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

Hi Felicia, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind the success of Brush with the Best is resilience—plain and simple. When I started in this industry, I saw a gap in tools designed for natural, textured hair. Instead of waiting for someone else to fill it, I put in the work to create something that truly helps. There were challenges and moments when it would’ve been easier to walk away but I didn’t.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I’m most proud of the fact that I took a chance on myself and left corporate America, despite everyone’s doubts about me pursuing a career in hair. Stepping away from a stable corporate job wasn’t easy, but I trusted my passion and skills. Becoming a hairstylist turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made—it not only worked out, but it led to a highly successful career.

It wasn’t easy because you got a lot of people talking and saying things that aren’t always positive or in line with what you are dreaming about.

I would turn off all of the people talking, and go within and try to determine what feels right. And it felt right for me to leave that corporate job and do hair. I was I had to find my bliss, and my bliss was in hair.

I learned to take a chance on myself and other people around me and empower them to also take a chance on themselves.

I want the world to know that I came with the purpose of providing a service and opening doors for others to have their seat at the table. That’s really been my mission from the beginning—finding ways to empower people, and that has been such a joy. Helping someone get in the door and seeing them succeed is what drives me. If anything, I want to be remembered as someone who, if I said I was going to help you, I did.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My Favorite Spot in LA is My 2 Cents. I love the food!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Janine Thomas, she helps me stay organized and keep my life together—without judgment.

My Operations Manager, Janine Thomas, is a perfect example of that. I was just telling someone the other day how invaluable she is—she keeps everything running smoothly, always stays professional, and never makes things uncomfortable. I trust her to never cross boundaries or take advantage of situations, Janine knows exactly what to say, when to say it, and how to handle things with integrity. That level of skill and consistency is what you truly want in business.

Website: https://Felicialeatherwood.com

Instagram: @felicialeatherwood

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.