El Dorado Sewphisticated Hair Studios styled to win: finalist for Small Business of the Year.

Sewphisticated Hair Studio’s owner recently shared her journey and excitement of being nominated for Small Business of the Year finalist.

“I started out in a living room,” Nadene Goin said. “I was a nurse, and doing hair on the side just as a part-time thing. I was doing sew-ins in my living room, and it kind of just went from there. I was so booked in the living room –that I actually went back to hair school.”

Goin said that in 2013 she worked in a hair shop after receiving her license.

“I started selling hair in 2014, and it’s been going every since,” she said. “I’ve been in two other salons that I was renting, and this third salon is mine. I’m buying it. I wanted to develop a space for other stylist in the industry, so they can grow, and have someone to help guide them.”

Goin said when she was a beginner, there were things she wanted to try in the beauty industry that no one had ever done.

“I was blinded by a lot of things. I didn’t know how to do this and that,” she said. “I had to do a lot of research, take classes, pay people to teach me, and I wanted a building where people can receive that for free.

Goin wanted to be a helping hand, and her vision, intentions and drive built Sewphisticated Hair Studios.

“We have 11 studios in here to rent, and we are full at the moment,” she said. “We also have traveling stylists that come in and out on the weekends. So, yeah, it’s doing what it’s supposed to do. We got everybody in the beauty industry under one roof.”

Goin excitedly said it’s a great feeling to be nominated for Small Business of the Year.

“Last year around this time we were planning on ribbon cutting in May,” she said. “It’s been almost a year since our ribbon cutting, and now we’re being nominated for Small Business of the Year along with other great businesses that I look up to.

“I know we’re considered small businesses, but they are big businesses to me.”

Goin said she is honored to be nominated.

“Even if it’s third place or whatever, I’m appreciative of the nomination,” she said.

Goin said Empact Realty (another finalist) sold her her first home and commercial building.

“It’s a big honor to be in a category with them,” she said. “Erin McMurrian is truly amazing. If she wins, I win.”

Keontae Da’mon, hair stylist at Sewphisticated, expressed his feelings on being nominated.

“It’s honoring,” he said. “We’re able to not only pour out to the community, but the community see that we’re pouring into them. That’s what make it more honoring.