wanted to carry forward, and just as importantly, what cycles I needed to break. Parenting forced me to ask myself: what kind of woman do I want to be, and how do I want to show up? Because I know the way I show up directly influences my children.
With my son, I’m shaping the type of woman he’ll be drawn to and the standards he’ll hold for how a woman should be treated. With my daughter, I’m showing her how to love herself first, how to provide for herself, and how to know that everything she receives from the outside world is simply an addition not the foundation. That means I have to be intentional, to study them, to ask questions, and to learn who they are as individuals. I’m not just raising children; I’m nurturing two very different souls.
Spiritually, I understand my kids were sent to me for a reason. They’re mirrors each of them reflecting back different parts of me, at different seasons of my life. My son and daughter are seven years apart, and I was in two completely different emotional and mental spaces when I had them. So the lessons they teach me are just as important as the ones I’m giving them. Parenting has taught me to go harder, to be more creative, and to stretch myself beyond what I thought I could do. People say kids need you less as they get older, but I believe it’s the opposite they need you more deeply, more present, and more intentional. As a solo parent, I’m always finding the balance between providing for them financially and still showing up fully in their lives. And even though it’s not always easy, it’s the most beautiful and sacred relationship I’ve ever had.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely I’ve had moments where I wanted to give up. I think no matter how strong you are, those moments come. Just as recently as a couple of days ago, I had one of those heavy days where the thought crossed my mind. “Heavy is the head that wears the crown” and sometimes the crown feels really heavy. I’m carrying a lot: a mortgage, bills, children, businesses, pets, and the weight of being the one who holds it all together. Some days it feels overwhelming, and I find myself thinking, if it all came crashing down, at least I gave it my all and maybe starting over wouldn’t be so bad.
But then I have to pull myself back. I remind myself to take it a day at a time. I remind myself that I don’t believe in failing I believe in lessons. Every setback, every struggle is teaching me something I’ll need for the next season. I’ve also been learning to move with detachment, to not cling so tightly to what I’ve built that I forget the bigger picture. When I step back, I can see how much I’ve already accomplished more than most people would even attempt as a single parent of two. That perspective gives me grace.
So yes, I have those moments, but resilience for me is in not staying there. It’s in acknowledging the weight, honoring the feelings, and then choosing to keep going anyway. Because giving up isn’t really an option it’s just a passing thought. I know my purpose is bigger than my struggles.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I think my closest friends would say that freedom is what matters most to me. For me, freedom looks like curating a life where I can wake up when I’m done sleeping, where money isn’t something I constantly worry about, and where my children and I are happy, healthy, and fully provided for. Freedom means moving in my autonomy, being authentic, and being able to earn from simply existing and showing up as myself.
They know I’m an adrenaline junkie I love pushing my limits, whether that’s running half marathons, hitting the gym, doing Pilates or calisthenics. I thrive in spaces that challenge me mentally and physically, because growth excites me. But freedom for me also lives in the creative and emotional spaces: being able to express myself, to keep learning, and to be surrounded by people who love me deeply and allow me to show up as all parts of who I am.
With my circle, I want to be able to peel back layers, have those deep, soul-stretching conversations, and feel safe enough to be vulnerable, submissive, assertive, or bold whatever the moment calls for. At the core of it, my friends would say what matters most to me is happiness, wholeness, and the freedom to simply be
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I had 10 years left, the first thing I would stop doing is playing small. I would stop second-guessing myself, dimming my light, or caring about outside opinions. I’d be bolder, more assertive, and more unapologetic about the way I move through this world.
Part of me has always believed that well-behaved women rarely make history and I know my legacy is to make a mark. Not just for myself, but for my children, my family, and the world. That means testing limits, pushing past society’s expectations, and showing up fully in every space I enter.
I wouldn’t waste another second seeking validation or worrying if people like me. I’d simply be. Bold. Free. Unapologetic. Because that’s the energy I want my children and everyone around me to remember and that’s the mark I intend to leave
Contact Info:
- Website: https://OGSEAMOSS.CO
- Instagram: ogbarnes7
- Facebook: Octavia G Barnes
- Youtube: Unapologetically OG
