Rising Stars: Meet Sha’Meaka King of Denver, Colorado

We’d love for you to introduce yourself and share how you got started in the hair industry.

Hi Sha’Meaka, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I actually started out working in a coffee shop, and it was one of my regular customers who first planted the idea of a career in beauty. She noticed that I always had my nails done really well and asked who did them, and I explained that I do my own nails, she asked if I had ever considered doing it professionally, and she was a nail tech that worked at a salon and spa and encouraged me to get my nail license so I could work with her.

Once I started working in the salon, the hairstylists there quickly picked up on something else—I always had my hair done, and I was really particular about my color. They knew that no one there did my hair and asked who does my hair and I again explained, I did. They saw my passion for hair before I even fully realized it myself. They kept pushing me to go for my full cosmetology license, and eventually, I did. From that moment on, I knew I had found my true calling.

I’ve now been a hairstylist and hair color specialist for nearly 12 years, with a focus on blonding and advanced color techniques. Over time, my passion for education grew, and I worked my way up to becoming the Hair Color Phase Director for a company that’s been around for 36 years called The Parlour. That role allowed me to help shape the next generation of stylists, and from there, I expanded into working as an educator for a product company called K18. Now, I get to travel, work at trade shows, and teach other stylists how to elevate their craft.

Looking back, it all started with one conversation in a coffee shop. It just goes to show that sometimes, the people around us see our potential before we do.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Oh no, my path wasn’t smooth at all. When I decided to go into this industry, I was completely financially on my own. I had no support from family, so every decision I made had to be carefully thought out because I was the only one making it work.

When I started out as an assistant at The Parlour, I was making just $7.40 an hour, and I was living in a really expensive city at the time. That paycheck alone wasn’t enough to cover rent, food, or anything else, so I worked two other jobs just to get by. It was exhausting—early mornings, late nights, and barely any time to breathe. There were moments when I questioned if I could keep going.

But I knew what I wanted, and I knew I had to push through. That year as an assistant was tough, but it was also where I built the foundation for everything I do now. I soaked up every bit of knowledge I could, worked as hard as possible, and eventually, all that effort started to pay off.

It took time, but now, looking back as a successful hairstylist, hair color specialist, and Hair Color Phase Director, I can say it was all worth it. And now, being an educator for K18 and traveling to teach other stylists, I get to share not just my skills but also my story—because I know there are so many people out there struggling just like I was. If I can make it through, so can they.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As a hairstylist my career is so much more than just doing hair, it’s about transformation. I specialize in blonding and advanced color techniques, which means I help my clients achieve their dream hair while maintaining the health and integrity of it. Whether it’s a lived-in blonde, a high-impact transformation, or correcting color that’s gone wrong, I take pride in creating custom looks that enhance my clients’ natural beauty.

What sets me apart is my deep understanding of color theory, placement, and hair health. I don’t just apply color, I approach each head of hair like a unique canvas, factoring in everything from the underlying pigments to how the light will hit it. My goal is always to create seamless, dimensional color that looks effortless but is actually highly technical.

Beyond working behind the chair, I’m also an educator, both as the Hair Color Phase Director for a well-established company and as an educator for K18. Education is a huge passion of mine because I love helping other stylists grow their skills and confidence. There’s something so powerful about watching another stylist have that “aha” moment when they realize they can take their work to the next level.

I’m so proud to be a color specialist, and I wouldn’t change what I do for anything. It’s not just a job, it’s my passion. Being able to make people feel beautiful, help other stylists succeed, and constantly push the boundaries of what’s possible in hair color is something I’m incredibly grateful for every day.

What’s next?
I’m really proud of how far I’ve come, but I know this is just the beginning. My goal is to take my career to the big stage, traveling globally, educating on a larger scale, and sharing my expertise with stylists all over the world.

I love being on the trade show floor and teaching in classrooms, but I want to expand that reach even further. I want to be part of major industry events, lead international education programs, and help push the boundaries of what’s possible in hair color. The beauty industry is constantly evolving, and I want to be at the forefront, not just keeping up with trends but helping to shape them.

Beyond that, I also hope to mentor and inspire the next generation of hairstylists and educators. I know what it’s like to start from nothing, to struggle, and to build a career from the ground up. If I can use my platform to show others that success is possible, no matter where you come from, that would mean everything to me.

The way I see it, there are no limits. I love what I do, and I’m just getting started.

Pricing:

• Haircuts $90
• Starting All-Over Color $200
• Lightening Services Partial Color starting $240
• Lightening Services Full Color starting $340
• Styling Services starting $75

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.phorest.com/salon/theparlour3
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/miss.meeks.king

Image Credits
All personal photos except last photo of bride and myself in pink was taken by

https://www.instagram.com/sorrilmedia?igsh=MXE4Y293amV0bGk2aw==