Pekela Riley won “Hairstylist of the Year” at the Curlbox Awards in Las Vegas, an event that recognizes vanguards within the beauty industry during the Cosmoprof Beauty Trade Show.
Over the past year Pekela has been a key hairstylist for numerous national hair care brand campaigns and activations including Loreal, Mizani, Revlon Creme of Nature, and Curlbox. To date, Pekela’s work has also been featured in numerous popular print and digital magazines including Essence, People, Ebony, Sophisticates Black Hair, Hype Hair, and NaturallyCurly.com. Her salon in Florida is called Salon PK.
Recently, I had the chance to speak with her for an in-depth convo about her presence in the natural hair community and her CurlBox 2017 Stylist of the Year win!
How did you feel when you won the Curlbox “Hairstylist of the Year” Award?
I was really excited! I felt moved and a sense of honor to be recognized in a room with so many other power players and industry leaders pushing the needle of excellence in the beauty industry. It was an amazing assembly of black excellence and #BlackGirlMagic that I was extremely proud to be a part of – the event was all about us! I felt the love, excitement, and honor – especially due to the fact that the award I won was based on votes cast amongst my peers and market base. I didn’t know that I won until I heard my name announced – so of course, you know I was grateful and lit lol!
It means a lot because I felt like it was given by people who earned the right to validate it because they are engulfed within servicing our community and continuously strive for excellence. Curlbox has that direct communication with the real consumer and woman – who voted for this award. To me, it was the equivalent of a “people’s choice” award.
What things stand out in your career and in this past year that put you in a position to win this award?
I’ve been blessed to work with fabulous companies and people that showcase texture, like Revlon, Creme of Nature, Loreal and Mizani. I’ve also had the pleasure of being highlighted and featured amongst many publications and bloggers, becoming a more valuable thread in the natural hair dialogue.
In addition, I’ve been able to curate a constant stream of accessible imagery from Salon PK because we create it all day. All of which is a testament to hard work and dedication.
What is unique about your skillset as a hairstylist?
The range of my skill set! Whether it’s long hair or short hair - natural, relaxed, or extensions, 2B to 4C, or a variety of cuts and colors across the spectrum, my clients and hair brands I work for feel confident they can achieve an array of imagery options with me as the key stylist.
How do you continue to be a trendsetter within the beauty industry?
I organize my inspirations and make sure I’m naturally inspired to move the needle within my industry. When I truly tap into that natural passion place of styling and beautifying people, I can consistently operate in a zone where I’m inspired and motivated to be at the top of my game, by achieving looks that allow my client to feel and look the way they want, to be at the top of theirs. I also keep in mind that I’m a service provider, so I go above and beyond to humbly operate in a space of service.
If you'd like to visit Pekela at her salon, Salon PK is located in Jacksonville, Florida. You can book an appointment by calling 904-636-0787 or emailing [email protected].
To see her styles, follow her @salonpk!
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