Meet Raycine Bonelli | Children’s Braider

We had the good fortune of connecting with Raycine Bonelli and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Raycine, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I have always had a passion for doing hair I started when I was about eight years old watching my sister do other people’s hair I use to stand next to her and watch her, I would call myself a Hands-On Learner I used to practice on my friend’s hair all the time and little by little I got better and better at it I wanted to learn how to do all different type of styles so I bought myself a mannequin so that I can practice my craft over and over watching YouTube Learning different braid methods… My interest with the kids came naturally I always loved how cute the little Bows and Beads were on the little girls, I knew that was my Target I wanted to be a children braider just to see the transformation. Over the years my clientele grew by word of mouth handing out flyers, and recommendations because at the time I was the only Braider that took children starting at 11 months old. I was the only Children Braider in Broward/Dade County that took the Crybabies, Tenderheads & my favorite the Wigglers. So I had my hands full it wasn’t easy but I was always up for the challenges. People will always ask me how do you have the patience to deal with the screaming crying and moving but it never bothered me because each client was always different and once they got used to me. I had no problems after that I worked seven days a week, early morning, late-night, and last-minute appointments. I just wanted to always cater to the kids because it’s not a lot of Braiders for children. I was just honored to be a highly recommended children’s Braider & parents 1st. choice.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The journey was definitely very challenging learning how to market myself and build a website to schedule myself learning to time myself with certain hairdos so I don’t overbook myself, I had to learn how to get out of my own way and ask for help from different Braiders who were more experienced in this braid world My Braider mentor Sabienne Louis taught me so much along the way different Braiding methods, parting Hair, sectioning hair, tucking hair, and treating hair for all different textures Hair. I know I needed that one on one because I knew this is what I wanted to do I wanted to be the best and to be the best you have to be trained by the best I never wanted to stop learning you can never stop learning in this field you can’t be afraid to want to learn and perfect your craft there’s no limit to learning when it comes to hair. My biggest struggle I deal with to this day is getting infections in my fingers that’s the biggest hassle for me because your finger being infected it’s very painful and it can have you missing work for 3 to 4 days just so it can heal, My hands sometimes cramp up if I’m braiding for a long period of time I will have to stop & massage my hand so it doesn’t lock up on me after each head I will have to soak my hands in warm water and massage them every single day , I definitely go above & beyond for my little clients they challenge me definitely they all have a different personality but I think I’m such a different Braider because my passion I have I love seeing the transformation the before & after & smiles in their faces & Parents Faces.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I Will definitely have a line-up of some of my favorite places to go for Brunch I like to go to Velvet Lounge or Premier Lounge during the week we will hang out at the beach and night hit the club Like Grand Cafe For amazing Food,Music Soca, Reggae,Kompa,Hip-Hop,R&B definitely a Vibe, Or Rum Veranda on a Wednesday Night for a more laid-back vibe with great food straight off the grill & great Island Vibes with top shelf Bottle Service & Hookahs Nice Outdoor Environment with great Music By some of the best Soca & Reggae Djs In South Florida. The Weekend I will definitely have a Performance so she will attend my show with me it maybe a Birthday Party or Event & she can see the islands being brought to you with amazing Performance By Island Groove Entertainment, Under the Direction Of Vernon Brooks She will feel like she’s on different Islands 1st stop Virgin islands with USVI Mocko Jumbie Stilt Dancers & Absolutely Beautiful Carnival Girls With Their Feathers, Then Move To The Bahamas To Experience An Amazing Junkanoo Band with big beautiful Costumes The Loud drums & Horns,Bells as They Parade Around Givin you heart racing fun. Next Fly over to Brazil to see Beautiful Samba Dancers & They show you their beautiful costumes & amazing Dancing, Next stop Hawaii to see a magnificent Performance from our Polynesian FireMan & Hula Dancers…. She will definitely have a blast that night going around the world in 1 night…

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My Braid mentor Sabienne Louis (Beans) taught me so much along the way different Braiding methods, parting Hair, sectioning hair, tucking hair, and treating hair for all different textures Hair I know I needed that one on one because I knew this is what I wanted to do I wanted to be the best and to be the best you have to be trained by the best,never be afraid to ask for help Beans took me under her wing I was actually her client & we grew a bond over 9yrs. now she still tries to get me to do new styles that are out. I’m Super Grateful to have a amazing Mentor/Sister on my side I know she’s a phone call away.

Website: Slimthabraider.as.me

Instagram: Braidsbyslimthebraider

Other: https://flow.page/braidsbyslim