Hair What I'm Saying
“Hair What I’m Saying” is where healing, beauty, and honest storytelling meet. Hosted by Kinetra, a licensed hair expert, deep thinker, and truth-teller, this show has earned a spot in the top 5% of podcasts worldwide, on Listen Notes. It goes beyond the surface to explore the emotional, spiritual, and personal layers behind hair, identity, and growth.
Whether it’s uncovering the science of hair loss, breaking generational cycles, or reflecting on real-life relationships, each episode holds space for vulnerable conversations, self-discovery, and unapologetic truth. If you’ve ever found power in your pain or beauty in your becoming, this podcast is for you.
Hair What I'm Saying
Punishment or Purpose: A Hairstylist's Alopecia Journey
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When Raeshetta Thompson discovered her first sign of hair loss at age 12, she couldn't have known it would become the foundation for her life's purpose. After hiding her alopecia for nearly 30 years while building a successful career as a hairstylist, Raeshetta finally embraced her natural self and discovered a world of women who needed exactly what she could offer.
This conversation takes us through her emotional journey from feeling "cursed" to recognizing her experience as a blessing that allows her to serve others with profound empathy. Rayshetta shares the vulnerable moments that defined her path: hiding under wigs even while sleeping, refusing to let her romantic partner see her without hair, and finally cutting it all off in a moment of spiritual clarity that changed everything. Her story illustrates how self-acceptance becomes a powerful force not just for personal healing, but for creating ripple effects throughout a community.
The Hair Rich Club, Raeshetta's mobile salon, offers more than just quality hair services; it provides dignity, privacy, and understanding for women experiencing hair loss. She explains that having alopecia while working as a hairstylist gave her a unique perspective on beauty that transcends conventional standards. Through her business, she's creating safe spaces where women can feel seen and supported rather than judged or pitied.
Perhaps most fascinating is Raeshetta's holistic approach to hair health. As a certified trichologist, she shares how changing her diet helped regrow hair in places that had been bald for decades. This conversation reminds us that true beauty isn't about perfection but authenticity, and sometimes our greatest challenges become our greatest gifts when we have the courage to embrace them fully.
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Today's guest is not just styling hair. She's rewriting the narrative around hair loss, confidence and what it truly means to wear your crown. Rachetta Thompson has been living with alopecia since she was 12 years old, and while most would assume a hairstylist losing her own hair would hang up her shears, she did the exact opposite. She built a business rooted in compassion, privacy and real beauty. After nearly 25 years in the industry, rayshetta went from Ohio to Dallas to launch her own mobile salon, the Hair Rich Club, a sanctuary for women experiencing hair loss to feel seen, styled and supported. In this episode, we talk about her journey from hiding under wigs to walking in full self-love, how she turned pain into purpose and why what's inside your heart always matters more than what's on your head. So grab your coffee, your bonnet or your favorite head wrap, because we're about to get into it. Welcome to the Hair what I'm Saying podcast. I'm your host, kenetra Stewart. Today we have a very special guest joining us, sharing her alopecia journey since age 12. Welcome to the show, rachelle Thompson. How are you? I'm doing good. How are you? I'm doing good, girl. I'm just so excited to have you on the show. I'm so you know I was girl whenever you responded to my DM, I was excited. I was like I got to get this girl on the show. Like once I saw your story, I was like she is a powerhouse to me, you know, especially you know to be battling something at such a young and vulnerable age. I was like I know this girl is like the epitome of what everyone on this podcast needs to hear. I know she's going to offer some healing, some good therapy, you know, for anyone that's also experiencing the same thing. And so I was like I got to get on the show. So thank you for accepting the invite. Oh no, thank you for asking me to come. As you know, you see me on the news and I did the interviews on the news, but this is a little bit different, just kind of it's more personal to me, me being able to, like come here and speak to you and just be able to, like you say, talk to the ladies right who may be experiencing this as well. So thank you for asking me to come, of course, girl. Well, we're gonna get right into the first question. If you're ready, I'm ready, ready, okay.
Speaker 1:So can you take us back to when you first noticed your hair was falling out at age 12. What was that like emotionally at such a young age? Well, it's really weird because, um, I don't know if you remember the hair product 9-1-1. I do you remember that now? Yes, it's like that little clear solution. Yeah, right at Walmart girl, we used to use that right, and I had nice thick, beautiful hair at that time.
Speaker 1:But that's when I kind of had started doing my own hair. My mom really didn't know how to do hair really, so I was like doing my own hair. And one day I was doing my hair and I felt like a spot where it was like no hair at. So I had told my mom I'm like mom, I think I got a bald spot. And she looked and she was like, yeah, it's clean right there, but we didn't know, you know what it was or whatnot. And it started to spread and it started out like just a little spot. And then it started to spread and eventually it got to like the size of a quarter and I was like mom, like it's getting bigger, you know. And she was like, okay, well, I'm going to take you to the doctor, see what it is. So we go to the doctor.
Speaker 1:I'm 12 years old, so I mean, we really still don't know. Internet wasn't something that was popular, right? So they say, oh, she has alopecia. We don't know what that is, we just know. Okay, I got a bald spot. They said it's alopecia.
Speaker 1:Before I knew it, it started to spread to the point you could put your hand in the back of my head and literally all the hair was gone. Oh, wow. So I had started doing things like, um, and this was before my hair career, right. So I'm like 12 going into 13. Now I'm getting into middle school and I'm trying to figure out on my own because, like I said, my mom didn't know how to do hair right. So it's like, okay, how can I camouflage this? So I started wearing braids and you know, kind of pull the front up and let the back kind of hang down. You know it could cover the part that was missing. Yeah, okay, and um, it would come and it would grow and then it would fall back out and it was just. It was weird because again, we didn't know right, like what that looked like. What was that disease or that situation, like what actually was it? So I was just like kind of trying to camouflage it.
Speaker 1:In high school. It kind of became one of those things where I really became self conscious of it, because of course you know kids is, you know you liking boys and you know now you ball head, right, yeah, you know. And then on top of that my edges were always thin, so then that was the other thing. So now you trying to cover and it was just a lot. It was a lot, um, and I don't know like I was wearing brace pretty much majority of the time.
