Ebony Crowns specializes in natural hair growth

Ebony Crowns is a natural hair growth salon located in Martin and is one of the only natural hair salons in the city. Owner Kia Thomas has been around salons from a young age, even shampooing hair at age eleven.

After graduating high school, Kia had prepared to go to school for nursing before changing her path. Though she worked many different jobs, her passion had always been hair and she began to do it on the side.

In 2017, Kia opened up her own salon in Cordova and began her natural hair journey. Her specialty is growing hair without the use of chemicals. On top of helping to grow the hair, Kia also educates her clients on how they can continue to take care of their hair once they leave the salon. 

Shortly after moving to Martin in 2023, Kia opened Ebony Crowns. She said that when she moved here, she did not have any intention of opening a salon, but she saw that there was a need and decided to open her own. 

“I just want to help grow black hair,” she said.

Kia is very passionate about the work she does and considers mentoring and educating to be a vital part of her work. She was invited by UTM as a guest speaker to talk about entrepreneurship and she also spoke about her salon, which gained many questions about natural hair. 

“Sometimes stylists will get you to the end result, but not get you to your goal to have healthy hair. I want people to leave me and have healthy hair that they are proud of,” Kia said.

Other than growing hair, Kia always specializes in extensions. If a client wants extensions, she orders real hair extensions that have been taken care of. She said that she does not want to put anything on a client that she would not want to use herself. 

Kia works in partnership with a natural health store called Herb Holistics, which is where she gets her products that she uses to help grow hair. The main products that she uses are hair oils, teas, supplements and butters. 

“When I do shampooing and stuff, I am educating them on what to use and what is better for them,” Kia said. 

Along with educating her clients, Kia also enjoys the mentoring aspect. She says that she enjoys talking to clients about finances and entrepreneurship if they ask her for advice on how to open or run a shop.
“Anything that can teach us to do better, I enjoy that,” she said.

Right now, Ebony Crowns is under construction, but it is open on an appointment only basis. She hopes to have the salon completely finished by August 15.

More information about Ebony Crowns or how to book an appointment can be found on their website, ebonycrownshair.com.