CURLFRIENDS: Sonya Burks of Natural ADDICTees!

I am pleased to announce a  new blog feature - "Curlfriends"! Here we will have the chance to have a Q&A with Facebook friends and Twitter followers. I randomly chose our first featured Curlfriend, Sonya Burks of Natural ADDICTees. Sonya, thank you for providing such a great start to the series!  

My Wash N’ Go is one of my favs. 
It’s sort of my “ It’s Whatever Look”….



Why did you decide to go natural?

Well, I have a close friend that’s been natural for a number of years and she tried to encourage me to go natural, but I didn’t have any interest in it.  My transformation sort of happened by accident.  I went to the beauty shop religiously every two weeks. So I’ve always tried to take care of my hair, but after missing a couple of appointments, I started wondering what my natural hair looked like.  So, I decided to do my homework about natural hair care, and stumbled upon this whole new world that I didn’t know existed.  I found Curly Nikki’s blog and a few others and was hooked. Initially, I had planned to transition a year, but once my new growth started to take over curiosity killed the cat and I big chopped.  I haven’t looked back since. 

What stage of life were you in (personally and/or professionally) when you decided to go natural?  - Student, working, in a relationship, parent?

I was and still am a mother and wife when I decided to take this journey.  And at that time, I worked for a non-profit organization that was governed by African Americans; however, I really wasn’t concerned about how I would be perceived by “Corporate America” or my colleagues.   Once I took my leap of faith it really didn’t matter what anyone thought about my hair.  I was all in, and I loved and embraced my new look which was enough for me.

I’ve also perfected my two strand
twist-out.  FINALLY....

What is the best compliment you've received on your natural hair?

Hhhmm.  Not really sure, although to my surprise I’ve received compliments from people of all ethnic backgrounds.

What is one tip you would give a new natural?  

Embrace the texture hair that God has Blessed! you with.  What may work for my hair or someone else's hair may not necessarily work best for you.  Don’t get caught up in being a product junkie.  If you find products that yield the results you are looking for stick with it.  It will save you a lot of time and quite a bit of money.  Be careful with heat.  When my hair started growing I was so excited, I couldn’t wait to see the length of it.  I started flat ironing and blow drying and before I knew it…I had heat damaged hair.  I’ve had to have two major cuts, because of heat damage. Also, if you choose to let someone else help you through the process find a reputable stylist that truly understands natural hair care.  Find blogs that you like and stay connected.  They provide a resource of information to help you make educated decisions about hair care. 

Do you feel like you are part of the natural hair community?

I guess I do.  I try to network with natural sistahs about their hair care regimens, and I never miss an opportunity to show some love.  Some are receptive and some are not and that’s okay.   Of course there are those sistahs who’ve rocked natural hair for 5-10 years or longer, and I pay homage to them because they’ve paved the way for me and thousands of others to follow.   Especially during a time when I can’t remember seeing many people flaunting their natural hair dos.  I would like to think that being natural affords me the key that opens the door to a community that I totally love.

Do you feel like your natural hair has influenced other parts of your life?

Absolutely, I’ve encouraged my sisters, daughter, cousin, aunts, niece and co-workers to take this journey with me.  I tend to never meet a stranger, although “oddly” by the same token I can be extremely bashful.  Being natural allows me to boldly communicate with so many people on different levels.  Even now, it’s still hard to believe that so many people still do not embrace natural hair, it’s not considered beautiful, or attractive.  I say, society may regulate, but it doesn’t dictate my definition of true beauty. I probably would have never discovered my tee-shirt business had I not gone natural.  For 13 years, I helped entrepreneurs start and expand their dreams of owning a business, and my clients would always ask me, “Why aren’t you in business for yourself’?  I knew I wanted to own my own business, but I wasn’t sure what that picture looked like.  I’ve dabbled into different things, but nothing excites me or motivates me like Natural ADDICTees.  I prayed for years that God would plant in me an idea that would allow me to meet people, make new friends, and be a beacon for a great cause.  AND HE DID JUST THAT! A stranger once told me, “Your future is so bright, you need to put your sunglasses on to see.”  And I see it…shining bright.

I also must say that this business would have never came into fruition had it not been for my partner in crime Ashley Cannady (daughter). She is the brainchild behind putting my ideas to tees, and following through on major decisions. Most of the slogans and the designs were conceptualized by her. She's a young soul with an old mind who's able to think on many different levels. Hey!

What are your top three hair products or tools? 

I would have to say my top three products are: Aubrey Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner, Argan Oil, Jessie Curl Deep Weekly Treatment.  My favorite tools are Huetiful Hair Steamer and CHI Flat Irons (sparingly).  I tend to get lazy at times with my hair, so I will also rock wigs or braids from time to time.

Also - feel free to share your Twitter, Blog, Facebook, and website info if you would like others to be able to reach you!

Please check out our website at www.naturaladdictees.com and purchase a tee during your visit; fan our Facebook page at Natural ADDICTees, follow us on twitter at NaturalADDICTee.  You can reach us by email at naturaladdictees@gmail.com, and we would love to hear from you!

As I always say, spread your arms out wide…Now hug yourself reaaalll tight!  MMMmmm that’s from me…Let’s Get It!

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Write by: Unknown - Monday, November 14, 2011