Speaker 1:I mean, you remember the microwave ponytails? Yeah, girl, you roll them up, put a little spritz on them, roll them up, put in the microwave, then you come out with instant curls. Oh, yeah, so I had enough hair where I could still camouflage. Like I said, it'll grow and then it'll fall back out. So in the meantime I was just figuring out ways to camouflage it. Whether it would be like putting a relaxer in and pull it all up, because maybe the spot wasn't as noticeable in the back at that time, right, and it was funny because, um, my little sister actually went through it too and still not really knowing. But it's just like, okay, her hair is falling out. So at this time now I'm like in cosmetology. Yeah, so I'm learning, you know how to braid and stuff, so I was actually kind of helping her through the process.
Speaker 1:You know, I can remember times, literally a few years ago, of me saying I'll never do that, I'll never show people my hair, and people didn't even know you covered it up so well, so you didn't really experience any bullying, not really. Like I said, my sides were always thin, so my sides were pretty much always gone, even as like a little little girl. And, of course, knowing, knowing what I know now, alopecia is just a technical term for hair loss, right. So, not realizing it, I always had it, you know, even before you know this age of 12. But at the age of 12 was when it became a thing like now.
Speaker 1:I got a spot somewhere that wasn't familiar, right, you know, because my sides were always thin. My mom kind of blamed herself for that. She was like I should have never put that relaxer in your hair, right? Oh man, I already knew that was coming. Yeah, right, I'm like Mom, it wasn't your fault. I tell her now I'm, this was just what God wanted me to have, you know, and take the burden off of her, you know, make you know, cause I know she felt bad, like, especially when she's seen.
Speaker 1:I didn't share that video with you, but I got a video that I had posted when I first had cut my hair. Oh, my goodness, and I was kind of like it was funny because the journey of me cutting my hair wasn't something that I really wanted, like I said I never, was going to share it with nobody, and I was working this job that I absolutely hated in Dallas and I was about to do a fast and I was like God, I want to do something amazing. And it was like the voice was so clear, girl, and he was like I need you to be more transparent with your viewers, absolutely. You see, I had to look at the camera and say that and I was like, and I was, I literally looked up at the sky and I was like that's not what I meant, like because that's not what I want to do, right, yeah, for sure. And he was like no, that's what I need you to do. But look what's happening ever since you to do. But look what's happening ever since.
Speaker 1:It's been crazy because so so originally, when I first cut my hair, it was like um, it must have been the end of september going into october. So originally I just did like this hair replacement unit on myself because I was already doing hair replacement, right, so that was easy. And I was like, just you know, I shaved the top completely off I still had to hear around the sides and stuff and it was time for me to redo my hair again and I was just like, why are you so afraid to like, just do it, do it. Yeah, and girl, I did a video and when I watched that video still today I still cry. Yeah, I did a video. And when I watched that video, still today I still cry. Yeah, I bet I do, because I'm like man, just to be here is like it's just amazing to me Because, like I said, they say that's why they say never, say never.
Speaker 1:And now I used to be like I'm never going to do that, I'm never, you're going to never see me out with a bald head. Yeah, and look at me sitting here now. That's gross. Like. That's like so much acceptance from within to to finally, you know, be that open and vulnerable and transparent, that that was just like a, a transition to self-acceptance on a whole, nother level. You know, I'm saying it was for you to just be like forget it, I'm gonna do it, when you always said that you would never do that. I'm talking about 30 some years of just hiding. Right, like I mean, I've always.
Speaker 1:I've been in the beauty industry since I was 18. Right, so, you know, and it was. It was difficult because my clients have gorgeous hair, I can always grow hair and I remember times when I would be sitting in a bed and I would be like picking at my hair and I'd be like God, why did you do this to me? You know I was very upset, yeah. So how did it affect your relationship with God? At all, or just kind of, you got some tissue, because I don't want to start crying. Oh, I don't know if you have tissue. Y'all got a bathroom in here, we do. Can I get some tissue? Yes, go ahead, go ahead. And he might have some Kleenex out there too. Okay, I don't want to be on the phone. Oh Lord, here we go. Y'all don't want to get too. Okay, so, okay, so yeah, we're gonna share, okay, okay, because I'm like here we go, here we go, all right.
Speaker 1:So what was the question that you asked? Did it affect your relationship with God in some ways, yeah, absolutely Absolutely. Just because the word that I used to use was cursed. I felt like I was cursed Because I was just like why me, right, you know what I mean Like why me? And because I was such a good hairstylist and I had clients with hair loss and I could get their hair to grow. But I was just like why won't mine grow? You know what I mean? And it was just, yeah, I was very upset, very, very upset, and I used to say that I might, I was cursed, kind of like you see people with leprosy and you see them spots on the element. Yeah, I felt cursed, I did, but now say I'm blessed. I say that I was blessed with it because I know that it's a gift. I know that it's hard.
Speaker 1:It's a lot of women who are suffering in silence, right, tons and tons of women, all, all backgrounds, all nationalities, you know, and they can't talk about it. Um, because a lot of people they just, you know they may, unless you have, like this deadly illness, you know, and I say that where they say like if you don't't have cancer or lupus or something, people just look at it like, oh, you just don't have any hair, right, and then you get the jokes of, well, at least I got hair. And then you have to say, well, I didn't choose this, right, it chose me, it did. So now I'm not angry with god, no more, thank god, right, yeah, because I probably wouldn't have gotten the gates, girl, because how I was feeling, because I was like, why did you do this to me, right, you know? Um, but whoo, yeah, yeah was, I'm so glad you're on the other side, girl, I mean, and the cool thing is because I make wigs, so I still wear them, you know, but I never thought that it would be a time like I was dating this guy that I date, and I remember he said he was like, well, how you think we gonna move forward to the next level if you won't show me your hair?
Speaker 1:And I looked him dead in his face and I told him I said, well, I guess we won't. Oh, no, and I was, and y'all didn't move forward. No, we still, we still date okay, well, yeah, we haven't moved to the next level yet, but that's like that's our next thing. But yeah, I was just like I had told him. I was like I guess we won't. And he, he was like he said man, that really crushed me, like, because he said it just made me realize that you weren't comfortable enough with me.
