The Natural Hair Movement Pioneer

"I started off when the natural hair movement was super new, sharing tips on Twitter and Tumblr," Gabby recalls. "I was trying to be helpful and share what I figured out about my own hair." Her online community grew rapidly, with a popular Sunday night discussion called "Natural Hair Chat," during which she interviewed stylists and shared insights.

Finding an Unexpected Path

Initially planning a career in tech, Gabby's journey took an unexpected turn when her pastor suggested cosmetology school. "I was vehemently against this," she laughs. "I was like, 'I do my hair for fun, but I don't want to do that.'" Nevertheless, after a year of uncertainty, she decided to pursue cosmetology and quickly distinguished herself, becoming known as the "natural hair girl" in her class.

An Accelerated Journey

Her career accelerated quickly. Within a five-year span, Gabby graduated from cosmetology school, did instructor training with Paul Mitchell, worked with professional hair companies and even opened her own salon, Shades Studio – which she funded entirely out of pocket.

"I'm very much a hands-on experience learner," she explains. "I don't do too much research before I just delve in and figure out the rest."

Empowering Other Stylists

One of Gabby's passions is helping other stylists succeed. She offers virtual classes on topics like creating salon membership programs and increasing income. "I understand how hard it is to accumulate this knowledge," she says. "That's why I share so much free content online."

The Next Chapter

In that vein, Gabby is focused on her next big goal: opening a cosmetology school. And while she is still learning how to accomplish such a feat, she is approaching it in the same manner she has her entire beauty career. "I was in the same place before I opened up salons," she muses. "I just did it. I'll simply learn how to do it along the way."

Creative Freedom

What drives Gabby is the creative freedom the industry provides. "I'm unemployable in traditional nine-to-five jobs," she jokes. "If I'm not able to have my creative energy, I can't really operate well." Her advice to aspiring stylists? Don't be afraid to reach out. "Nine out of ten times, the professionals you admire are way more down-to-earth than you realize. They're super cool and helpful."

A Journey of Passion

Growing from a blogger sharing natural hair tips to a multifaceted hairstylist and educator, Gabby's journey proves that passion, resourcefulness and a willingness to learn can transform a hobby into a remarkable career.