MISSION VALLEY (KGTV) — On Sunday, a Haitian family started living their American dream, opening their very first braiding salon business in Mission Valley called 'Braids & Beyond'.
Braids & Beyond is husband and wife, Dina and FeFe Sason's, first business in the U.S.
The couple are Haitian refugees who immigrated to San Diego in 2023.
The Sasons describe the part of Haiti they fled from to be very corrupt, where they were afraid to send their children to school, where sexual assaults and gunshots were prevalent, forcing them to fear for their lives daily.
"We were a target," Sason said.
However, the family made it out and settled safely in El Cajon. That's where the family originally wanted to open their business, but then quickly discovered that Mission Valley would be the best location.
Dina Sason said she's been braiding for 15 years and always wanted to own a braiding business.
"It's my dream and I really love to braid," Sason said.
Sason never thought she could own a business in the U.S. so soon after immigrating, but then she met Lana Burke one day to braid her her.
Burke is the founder of the Roots to Riches Initiatives, a program that helps minority entrepreneurs under 35 elevate their businesses and connects new or aspiring business owners with successful entrepreneurs for guidance, motivation, and support.
When Sason shared her dream of wanting to open a braiding salon with Burke, Burke knew she wanted to help the Sason's turn their dream into a reality, so she became their business mentor.
"I sponsored them with start-up money," Burke said. "I helped them improve their credit with the goal of getting a business loan to expand their business."
Burke also recommended the Sasons open their salon in Mission Valley, instead of El Cajon.
"Mission Valley, it's a big market," Fefe Sason said. "It has more people, people who love braids, and we can have more customers [here]."
The Sasons said also they wanted to open their braiding business because they wanted to share their culture and Africa's history with their new community through braiding.
"Braids are a way to show our freedom," Sason said. "In the past, the slaves used their braids to talk to each other, and the braids were maps to show the routes to freedom."
Braids & Beyond is now open inside the Frederick Michael Salon and is accepting appointments seven days a week.
To book an appointment, call 619-778-1456.
Lana Burke, with the Roots to Riches Initiatives, will be taking on new clients in the summer of 2025. Her website is currently being updated, but she can be reached in the meantime at 858-833-6863.