Speaker 1:But I also had to tell him. I said I wish you hadn't took that as that I said, because it wasn't that I wasn't comfortable with myself, right, you know, I saw it was yeah, that's all it was. I said it wasn't. It never was about you, it was always about me. It was about me feeling comfortable enough, me understanding that I'm enough, no matter with hair or without hair. You know I said so never. It never was you. You always made me feel comfortable enough to be who I am. But I had to know that, absolutely. You know, yeah, I'm glad it worked out, I'm glad he was patient and understanding too, baby, yeah, and also, it was never about him.
Speaker 1:You know, even when I was listening to you, I'm like it has nothing to do with him, it has everything to do with you. You know, just finally being comfortable, like you said, with just showing up as you, as you, your authentic self, you know, and we can just thank God for mercy and grace, you know, during the times where you were struggling, and I just feel like, because God knew your heart and he knew that, even though you were upset, it's not who you genuinely you know that's not who you genuinely are, you know. And so he knew that this thing was just blocking you from being able to have that relationship with you, and he saw what it was like on the other side, for you too. So I feel like that's mercy, that's grace, and man, I just love God for his patience. You hear me, and I feel like I definitely had to go through it because it made me more relatable.
Speaker 1:When I was in Ohio, I had a hair replacement clinic there. I love that. So to talk to the ladies, and some of them would come in and they didn't even want to show me their hair. Now, mind you, we're in a consultation and this is what they're here for, and they'll say some of them, before they take their hair pieces off, they'd be like, well, brace yourself. And I'd be like, girl, you can't show me nothing I ain't seen. Show me nothing I ain't never seen or experienced. Yeah, and I'm like, and I know like something that people would say oh, it's just hair.
Speaker 1:It's easy to say that when it's not you, absolutely, a thousand percent, when it's not your life, your experience and your journey, especially when you are being slowly introduced to the possibility of losing it, versus like, oh, you woke up and it was all off. You have no choice but to like, get it together, you know, figure it out. But it was like a slow transition into like hope and then no hope, because it's like one minute is coming and then one minute is leaving. So it's like on one end of the spectrum I'm feeling hopeful and then it leaves and now I'm feeling hopeless. You know so, to me that's like playing and toying with emotions, you know.
Speaker 1:At the same time, you know, versus with cancer, as soon as the radiation start. You know that's when you typically start losing your hair. It's expected. You just woke up and was losing hair. Yes, yes, that's not the same thing. And you know, like I'm not, you know saying their experience is not, you know, worth hearing. I'm not saying they are trying to downplay it, I'm just saying the experience is different but also the same in a very unique way, you know. But that's a lot. You, you know to be trying to have hope on one end and not on the other, and then just a slow transition and don't even know why. At least you have a wife. You got cancer.
Speaker 1:You know exactly, absolutely, what was the exact diagnosis. Was it like alopecia areata? Yes, areata, okay, alopecia areata, which was the reason why it would fall out and it would come back? Yeah, because that's also stress induced, yeah, you know. So, you know, depending on, you know, um, it's funny because sometimes I will still get spots like back here in the back, like I recently had one, probably. It's probably been like over a year ago where I noticed it was like clean and then it came back. You know so, yeah, so it definitely is still there. But it's so weird too, because it's like I'm now I'm going down this whole rabbit hole, right.
Speaker 1:So now I've been doing things like because, honestly, so now my hair does still grow, yes, but I like, usually because it's spotted, I'll like shave it off. So, like before I came, I had cut my hair does still grow, yes, but I like, usually, because it's spotted, I'll like shave it off. So, like before I came, I had cut my hair. My dad was like, why you cutting it off? It's growing. I said, dad, because I'm not walking around like that, you don't want it, you know growing in certain spots and it's not growing in others fully, right, then it looks unkempt, yeah, you know. So it's best to just shave it. I'm looking like a bald man, right? Well, you don't look far from a man, honey, far from a man. But you know they don't care. The look, the appearance is of a man, right. So I was like, well, I keep it cut down.
Speaker 1:So what I've been doing since December and I kind of got a little bit off track when I came to Temple because that was like a transition that was unexpected, right, because that was like a transition that was unexpected, right. So, but what I was doing, what I've been doing and I'm back on that Me and my dad was kind of battling with that a little bit Because I've been eating fruits, vegetables, drinking water, reducing or just totally taking out meat, dairy, processed foods, and my hair is growing in places that it has not ever grown in, like literally 30 years. Diet is important. Diet is very important. So what I'm seeing is and it's funny because I've taken trichology classes, I'm a certified trichologist too as well, right, well, it's just funny because when the alopecia started to come, I just wanted to know. I wanted to know I'm like why, you know what causes it. So I had to, like you know, I had to get more training. So I was like, ok, I took training with UTI and I was like, ok, because I need to know. But it's really funny because out of all that training now I'm starting to think some of that stuff you already knew, huh, yeah, and some of it's not necessarily law, you know.
Speaker 1:Yes, science to a certain point, but when you start healing the body you can change a lot of things. Yeah, you know, those are facts, facts. So, like the other day, before I cut my hair, like I told you, my side's always been pretty much sparse and thin, like right here, like I had hair right here. Yeah, so it'll cover. So that's how I was able to always like, if I relax and I can pull up in a ponytail, but in the middle it was always clean and gone. And this was before the alopecia started in the back. Well, girl, his hair growing in there now, good. So I looked the other day and I was like his hair growing in there, that's amazing.
Speaker 1:Like you're treating your own alopecia, you know, just changing your diet, drinking more water. Yes, you know, I always say too when I see hairstylists using fruits and vegetables on the scalp and hair. I'm always saying, like, why aren't you encouraging to take it from within? It's more beneficial and you'll get it and receive it quicker because you're treating it very topically. If you're doing it on the scale, people don't realize eating all that fast food, the fried food. Lord, you're talking to me, I'm so sorry, and you got gorgeous hair, yeah, but I didn't imagine how much more it would be even more prettier.
Speaker 1:You get what I'm saying, because what we take in has a lot to what we like. We're like plants, absolutely we are. And that's how I used to explain with my clients when they would come in and these are things that I've seen just from being behind the chair. And when they started doing those things and they'd be like ray, my scalp ain't dry, no more. I'm like because you're drinking water, you know, you, you, you stand away from the fried foods and people. You know we don't.
