“he has shown you what it is good. and what does the lord require of you? to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your god.”
—Micah 6:8
My JOURNEY with hair and ENTREPRENEURSHIP started long before i ever launched a business.
my interest in wigs started when i was 14 years old. my mom Darnykka perrien bought me my first wig after explaining that her and my dad could not afford to keep up my hair as often as i wanted. a short, synthetic bob that i could wear daily and look put TOGETHER in minutes became my look for most of my 8th grade year.
when i entered highschool in 2012, i began experimenting more with my own hair. i became known for coming to school with a bonnet on, going straight to the bathroom, and unwrapping my hair— making sure it was perfect for the day. i didn’t want the morning humidity to mess it up. i wore leave out, not lace at this time. i always RECEIVED compliments, this is when people actually said “I want my hair like kayla’s”. that constant comment started something so much bigger than me.
while hair was becoming something i enjoyed, my entrepreneurial mindset was also developing. when i turned 16, i was driving and had a part-time job. the money was just okay and i wanted more, so i started getting creative.
THROUGHOUT HIGH SCHOOL i made my own lunch most days and my homemade sub SANDWICHES STARTED to get peoples attention. i eventually STARTED selling them, getting up before 07:00 am to prep and make fresh food daily. it might sound simple, but i loved it. i loved the process, i loved the feedback i RECEIVED and i loved knowing i had created something people wanted.
as i got older, i continued finding different ways to earn money and express my creativity. i experimented with customizing clothes and exploring different ideas that allowed me to use my creativity while learning how business REALLY works.
by my senior year i had a major love for wigs, extensions, and making money. once i graduated in 2016, i started to make my own wigs and in 2017 i began creating units for others.
Before long, people all over the city knew me for going live on facebook and showcasing wigs i had for sale. i remember being asked “who did your hair” almost everywhere i went and when i told people it was a glueless wig that i created it— they were in shock! i realized then, my little business was going to be big one day.
iin 2018, i officially launched hair like kayla’s, turning a personal passion iinto a business focused on creating high-quality wigs that look natural, feel comfortable, and help women feel confident in their EVERYDAY lives.
“love never fails.”- 1 corinthians
Meet makayla renee’
Founder of hair like kayla’s & renee’s impact
nashville based nonprofit initiative
as my hair business continued to grow, i also began to notice a deeper need within my community.
fast forward a few years into my journey as a hairstylist and entrepreneur, i REALIZED that my platform could be used for more than just providing hair services. i wanted to create opportunities to give back and support people in meaningful ways.
in 2018, i hosted my very first prom giveaway. at the time, i didn’t have a full plan or large team behind me— i simply knew i wanted to help. i posted the opportunity online, invited students to sign up, and selected one winner to pamper for prom.
that moment sparked something in me.
over time, i began doing more giveaways that included helping students and offering free/discounted services for women with cancer or hair diseases. helping women that battle things most don’t understand was close to my heart because my mom is a breast cancer survivor and at one point she relied on wigs before feeling comfortable without hair.
a few years later, i also began planning my first back 2 school bash, an event designed to support students and families as they PREPARED for the new school year. the first couple of years i joined others to give. like many first-time ideas, the early attempts DIDN'T come together exactly the way i envisioned, but i never stopped working toward it. eventually, the vision began to grow.
by 2023, i was able to partner with several business owners and community SUPPORTERs to host even larger annual events. seeing the impact it had on the community confirmed that this work needed a stronger foundation and more structured way to grow.
after years of personally funding and organizing these initiatives, i decided to formally create renee’s impact.
Renee’s impact is a nashville based community initiative focused on creating meaningful experiences and opportunities for youth and families through mentorship, resources, and community-driven events.
what began as small acts of giving through my business has now grown into a larger vision. today, renee’s impact operates with the support of a board and a growing network of community partners who share the same commitment to making a difference.
the name renee’s impact is rooted in my faith and belief that when god gives you a vision, he also PROVIDES THE provision to bring it to life.
