Lisha Lou

Lisha Lou is a by-appointment natural hair studio at 5925 Imperial Parkway in Mulberry, Florida. The studio is on the second floor: enter through the glass doors, then take the stairs or elevator. Parking is in the main lot, and the side entrance is reached by walking left around the building. New clients are accepted on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Appointments are branded as the Knot Your Average Salon Experience, which the business describes as a way of caring for natural hair that combines artistry, education and intention. The business says its customer service is top-tier and that it aims to make every visit welcoming. Online bookings require a deposit, and clients are encouraged to book their next visit before leaving the chair. Loc retie bookings are for existing clients who could not secure their next appointment in the chair.

The core services are loc reties, which are scheduled in 1.5 to 2.5 hour, 2.5 to 3.5 hour and 3.5-plus hour blocks, and loc refresh visits for keeping locs clean between retightening sessions. Microloc installs are done only with pre-looped crochet hair, and most clients need 7 to 10 packs depending on the brand and the fullness they want. A first install can take anywhere from 8 to 16 or more hours depending on hair length and start method, and full locking of microlocs is gradual, often taking a year or longer. Clients should arrive with clean hair that is free of product.

Before booking a microloc install consultation, clients must complete the Microloc Prerequisite Guide, a one-time course covering microloc history, styling options and care. A consultation code is issued at the end of the guide, and the microloc consultation itself is free. Consultations booked without completing the guide are rescheduled until it is done. Loc transfer consultations are for people with existing locs who were referred by a current client, and they assess the hair and the client's history before continuing care.

Beyond the chair, the studio offers education. One-on-One Learning is a personalized 2.5-hour hands-on braiding session covering box braids, knotless braids, feed-ins and cornrows, with tools provided. Clients either bring an approved model or practice on a mannequin. A complimentary 20-minute Family Hair Care Consultation is available for parents and caregivers. The business also runs online courses on business development, branding, microlocs and healthy hair care, and Knot Your Average Academy, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, offers personalized hair care education and support.

Education, artistry and intention shape the work, with the business describing its goal as redefining natural hair care.