Speaker 1:We want to think that we can do as we please, but god did not put us here for no, he put us here for a special purpose. You and he gave us the things that we need from the earth. That's right. You know he gave us. He gave us fruits and vegetables and that's what he wants us to take in. But you know we live in America and we could just do what we want. So you know we do what we want and it does take a lot of discipline. It sure does. It takes a very strong mindset because, like I said, um, I felt my dad. He eats pretty good, you know, he really doesn't eat bad, but I, I have to stress to him, I'm like I can't eat that. Well, it's salmon you can. I said I can't eat that. I said no, no, no meat, no seafood. Yeah, and am I still struggling with it? Absolutely like, like you said, it takes discipline, girl.
Speaker 1:I went to Subway today and I wanted to get a tuna fish sandwich so bad. And I was standing in line and it was just spirit. It was like stay on track. You see your hair starting to come in, stay on track. So I was like let me just get the veggie salad. The girl was like you don't want any meat and I was like just vegetables and let me just get the. I'm so depressed about it but I had to get out of my mind too, right, because when I started eating the girl was so good, right, and I was just like, okay, this is it, this is it. Yeah, it's a lifestyle. You know that's life. It's a lifestyle, you know it, and that's that's life. We, we all.
Speaker 1:It's a struggle to choose the things that are best for us. If you want that end and goal, you know, whatever that goal is, obviously it's a gain for you, right, in some kind of way. You have to go through those things that you just don't want. It's almost like working out. I hate working out, but I know I have a goal and you look good. Thank you, ma'am. Thank you, but I have a goal and you look good. Thank you, ma'am, thank you, but I have a goal and I'm like, if you want, you know to. You know, if you want to be healthy you know, because I suffer from, you know, a little illness, maybe like a year and a half ago I'm like, if you want to be healthy, you know you have to. You know, build your heart rate back up and stuff like that. You have to work out, you just have to. It's just what comes with it. It is, you know, but it's like it's the thing that I don't want to do, but it's also the thing that's good for me and that's how it is in general with life. A lot of stuff to me it's like it's not ideal, but I know it's the best thing for me. And you see results. And you see results Absolutely, absolutely.
Speaker 1:And then it's hard to go back to the thing that you were comfortable with doing, even though you know it could create some setbacks. Or it's not very. Some things aren't detrimental but some are, you know. But when you can tackle the things that aren't very detrimental, then the things that are, that's too easy. You know, yeah, just giving up this little bitty, something, so it's, it's hard to be steered away. You know, on whatever journey you're on, you know if you're giving up that small little thing, that doesn't make a bad, huge impact. You know it just really helps for the thing that challenges you to want to go back on to the other side.
Speaker 1:Absolutely, I've said that all to say that. You know. But yeah, girl, that was good, I'm like dang say that. But yeah, girl, that was good, I'm like dang, that was one question. I'm sorry you getting all of it Because you got to think I mean, outside of doing the news interviews, I haven't openly really talked about it. You know, girl, I'm happy, I'm loving it, I'm learning, I love it.
Speaker 1:Girl, what was it like working in salons, styling beautiful hair every day while quietly going through your own hair loss journey? Just a wish, really. It was a wish because, like I said, all my clients have beautiful hair. You know, it's funny because they say ray got growing hands in the back of my head, I'll be like my hair. I remember this girl. She said, uh, she was like ray, your eyelashes is so pretty. I said, girl, y'all worried about eyelashes, I'm trying to get some hair. I know, you know, like the things that people adore, come on, girl, you know that some take for granted, right? You know, you see girls with pretty hair and they be like. You know, they might not even do nothing to it. You be like girl if I had that hair. And they'd be like girl if I cut this hair off right now, you know, and stuff. You'd be like. But then if somebody on the other side, they'd be like if I just could have that, you know. But I think now where I'm at, because I'm here now, right, and it's just so weird because now when I see people, people actually gravitate to me more, mm-hmm, you know, it's just like I'm telling you. It's so empowering.
Speaker 1:Yeah, we went to the VA a couple of weeks ago and it was a lady I didn't know, but she had alopecia Mm-hmm and she was covered. So her hair was. She had her hair and stuff Mm-hmm and she was like like so my dad knew her, we go over and talk to her. And she was like, oh my gosh, she was like you are gorgeous. And I was like you are girl, thank you. I was like thank you. And she was like she was like she kind of. She was like I got alopecia. Oh, she was whispering, yeah, and I was like I said it's okay, and she was, I just wish that I could do that.
Speaker 1:And I was like you can, you can. I was like it was a process, but you can, and she just you could just see it in her face Like how, how inspired she was, you know, like man, like if I could just do that, yeah, but I'll be looking at myself in the mirror, girl, and I just be like like I'll be like I don't know, this little bald head doing something to me, like it is, I mean, it makes people want to know. You know they, they want you know, people are always wanting to be around good aura and also a person, you see, that's self-accepting on so many levels because it's, it's admirable. You know, there there are a lot of people you know, including myself. Some things I don't accept, you know, about myself too, but you know to see that it's like it's a yearning, you know, and it's like she's doing it, you know. You know, maybe I could be like her one day.
Speaker 1:You know, I met a girl I didn't want to meet in passing, at the uh cable place when I first got to temple, passing at the uh cable place, when I first got to temple, and I didn't know that the lady had alopecia. She had a hood on and I didn't I have, I'm just out living my life, right, so I go in, my head is out, and she was like hey, sis, and I kind of looked at her because I'm like I don't know. She was like hey, sis, and then she kind of like did this thing, like, and like she put her little, her hood back to show me, like that, her hair. She was bald too and I was like, hey, sis, like you know, it's like an unspoken community. Yeah, I was like, ok, yeah, yeah, I remember when I had locks, I used to get that like from the lock women. Yeah, it was just like this, I don't know, like you said, like this unspoken, you know communication, like I see you. You know, I don't know what that is, you know, but it's like somebody that's doing something a little different. Yours is, on a whole nother level of difference, but with the locks, you know, a lot of women weren't open to wearing locks and natural hair or any of that, right? So when you see someone doing this, like I see you, you know, yeah, girl, I'm glad that we're here with the natural hair and stuff like that, me too, you know, for so many reasons, right, yeah, all right, you mentioned that 2023 was when you finally started exposing yourself to the world. What happened that made you say I'm ready now? It was just really that conversation with God when I did that fast and he was just like it's time. I love the fast, you know, like some people fast food, some people fast TV or whatever the case may be, but yours was like whoo, it was girl, it was major.
