Music Meets Fashion Issue August September 2016

BUILDING A LEGACY
With Joy K. Alston
her with an entrepreneurial spirit.
Gertrude launched her own hair
care business many years ago.
Also, her maternal grandmother,
Catherine Pate, supplied Joy with
her first relaxer and many
fashion-forward hairstyles.
Catherine is very supportive of her
business. Therefore, Joy has
honored her ancestors?legacy and
love of hair by paying it forward for
others to see the beauty in
themselves.
What motivated you to get
involved with the creation of hair
care products?
I decided to go ?natural? almost ten
years ago. I was having a hard time
finding hair care products that
simulated growth and healthy hair.
So in March 2016, I worked with a
manufacturer to create an
anti-aging, collagen building, and
thermos-protective natural hair
care items that leave the
consumer?s hair beautiful, strong,
and manageable with lasting color
hold.
What pitfalls did you have to
overcome and how did it shape
your business life?
There were several obstacles that I
had to overcome. The biggest one
was just having the ability to take a
chance. Also, I had to understand
that competition was a huge factor
in the hair care industry. I came to
the realization that everything
begins with an idea. But you must
take the steps to transform an idea
from a dream into a reality. The
catalyst for this transformation
begins with your mindset. I became
?sick and tired? of being ?sick and
tired?. By overcoming these
challenges, including the difficulties
associated with being a mother at
the age of 16, I began to change my
world with my words. I started to
exude more confidence in myself
and my business. This has afforded
me the opportunity to support
different industries and other hair
care locations. My two biggest
accomplishments are becoming a
business owner and watching my
18 year old son graduate from
Imack Magnet Academy. He will be
attending Johnson and Wales
University in the fall of 2016. Also, I
just closed a deal to have Kimyon?s
International Hair Care products
exclusively showcased in my first
retail salon.
What advice would you give to
entrepreneurs?
Find out what you love to do and
your purpose. Once you do that,
everything else will fall into place. I
believe that we must give back and
rebuild our communities. I am
committed to providing current
and future entrepreneurs with the
skill sets necessary to be successful
by supplying them with educational
and financial resources. I am also
obligated to be a sounding board
for business owners.
Who embodies your definition of
beauty and why?
My spiritual mother, Dr. Denae
LeMay. She is beautiful inside and
out. She is a classy lady and a
woman of God. Also, she honors
her husband, Dr. Stacy LeMay,
takes care of her home, and is
compelled to unselfishly give of
herself for the betterment of
others. She is the true definition of
beauty and a virtuous woman.
Why do you love the beauty
industry?
What is there not to love about the
beauty industry? It affects everyone
and we must reclaim the money
that was taken out of certain
communities for many years.
What IS your personal
life/ business motto?
I have two mottos. I have a
business motto and another one
for my personal life. My business
motto is to facilitate building
wealth through entrepreneurship.
My personal motto is, ?I am a gift
and I have a gift. I must share my
gifts with the world?.
As a native of High Point, NC, Joy
Alston is determined to take the
hair care industry by storm.
Currently, Joy resides in Charlotte,
NC, with her son, Corey Alston. Her
goal is to have her essential hair
care products available to everyone
around the globe. Also, Joy is a
motivational speaker dedicated to
inspiring others along the way. She
credits her parents, Carl Alston, Sr.
and Pearlie Alston, for giving her
the opportunity and drive to create
change wherever she goes. Joy is
passionate about God, her family,
and her business. So the next time
you see Kimyon?s International Hair
Care products, please rest assured
that Joy has placed her stamp of
approval and her natural gift to the
world. These innovative hair care
products will be coming to salons
and stores near you soon.
ByMarage Blakeney