Live from the Black Media Matters Studios in downtown Seattle, The Pop-Up! host The Big O recently welcomed Sharron Hayes, the founder, CEO, and lead stylist behind the Puyallup-based hair studio Braided and Dreaded. Together, they discussed redemption, resilience, and the power of breaking generational curses.

The Journey to Sobriety

Before styling high-profile political leaders and professional athletes for red carpets, Hayes served her country. She is a retired U.S. Army veteran and a two-time combat veteran who deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan. However, the transition from active duty to civilian life brought her to a personal rock bottom. Hayes candidly shared her history of battling severe personal struggles, detailing past experiences with jail time and house arrest.

The turning point came when she checked into a rehab facility for over 30 days. Driven by the desire to be a better mother to her three young children, Hayes committed fully to the recovery process.

"I don't think there's ever been a death in my immediate family that hadn't been either around a substance and or a tragic passing," Hayes said, noting she has lost all of her immediate family to various vices, including alcoholism, crack cocaine, and suicide. "I didn't sacrifice my life with two deployments... to not get to a better place."

While in rehab, she was asked a foundational question: What is a hobby that brings you joy and peace, regardless of pay? For Hayes, the answer was hair. Even while deployed, she had spent her free time doing hair and eyebrows in exchange for trade services.

Embracing this core creativity allowed her to ground herself and pave a new path forward. Today, Hayes is approaching an incredible milestone: ten years of continuous sobriety.

Building an Inclusive Empire

Upon retiring, Hayes channeled her passion into Braided and Dreaded, a studio specializing in braids, locs, and texturized hair care. Located in Puyallup, Washington, the business initially grew by serving military families from the nearby Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM). Understanding the needs of the Black military community, she designed affordable hair packages to ensure service members could maintain their hair while remaining strictly within military regulations.

Her business model caught the attention of local influencers Toni and Shaun Thomas from Blk Pepper, who recommended Hayes to WNBA star Jewel Lloyd. That single referral broke the doors wide open, rapidly expanding her clientele to include stars from the Seattle Seahawks, Mariners, and Storm.

Despite her massive success styling household names, Hayes remains fiercely dedicated to keeping her services inclusive and affordable for everyday families. "If you see a price and it don't work for you, but you got more than one child... we going to work a deal," Hayes said, showcasing her community-first mindset.

Navigating Modern Small Business Hurdles

Hayes touched upon the harsh realities facing modern entrepreneurs. Discussing a recent Washington Policy Center report highlighting how local small businesses are struggling with rising labor costs, regulations, and taxes, Hayes agreed that the West Coast economic climate is incredibly demanding. She noted that balancing commercial salon space rent alongside residential living costs forces business owners to be strategic and constantly willing to pivot.

To stay ahead of economic pressures and continue expanding her capabilities, Hayes said that she is currently attending barber school at South Hill Barber Academy in Puyallup to secure an official barbering license. This new certification will allow her to legally provide luxury washing services and sharp edge-ups, further elevating the Braided and Dreaded brand.

Economic factors aren't the only obstacles Hayes has faced. She opened up about a devastating system glitch with Meta that caused her to completely lose access to her business’s Instagram and Facebook accounts for two months right at the start of the busy summer season. The sudden lack of digital presence resulted in a severe dip in client referrals and sales.

After trying to resolve the issue through the Better Business Bureau and the state Attorney General's office to no avail, Hayes was forced to hire a California-based lawyer. Fortunately, within a week of legal intervention, her digital platform was successfully restored.

To prevent future disruptions, Hayes has launched a standalone business website at braidedanddreaded.com so her brand remains secure independent of social media algorithms.

A Legacy Beyond the Salon Chair

For Hayes, building deep, personal relationships with the wives and children of her clients is central to how she operates. Her children remain her primary motivation to continue growing her empire, staying grounded in her recovery, and breaking the cycles of her past.

"I am showcasing to my two Black sons that you can do this," Hayes said. "If they ever have that struggle, they know they don't got to stay there. They saw mommy do it."

Learn more about Braided and Dreaded at braidedanddreaded.com

Tune in to The Pop-Up! weekdays live at 7 p.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.

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