Sess Lee Cannon, the owner of Flourish Curls Salon in Arlington, Texas, in the U.S.A., has created a thriving business that is making waves in the beauty industry and inspiring the African American community.
Her success, which saw her salon generating over $1.1 million in revenue last year, highlights a significant achievement in an industry where Black-owned businesses often face systemic challenges. What makes her journey especially noteworthy is her dedication to celebrating and empowering women with natural hair, an area where there has historically been a lack of representation and understanding.
Lee’s career pivot came unexpectedly in 2007 when she was getting a tattoo. As the artist complimented her friend’s haircut, which Lee had done herself, he urged her to consider a career in hair styling. At the time, Lee had just left Monmouth College after becoming pregnant and was working at Maui Jim in a customer service role.
Though she had been promoted to an accounting clerk position, her passion for creativity, particularly in hairstyling, was undeniable. That offhand comment from a stranger sparked a realization that her true calling lay elsewhere.
Without wasting time, Lee enrolled in a cosmetology program at Regency Beauty Institute in Peoria, Illinois. Quitting her job and diving into her new passion was a risk, especially as a single mother to her son, Elijah.
However, Lee worked tirelessly to juggle school, waitressing, and raising her child, with the support of her grandparents. Eighteen months and $22,000 later, Lee completed her cosmetology training, earning the license that would open the door to her future as a professional hairstylist.
According to news outlets, Lee began her career working from home and part-time at a local salon that specialized in natural hair. Her reputation quickly grew, especially among biracial clients and those with curly hair, thanks to her personal experience as someone with both Black and white heritage.
She leveraged social media platforms like Facebook to showcase her work, sending friend requests and posting photos and videos of her hairstyling transformations. By her first year, Lee was earning close to $30,000, and over the next few years, she built a solid clientele.
In 2016, Lee decided to relocate to Arlington, Texas, seeking a fresh start for herself and her children. With a growing passion to open her own salon, she invested $50,000 of her savings to establish Flourish Curls, a salon dedicated to natural and curly hair.
The salon’s success skyrocketed, thanks to her strong social media presence, word-of-mouth recommendations, and a niche specialization in textures that many salons were not equipped to handle. Flourish Curls became a sanctuary for people looking for expert care in natural hair.
Now, with a team of 11 stylists and a flourishing business, Lee has created a six-figure career working just three days a week. More than just financial success, she takes pride in the impact she has on her clients, helping them feel confident and beautiful in their natural hair.
For Lee, the ability to build such a successful business while uplifting and empowering others in the Black community is the most rewarding part of her journey.