Speaker 1:And so then, when I originally cut my hair and remember, I told you I didn't really still expose it, right. So I did this video and, girl, I cried like a baby on that video, omg. And it was like you still trying to do what you want to do and that's not what I told you to do. Oh, my God, we like look. I told you now, yeah, yeah, no, for real.
Speaker 1:And it was just like, and I was just like, and I remember looking in the mirror, so, mind you, I'm sitting there with this bald top now, because I don't shave the top out to put the piece on. And then it's just like OK, so what you going to do, put the piece back on. It's just like okay, so what you gonna do? Put the piece back on. So I'm sitting there literally looking like george jefferson girl, stop, no, seriously. And I was just like ray, stop it. Yeah, like, just cut it, just cut it, yeah. And I was just like forget it, I just cut it. And now, mind you, I'm in a relationship, right, yeah. So I'm upstairs and I'm cutting my hair and I'm just cutting it off.
Speaker 1:You didn't let nobody know, he didn't, he didn't even know, because he would always give me my privacy when I'm doing my hair anyways. You know what I mean. So I cut it off. And I remember he came upstairs and he went in the bedroom and I was like I was in the bathroom, I was like, hey, I got something to show you. And he was like what? And I came out and, girl, he about fell out. He was like I'm so to show you. And he was like what? And I came out and, girl, he about fell out. He was like I'm so glad you did it.
Speaker 1:And it was crazy, because this is something I definitely want to say for anybody who has alopecia it is about you, and a lot of times we are our own enemy, because all what I thought people was going to think and all what I thought people was going to say, it was none of that Like I thought I didn't. I was. So I'm battling in my head as I cut my hair off. Now I'm upstairs, so I'm like, I'm telling myself I'm like he's going to like it or yank, I don't care if he like it. Well, what if he? What if he don't like it? And what if he like it? Well, what if he? What if he don't like it? And what if he leave you? And then I'm like what did you do? Like? So I'm like literally so many emotions, right, yeah, and I'm like you know what I'm like oh well, it is what it is what it is, that's right. I'm glad you. Just your brain was doing that to you. You know, your brain was taking you on this emotional roller coaster, trying to convince you all the reasons why you shouldn't do it.
Speaker 1:I was about to go in there and put the wig back on. Yeah, I was like just gonna put the wig on, I mean, he's gonna know anyway. Like, yeah, because I was sleeping in wigs. You know, I was literally, I mean, and if I wasn't sleeping in a wig, I had a bonnet on right because, like I said, my hair was still growing but it was spotty, yeah, you know. And, um, when I showed him my hair, he was just like he jumped up and he was hugging on me and kissing on me. He was like I'm so glad you did it.
Speaker 1:And then when I I put a post up and I was with my bald head and girl, it was so many people that was commenting and I started getting all these inboxes from all these ladies and I was like, oh, my goodness, yeah, and I was like, all that time you was, you was worried, which, like I said, it's about you first for sure. But what we think in our head that people may say, it's really you know, you probably will. I'm sure you're going to get some of those people right who may say but after I came out I was like people can't use against you what you already accept about yourself. That part, yeah, that's, that's right. Those effects, like what are you? It almost remind me of eight ball. I mean eight ball, eight mile with eminem. You know when he got up there. I don't know if you ever seen that movie, eminem. You know when he got up there. I don't know if you ever seen that movie. I did, I love it, right, and he get up there and he's, you know, rap battling the guy and he just pretty much rapped about himself. Like I already know this.
Speaker 1:What you're about to say about me no-transcript in any case, right, I mean, when people were getting covid, they were losing their hair. Yeah, that's the first thing. Yeah, you know I'm saying because the body doesn't respond, it doesn't need hair to survive, it don't. So it'll. That'll be the first thing that'll go usually, or that's when you'll start experiencing it. You know the shedding it's like oh, my hair is shedding. Well, there's something going on in the body, you know. So, yeah, it's usually that first indicator. You know, hair is a dry snitch to let you know something is going on internally. I love that A dry snitch. Oh, yeah, the girl be dry snitching. You hear me, just you. So we already talked about the emotions that you faced when you were cutting your hair, when you had to face yourself in the mirror without the wig, so we'll just move to the next question.
Speaker 1:Okay, what inspired you to start the Hair Rich Club and how did the idea of a mobile salon come about? Well, the Hair Rich Club was actually started in 2016. Oh, wow, yeah, I started in Ohio, because that was the name to my hair replacement clinic. Okay, when I moved to Texas, I was kind of like battling with myself. I really didn't want to do hair anymore. Yeah, girl, and I was kind of just, really kind of running, battling with myself. I really didn't want to do hair anymore. Yeah, girl, and I was like I was kind of just like really kind of running from my gift and I was already a wig maker, but I didn't want to like do hair. So I was doing wigs and I had created this online platform, so I had women's like buying wigs from me and stuff, but my business had started to slow down and I kind of had tried to do a shop thing, girl.
Speaker 1:I went to a salon for three days and I was like, yeah, this ain't it why? Because I knew that's not what I wanted. I didn't want to be like, I didn't want to be a hairdresser anymore. I wanted to, like, specialize in my craft and I wanted to do hair replacement the things that you know for people who have alopecia. I wanted to service the women the things that you know for people who have alopecia. I wanted to service the women who really needed me. A bigger purpose yeah, not saying that women who just want to get their hair done didn't need me, but you know it's a yearning when you don't have hair, you want it and you want it to look a certain way, you want to feel a certain way.
Speaker 1:So that's kind of how the mobile beauty bus came about, because I needed to create a space. And then I was like, well, if I got to get a space, then what does that look like? And it was like I had thought about doing a bus before and then I was having a conversation with my dad and he was like, well, it's a lot of things you need to think about. You know what if it break down and blah, blah, blah. So it kind of like strayed me away, and then it came back full circle and I was like you know what? I'm just do it. I'm gonna do a salon on wheels and that's exactly what I did. I love that idea and I've seen some you know barbers, stylists doing you know mobile beauty businesses, and I remember at one point I even checked it out I don't know why I didn't go through with it though I don't know but when I saw you had one, I was like girl, do it, do everything, girl.
