I Did It!

The 35 hour class is over and I now hold my Braiders certification. What did I learn?? Sterilization, sterilization and sterilize even more. I was able to practice twisting locks, cornrolls and adding hair to braids. Much of which confirms what I already know how to do, but a nice refresher.

I don't really like adding hair to braids that but if I did it I'd be real careful not to put too much tension at the base of the braids which can cause hair loss. Then, one locking pattern made from twists and twisting to maintain locks.

After taking the class I'm sure that the state only really wants to make a little change off of us folks to do what we know how to do with our own hair and most importantly the prevention of spreading infectious diseases.


I'm happy and now I can feel good about maintaining locks and also starting new heads. My goal is only four to five people a month. What a nice hobby to do something I like. I'm now well on my way to officially and state certified maintaining and installing tool assisted locks and braids.

Thanks again everyone for your support and encouragement!

I've Made My Decision

Thanks to all of you who offered your input to my questions in order to help me in my decision making process. I've been prayerful and I've done my homework, this has been an interesting process and I won't bore you with the details! My decision is based solely on my desire to help others accept and understand how to care for our beautiful God given hair via braids and/or locks. And make a little $$$ in the process.

Can you believe there are only five cosmetology schools in the DFW area that offer a Braiders License? Regardless, I've found and connected with one that will work with my schedule I can't wait to get started.

So, if you have not already guessed, I'm going with Option 2 and starting with the braiders license. After the class I'll entertain other options and see where the road leads me.

Much of my decision to start with the braiders license and hold off on the other locking Certifications were the facts and outcome of tdiscussions with other Consultants, Sisterlocks vs Nappylocks court case and the signing of the SL contract. I was mortified after fully reading the court case document. I dare not want to position myself to be in the situation of either party. At this point in my life I'm just not ready for those types of battles with contracts and all. You can read about the court case it here .

I really liked what TRA said..."I think it depends on what you are going for. For the type of money that people spend on SL's or locks that are "like" SL's a consultant is more idea because at least one feels that the consultant/trainee will be held accountable for doing a good job and meeting the SL standard. With that said what does being held accountable really look like? The home office cannot make a consultant or a trainee return a clients payment if they are dissatisfied with the service."

A good example, is my "parting" issue here....Home Office offered suggestions to correct but that was the extent of it. I still had to spend dollars to correct the issue myself. In fact, to date, the Trainee Consultant that gave me organic parts is still listed on the Sisterlock website. No love loss, just lesson learned. I accept some fault for not doing my own homework on selecting a well trained consultant.

And, Brunsli..so analytical and helpful says " No matter what, you'll have to be a certified hair braider, so why not start there? If you charge $20 an hour, you can recoup the $600 after 30 hours of work (say 40 assuming you'll pay taxes). That's not a huge investment for the education, to be legal in your state, and have something of value to market to your clients.After you have a chance to see how your business goes as a certified braider, you will probably be in a position to evaluate if you want to make the additional $2400 investment, which would take approximately 120 hours to recoup (or ~150 with taxes).I would lean towards the two-step approach since many women who take the course to become certified Sisterlocks consultants end up deciding that it's not a cost-effective career compared to other things they could be doing with their working time. With a two-step approach, you will be able to evaluate that for yourself before making the second investment.Of course, not everything can be dictated by dollars and sense. If being a SL consultant is something you really want to do and enjoy, just go for it!"

GoodNapps - I love your passion for SL, I'd want you on my team!
Naadii - Ringworms, eeks~We'll soon find out about TX profits!
Renee- Yep, I checked it out, Braiders License needed!
Vee - Get Mass going on the bandwagon!
BlaqKofi - I know, I just need more solid details before signing up!
Muslimahlocs - Don't have that kind of energy right now...maybe later we can do it???
Cluziel - Yes, and I'm ready!
Sunsail- The tax man has already been contacted! (lol)
Dregagirl- What's a license without shampooing right? Ugh!
ChosenVessel - Thanks I'm loving these think locks!

Maybe one day in the future I'll consider taking the Sisterlock class after thoroughly discussing pros/cons with Dr. Cornwell or Dennard. For now, I'll settle for the license and see what the school has to offer first. I'm taking baby steps so that I don't get myself in any trouble.

Hey....I'm very much in love with my medium size Sisterlocks and they are looking better than ever.

Texas Law for Hair Braiders

I've been seriously considering pursuing my locking skills and after much homework, I've found that I can't just take the Sisterlock Consultant class and be on my way to starting a SL clientele, here's the twist......

Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation has created a new certificate for hair braiders and the new certificate was made available on September 1, 2006.

The rules adopted by the Commission require a curriculum of 35 hours of instruction before a certificate will be issued. This includes 11 hours in hair braiding & locking technical skills; 16 hours of instruction in the Health and Safety law and rules; and eight hours of hair analysis and scalp care.

Applicants will not be required to pass a practical or written licensing examination for a braider certificate. However, a certificate will only be granted after a cosmetology school certifies to the TDLR that an applicant has completed the required braider curriculum. The services a hair braider can offer will be limited. Hair extensions can be attached by braiders, but they must be braided in rather than attached with glue or any other chemical. Certificate holders will not be permitted to shampoo, condition or dry hair.

If I want to become a certified braider or locktician and work out of a salon I must complete the following at a local cosmetology school.

At first I thought, this is a shame how the law makers are doing everything in their power to gain profits from our culture. Then, after reviewing the curriculum I figured this may be a good thing. See below:

The required 35-hour hair braider curriculum is:
HAIR BRAIDING CURRICULUM - (35 HOURS)
(A) Hair Braiding – Technical Skills (11 hours):
(i) tools and equipment: types of combs, yarn, thread
(ii) types and patterns of braids: twists, knots, multiple strands, corn rows, hair locking
(iii) artificial hair and materials for extensions
(iv) trimming of artificial hair only as applicable to the braiding process
(v) braid removal and scalp care
(vi) client education: maintenance
(B) Health and Safety/Law and Rules (16 hours):
(i) Texas health and safety law and rules
(ii) bacteriology: sanitation, and disinfection
(iii) viruses, diseases, disorders: transmission, control, recognition
(iv) Texas license requirements – individuals and salons
(v) Texas professional responsibility requirements – individuals and salons
(vi) Texas Occupations Code, Chapters 1602 and1603 (laws)
(vii) 16 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 83 (rules)
(C) Hair Analysis and Scalp Care (8 hours):
(i) hair and scalp disorders and diseases: dandruff, alopecia, fungal infections, infestations, infections
(ii) hair structure, composition, texture
(iii) hair growth patterns, styles, textures
(iv) effect of physical treatments on the hair

I would love to become more educated about our hair and I'm seeing an increase in female baldness . This is primarily due to over processing with chemicals as well as over manipulating the hair lines due to braiding and locking too tightly. This is a special of area of interest for me and I'm excited that the class will cover the information.

Now, I'm on a mission to find the right school for me to take the class. So, in Texas, in order to operate as a Certified Sisterlock Consultant in a salon you must "first" become a Certified Hair Braider.


Option 1
Certified Hair Braider Class $600.00
Sisterlock Consultant Class $1395.00
(SL Travel & Hotel) $1000.00
Total $ 2995.00
*Gives me the option to lock and retighten traditional, tool maintained locks and Sisterlocks

Option 2
Certified Hair Braided $600.00
Total $600.00
* Lock and retighten traditional and tool maintained locks. Never to be able to use the Sisterlock name

I believe I know the option I'll take but hummmmm.....what's your opinion, Option 1 or Option 2?