How Shampoo’ed is transforming hair and inspiring entrepreneurs

July 13, 2021

Latrece Nelson is a passionate and talented hairstylist, but it’s her passion for community that sets Shampoo’ed, her Milwaukee hair salon, apart. Read how Latrece is leveraging her small business to lift up her community.

Inspiration is at the center of everything Latrece Nelson does. When she was a teenager, she was inspired to learn how to do her own hair. In cosmetology school, she was inspired to open her own salon. Today, she’s inspiring young kids in the Milwaukee area to become the best versions of themselves through social, emotional and entrepreneurial programming. To top it all off, she and her team of stylists are also creating beautiful hairstyles.

 

What’s the origin story behind Shampoo’ed?

“When I was younger, my mother did my hair all the time. She didn’t bring me to a hair salon, and my hair used to be so messed up. So, when I was in high school, I started doing my own weave. It went okay, it definitely went better than my mother’s work, and I realized how people were attracted to what I was doing when I told them that I did my own. I had people start asking me if I could do their hair.”

“When I was in my early 20s, people started telling me I should start doing hair professionally. I didn’t want to commit to doing hair, but one day I went to a hair show, and that changed everything for me. The same month, I applied to cosmetology school. My mother was my inspiration. She passed [away] in 2019, but she inspired me. The communication I have with my clients and the relationships I create with them, that’s really my calling. I’m able to make a difference for their outer appearance, but their inner-beauty as well. I help people feel better from the inside out.”

 

What was it like opening your own salon?

“I tried to work for someone else, but I was only there for a few weeks. I opened up a hair salon with my brother-in-law while I was still going to cosmetology school. As time went on, I started handling things on my own. I learned that in business, you can’t rely on anyone but yourself to get things done. Luckily, at this stage, it’s me and my husband [running the business]. He’s also a barber. I actually met him at the hair show I went to that was so inspiring for me. We met, and I thought, ‘You’re a barber, I’m a stylist, let’s go!’” 

 

What makes Shampoo’ed a unique business in Milwaukee?

“Shampoo’ed is unique because we don’t just care how your hair looks — we care about the health of your hair. Originally, we catered to natural haired gals with textured hair. Now, Shampoo’ed is simply known for lavishness. It’s hair, it’s beauty, it’s a vibe, it’s an energy and it’s about your inner-beauty. Being able to coach people through caring for their hair, whether they’re wearing a weave, straightener, or naturally, it’s all still hair. It’s about helping individuals step up into the next level of their lives in every aspect, including their hair. Shampoo’ed is about a lifestyle — a lavish one!”

 

Do you have a favorite thing about owning a salon?

“I love that every day, I set the example. No matter what I’m going through, I have to remember that people are looking up to me. Whether that’s grown women or young girls to be that person, and they’re inspired by me. What they look up to is, they get to see someone in this industry that looks like them and comes from where they come from. That’s the biggest component for me. A lot of those girls don’t see that reflected at home, so we’re actually starting some social and emotional development courses to emphasize the idea that they can do it too, and they have the keys to success with them now.” 

 

How are Shampoo’ed’s development courses helping kids in Milwaukee?

“We’ve built our own complete curriculum that speaks on identity, spirituality, how to acknowledge trauma and decision-making. It’s a 4-week course, and outside of classes, we’re working to build the kids up to another level. If they want to pursue entrepreneurship, we try to connect them with someone in Milwaukee who can mentor them and potentially provide an internship. If they end up being a good fit for the business, we always hope they can get hired on. Those capabilities are what made my business what it is now. I want to share those entrepreneurial skills with kids so they can thrive at work, at school and in their relationships.”

 

What makes small businesses so powerful?

“We are the closest fixtures to our community. Most large businesses don’t have entrepreneurs in their operation to set that example. When it’s a small business, there are community members working inside, thriving and supplying demand. People actually have direct contact with us, and I think that’s a big component. People see how we conduct ourselves, and how resilient we are in certain situations. We are the pillars of our community. We are the ones who reach down and pull others up. So many people come in wondering how we got started, out of the blue. Giving them points on why we do what we do sends them the message that they can do this, too. We are trying to build the community that supports us.”

 

Inspired by small businesses making big impacts in their communities? We are too. Discover how this bridal business is making memories in San Francisco for 30 years.

