‘I used to do hair for free, but it’s now my bread and butter’

Retold by Deandra Daniels

Photography Deandra Daniels

Series editor Neil Marks

I used to do people’s hair for free. I would sit for hours, styling their hair and never taking a cent. But my sister suggested I start a business, so in 2017, I launched a salon—and that’s where it all began.

I started doing my little cousin’s hair when I was just 14 years old. Back then, we used a different method of interlocking, and I took the time to learn it. When I first opened my salon in Merriman’s Mall in 2017, I quickly realised I didn’t like the environment, so I decided to relocate.

My grandfather owned the “Mini Mall” building on Robb Street in Georgetown, and with my cousin’s permission, I got a spot on the bottom flat of the building. Before starting, I’d done some research and knew it would take about two years before I’d see any reasonable profit from the business.

In salon work, we have peak seasons and off-peak seasons. When it’s peak season, it’s really intense—you go home late at night, and by the time you’re home, you’re back, your feet, everything hurts.

The Christmas season is one of those peak times, but as Guyanese, we love to wait until the last minute. So, the month starts off slow, but by the end, it’s a mad rush.

The week leading up to Christmas and a couple of days before is the craziest. Everyone’s calling, everyone wants their hair done. During that rush, I don’t take appointments; I just work on people as they come. I remember one year I went home at 3:00 a.m. and was back in the shop by 5:00 a.m.

I specialise in natural hair and hair therapy, and I sell herbal scalp oils to treat things like fungus, dandruff, damage, and hair loss.

I don’t really have set opening and closing hours. When customers come, I serve them. Sometimes there are clashes, but people are willing to wait because they enjoy the environment and the vibe of the shop. At this point, I don’t think people come because of me—they come for the atmosphere.

The other day, a guy made an appointment for 5:00 p.m. but showed up an hour and a half late. I told him, “You’re late,” and gave him a good row. He said, “Yeah, yeah, I know—traffic and whatever else.” And even though I’d planned to leave, I still did his hair. I finished much later than I wanted to, but I couldn’t turn him away.

I always put my customers first and deal with myself later. I love what I do, and I believe if you don’t love what you do, you’ll be miserable—and you’ll make others miserable too.

You can find me on TikTok at Malika’s Hair Studio!