Speaker 1:It was a lot of work. It definitely. If I probably had a new, all what it was going to take to do it, I probably would have not done it. So I guess that's why God didn't let me know all what it would have took Right. Would I do it again? Absolutely, I want to get another bus. That's my goal is to get me a newer bus that can be just, you know, newer, nicer for my client. Like an upgrade. Yeah, just an upgrade, right, what all did you go through? Why do you say that it was just? It was so when I got my bus.
Speaker 1:Well, first of all, I end up. We went to Oklahoma and we got the bus and I didn't realize all the work that I was just going to have to put in the bus, like renovating, yes, oh, gotcha, ok, and being like it was just things that I didn't know, like I didn't know that I was gone, which there are other ways that you can power it, right, but I didn't know. So I have a generator, but I didn't know that I was going. So I'm thinking, when I bought the bus, he had a little generator on there, but I'm trying to power a whole salon, right, yeah, so you need us, oh, yeah.
Speaker 1:So then the electrician comes and he was like, well, that little thing is not going to work. And I'm like, well, what do I need? And then he shows me this one and it's like $3,700. And I was like, oh, lord, jesus, help me. I was like that wasn't in the budget, you know, but it was like God was still providing for me to be able to do it and it was just like we're going to make this happen. You get what I'm saying but, like I said, if I probably had a new that I was going to go through all of that, I probably wouldn't have did it, which is probably why I didn't know, because, like I said, now where I'm at, I would definitely do it again. Yeah, like, in the very near future I plan to do it again.
Speaker 1:So that is one of the things that's on my list is just to get like an upgraded bus, because I love it, the clients love it, but I also go to people's homes, yeah, so, like the mobility, you know the logistics of it is so ideal for a client, yes, they love it, so it just makes it easy. Um, but then the other thing that I recently experienced is because, um, when I was in Dallas, we didn't have this. In Ohio they have mobile stylists, like they just go to people's homes. So then I said, because my ultimate goal is to create a team, but everybody can't have a bus, right, right, right, so we'll still just offer the service, but we'll go to people's homes and provide them with the service. Oh, I love that. So that's the other piece of that. Okay, that's a nice goal.
Speaker 1:Because I was like maybe it was about the bus. You know like, yeah, the bus is cool, but I really think I need it because, you know, when you work in a salon, it's just certain things that we do, right, it's certain things that we do and it's just a part of our salon culture, that's right. So when you go to a house, in our brains it's like, oh, it's a kitchen beautician yeah Right, yeah right, yeah, but not really. When you think about it now, what we are is really convenience, and convenience is a luxury. Yes, it is, you know.
Speaker 1:So when I got to dallas and I seen these big companies that had these mobile beauty brands and I was like they really going to these, and we was going into people's houses and I ain't talking about just any house, these hundred thousand million dollar houses, and the ladies is in there and and hold on, and they was coming washed already. Girl, oh, wow, so some of the conversation that we have in our community when it comes to hair I was like these ladies ain't even worried about that. They they coming out wash with their robes on, ready to get their hair blow dry, and I was like, so it really opened my mind up and I was like you can do this mobile business and it can be similar to this, this business model, but for women who suffer with alopecia, women who wear custom units. And I was like, okay, god, I see what you do. I see what you do. I love how you're learning through the process too, and like you're taking the gems and building off of what you're learning, instead of looking at it like it could have been a possible setback mentally, like a mind block, like I don't even want to try that out because I know people aren't open to that.
Speaker 1:Just because a small few aren't does not mean you're not going to service people who are Absolutely. You not mean you're not going to service people who are Absolutely. You know what I'm saying, because some people are looking for convenience more than do. You got a shampoo bowl, you know. I just need you to be able to pull up, do my hair and not go back in the house. No, you know, absolutely, absolutely.
Speaker 1:How does privacy impact healing and confidence for your clients? Oh, I think it's huge Because, of course, you know, when you have hair loss, it's a conversation that most people just don't really know how to have. You know you get strange looks when you go in the salon and people look at her hair, you know. So privacy is very important, people, even if it's in your home or it's on the beauty bus where you could just be service and you just know that it's just you and your service provider, people really, really like that.
Speaker 1:I just went and did some custom units for a lady and I actually went into her home and did them because she wasn't able enough, because you got to like get up on the steps to come in a beauty bus. So she was like, well, if you don't mind, could you come to my house? And I was like absolutely. And so she was like, well, if you don't mind, could you come to my house? And I was like absolutely. And she just said that that, right, there was priceless for her, you know, her being able to get her service done, look good and feel good in the comfort of her own home. She was like very thankful. And I was like, ok. So, and that, just again, that just opened my brain up to say, you know, maybe it never was about just having a beauty bus, it was just making it convenient overall, you know.
Speaker 1:So, yeah, I'm glad for that, yeah, and also that level of privacy, because some people are not ready, yet you know to take off the wig and you know be exposed to so many people around and wondering, like, what are they going to think? You know so the privacy is so important for you know, clients, you know that's experiencing hair loss, you know. So I think creating that idea I mean not that idea, but creating that business model, for you know your clients and also you have the personal experience. So it's not like you can, you can relate to them personally, like I know what you're going through, you know so I think that's why it's also working out for you, because you are able to tap into the mind of a person that's experiencing hair loss and be like, what, what would I want if it was me going and I'm not ready yet, you know. So I think that's why the business is doing so great, because you can emotionally connect with these women. That's very true. I could never connect, you know, in that way with them. I could have empathy, but I couldn't sympathize because I don't have the experience.
