Building Our Brand, Sisterly Love…The Tie that Binds

Celebrity Manicurists
Sabrina Brie’ Rowe and Sharlinda Rowe- Parker

When Atlanta's celebrity clothing designer Dia Bocage, of Dia Bocage Custom Fashions invited me (Atlanta Real Living) to her 2014 Fall/Winter photo shoot last week, I was extremely excited.  What could better than hair, makeup and fashion?  I asked Dia about the models for the shoot, and she told me that celebrity manicurists Sabrina Brie’ Rowe and Sharlinda Rowe-Parker and daughter Khadjiah Rowe would be the feature models in this shoot. 

Born in Richmond VA, these identical twin sisters are not only the owners of the upscale Tu La 2 Nail Salon & Company in Buckhead,  Georgia, they are also reality TV celebrities (Big Rich Atlanta), and Sharlinda is married to the Grammy awarding winning singer/songwriter “Q” Parker from the Multi- platinum Group 112.  I had never met the power house duo before and I must say that I was curious.

As Ariah and I entered the room, we were met with lots of chatter.  Pennae Salon and Crystal Cooper masters of their craft in hair and makeup each had their corner of creativity.  They were serious with their work but the mood was light.  At first I didn’t recognize the twins, they had cut their hair.  Sharlinda was getting made up for the shoot, so I began the conversation with her sister Brie’.

ARL:  There are a lot of women who do not have strong relationships with their sisters, what is it like for you to have this type of relationship with your sister?

Tu La 2:  We are actually identical twins, 5 minutes apart, and after 43 years together, you don’t know anything different.  I can’t imagine myself without my best friend, partner, and the person that I can count on to do anything with. 

 ARL:  How did the migration to Atlanta begin?

 Tu La 2:  I came to Atlanta first for a hair show.  By that time we had already established our business in Virginia.  And while here I fell in love with the city and the idea that African-Americans were really doing their thing. 
After my return, one of our friends passed away.  She was a twin as well.  It was a funeral both my sister and I felt.  It was like looking in a mirror, the grief of the family…that could be our family, looking at that other part of you lying in a casket, that really touched us and I had my “Ah-Ha” moment.  We knew that this was something we had to do.  The separation was intentional, and inside four months I had moved to Atlanta.  Sharlinda came two years later. But we never lost touch with each other.  If I wasn’t home in Virginia on the weekends, my sister was here in Atlanta, and of course during the times we were separated from each other, we talked on the telephone everyday… all day.






"Our focus is on professionalism"

ARL:  The name of your establishment is unique, how did you come up with the name?

Tu La 2:  It’s a bounce back to us being twins, but not in a common way like “Twins”, or ”The Two of Us”.  We played around with the name a lot and decided on Tu La 2.  We have been in the nail business for over 20 years, and we’ve owned and operated our business here in Atlanta for 12 years.

ARL:  Just keeping it real, before I decided to wear my natural nails, I never went to an African-American manicurist, I always went to manicurist from other cultures.

Tu La 2:  First, let me start by saying that there are a lot of good, professional African-American manicurists out here.  The main reason why the African-American manicurist corner of the market slipped is because of the number of shops on every corner and costs for services.  They have cut the cost of services by half.  So many people are quick to go to other shops to get services for half the price.  But at the end of the day, one should always keep in mind that cleanliness and keeping up with sanitation codes within the shop is more important than the cost of services.
ARL:  I definitely agree, cost and funding for a business appears to be more readily available to other cultures.

 ARL:  So, what separates your brand from the others in this industry?

Tu La 2:  Our clientele is different in that we focus on professionalism and the healthy treatment of nails.  Yes, in the past, we’ve provided services that included 3D art, and designs, but that is not our signature.  We also maintain our focus on healthy, clean treatment of the nails by being an “Eco friendly” salon. We are a “green” company in that we no longer apply acrylic to nails.  There are so many options that some people just don’t know about.

ARL:  What’s next for Tu La 2 Nail Salon & Company?

Tu La 2:  My sister is finishing up her courses to obtain her instructors license because we are preparing to open a nail school here in Atlanta.
ARL:  Indeed, I expect to see even greater advances to your brand in the near future.



"Generations"
Sabrina Brie’ Rowe and Sharlinda Rowe-Parker
and daughter Khadjiah Rowe

The twin’s commitment to family and building and branding their company reaches far beyond themselves.  I had the pleasure to meet and speak with Sharlina’s daughter Khadjiah.  Immediately, you can tell that she has been under the guidance of a strong family presence.  She is approachable, well-spoken, humbly ambitious, and educated well beyond her 28 years of life.  As a parent, I know that this is something that is taught, and she is a good student.  Be on the lookout for her entrepreneurial endeavors in the near future.

 To have a sister that has your back, no matter the circumstance is indeed a blessing.  I have one myself.  And although we are not twins, our connection and commitment to one another is greater than all the riches in the world.  I can relate to these two women of vision, for they embodie what we all want in life…love, on all levels, purpose and most of all family.

Until next time my lovelies…

Peace and blessings

Phaedra

Special "Thanks" to Dia Bocage of Dia Bocage Custom Fashions for this interview.