The Working Girl Diaries is a new series where we unlock the doors to the diverse and dynamic worlds of women navigating careers and finances. See this as your personal backstage pass to the lives of modern-day women from different walks of life.
Just like Single Girl Diaries, this series aims to provide unfiltered and authentic insights into the lives of working women everywhere. The aim is to dismantle gatekeeping, putting all women in a place where they are informed and prepared for the career journeys they desire to embark on. It is also to help break the stigma and taboo that surrounds money talk.
This month, Deborah recounts her experience as a hairstylist who makes about N 120,000 a month, how she got into the business, how much she makes, what she spends money on weekly, what a day in her life looks like and a lot more.
Occupation: Hairstylist
Industry: Hair
Pronouns: She/Her
Age: 24
Location: Isheri-Magodo, Lagos, Nigeria.
Average Monthly Salary: N 120,000
Average ‘Paycheck Amount’ (every two weeks): N 60,000
Debt: None
Current Savings Amount: N60,000
My Working Life
My name is Akinwumi Damilola Deborah. I am 24 years old, and I’m a hairstylist. I have been in this line of work for the past 4 years. Before hairstyling, I worked as a sales girl in a shop that sold hair attachments when I was 19 years old. Though I studied Journalism at Oshun State Polytechnic, I started making hair when I was very young. It is something I have always been passionate about. Another passion of mine is baking. I plan to explore that in the near future. I currently work in a salon where I have my own space, and I also do home service. I do not own the salon but rent a section of it alongside others. I remit 30,000 Naira biweekly.
My Money life
Every two weeks, I make about 60,000 Naira or more. It depends; you know we have good and bad days. My monthly income comes from hairstyling and some pocket money from my father. The least amount of money I have made in 2 weeks is 25,000 Naira, and the highest is 85,000 Naira. The salon space I pay the remittance for is located at Isheri bus stop and I spend 300 Naira on transport fares every day to and from my house. The amount of money I spend on transportation costs for home services depends on the location. I live in Isheri-Magodo and spend 85,000 Naira a month renting an apartment that I share with a roommate who also contributes the same amount to the rent.
I save, but I do not have a fixed savings amount because what I save depends on how much I make. If I make 50,000 Naira or less in a month, I can only save a little, but I will save. However, if I make over 100,000 Naira in a month, I can save a little more than I usually would. At this time, I have 60,000 Naira saved up. I spend roughly 15,000 Naira on food every week. For my upkeep, I spend 12,000 Naira or a little less, depending. This is the maintenance allowance my father sends me weekly. Though often 12,000 Naira, sometimes it can be a little less. I do not spend money on my hair frequently because, over time, I have bought wigs that I wear a lot.
One thing I always spend money on is clothes. Despite not needing them, if I see them in a particular market or shop, I might choose to buy them and keep them for later. Though not spent weekly, when I go out to buy clothes, I spend about 15,000 Naira on them. I do not have any financial dependents. I handle emergencies when I can. Sometimes, the money comes from old savings, or I save up to fix a specific problem.
Weekly Expenses
Food: N 15,000
Upkeep: N 12,000
Transport Fare (6 days a week): N 7,200
Clothes (monthly): N 15,000
Emergencies: –
“One thing people think about hairstylists is that we’re all involved in prostitution. This isn’t true.”
The Life of a Hairstylist
I wake up at 9 am every day, say a short prayer, and proceed to clean the house and make breakfast. Sometimes, when I have appointments for the day, I wake up a little earlier to prepare so I can make it on time and finish the hair early. I go to work almost daily because I need to pay the remittance money so they won’t forfeit my space.
When I get to the salon, depending on the hairstyle requested by my client, I’ll start drawing out the attachment, setting combs, creams, conditioners, and everything else needed for our session. If we’ll need hot water at some point, I’ll ensure we have access to a way to get some and other organisational aspects of my job. At the same time, because I am my own boss, I have the luxury of taking a break whenever I feel tired or know I have made enough money for the week.
From working as a hairstylist, I have learned the importance of maintaining extensive knowledge about current trending styles and having good communication skills. I maintain this knowledge by learning on YouTube and practising with people who let me. I negotiate with my customers before starting the hair, and if I cannot accept what they’re offering, I try to persuade them to choose another hairstyle that matches my price or what they can afford.
One thing people think about hairstylists is that we’re all involved in prostitution. This isn’t true; it comes from the fact that we’re usually put together and can make large amounts of money quickly, depending on the number of clients, the styles we create for them, and the costs of those styles.
Worst Experience with a Client
There was this client at Ogba. We negotiated beforehand, and she agreed, so I left the salon to go braid her hair. When I got there, she told me how she wanted the hair to look. I assured her I would give her what she wanted and started making the hair. I took pictures halfway through and showed them to her, and she said she loved it. I continued my work, and she started dozing off. The style was stitch braids with regular box braids at the back. When I finished, I woke her up and told her I was done. She was surprised at how fast I worked. However, when she checked it out, she instantly changed her expression and told me the hair was too big. I tried convincing her, but it was to no avail.
She said she didn’t like it and that it was not the same as what she showed me on social media. It was only a little different, as I decided to make it bigger because her hair was too full, and I needed to finish on time. I actually offered to loosen it and fix the Ghana weaving part, but she refused. Some clients are like that—once they don’t want to pay, they start looking for excuses. In the end, she paid, but not the full price we had agreed on.
I normally handle clients who aren’t happy with their hair by trying to convince them to keep the style for some time before taking it off. In extreme situations, I loosen all the hair and then refix it. However, most of the time, I make sure I am careful enough to avoid having to redo the hair, as some clients might not like it when you’re loosening and remaking it.
Best Experience With a Client
One of my best experiences as a hairstylist so far was with one of my mixed-Lebanese clients, *Raneem. She is such a nice person, I must say. The first time I made her hair, she offered me a drink, which some customers would never think to do. She treated me so well. I went with my friend, and she still gave us money for breakfast because we arrived early. She also offered to help provide the hair attachment. I think that might be my best experience so far.
I get some of my clients on the street. Sometimes, I walk up to them and advertise what I do, which is how I met Raneem. She was walking towards the entrance of a market when I gathered the courage to approach her. I retain my clients by keeping in contact with them and making sure I give them the best service so they will patronize me next time and also refer me.
Advice for Women New to Hairstyling
If you’re just starting your apprenticeship in hairstyling, I’ll start with this: Ensure you have the skills to do this job. There are hairstylists everywhere. The only way to retain customers and make any money is if you’re so good they keep requesting you. If you’re not good enough, they will keep going to their favourite braider, and you’ll be the mistake they tried that one time.
Secondly, be ready to face some challenges. When I first started out, I had to learn how to navigate a lot of things. Challenges I often faced included some clients showing you a style on social media and expecting you to replicate it exactly as is. Still, it might not come out the same due to scalp differences, which can lead to the customer not paying. Some customers will also start directing you on how to make their hair, which you might not like, but you have no choice but to comply and give them what they want.
Basic tools you must have before you start taking clients are a cutting comb, hair gel, hair cream, oil sheen, hair mousse, and so on.
Hardest Hairstyle I’ve Had to Learn
Bald braid cornrows.
A Celebrity I’d Love to Work With
If I could style any celebrity’s hair, it would be Funke Akindele, and I would love to create an original style for her so it can trend.
I love hairstyling. The bits I enjoy the most are when the client makes payment at the end of the service and when my client loves the hair I made. It makes me feel so fulfilled.
In the next 5-10 years, I hope to become a successful woman who owns her own salon where she employs various hairstylists.
