We had the good fortune of connecting with Cameron Leathers-Clayborne and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cameron, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
I got my first job as soon as I could legally be hired. I was a hostess at a restaurant with a built-in arcade and I was so excited to earn my own money for the first time. A few months in, I found myself overwhelmed with trying to balance completing all of my schoolwork and working pretty crazy hours for a high school student. Typically in food service, schedulers would give you a time to come in but you would only be “cut” for the evening when they felt that you wouldn’t be needed anymore. That resulted in many shifts with really long hours. I remember closing one day and bursting into tears when I got home because I still had homework to complete and I was already exhausted. I ultimately took a leave of absence to focus on school. I experienced this theme a few times and it became a cycle for me, even after becoming a nurse. I would get full-time permanent jobs and eventually become overwhelmed from poorly managing my work-life balance. As an adult, I no longer had the option to take a leave of absence to focus on school or just being an individual with hopes and dreams outside of the workplace. In May 2022, I decided that I wanted to change that. Since then, I’ve worked as a critical care travel nurse and my main focus is to find my own flow. I realized a long time ago how different each season of my life looks and it initially felt like a threat to my livelihood. I felt like I needed to stay on a particular schedule or I was “failing”. Now, I realize how much of a blessing it is that I get to experience and embrace change. I get the opportunity to be versatile and change is nothing to fear, just something to acclimate to. I save while on contract so that I am not always living paycheck to paycheck or working out of necessity. I’m very blessed because I am able to maneuver the world from the standpoint of what I want to do, not what I need to do. I take months off at a time to focus on passion projects, enjoy family, recenter and more. My belief is that most people don’t dream of labor so dream jobs aren’t exactly a reality for most. I do, however, believe that with discipline and clear vision, we have the ability to acquire what we need, invest in our futures, and lead lives that we’re excited about.

What should our readers know about your business?
Though The SilkBox was birthed in 2022, it still feels like a very new business to me because we’re steadily growing. Starting The SilkBox has not been completely easy, but it has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve decided to do. I started The SilkBox as a way to provide other women access to high quality hair extensions to achieve endless hairstyles. In May 2022, I moved to Louisville, KY, for my first travel nursing contract and finding a hairstylist was something that felt extremely stressful. Because of the summertime Kentucky heat, manipulating my natural hair a ton felt like a terrible option and a sure way to dry my hair out completely. I started to really appreciate the versatility of wigs and extensions. I began testing different types of hair and making wigs for myself to see what bundles could hold curls or easily be straightened, and lasted the longest while still giving the most flawless finish possible. By June 2022, I was sure that this was something that I wanted to be able to share with other women who wanted to preserve their natural curls, coils and kinks, allowing their own hair to flourish and breathe without tons of manipulation, while also serving the most timeless looks. I have consistently overcome the challenges by remembering that slow and steady always wins the race. I don’t have to become a millionaire overnight but I will be better today than I was yesterday. I remain as teachable as possible because this is my first business venture and I’ll never know everything. I’m also very open to change because growth requires change. In March 2024, I realized that I wanted to provide more than just hair extensions and I’m so excited for what The SilkBox has in store for the public. My greatest dream since June 2022 has been to provide the gift of silk and that mission still exists as the heart of The SilkBox.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m a huge foodie and no one does wings like my city! My favorite wing spot in Cleveland, OH, would definitely be Kim’s Wings. They’re perfectly crispy even when they’re drenched in sauce. In 2024, however, I started my journey as a vegetarian. Since then, my absolute favorite restaurant is The Vegan Club. Their Brussel Caesar Salad and buffalo oyster wings are AMAZING. For a nice cocktail and maybe even a delicious sushi roll, I’d hit up Sora. I don’t really go out much but 16-Bit is one of my favorite spots to hang out at night. They have cocktails and a loaded arcade for my 21+ people who are still big kids at heart.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d love to shout my city, Cleveland, OH, and my family out! As the only girl in the family with three brothers, I received more than my fair share of love but I was always taught to be tough and resilient. My family structure was also very unique and it catered heavily to my ability to adapt. Being the daughter of two single parents, I thrived on routine and structure but traveling between my parents’ homes provided an element of variety that kept life fresh for me. One parent enforced the importance of education and a relationship with God, the other taught discipline through the lens of sports and cultivated my love for nature. In adulthood, I’ve realized how much my childhood fostered my desire for variety in my work life. My upbringing also largely influences the way I decompress. I love being near water or in the forest so living in the Bay Area for a year and a half was a dream come true for me so shoutout to The Bay, too!

Website: https://thesilkboxluxuryextensions.com

Instagram: @TheSilkBoxLuxuryExtensions

Facebook: The SilkBox

Other: Email: cdlc@thesilkboxluxuryextensions.com

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