Speaker 1:So I think I think it's amazing that you are taking what you and then you are on the other side, so these girls get the experience. You know, not only am I receiving this luxury level of hair experience, but then I'm booking with somebody who know what I'm going through. That's on a whole nother level. Yeah, you know, it's so impactful, you know, because that's who I would want to service me, versus, you know, a licensed cosmetologist. I'm like no, I'd rather go to someone who can relate to me, that can have so much empathy that even when I'm doubting myself, she's on the other side. She know what to say to me. You know, in order to get me where I need to be, in order to get me where I need to be, where she at. It's important.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so that's why I'm like I think niching down was like the best thing you could have ever done, you know, girl, so that's why I'm like I'm so in awe and I mean I'm just meeting you, but I just I'm like extremely inspired by you, girl. Thank you so much, girl. You're welcome. It's been a journey. Yeah, it has, and you conquered it and will still conquer it. You know, like listening to how you deliver, how you speak, is so much hope, it's so much positivity. You have a good relationship with God. Like you have no other choice but to go up. You know, with that, with those small little gems on top of everything else that you're embodying, you know. So it's like the only way is up from here. You know, I don't hear any self doubt, even how you present yourself. You know it's all so just um, confidently done, you know. So, girl, I'm loving it, loving it.
Speaker 1:Okay, um, what kind of reactions have you gotten from your clients? Any stories that stay with you? Just that, people is inspired, like a lot of people from my hometown, you know, of course, they watching, you know, because those people who know me personally, right, yes, um, and people who I don't know, because I have a um, a large online base, so I get, like my customers, it's funny because a lot of them they like, girl, I shaved my head after you did yours, oh my goodness, and I'm like, really like, and I'm like that's amazing. So it's just, it's mind-blowing. Like, um, I've been just getting phone calls just like crazy, especially, it's funny because so much stuff has happened in two months of being in temple. It's just crazy. Yeah, I mean, he's on the podcast, girl, hold on, though. So after I talk to you, whenever me and you talk we talked that week I mean, it's just been like back to back to back.
Speaker 1:So I get a phone call from a lady and she was like oh, I just heard your commercial on the radio. Did I tell you that, or no? Okay, so she said I just heard your commercial on the radio. And I was like commercial, oh my god. And she was like, yeah, she was like the guy on um and she said she said 90, 90 is a Christian station. Uh-huh, she said um, he just did this long spread about you, talking about you and your alopecia, and blah, blah, blah. Oh my goodness. And I was like she was like you didn't know. And I was like, no, that's amazing.
Speaker 1:So I called the radio station because I was just, you know, I'm like, whoever this guy is, I at least want to tell him. Thank you right, thank you right. Yeah. So I call and I'm like I don't, I leave a voicemail. And I was like hey, this is Ray, I'm the owner here at Rich Club. I just wanted to say thank you guys. I'm not even sure who this gentleman was, but he shouted out my business and someone called me Like literally, he did that in the lady call Right, oh. So he called me back the next day and then he says hey, he was real nice. His name is Dave, real nice guy.
Speaker 1:He was like let me ask you this. He was like could I do an interview with you on Monday, girl? I about fell out. You're going to have to like keep track of your interviews. Girl, like, you need your links and everything so you can be like, listen, do you want to hear about my story? You do, so you can keep track of everything because you've been interviewed so much and you don't want to lose this resourceful information. You know it's like your resume, where people can get to know you before they even experience you. Absolutely, you know. So, yeah, you need to be gathering all these links, girl. Girl, I about fell out. That's a blessing, it is, it is. And you just moved here Two months, literally Two months and two days now. People was like, how do you keep getting these interviews? I said, girl, it's God, the story. That's it. Yeah, god for sure. Number one. Yeah, and the story.
Speaker 1:You know that you once thought you know like, oh, this is the worst thing ever it's happened to me and look what it's doing for you. It's like moving mountains for you. Absolutely, it's creating so much exposure and I just love the fact that it's going to create hope for someone that's still not there yet, you know. So that's another thing. It's going to create hope for someone that's still not there yet, that's another thing. It's like a very hopeful, inspiring story. People, especially today, child, we're looking for some hope. It's looking crazy out here If you can get a little hope even from a hair story, even if you can't relate to it. It's just like somebody I forward. You know, in these weird times it's crazy.
Speaker 1:Yeah, um, what does self-love look like to you now compared to when you were 12? That's good. So self-love to me is just accepting yourself, like, no matter what it is, because I always like to think we all have flaws, right, absolutely, and it could be something as small. As one of my friends said, they don't like their knees, yeah, and I mean that may seem small to somebody, right, but it's not to the person who it is, who's experiencing it is not the same. That's your flaw that you take too. You know some things that we see on people. They feel like it's a flaw, you know, but to others it may not be, but it's just really just accepting who you are.
Speaker 1:You know, um, I always tell people like my thing is, sometimes I feel like a wig, sometimes I don don't. Right, you know, at least you're optional now, instead of like only the wig, right, yeah, but I also say, you know, if wigs is your comfort, then let that be what it is. You know, but also just be okay with being who you are. You know, because when you go home at night, you still got to deal with yourself. You sure do. When you go home at night, you still got to deal with yourself, you sure do. You know you still gonna be whoever you are, whether it's, you know, with your hair or without the hair, or with the makeup, without the makeup, the lashes you get.
Speaker 1:I'm saying like, when it's all said and done, it's just a shell that you got. It's really about who are you. You know, like we use all these things and we feel like it's well, this is just me or this is who I am. But really, after all that's said and done, and you wipe it all off or use the eraser to move it, remove it off. Who are you really are? You know, who is your personality, what's your spirit? You know, how do you carry yourself. When people look at you, what do they see? You know, because you can be beautiful on the outside but your inside could still be ugly, you know. So to me that's just that's real self-love, you know, accepting yourself for whatever it is, you know.
Speaker 1:But I will say this because I always tell people like it doesn't mean like, let's just say you have alopecia because I always still felt like, even though I was wearing wigs, I still felt, still felt like, yeah, I wear wigs, but I still do love myself, right? You know? Because I hear, I've heard guys say women wearing wigs, and I'm like you don't know what that may look like for a person, you, you know. So, whatever your comfort level is, you know, be comfortable with that, but just know, like, you still who you are. You still who you are, yeah, like, yeah, you might have a wig on and I'm sure you feel gorgeous with it on. You know, because I put my wigs on baby, and I'll be like, but at the same time I'm still who I am. I'm still who I am. I'm still going to be the same person, whether I have it or not. It's like riding around in a hoopty. Absolutely, you're still the same person in the hoopty or not.
