Elizabeth Orosco
Northeast News

Pachudas African Hair Braiding, located at 3618 Independence Avenue, has been serving the public for two-and-a-half years.

Regina said she started her business because she has been doing hair all her life and decided to open a shop of her own for the community.

“I have been braiding hair since I was little in my country,” she said. “In Africa, all of us know how to braid because we teach each other. If someone doesn’t know how to braid, we teach them. I’ve been braiding since I was 10 and I would braid my sister’s hair.”

She used her talent and skill to begin braiding at another location, but quickly decided she wanted to have her own shop.

“One day, I was driving and saw a sign on this building that said ‘For Rent’ and I picked up the phone and called,” she said. “The next day I met the woman who owned it and I said I’ll take it.”

Regina is currently working at KU Med Center and going to school while she does hair on the side. Through a program with her job, she is working to continue her education.

Because of her schedule, her shop is open by appointment only, but she accepts walk-ins on Saturday and Sunday.

During our Saturday afternoon discussion, Regina was working swiftly on one customer, twisting clean, tight braids with incredible ease.

“When I have a customer, I come here in the morning and braid, and then I go to work,” she said. “Going to work, then to school, then to come braid is a lot of work, so right now I can only work by appointment.”

While she loves her job, Regina said she hopes to be able to get to a place where she can keep her shop open daily.

Regina recently became a member of the Northeast Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and said a big factor was the Titan security team who are a phone call away.

“I wanted to do that because it’s good to have community,” she said. “I also have security. They gave me their number and said if something is wrong or I need help, they will help me. It makes me feel safe and to have communication with people.”

Ultimately, Regina said braiding in her own shop on her own hours brings her a lot of joy.

“My shop is like my house,” she said. “I am very, very happy. I put a lot of work into this place. When I first started, I just said ‘I’m going to try and do my best’ and two-and-a-half years later, I am still here.”

To contact Regina for an appointment, call 816-394-5287.