Meet Destini Oree | Professional Hair Braider

We had the good fortune of connecting with Destini Oree and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Destini, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
What brings me happiness is witnessing the joy that I bring to others. As a hairstylist, I interact with a variety of people from many walks of life on a daily basis. I appreciate making other people feel beautiful, particularly because I never know what they are going through in their lives. So, if I can do something as basic as putting a smile on someone’s face by serving them, I’ll do it. Having the opportunity to speak life into others on a daily basis also makes me happy. My clients frequently consider their hair appointments as therapy sessions. It makes me happy to know that they trust me not just with their outward looks but also with their personal lives.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
At the age of 16, I founded “The Touch of Nature,” formerly known as “Destini Oree Hair.” I had no idea when I first started doing hair that it would grow to be where it is now. It was something I was particularly good at, at the time, and I utilized it as a side hustle. My clients during that time were my family and friends.

The importance of consistency and discipline cannot be overstated! That is something I cannot emphasize enough. Inconsistency will cause prolongation in your success! It was not easy for me to get to where I am now. I’ve shed a lot of tears. However, I remained consistent, during the highs and the lows. I didn’t give up. I recall crying and pleading with God to please send me clientele. People always say to be specific in what you ask God for and to be cautious. Now I find myself crying sometimes from being so overwhelmed and tired from work. God sent an overload! I went from being overlooked to overbooked! Don’t get me wrong, I love what I do and I enjoy the people I interact with on a daily basis. However, sometimes it can be physically exhausting, as well as psychologically and spiritually exhausting, because I’m always exposed to different energies, everyday!

I used to want to be great at everything in the hair business. I didn’t just specialize in braiding hair. I was into chemicals/coloring, locs, weaves, wigs and natural hair. I believe that, it’s okay to want to be able to be well versatile. But, my best advice is to focus on one specific area, master it, and then go on to the next while continuing to work in the area that you’ve mastered. If you’re dipping and dabbing into many different areas, it’ll be harder to master it all. Find your niche, and stick to it! My niche happen to be braiding, though i’m well versatile and capable of offering other services that doesn’t consist of braiding hair. Due to me focusing mainly on braiding, I’ve become a master! Which has now led me to be able to teach others.

I’ve discovered that the most crucial aspect of owning a business is how you make people feel! Customer service is also important! You can be excellent at what you do and offer, but if your customer service is poor and you treat people badly, they will not return or support you! Also it’s very important to leave your clients/customers with a great experience because word of mouth is so important. Unfortunately, You can lose out on potential clients, from them hearing about someone else’s experience.

I’m so proud of how far i’ve come. I’m very pleased of how many people’s lives I’ve impacted and continue to influence on a daily basis. “I see God in you,” someone looked at me and said, and it is the one thing that keeps me going on a daily basis. More than anything, he gets all the glory, and that’s what I want everyone to see. Respect me and see me for who I am, Destini Oree. But, I also want people to be able to see God in me because it will show them that there is a living God and encourage them to pursue a connection with him or seek out ways to have that “light.”

I’ve been blessed to have been my own boss from the age of 16. I’ve never worked for or under anyone. All I know is entrepreneurship. I want to encourage any current business owners as well as future business owners to never give up! Please! No matter how hard it is. At times, you may feel low and discouraged but do not stay in that state. Control your mind! Pick yourself up, and keep working!

What sets me apart from the majority is not only the care that I have when it comes to hair, but also my genuine concern for individuals. Some hairstylists may create any hairstyle a customer desires by any means necessary, without genuinely caring about the client’s hair or utilizing products that are tailored to the client’s individual hair type/texture. My attention to detail, patience, creativity, professionalism, and genuine personality set me apart from many others. One final characteristic that distinguishes me from the majority is that I am not in competition with others. The only person with whom I compete with is myself. I aspire to be a better version of myself than the day before. Some people are so preoccupied with other people, especially other business owners, that they lose out on opportunities and their ability to elevate as an individual and business owner.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost, I’d like to give my shoutout to God, since without him, I’m nothing. I’d then like to dedicate my shoutout to Kellie Travis, my mother. My fascination with hair began when I was about eight years old, when I observed my mother doing it. My mother, who is a cosmetologist, cosmetology instructor, massage therapist, in addition to being a realtor, has taught me the majority of what I know about cosmetology and business. She’s always been my biggest cheerleader in whatever I’ve done. Finally, I want to thank my fiancé, my family, and my close friends. For as long as I can remember, they have always been extremely supportive in my life! They have unquestionably aided me in achieving my goals.

Instagram: thetouchofnature_

Youtube: Destini Nature

Other: thetouchofnature1@gmail.com