ABOUT US
KENDRA COSEY| FOUNDER
Kendra Cosey, born and raised in St. Louis, MO, knows what it means to overcome adversity. At just 16, she faced the harsh realities of nearly being homeless, but that experience ignited a fire within her to succeed.
Determined to break the cycle of struggle, Kendra made a vow to herself: she would achieve success, no matter the odds. She graduated high school with honors, and shortly after, she embarked on her college journey.
In 2007, at 21, Kendra made a bold move to Atlanta, GA, with nothing more than a box of clothes and a few hundred dollars in her pocket. She didn’t know what success would look like, but she was determined to define it.
While attending Georgia State University, Kendra founded her first business in 2008, a handmade natural body care line, that she made in her apartment's kitchen. That business fueled her desire to build something greater.
In 2010, while pursuing an undergraduate degree in psychology, God gave Kendra the idea for Sew St. Louis. With no money, no knowledge of the beauty industry, and only faith that God would guide her, the salon opened its doors in May of 2011. "All I had was Google and a prayer, literally," Kendra recalls.
Over the next few years, she juggled school and growing the business, driving thousands of miles between St. Louis and Atlanta. By 2012, Sew St. Louis was thriving, servicing 300-500 clients per month, leading to the opening of a second location.
Kendra’s vision expanded further with the launch of Her Best Virgin Hair Extensions – a hair extension retail store offering a seamless experience for clients to purchase and install their hair extensions all in one place. Sew St. Louis became the one-stop shop for high-quality haircare solutions.
As Sew St. Louis continued to grow, Kendra’s passion for helping women with hair loss became more pronounced. In 2018, she became a certified hair replacement specialist, following an influx of clients seeking solutions for hair loss. Sew St. Louis is the go-to destination for extensions and hair restoration, offering a range of services for a diverse clientele that restore not just hair, but confidence.
Kendra’s mission goes beyond beauty. “It’s not just about hair,” she says. Her businesses are a platform to empower, uplift, and inspire women. “We aim to build confidence, evoke inspiration, and ultimately change the world through the work we do.”
With the invaluable support of her husband, a contractor, she was able to expand her reach significantly. Together, they transformed Sew St. Louis Salon into a thriving empire, growing it to 5 salon locations and 2 retail stores, making Sew St. Louis a household name.
In addition to her entrepreneurial success, Kendra has dedicated her life to doing God's work through her business. From 2011-2014, she led Bible studies inside her salon, and in 2014, she received her Master’s degree in Ministry. That same year, she was honored with the Business Leader of the Year award from American Diamonds.
Kendra’s leadership continued to shine as she was recognized with the Pinnacle Award for Outstanding Female Entrepreneur by Radio One, First Bank, and Old School 95.5 in 2015. She also made appearances as a hair correspondent on Fox 2 News, where she performed makeovers for deserving women in the community.
In 2023, Kendra took her passion global, embarking on a Kendra's Global Beauty Tour that spanned over 23 countries and counting, including France, India, Israel, Japan, Indonesia and China, just to name a few. With only a camera, tripod and guidance from God, she was able to experience and document beauty trends and make friends from all corners of the globe.
Her journey is a true testament to the power of faith, resilience, and perseverance. “I want my life to be an example of what’s possible with God’s guidance and a determination to not fail,” she shares. She believes that all she’s accomplished is for a higher purpose – to inspire others to realize their potential and take bold steps of faith.
As a business coach, inspirational speaker, and successful entrepreneur, Kendra is committed to helping others discover their God-given purpose through entrepreneurship and embrace the power of stepping into the unknown. I am living proof of Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
“God is within her, she will not fall.”
~ Psalm 46:5