Hair entrepreneur goes beyond business to tackle a community need

Editor’s note: The following story was produced through a paid partnership with MOSourceLink, which boasts a mission to help entrepreneurs and small businesses across the state of Missouri grow and succeed by providing free, easy access to the help they need — when they need it.

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ST. LOUIS — Braiding hair for over 20 years, Michelle Byrd’s entrepreneurial journey began out of necessity. She started to braid and style client’s hair to pay for her youngest daughter’s private school tuition.

Even though she never envisioned herself starting her own business and just took on a few clients to supplement her income, she soon realized her services were fulfilling a deeper need within her community.

“I started realizing it was more than just me doing the hair for the purpose of paying the tuition; they needed me, and I needed them, too,” Byrd said. “What came out to be just a way to pay tuition for my daughter turned out to be my heart’s work.”

Today, she puts connection and hair education first at her mobile hair salon Tender Love & Tresses, braiding natural hair and even educating clients on how to properly take care of their hair even after her services.

“A lot of times I’ve experienced elderly people who just don’t know what to do or how to care for their skin in their hair,” Byrd said. “So that’s one of the things that I lean into. I’m very intentional about what we do to make sure that we are maintaining healthy hair.”

Her heart’s work

Tender Love & Tresses primarily serves elderly and disabled clients, with Byrd traveling to their homes equipped with everything needed for a comfortable full salon experience.

“I have a traveling shampoo bowl, a hair dryer, towels, supplies — everything,” she said. “My clients deserve to feel like they’re getting a professional service, even in their own homes.”

Her journey has been influenced by her background in music and early childhood education, particularly her experience working with children with special needs and disabled adults, adding music therapy to her sessions and ensuring those clients learn hair techniques for themselves.

“Those skills translated perfectly into my business,” Byrd said. “I know how to care for clients with autism and other special needs. I do take clients who don’t have any disabilities at all, but that’s the main focus.”

Beyond Housing

In addition to running Tender Love & Tresses, Byrd is deeply involved with Beyond Housing, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing affordable housing and support services. She learned about the nonprofit through her niece.

Beyond Housing has been a significant part of her life, offering stability and support as she navigated Tender Love & Tresses and her full-time job as a Programs Manager at the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Through the nonprofit, she was able to find a home close to her work and her daughter’s school.

“Living in the community I serve is important to me,” Byrd said. “It’s a way to show the students I work with that success is possible. The timing was perfect, and it’s been a blessing for my family.”

Despite her busy schedule, she continually seeks opportunities for growth and education. Byrd recently participated in Beyond Housing’s Biz Smart START Program in 2023, a 12-week program with coaching and mentorship to advance early-stage businesses.

The 2023 cohort of Biz Smart START, a three-month program that helps early-stage businesses, hosted by Beyond Housing; photo courtesy of Michelle Byrd

Since her business was already established with an LLC, she credits the program with reigniting her entrepreneurial spirit and finding new ways to engage her clientele and connect with other cohort members for potential collaboration.

“I think more people should have a community mindset,” Byrd said. “Partnerships make a difference. I remember the first day of class when people explained what they did and I was writing stuff down about who could use this service or I knew somebody who might need it later.”

Tackling hair care misconceptions

Treating clients suffering hair loss due to diseases such as cancer or COVID or from improper styling, Byrd focuses on styling their hair in protective and natural hair styles they can easily  manage after they leave her chair.

She often finds herself debunking hair care misconceptions with her clients about Black hair, such as solely using oils to moisturize as opposed to water-based products or getting chemical relaxers to achieve hair growth, as both can lead to unhealthy, damaged hair.

“I’m constantly educating them about proper hair care,” Byrd said. “It’s about really being disciplined with your hair, it’s like a plant. You do certain things like fertilizing and watering it, and you’ll see the same thing is true for your hair.”

She aims to expand Tender Love & Tresses and continue her education in hair care. Byrd is currently focused on researching natural hair care schools in St. Louis, like SweetHead Naturals.

“My goal is to better serve my clients and eventually transition into full-time entrepreneurship,” she said.

Knowing that traditional salons often don’t focus on getting to know their clients, Byrd wants the relationships she forms at Tender Love & Tresses to always be at the forefront of her work.

“I can’t tell you how many times I’m talking my clients through something and encouraging them by just letting them know somebody loves you and somebody cares,” she said.

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