Written By: Tracey Khan
Eleven years ago, Samilia Clarke was a teenager braiding hair and trying to find her place in the world. Today, the licensed hairstylist, educator and entrepreneur is celebrating 11 years in the beauty industry as the founder of Lily Mulann Hair Experience, a thriving Brooklyn-based salon and brand synonymous with luxury hair care, confidence, and perseverance.
For Clarke, the milestone represents far more than business success. It is the culmination of years of sacrifice, faith and determination.
“I never imagined that the little girl who learned how to braid her own hair would build something like this,” Clarke said.
For Clarke, the journey began thousands of miles from Brooklyn. Growing up in St. Lucia, she spent hours braiding her own hair and practicing styles on Bratz dolls, unaware that those childhood moments were laying the groundwork for her future.
After immigrating to New York at 11, she experienced culture shock, language barriers, and the challenge of finding her place in a new environment. But one thing never changed: her passion for hair. What started as play would ultimately evolve into purpose.
That calling became clear during her senior year of high school when a friend’s hairstylist canceled before prom. Despite never completing a sew-in installation before, Clarke stepped in.
“She believed in me more than I believed in myself,” Clarke recalled.
The results exceeded expectations. Soon, classmates were requesting appointments, and before graduation, Clarke had unknowingly launched her first business.
Over the next decade, she transformed that early opportunity into a flourishing career. After earning her cosmetology license, she continued refining her skills while building a loyal clientele that values not only her technical expertise but the experience she provides.
Every appointment at Lily Mulann Hair Experience includes a personalized approach designed to leave women feeling renewed.
“You have to look good to feel good,” Clarke said. “When a woman leaves my chair, I want her to feel confident.”
The journey, however, was not without obstacles. Clarke faced periods of burnout, financial uncertainty and slow business seasons that tested her resolve. Rather than quit, she re-strategized and came back better.
That resilience helped her build a six-figure business, launch a line of lace products hair collection, and establish herself as a respected voice within the beauty industry.
As she celebrates her 11th anniversary, Clarke is focused on the future. Her goals include expanding her product line, mentoring aspiring hairstylists and eventually opening a salon suite space that empowers other beauty professionals to build successful businesses of their own.
“I want my legacy to be bigger than hair,” she said. “I want people to know that no matter where you start, you can create the life you dream about if you stay consistent and keep going.”
For Clarke, this isn’t just a milestone. It is proof that passion, perseverance and purpose can transform a dream into a legacy.
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