Today we’d like to introduce you to Naayo Rocke.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve been doing hair for most of my life and became a licensed cosmetologist in 2012. Over the years, I’ve worked behind the chair, trained other stylists, managed teams, and really found my lane in natural hair care and education.
Eventually, I realized I wanted to create something that felt more personal and intentional, which led me to open The Garden — Crown Care Studio. The Garden is really about helping people build a better relationship with their natural hair, not just come in, get a style, and leave.
Now I’m also expanding into education for other beauty professionals through The Crowned Professional. I’m still figuring things out as I grow, but I’m really proud that I’ve been able to take everything I’ve learned over the years and turn it into something that feels like my own.
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?
Definitely not. A lot of my journey has been learning as I go. I’ve had to navigate financial pressure, career transitions, motherhood, burnout, and the reality of trying to build something while still handling everyday life.
One of the biggest challenges has been learning to trust myself as a business owner and not just as a stylist. Doing hair is one thing, but building systems, managing money, marketing, leading people, and making decisions for a business is a completely different skill set.
I’ve also had to unlearn the idea that everything has to be perfect before I move forward. A lot of growth has come from just starting, adjusting, and figuring things out along the way. The road hasn’t always been easy, but every challenge has helped me get clearer about what I want to build and how I want to do it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I do natural hair, but honestly, I feel like I do way more than just hair. I specialize in healthy natural hair care, education, and helping people actually understand their hair instead of just fighting with it every week. At The Garden, I do twists, wash-and-gos, silk presses, loc care, treatments, and healthy hair maintenance, but I’m always paying attention to what the hair is telling me. I’m big on the why behind everything. Why is it dry? Why is it breaking? Why does this product work for you but not someone else? I want my clients to leave looking good, obviously, but I also want them to know what’s going on with their own hair. I think that’s probably what I’m known for most — I’m going to educate you. You’re not just sitting in my chair getting a style. We’re probably going to talk about your routine, your products, what you’re doing at home, and what actually makes sense for your lifestyle.
I’m most proud of building Crown Care into an actual philosophy and not just a cute name. The Garden is supposed to feel intentional. I want people to come in and feel cared for, not rushed through.
What sets me apart is that I don’t really believe in one-size-fits-all hair care. Hair changes. Life changes. Your environment changes. Your routine changes. So I pay attention to the person attached to the hair, not just the hair itself. That’s really the heart of what I do.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Start before you feel completely ready. I think I spent a lot of time believing I needed to have everything figured out first the perfect plan, the perfect branding, enough money, enough confidence. You really don’t. A lot of business is learning while you’re already in it. I also wish I understood earlier that being talented at what you do and knowing how to run a business are two completely different things. Learn your numbers, learn how to market yourself, create systems early, and get comfortable making decisions and probably the biggest thing: don’t build something just because you think that’s what success is supposed to look like. Build something that actually fits your life, your values, and the kind of person you want to become. You’re going to change your mind. You’re going to make mistakes. You’re probably going to cringe at a few things you did in the beginning. That’s fine. Just keep moving.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thegardencrowncare.com
- Instagram: @thegardencrowncare
