Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Richardson.
Hi Victoria, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My love for hair began when I was around eight years old. I remember learning how to braid and becoming fascinated with the ability to take someone’s hair and transform it into something beautiful. My mother was incredibly supportive of my creativity and passion. She allowed me to practice on her hair, and other family members were just as encouraging, trusting me to experiment and develop my skills. What started as a young girl simply learning to braid quickly became something I genuinely loved.
While attending Tennessee State University (TSU), doing hair became more than just a hobby. It became a creative and emotional outlet for me. College was a time of growth, self-discovery, and figuring out what I wanted my future to look like, and hair gave me a space where I could express myself, connect with others, and create something that made people feel beautiful and confident.
Interestingly, becoming a hairstylist was not my original career plan. I initially thought I wanted to pursue a career as an athletic trainer. However, after becoming a mother to my daughter while I was still in college, my perspective, priorities, self discovery and everything that I once thought i wanted began to change. I had to reconsider what I wanted my career and future to look like, and I began to recognize that the passion I had always carried for hair could become something much bigger.
I made the decision to pursue cosmetology after obtaining my Bachelors Degree and turned something I loved into a career. As I grew professionally and personally, I also learned how to become an entrepreneur and build a business around my talent. Doing hair became a way for me to provide for my daughter, create independence for myself, and build a future that I could be proud of. At the same time, I discovered that the very thing I was using to help myself could also be a tool to help others.
That realization became one of the most meaningful parts of my journey. Hair wasn’t just about styling—it became about confidence, self-expression, transformation, and creating an experience where people could feel seen and beautiful.
Over time, I continued to perfect my craft, invest in my education, and learn the business side of the beauty industry. Eventually, that journey led me to create Velvet Lux Hair Co., where my vision is to provide more than just a hair service. I want every client to experience quality, professionalism, luxury, and genuine care.
Looking back, becoming a hairstylist was one of the most unexpected career transitions of my life, but it has also been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. What began with an eight-year-old girl practicing braids on her family eventually became a career, a business, a creative outlet, a source of independence, and a way to positively impact the lives of others. I’m grateful that my journey didn’t look the way I originally planned because it ultimately led me to something that feels so much more purposeful.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but every challenge has played an important part in shaping me and the business owner I am today.
One of my biggest challenges was navigating the transition from being a college student in the mist of growing and self discovering with one path in mind to becoming a mother and realizing that I needed to completely redirect in every aspect. I originally planned to pursue athletic training, but after having my daughter while I was still in college, my priorities and perspective changed. After pursuing my bachelor degree finding work for me was challenging and landed me into several jobs that were not directly tied to my career path oddly enough they were fulling in community engagement however in other areas there was still a void. I found myself struggling to get out of bed some days which led me to going back to what i knew i loved and felt familiar. I have always been a person of passion so i knew I had to figure out how to build a career that would allow me to provide for my daughter while also creating something meaningful for myself. Anything else just wasn’t going to work.
Choosing cosmetology and turning my passion for hair into a legitimate business also came with its own challenges. I had to learn not only how to perfect my craft, but also how to be an entrepreneur—how to market myself, build clientele, manage the financial side of a business, continue my education, and have the confidence to believe that my talent could become something sustainable.
There were definitely moments of doubt, uncertainty, and feeling like I was figuring things out as I went. Balancing motherhood, personal responsibilities, and building a business required sacrifices, patience, and resilience. There were times when I had to remind myself that just because the journey wasn’t happening as quickly or easily as I imagined didn’t mean I wasn’t making progress.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that sometimes the path you originally plan for yourself isn’t the path you’re meant to take. Becoming a hairstylist wasn’t my first plan, but it became one of the greatest unexpected blessings in my life. Hair gave me a way to support my daughter, build independence, express my creativity, and help other people feel confident and beautiful.
Those challenges ultimately pushed me to become more disciplined, resourceful, and intentional about my vision. They taught me to keep going even when I couldn’t see the entire road ahead. Today, I look at those struggles differently because they helped shape Velvet Lux Hair Co. into more than just a business. They helped me understand the importance of creating something that represents my growth, my purpose, and the kind of impact I want to make.
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I’ve learned that the struggles along the way have been just as important to my development as the successes. There have been moments of uncertainty, disappointment, self-doubt, and times when I questioned whether I was on the right path. Building a business while navigating motherhood, personal responsibilities, and learning how to become an entrepreneur hasn’t always been easy.
But I’ve learned not to run from the difficult moments. I allow myself to feel what I’m feeling, process the experience, and then take time to reflect on what that season was trying to teach me. When I look back, I can often see things that I couldn’t see while I was in the middle of the situation—the lessons, the patterns, the things I could have handled differently, and even the things I did well.
That reflection has become a very important part of my growth. I’ve learned that a struggle doesn’t have to define me; it can develop me. Every challenging experience has given me an opportunity to become more self-aware, more resilient, more compassionate, and more intentional about the person and business owner I want to be.
I’ve also learned to give myself grace. I don’t always have to know the answer immediately, and I don’t have to have everything figured out while I’m going through something. Sometimes I simply have to give myself permission to experience the moment, learn from it, and keep moving forward.
Looking back at my journey, I can honestly say that some of the things I once considered setbacks became some of my greatest teachers. They helped me understand myself, my purpose, my clients, and the kind of business I want to build on a much deeper level.
So while the road hasn’t always been smooth, I’m grateful for the bumps along the way. They have stretched me, humbled me, strengthened me, and ultimately helped me become better—not just at what I do, but at who I am. I believe that every season, even the difficult ones, can contribute something valuable to the person you’re becoming if you’re willing to slow down, reflect, and learn from it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
YI am a hairstylist, beauty entrepreneur, and the owner of Velvet Lux Hair Co., a salon that has become known by many of my clients as a “hair care spa” because of the level of care, intention, and attention I give to their hair and overall experience.
