Tonisha, Master Multicultural Hairstylist & Business Coach, Empowers Women Through Beauty and Entrepreneurship

Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business

Tonisha is a Master Multicultural Hairstylist with expertise in all hair types, specializing in black hair care services. With a deep passion for creativity, she offers luxury bridal hair, hair extensions, dreadlocks, and braids, bringing her unique touch to every look. Her work has been featured in numerous prestigious magazines, shows, films, and music videos worldwide. Tonisha's commitment to excellence is driven by continuous education, regular attendance at industry shows, and staying ahead of the latest trends. She takes pride in helping women of all backgrounds feel beautiful, confident, and empowered like true divas. In addition to her styling expertise, Tonisha is also a dedicated volunteer internationally, business coach, and inspiring podcaster, sharing her knowledge and passion for entrepreneurship and  the hair and beauty industry with others.

Who are your customers?

Multicultural  Women with a focus on black/textured hair

What was your background prior to starting your own business?

Customer Service

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

My Children was the inspiration

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

I knew I wanted to lead, work on my own terms  and be my own boss!

Take us back to when you first launched your business; what was your marketing strategy to get the word out and did it go as planned?

Client referrals, making sure my work was excellent on each client. Salon location on a busy intersection in Toronto worked well for visibility

What is the biggest challenge you have encountered along the way so far and what have you learned from it?

As a sole proprietor, one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in business has been managing finances, particularly the difficulty of raising capital. The struggle to secure funding led me to finance my business entirely out of pocket, which taught me invaluable lessons about financial discipline, resourcefulness, and perseverance. I learned how to carefully allocate my funds, prioritize essential investments, and make smart, strategic decisions to ensure the business remained sustainable. While it was a tough journey, funding my own business helped me truly understand the importance of cash flow management and the resilience required to keep pushing forward. It also made me appreciate the power of reinvestment, as I was able to use profits to fuel growth and continually improve my services, which ultimately made my brand stronger and more self-sufficient.

What accomplishment are the most proud of to date in your business?

Maintaining Excellent Customer Service

Do you have any recent wins from the last year that you'd like to celebrate with our community?

14th Year in business, 2025 Global Recognition Awards winner

What's next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?

Continue to empower women in our communities to feel connected, accepted and confident through my  products and services. Growth and Expansion of my Coaching business for women entrepreneurs.

What is your top productivity tip? 

I Set SMART  Goals -SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound—and these principles help ensure that my goals are clear and actionable.

On the flip side, how do you avoid burnout?

Self care is priority, I taking time off for rest when needed  and vacation.I’ve realized that taking care of my body is directly connected to maintaining mental clarity and emotional resilience.

What is your approach to work-life balance / integration?

I set up systems and automation for client to book, I set Boundaries in my business I make it a point to define clear work hours and personal time. By sticking to these boundaries, I avoid letting work spill over into my personal life and vice versa.

What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

Get a coach and into communities for rapid growth

What's the one app on your phone you absolutely cannot live without and why?

Instagram-it’s not just a platform for connecting with clients and showcasing my work, but also a powerful tool for building my brand and staying connected with the hair and beauty industry. I love how I can share my latest hair creations, promote new services, and even interact with followers directly through comments and DMs. The Stories and Reels features help me stay creative and showcase behind-the-scenes moments, while also keeping my audience engaged. Plus, I use it to stay updated on trends and connect with other professionals—whether for inspiration or collaboration. Instagram has truly become a key part of my business strategy and personal connection with my community.

What is your favorite business tool or solution and why?

Canva -It’s an absolute game-changer for creating visually appealing content, especially since I’m always sharing my work on social media and marketing materials. Whether it's designing promotional graphics for Instagram, creating flyers for events, or digital products  even crafting branded templates for client consultations, Canva makes it so easy to produce professional-quality designs. The drag-and-drop interface is super user-friendly, and the wide variety of templates helps me save time while still keeping my branding on point. It’s also great for creating content like digital portfolios or guides that I can share with clients. Canva helps me stay consistent and creative without needing advanced design skills.

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

If you're just starting out or navigating the ups and downs of running your own business:

Consistency is key to building your brand and reputation. Whether it’s in your social media posts, customer service, or product offerings, showing up regularly and delivering quality work will set you apart from others.

Embrace Failure It’s a part of the journey. Don’t be afraid of failure—it’s where you learn the most. Every setback is an opportunity to adjust your strategy and grow stronger. Learn from mistakes and use them to improve.

Invest in Yourself, continuously improve your skills and knowledge. Whether it’s attending workshops, reading books, or networking with other entrepreneurs, investing in your personal and professional development will pay off in the long run.

Build Relationships, Networking and building meaningful relationships with customers, peers, and mentors is crucial. Your community is a resource for support, feedback, and potential opportunities.

Focus on Your "Why" understand the deeper reason behind why you started your business. Your “why” will keep you motivated during tough times and help you stay connected to your purpose.

Be Adaptable, the business world is constantly changing. Stay open to new ideas, technologies, and ways of doing things. Flexibility will help you keep up with trends and remain competitive.

Manage Finances Wisely, it can be tempting to reinvest everything back into the business, but it’s essential to have a solid financial plan. Keep track of your income and expenses, set a budget, and don’t forget about taxes!

Balance is Everything as an entrepreneur, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle, but remember to take care of yourself. Make time for family, friends, and personal hobbies to avoid burnout.

Celebrate Small Wins- Entrepreneurship can be overwhelming, so it’s important to acknowledge and celebrate the small victories along the way. Every step forward is progress.

Be Patient,  building a successful business doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, hard work, and perseverance. Trust the process, stay committed, and keep pushing forward.

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