Learn about U.S. Bank

Related content

Allowance basics for parents and kids

Community behind Elsa’s House of Sleep

How a family-owned newspaper is serving its community

30-day adulting challenge: Financial wellness tasks to complete in a month

High-yield bond issuance: 5 traits lawyers should look for in a service provider

Year-end financial checklist

Putting home ownership within reach for a diverse workforce

Administrator accountability: 5 questions to evaluate outsourcing risks

For small business growth, consider the international market

Easier onboarding: What to look for in an administrator

3 tips to maintain flexibility in supply chain management

Insource or outsource? 10 considerations

4 questions you should ask about your custodian

Refining your search for an insurance custodian

Service provider due diligence and selection best practices

Webinar: CRE technology trends

Complying with changes in fund regulations

Business risk management for owners of small companies

Evaluating interest rate risk creating risk management strategy

Webinar: CSM corporation re-thinks AP

Tech tools to keep your restaurant operations running smoothly

Webinar: AP automation for commercial real estate

Addressing financial uncertainty in international business

5 winning strategies for managing liquidity in volatile times

The future of financial leadership: More strategy, fewer spreadsheets

Digital banking and cloud accounting software: How they work together

Employee benefit plan management: trustee vs. custodian

Choosing your M&A escrow partner

High-cost housing and down payment options in relocation

Why retail merchandise returns will be a differentiator in 2022

Save time with mobile apps for business finances

Crypto + Relo: Mobility industry impacts

For today's relocating home buyers, time and money are everything

Webinar: CRE Digital Transformation – Balancing Digitization with cybersecurity risk

Empowering team members

10 tips on how to run a successful family business

How I did it: Grew my business by branching out

Making a ‘workout’ work out as a business

How a bright idea became a successful business (in Charlotte, North Carolina)

Making the leap from employee to owner

Business tips and advice for Black entrepreneurs

Tools that can streamline staffing and employee management

How to identify what technology is needed for your small business

Planning for restaurant startup costs and when to expect them

How to test new business ideas

The role of ethics in the hiring process

8 ways to increase employee engagement

How to reward employees and teams who perform well

How to hire employees: Employee referral vs. external hiring

Give a prepaid rewards card for employee recognition

Checklist: Increase lead generation with website optimization

Is your restaurant Google-friendly?

How small businesses are growing sales with online ordering

3 simple brand awareness tips for your business

How a small business owner is making the workplace work for women

5 principles for avoiding ethics pitfalls on social media

The growing importance of a strong corporate culture

How small business owners can budget for the holiday season

Why credit cards should be the first choice for business payments

7 uncommon recruiting strategies that you may not have tried yet

How increased supply chain visibility can combat disruptors

6 common financial mistakes made by dentists (and how to avoid them)

Business credit card 101

Meet your business credit card support team

How to apply for a business credit card

What kind of credit card does my small business need?

Do I need a credit card for my small business?

How jumbo loans can help home buyers and your builder business

5 questions business owners need to consider before taking out a loan

How to establish your business credit score

Break free from cash flow management constraints

5 tips for managing your business cash flow

5 ways a business credit card program can grow your business

Building a business with a great product and a greater purpose

How running a business that aligns with core values is paying off

Meet the Milwaukee businessman behind Funky Fresh Spring Rolls

Improve online presence your business

When small business and community work together

How tenacity brought Taste of Rondo to life

How Gentlemen Cuts helps its community shine

How Lip Esteem is empowering women

Honey Luxury Beauté: growing a side project into an eye-catching beauty business

How Shampoo’ed is transforming hair and inspiring entrepreneurs

The San Francisco bridal shop that’s been making memories for 30 years

How Al’s Breakfast is bringing people together

In a digital world, Liberty Puzzles embraces true connection

Celebrity Cake Studio’s two decades of growth and success

How a travel clothing retailer is staying true to its brand values

How to build a content team

Use this one simple email marketing tip to increase your reach

How (and why) to get your business supplier diversity certification

5 ways to build your business through community engagement

Tips to overcome three common savings hurdles

5 tips to use your credit card wisely and steer clear of debt

Travel for less: Smart (not cheap) ways to spend less on your next trip

Real world advice: How parents are teaching their kids about money

How to stop living paycheck to paycheck post-pay increase

Practical money tips we've learned from our dads

6 ways to spring clean your finances and save money year-round

How to cut mindless spending: real tips from real people

How to increase your savings

5 tips to use your credit card wisely and steer clear of debt

How to spot a credit repair scam

5 unique ways to take your credit card benefits further

Disclosures

Start of disclosure content

Loan approval is subject to credit approval and program guidelines. Not all loan programs are available in all states for all loan amounts. Interest rate and program terms are subject to change without notice. Mortgage, Home Equity and Credit products are offered through U.S. Bank National Association. Deposit products are offered through U.S. Bank National Association. Member FDIC.