Speaker 1:So how you carry yourself is going to be how you carry yourself, and that's just what we have to remember. Be true to yourself, whatever that may look like. That's right. Like that's right because, um, if, when you're mentioning that, it made me think, um, that's why. So you should be intentionally working on yourself from within and not aesthetically, you know, or like on your exterior, because, like you said, when you go home, that's who you're gonna deal with. You know, when the masks come off, you know I I'm saying Are you hearing what I'm saying? I feel as though that's what we need to focus on more.
Speaker 1:This is a vain world. It is. It's so vain, you'll see, just because this world is so full of this illusion of vanity, more you'll miss out on, you know, really interacting and getting to know or collaborating with a really good person, because you so stuck on the vanity, you know. So that's very important. You know to be working on yourself from within, from within, and they're going to see you too. You know, I don't care what you look like on the outside If you work on yourself from within them having a conversation with you. I don't care what you look like on the outside if you work on yourself from within, them having a conversation with you. They'll see, beyond what you know, what the exterior is exposing, you know. And also, if you're not working on yourself, they're gonna see that too. They're gonna see that too, because you can only hide so much. Eventually your true self is gonna come out, absolutely eventually. That's right For sure.
Speaker 1:Okay, if you could talk to that younger version of yourself, what would you say to her now, you are awesome. You are amazing. You are worth it. Yeah, you are you. I don't know if I could say this, but you can say whatever you want to say. You, you, the S, h, I, t. Absolutely. Yeah, you are. You are with or without any of that. You know you are. And I would tell her you gonna beat this one day, absolutely.
Speaker 1:You'll look on the other side of this and be like it was deep in the moment, but not no more I'm talking about. I'll be like I can't believe. I'm just out here living my best life, uncovered. You know unapologetically, unapologetically. You know what do you hope people, especially young girls with alopecia, take away from your journey. Girls with alopecia, take away from your journey Just being proud of who you are, accepting yourself, just realizing that you don't have to hide Again.
Speaker 1:Usually we're our own worst enemy. So a lot of the times what you may be thinking people may think about you is not even really true. It's really just the enemy trying to really keep you from being who you really are, just being your true self. Because that's what I feel like. That's just a lot of what that was, because now that I'm out here and how we're seeing this, people just gravitate to me more and I'm like it'd be weird because I'd be like what is going on. But then I just had to think I'm like, because they see something in you. Now You're not hiding anymore. You're not hiding.
Speaker 1:Yeah, like you're more confident in yourself. You know and it shows you know. So just to hold your head high, you know, walk with confidence and talk about it. And Walk with confidence and talk about it and talk about it and talk about it. Yeah, because a lot of people they're just not educated and they just really don't know. But when you start talking about it and you share with them, hey, this is alopecia and this is what this is, and then they can start to understand it a little bit more, then it just becomes more acceptable to you know, then you get your friends standing up for you and they don't talk about her. That's you know, and and it and it just becomes a thing. So just you know, walk in your confidence, share your truth, you know, don't run from it, that's right.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I love how you spoke on the education part, because when you ain't educated, educated in whatever it is, you're ignorant, and that's why the ignorant comments are coming. You know what I'm saying. So I really like the education part, because that's valuable, you know, information for you to relate in some kind of way or just understand. You know, like you said, you didn't choose it, it chose you, it didn't. You know. So Right. So I really love how you spoke on that education piece, because that's what is lacking when people make ignorant comments, you know.
Speaker 1:Well, you know, when Jada came out about her having a girl, so I was like I'm so tired of hearing about it and it was just people like well, she got hair. And I was like but just let me know how? They didn't know understand how this works. They didn't. And that's when I really realized I was like people don't even really understand what alopecia is and you know how it really works, like, and I was like, okay, so, yeah, right, and uh, well, you already answered that question. I was gonna ask you where do you see the hair rich club going in the future? But you already answered that.
Speaker 1:Unless you want to tag a little bit more on there, I mean, well, like I said, creating a team of, um trained individuals who can actually offer these services to women who have hair loss not only just hair loss, but maybe you're just looking for a cosmetic. But we'll definitely be doing, uh, custom wigs and hair replacement. That's the thing that I want to really focus on. We do I do extensions as well, so that's another thing that I do um, but my thing, or my niche, is catering to women who actually have hair loss. So I want to thank you so much for your time. We're cutting it right at the mark, okay, you see how fast it go. It goes so fast. It was good, it was awesome.
Speaker 1:But I do want you to shout out your socials so that our listeners can stay connected with you, and I did see that you have a wig class coming up, so make sure you shout that out, too for any listeners that might be interested and want to tap into that and learn some more from you. Okay, well, you can find me on Facebook at Hair Rich Club. You can also find me on IG, which is I'm going to give y'all my personal IG. Personal IG, it's I am Wigiana. That's W-I-G-G-I-O-N-A, that's the same tag for my TikTok as well, and my YouTube. You can actually see some educational videos over me installing units on there too, as well.
Speaker 1:And the wig training. I'm actually going to be scheduled to do a wig training in June, okay, and I'm wanting to open up my trainings to younger ladies as well, so that that high school, middle school, age bracket between the ages of 13 and 18 for young girls who may want to start getting into making wigs so that they can actually start making an income for themselves that's amazing, yeah, so that's can actually start making an income for they sell. That's amazing, yeah, so that's that's what I'm looking forward to doing, okay, well, thank you so much for sharing, thank you for your time, thank you for accepting the invite, first and foremost, and I have thoroughly enjoyed speaking with you, meeting you, getting to know you even more on your journey, cause I only saw the little snippet from the news uh, the news report that they done on you, so now I know even more and I'm sure there there are even more layers to peel back, you know. But I just like an orange girl orange, you hear me orange potatoes, anything you can peel. But, um, I am truly honored to, uh, have had you on the hair. What I'm saying podcast. Thank you. You so much. You're welcome, didn't?
Speaker 1:Rayshetta just bless us with some real deal healing, from losing her hair at 12 to launching a whole mobile salon that empowers other women with hair loss, rayshetta is proof that beauty isn't about blending in. It's about owning your story, loving your reflection and helping others do the same. If you're dealing with alopecia or know someone who is, remember this. Your crown isn't just on your head, it's in your soul. You can connect with Rayshetta and learn more about the Hair Rich Club in the show notes below. Until next time, keep showing up, keep loving yourself and remember hair or nor hair. You've always been that girl.