.png)
About Me
Keyani Shavonne Washington, formerly Keyani Shavonne McNeil, is a versatile individual with roles as a wife, mother, navy veteran, entrepreneur, author, licensed Cosmetologist, Cosmetology Educator, and Founder of CHAT Skin & Hair Co LLC. She adopted the name "Keyani Siobhan" from her Auntie Tracey, symbolizing "God's Grace."
Keyani developed a love for hairstyling from age 12. After serving in the Navy for 4 ½ years, she pursued cosmetology, obtaining her license in 2005, an Esthetics License in 2015, and a Cosmetology Educator's License in 2021. Her diverse career includes roles as a Skin Therapist for Ulta Beauty, consultant for a cosmeceutical company, and assisting in hair shows for two companies.
An active entrepreneur, Keyani has been involved in programs like the Entrepreneur Bootcamp for Veterans, the Veteran Institute for Procurement, and The Rosie Network Service2Ceo program. She's been a member of the Iron City Product Council, the Professional Beauty Association, and served in the Alabama Women in Business, including a term as President. Currently, she is the Chapter Lead for The Rosie Network.
After her son Kye's birth in 2022, Keyani became dedicated to helping individuals in cosmetology and entrepreneurship, using her creativity to innovate and lead in her field.
"I struggled the majority of my life to find my place in the world. Not knowing the 12 year old girl that loved hair would be the woman I am today, pursuing my dream of having a positive impact on the Cosmetology Industry. Through a series of life events, twist, and turns, I became who I believe I was always destined to be, an Entrepreneur helping others achieve."
Accomplishments
In the early years of her career as a Cosmetology student, Keyani participated in the "NCA OF MISSISSISSIPPI INC 58th ANNUAL CONVENTION" hair competition during school and placed 2nd out of MANY competitors.
In 2018, Keyani was accepted into the Institute for Veteran and Military Families EBV program through Syracuse University, where she pitched her business plan.
She participated in the University of Alabama Birmingham Student Accelerator program, was named Student Innovator of the Year, and was featured in the UAB Magazine.
In 2019, she became an active member of the Alabama Women in Business (AWIB), serving on the board since 2020, becoming President in 2022, and stepping down in July 2023. She was nominated by AWIB and was awarded the Birmingham Business Journal's Rising Star for Veterans Award. Keyani was also featured in Anderson Elder Law's November 2019 newsletter in an article on Resilience.
In 2020, Keyani relaunched CHAT Nature's Skin & Hair Co., certified it as a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small business, and was invited to join Birmingham's Iron City Product Council. She attended VIP (Veteran Institute for Procurement) and graduated in March 2021.
In 2022, Keyani graduated from The Rosie Network Service2CEO program and later joined The Rosie Network team as a Chapter Lead in 2023.
Member of the Professional Beauty Association since March 2022 and was nominated for a seat on the Manufacturer Advisory Council.