My journey as a hairstylist has been one of discovery. When I first began doing hair, I didn’t necessarily know exactly what I wanted to specialize in or what my niche would be. I gave myself the time and grace to explore, experiment, and learn through trial and error. Over the years, I tried different techniques, styles, products, and approaches, and each experience taught me something about the type of stylist I wanted to become.
Eventually, I realized that my heart was truly rooted in hair care. I became passionate about understanding the foundation of healthy hair—caring for the scalp, protecting the hair, using the right techniques and products, and being intentional about the time invested into each appointment. I didn’t want to simply create a beautiful style; I wanted to create beautiful hair without compromising the health of the hair underneath it.
That philosophy has become one of the biggest things that sets Velvet Lux Hair Co. apart. My clients often tell me that after consistently coming to me and following the care I provide, they see a drastic transformation in the health, strength, and overall condition of their hair. Hearing clients recognize that difference is something I’m incredibly proud of because it lets me know that the work I’m doing is creating a lasting impact beyond the day they leave my chair.
But for me, hair care has always been about more than products and techniques. My passion is rooted in caring for people and giving the care that I wish I had once received. That belief influences how I show up for every client. I intentionally build one-on-one relationships with the people in my chair, learn their hair, understand their concerns, and create an environment where they feel genuinely cared for.
That’s why many of my clients describe Velvet Lux as more than a salon. They describe it as an experience—a place where they can slow down, receive personalized attention, learn about their hair, and trust that their stylist is invested in their long-term hair goals.
I’m also proud that I allowed myself to evolve as an artist instead of feeling like I had to have everything figured out from the beginning. My specialization found me through experience.. Through years of doing hair, making mistakes, trying new things, listening to my clients, and paying attention to what truly fulfilled me, I discovered that my greatest passion wasn’t just styling hair—it was caring for the hair and caring for the person attached to it.
Today, Velvet Lux Hair Co. represents that philosophy. From the techniques I use and the products I select to the time I dedicate to each appointment, every detail is intentional. My goal is for clients to leave not only looking beautiful, but knowing that their hair has been cared for, protected, and treated with the attention it deserves.
What sets me apart is the combination of artistry, hair health, and genuine care that I bring into every appointment. I want to create styles that are beautiful, but I also want to create healthier hair, stronger client relationships, and an experience that makes people feel seen, valued, and cared for. For me, that’s the true meaning of luxury—and that’s the experience I want Velvet Lux Hair Co. to be known for.
Any big plans?
My vision for the future is to continue growing Velvet Lux Hair Co. into a recognizable brand centered around healthy hair, education, luxury, exceptional client care, and community impact. I want to continue creating a space where clients don’t just come to get their hair done, but where they can truly learn about their hair, experience personalized care, and see long-term results in the health of their hair.
One of my biggest goals is to expand the “hair care spa” experience that my clients already recognize and love. I want to continue developing services, treatments, techniques, and products that prioritize the health of the scalp and hair while still creating beautiful, polished styles. I also see opportunities to develop my own hair-care products and educational resources that allow me to extend that level of care beyond the salon.
Education and mentorship are also a major part of my future vision. I want to create opportunities to impact future hairstylists, aspiring beauty professionals, and young people who may be trying to discover their own gifts and career paths. I know firsthand what it feels like to not have everything figured out in the beginning. I want to be able to provide the encouragement, knowledge, exposure, and real-world experiences that can help someone recognize that their creativity and talents can become something meaningful.
I would love for Velvet Lux Hair Co. to eventually create programs and partnerships within the community that focus on youth development, mentorship, entrepreneurship, and career exploration. I want young people to have opportunities to see the beauty industry—and entrepreneurship—as legitimate pathways to creativity, financial independence, leadership, and purpose. Whether that looks like mentorship programs, hands-on experiences, workshops, internships, or opportunities for young people to learn the business behind the beauty industry, I want to create spaces where they can see possibilities for themselves.
I also want to continue expanding the business beyond myself by building a team of like-minded beauty professionals who share the same commitment to healthy hair, excellence, education, and genuine client care. I want Velvet Lux to become a brand that people recognize not only for beautiful hair, but for the way we make people feel, the quality of care we provide, and the impact we have on the people and community around us.
The goal is very big—and I’ve learned to be okay with that. One thing I’ve discovered throughout my journey is that my mind is constantly creating. I can see endless possibilities for how I can use my experiences, my business, and my love for hair to help other people. Every time I think I’ve reached one goal, another idea comes to me about how I can educate, create opportunities, serve my community, or make someone’s journey a little easier.
Rather than limiting those ideas, I want to continue giving myself the freedom to dream bigger. I don’t know exactly what every chapter will look like, but I know that I want impact to be at the center of it.
Ultimately, I’m building something that I hope becomes a legacy. I want my daughter to be able to look at what I’ve created and see what is possible when you take your passion, develop your gifts, remain open to growth, and have the courage to create your own path.
I’m excited about the future because I don’t feel like I’ve reached the destination—I feel like I’m just getting started. My journey in hair began with an eight-year-old girl learning to braid, but I now see that the gift was never meant to stop with me. I want to continue learning, growing, creating, educating, mentoring, and finding new ways to use my journey in hair to empower others.
My ultimate goal is for Velvet Lux Hair Co. to grow into something much bigger than a salon—a trusted hair-care and beauty brand, a place of education and mentorship, and a vehicle for community impact and generational legacy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://velvetluxhairco.com/
- Instagram: https://share.google/4V7dt0RYyr722E933
