What began as a series of one-day braiding classes has evolved into a growing hub for beauty education and entrepreneurship, as Trinidadian-American businesswoman Stasha Harris works to close a longstanding industry gap.
Harris, owner of Magic Fingers Salon in Brooklyn and founder of Magic Fingers Institute in Queens, opened the school on Sept. 6, 2022, after recognizing a rising demand for more comprehensive, hands-on training in natural hair care.
“I was teaching one-day courses, but people kept asking for more,” Harris said. “They wanted to learn everything.”
That demand exposed a deeper issue. Harris said even experienced cosmetologists often lacked the skills needed to properly care for textured hair.
“Some of them didn’t even know how to shampoo textured hair,” she said. “There was definitely a need for it.”
Determined to address that gap, Harris built a structured program centered on real-world training. The institute now offers a 300-hour natural hairstyling program, a 250-hour nail specialty course, and a 75-hour waxing program. Depending on enrollment, students can complete training in as little as 5 weeks or as long as 5 months.
Beyond technical instruction, Harris said the institute emphasizes collaboration. Students train in a team-based environment that reflects the dynamics of a professional salon, working together and supporting one another throughout the process.
“It’s like a family,” Harris said. “Even after they graduate, they can come back to us for support.”
That support extends beyond the classroom. The institute hosts alumni workshops, connects graduates with job opportunities, and maintains ongoing communication to guide them as they build their careers. Since opening, nearly 200 students have completed the program, with several now preparing to launch their own businesses.
“For me, the best part is seeing beginners grow,” Harris said. “And then seeing them go on to build something of their own.”
The path to opening the institute was not without challenges. Harris began the process in 2018, navigating years of delays, rejections, and regulatory hurdles. At one point, she said she paid rent on a space for nearly a year before receiving approval to operate.
“There were times I questioned if I was supposed to do this,” she said. “But it was worth it.”
As a newer institution, Harris said feedback remains essential to its growth. She added that the institute offers services at reduced rates, performed by students under the supervision of licensed instructors, a model designed to benefit both trainees and the surrounding community.
In addition to education, Harris is expanding her product line. Through a partnership with Ampro Industries under the Shine ’n Jam brand, she has launched the Magic Fingers product line, which now includes a Pro Braid Gel and a Moisture Therapy Cream for hair and skin.
“That product has a firmer consistency and a longer-lasting hold,” Harris said of the gel. “I’ve been using that formula for about four years now… it works year-round.”
Looking ahead, the institute is pursuing accreditation and plans to expand its offerings to include barbering, aesthetics, and cosmetology, positioning itself as a full-service beauty school.
For Harris, the mission remains rooted in access and empowerment, creating a space where skill, opportunity, and community intersect.
“People want to build their own brand,” she said. “I want to create a place where they can do that.”
