Senior Briany Flores works hard in school while pursuing her passion for braiding. Outside the classroom, Briany loves experimenting with new hair trends and helping friends and family with their looks, always working to improve her skills and achieve her goals.
“Braiding is all about detail and creativity, and being creative allows me to design intricate styles,” Briany shared.
On her way to Success
Briany has always known she wanted to start braiding because she loves creating unique hairstyles. Her first step toward pursuing this passion was enrolling in cosmetology class here at Miami High, where she truly discovered her love for braiding. Briany’s journey to perfecting braids continued with a braiding course in the summer of 2024, which helped her build a solid foundation. “It was very helpful because I learned most of what I know from the course I took, like how to do box braids, twists, cornrows, and how to make a stitch look neat,” she said.
Briany’s family inspired her to keep going and to complete her braiding course. “No matter the challenges, don’t ever give up. If you work hard, you will accomplish anything you put your mind to,” is what Briany’s parents would say.
One challenge Briany faced when it came to braiding included starting off not being neat, but she eventually understood that braiding takes time. Briany said, “I wanted to do good right away, but I needed to have patience.”
Staying on Track
For Briany to keep up with her homework she keeps everything in her notes or in a calendar, so she knows exactly what her responsibilities are. When she has assignments, she does them before she starts taking in clients no matter what. If the assignment is due next week she tries to stay ahead so when she does have a client, she wouldn’t have to worry. Right now, she already knows she’s up to date with all her assignments.
One of the mistakes Briany would make was not giving the style the time it deserved. She would think to herself and say, “It’s not bad, but I could do better.” Now, she knows that in the future she’ll be better because there’s always room for improvement.
Some advice she offers if you want to be the best braider is to have patience and creativity. You need to stay calm and take your tim
e for the end results to come out perfect.
Growth
As Briany’s skills continued to grow, she started showing her work on social media, where people can see the quality and detail she puts into every braid. “I want people to see how good and detailed my work is,” she explains.
While she doesn’t have specific interests outside of braiding right now, Briany is always open to learning new things. “I’m constantly learning,” she says. “I’m always looking for ways to improve.”
This mindset has played a key role in her development as a braider. She knows that perfecting her style takes more than just knowledge; it requires consistent practice and dedication.
One of the main things that motivates Briany is her strong desire to turn braiding into her career. “If I don’t push myself, no one else will,” she says. “I want to make this my career, and that means staying focused.”
To stay on track, Briany practices new styles regularly, always striving to improve. “I’m always trying to become the best version of myself,” she adds.
One area Briany is passionate about improving is in the intricate designs she often sees on social media. Briany practices these detailed styles on her dad’s hair, always going all out to challenge herself.
However, when things don’t turn out exactly as she plans, she doesn’t settle for less. “If I know the style won’t come out how I want it, I won’t settle for it. It might be good, but I need it to be perfect,” she says.
If the style isn’t working, she doesn’t get discouraged. She said, “Today is not the day. I know I can do it, just not right now.” For Briany, the journey to perfection is ongoing, and she’s committed to improving with every attempt. 
