Beauty. Dignity. Community.
The Braid and Beauty Bar LLC is a certified minority and woman-owned mobile beauty and wellness business serving the Chicagoland area — bringing professional hair braiding, natural hair care, and empowering self-care experiences directly to the communities that need them most.
Our Story
Born from Passion. Built for Community.
The Braid and Beauty Bar LLC didn't start in a salon — it started with a little girl, a comb, and a calling. Founder Ralleda Hayes has been braiding hair since the age of 11, turning a childhood gift into a lifelong mission to uplift, empower, and beautify the world around her.
Ralleda's journey from braiding in her neighborhood to becoming a licensed hair braider in the State of Illinois (License #228.001607) was fueled by more than skill — it was driven by a deep belief that beauty is a right, not a privilege. She saw communities where seniors went without dignified grooming, where foster children rarely experienced the joy of a fresh style, and where youth had no one to teach them how to love and care for their natural hair.
So she built the solution herself. The Braid and Beauty Bar LLC was founded to go beyond the chair — to bring beauty, confidence, education, and encouragement directly into schools, nursing homes, foster care agencies, hospitals, detention centers, and community organizations across the Chicagoland area. Today, Ralleda personally travels to every client and facility, bringing all of her tools, products, and heart with her.
The Braid and Beauty Bar is more than a business. It is a movement — one braid, one workshop, one community at a time.
"When you invest in beauty, you invest in people."
— Ralleda Hayes, Founder
Our Mission
To empower women, children, seniors, and underserved communities by providing high-quality beauty services and educational self-care programs that build confidence, encourage creativity, and promote healthy hair practices.
Our Vision
A Chicagoland where every person — regardless of age, background, or circumstance — has access to professional beauty care, self-confidence, and the knowledge to love and nurture their natural hair.
Braiding since
Age 11
IL Licensed
#228.001607
Meet the Founder
Ralleda Hayes
Licensed Hair Braider & Community Wellness Advocate
Ralleda Hayes is a licensed hair braider, entrepreneur, and community advocate based in Park Forest, Illinois. With a State of Illinois braiding license (#228.001607) and decades of hands-on experience, she has dedicated her career to making professional beauty services accessible to everyone. Her work spans schools, senior communities, foster care agencies, hospitals, and beyond — always with warmth, expertise, and a genuine love for the people she serves. Ralleda's vision is simple: when you invest in beauty, you invest in people.
What We Offer
Professional Services That Go Where You Are
Protective & Artistic Braiding
Box braids, cornrows, twists, locs, and more — professional styles that celebrate natural beauty and promote healthy hair growth for all ages.
Natural Hair & Scalp Care
Healthy hair starts at the root. We provide natural hair care services and education focused on scalp health, moisture retention, and protective styling.
Self-Care & Confidence Workshops
Interactive workshops for youth, women, and seniors that build self-esteem, teach grooming skills, and celebrate every person's unique beauty.
Beauty & Entrepreneurship Mentorship
Inspiring the next generation of beauty professionals with hands-on training, career guidance, and entrepreneurship education for aspiring braiders.
Mobile Beauty Outreach
Our fully mobile service model brings professional beauty experiences directly to your facility — no travel required for your clients or residents.
Hair Care Education Programs
Age-appropriate hair care education for schools, park districts, and youth organizations — teaching children and teens to love and care for their natural hair.
Our Community Commitment
We Go Where We Are Needed Most
The Braid and Beauty Bar LLC was built on the belief that beauty services are a form of dignity — and dignity belongs to everyone. We partner with facilities and organizations across the Chicagoland area to deliver professional beauty care and self-care education to the people who need it most, right where they are.
Serving
Chicagoland
Why Choose Us
The Braid and Beauty Bar Difference
MBE & WBE Certified
Proudly certified as a Minority Business Enterprise and Woman Business Enterprise — a trusted, credentialed partner for facilities, nonprofits, and grant-funded programs.
Fully Mobile & Flexible
We come to you. Our mobile model means zero disruption to your facility's schedule — we set up, serve, and leave your space better than we found it.
Licensed & Insured Professional
Ralleda holds an active State of Illinois hair braiding license (#228.001607), giving you complete confidence in the quality and safety of every service.
All Hair Types Welcome
From 4C coils to fine straight hair, we celebrate every texture. Our services are inclusive, affirming, and tailored to each individual's unique needs.
Education + Service in One
We don't just style — we teach. Every visit includes education, encouragement, and tools that empower clients to care for their hair long after we leave.
Rooted in Community
We are not a corporation — we are your neighbors. The Braid and Beauty Bar is deeply invested in the health, confidence, and future of the Chicagoland community.
Let's Work Together
Ready to Bring Beauty to Your Community?
Whether you're an individual looking for professional braiding services, a school or nonprofit seeking youth workshops, a senior facility wanting to bring joy to your residents, or an organization ready to partner — we would love to hear from you. Call us at (708) 573-7246 or send us a message today.
"When you invest in beauty, you invest in people." — Ralleda Hayes