3 minute read
Tracey Crawley – Crown & Glory
By Wanda Taylor Photography contributed
Tracey Crawley, Crowning Glory
CROWNING GLORY
Black Hair is the Crown. Styling it is Tracey’s Art
As a consummate professional, self-starter, mentor, and community advocate, Tracey Crawley has dedicated her many years of experience in business to giving back to her customers and her community. The encouragement she received as a child, from her mother and grandmother, helped to set her on the trajectory toward a career that she is hugely passionate about. “I was four years old when I first learned how to cornrow on the long grass on my grandmother’s property. From there I knew this was what I wanted to do.” Her grandmother was her number one client and always encouraged her to create with hair. And every Christmas her mother made sure there was a doll head under the tree, which Tracey would use for practice. Many Black women can relate to the delight of learning to make that first braid or sculpt that first hairstyle. Creating styles for Black hair is a centuries-long, intergenerational legacy – Black hair is the crown, and hairstyling is the work of art showcasing its natural beauty. Tracey’s business name, Crowning Glory is a fitting tribute to this notion.
Tracey was drawn to styling hair at a young age. However, running a hair business was not originally part of her plan. She never started out wanting to own a business. She calls her entrepreneurship journey divine inspiration. After high school, Tracey completed a Hair/Esthetics course at Transformation School of Hair Design in Halifax. She graduated at the top of her class and eventually opened her own shop. At the time, Tracey didn’t know the toll it would take on her personal life, as well as the sacrifices and dedication it would take to get the business off the ground and to keep it going. She also says she wishes she had grown her brand much earlier in the process. One important lesson she learned along the way was about being aware of the people around her. “Not everyone is for you. Protect yourself at all times.” Despite all of her challenges and obstacles, Tracey continued to persevere. Today she runs a very successful hairdressing establishment. Her clients are faithful and many have been with her since the beginning. Tracey credits her customers with being consistent, loyal, and invaluable to her success. Tracey also works to support and empower her community. As a board member for the Cosmetology Association of Nova Scotia, she strives to help others gain increased access and opportunities within the industry. She has also worked with NOW, a program that provides a pathway for young aspiring stylists. Tracey supports other Black entrepreneurs by carrying and selling their products in her studio – which is everything from hair and skincare to merchandising. Like many small businesses across the globe, the COVID-19 pandemic deeply impacted Tracey’s bottom line. She was hit hard and was forced to close her doors for over three months during the lockdown. This resulted in a huge loss in revenue. She then re-opened to massively increased costs and precautionary expenses, such as plexiglass dividers and labour costs associated with ensuring her studio conformed with COVID-19 regulations. Those unforeseen costs required her to seek out COVID-related government support to augment her losses. Still, Tracey remained undeterred. Her Christian faith is what has kept her going and is what keeps her grounded. “He is my source.” She says. “Even through this pandemic, my business is still open and thriving. He has kept me.” Tracey’s future plans include expanding her business and its online presence, hiring more hairstylists, and increasing her partnerships with Black entrepreneurs. Her advice to young Black women striving to become business owners is to go into entrepreneurship with a vision and a solid plan. “Cultivate good work habits and practices. Become a forward thinker.”
