Carmen of Tomoka's Twist
How did you first hear about sister locks and what was the determining factor in your own sisterlock hair journey?
I first heard about Sisterlocks on the internet after trying to lock my hair using braids/plaits. I visited a handful of blogs and was determined to get them even though I had never seen anyone in person with them. The consultant who installed my first set of Sisterlocks didn't even have them. I picked Sisterlocks because of my hair texture. It's beautiful and very resilient. My hair returns to its natural state regardless of what style I attempt. It clumps in s-pattern coils no matter if it's been relaxed, pressed, and even locked. It was frustrating to get my hair professionally relaxed for it to fall within hours and by the next day go from a shaking do-be wrap to Chaka Khan status. Her hair is pretty, but I could saved my money and done that look.
What was your hair journey like before sisterlocks?
Before locks I was natural for about 3 years and just wore it as it was. I did a lot of no-poos and let it air dry until my hair became too long for me to untangle. I really enjoyed my hair when it was shorter. At the time I got caught up in hair length challenges as if people were saying, "It's ok to have natural hair, but it must be long!" By the time I grew my hair to near mid-back, I was tired of untangling and started wearing my hair pulled back in a bun. I thought long and hard about, why would I grow my hair out this long just to wear it in a bun. It didn't make sense to me. That's when I tried out Sisterlocks.
On your blog you shared a few pictures of yourself installing sister locks . Is this something that you do for friends and family? How did you learn this?
After a few months of having Sisterlocks, curiosity had built to the point that I had to know how they were done. I finally took the four day class to become an consultant. I even had the itch to take out my first set and them on my own because I knew I could do it better. Plus, I took a while off from working and had plenty of time to do it. At first when I took the class I did worry about getting clients. As the saying goes, if you build it they will come. They did come and I did absolutely no advertising to get clients. The Sisterlock website did it all. As it because more popular in the area I stay in, clients come word of mouth as well as the website. I install and re-tighten clients as they come to me. In fact, fast-forward nearly two years, I was referring clients to another trainee in the area. She recently decided to close her salon and now I am the only one listed in the Sisterlock registry in the area who does them for the general public or accepting new clients. I have not renewed my trainee status nor sent in the paperwork to become a certified consultant. My clients and associates are pushing me to send in the paperwork. People who truly know me, including myself, are pushing me in another direction and that's to my parents business and my products, Tomoka's Twists.
Now about Tomoka’s Twist…..
A few months back I did a short feature on Tomoka’s Twist. I received a lot of questions so maybe we can answer a few here:
What exactly is a Tomoka’s Twist and how did you come up with the concept?
I've been asked many times how did I come up these things. I had accessories before that no longer worked because my hair had gotten so thick and long. I found myself using yarn, scarves, shoe strings, whatever I could find to wrap around my hair. It's all about looking at other products and the pros and cons about them. My father found some wire that would work for the idea I had and my mother had a few beads and we put it all together. Tomoka's Twists is basically a flexible, reusable wire with beads on it. What sets it apart is the type of wire and the beads that I use. I really get into finding beads. It's like a treasure hunt for me. While folks are watching reality tv and playing video games, I'm looking around for the next bead.
Are they exclusive to natural and locked hair?
Tomoka's Twists is geared for natural hair, but relaxed people are able to wear them as well. They can be wrapped around the wrist, arm, wear it as a necklace. I do have earrings available to match most of the hair accessories. If people like the beads and the designs that I use for the twists then they can enjoy the earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. I am trying to branch out and collaborate with an artist to do hand painted items. Heaven only knows the future.
What are your future goals for Tomoka’s Twist. Do you plan to sell in stores and wholesale in the near future?
When I first started I hoped that Tomoka's Twists would be welcomed and two years later, they are accepted. I am extremely pleased to have returning customers, international orders, and wholesaling inquiries. I was very hesitant to wholesaling because of my limited inventory as well as profits. With the latest website has an user friendly section to set up information for vendors, so I'm giving it a chance. I have added a few vendors who are able to purchase items directly from the site. Those orders are large and really push me to continue to be creative and on my toes.
Where can we purchase Tomoka’s Twist?
If anyone wants to keep up with the latest on me and the products, there is a Tomoka's Twists fan page on Facebook. I tweet hard, so add me on Twitter as carmennc. Stop by my blog as well at carmen.blogspot.com. You can always reach me from the store TomokasTwist.com
Wishing you happiness ~ Carmen
by See My Healthy Hair Grow
3 comments:
Nice post, her accessories are really nice too.
I agree that those tomoka’s twists are a good idea..but let’s keep it real. She buys an electrical wire from home depot for pennies. Its the one with the single copper wire inside. My brother is an electrician and he showed me how she strips the ends and adds different jewelry on the ends. Even with the addition of the pieces on the end it still costs her less than a dollar to make each one. yet she charges upwards of $30 for some of those things. Wow..Talk about a profit… Yet she says she doesn't make much profit...Go figure. Since my brother showed me, I make my own for my hair now for far less than she charges. I encourage the rest of you to take a look at making your own as well. It will save you at least $20 dollar or more for each one you make and you can shop michael's and other craft stores for beads that appeal to your taste.
Hi, I congratulate Tomoka's Twists for being innovative and making her dream a reality. I've purchased a couple of her twists, which I adore wearing, even with the knowledge I could make my own if I so desired.
Check out www.lovelylocks.biz for Sisterlocks in the UK.
Post a Comment