Growing Confidence In Our Clients: LaToya Clayton’s Story
Pictured above: LaToya Clayton in front of her shop
When you sit in LaToya Clayton’s chair, you’re getting much more than a new hairstyle. You’re meeting someone who genuinely believes healthy hair can change the way a person feels about themselves.
As the owner of The Gem In I Beauty Bar in Urbana, Illinois, LaToya has built her business around education, professionalism, and helping every client embrace their natural beauty. Whether she’s installing locs, creating protective styles, adding custom color, or simply teaching someone how to care for their hair at home, her goal has always been the same: to make sure every client leaves feeling confident and equipped to maintain healthy hair long after they leave the salon.
Like many entrepreneurs, LaToya had the talent and the vision. What she needed was someone to help her put all of the pieces together.
That’s when Noah Lynn and Justine PETERSEN came alongside her.
Collaborating with Noah enabled LaToya to enhance the business aspect of her vision. They concentrated on establishing a strong foundation, developing a growth plan, and getting The Gem In I Beauty Bar ready for its next chapter. With support from Justine PETERSEN, she was able to move forward confidently, knowing she had a team that believed in her and her business.
Flyer courtesy of Facebook
LaToya isn’t just growing a salon. She’s growing a brand.
Her vision reaches beyond the chair. She wants to continue expanding throughout the Urbana community, build new partnerships with local businesses, grow her online presence, and introduce new services that keep clients coming back. Every decision she makes is centered around creating an experience where people feel welcomed, cared for, and educated.
What stands out most about LaToya is her heart for her clients. She doesn’t believe healthy hair should be a luxury or a mystery.
She takes the time to explain what she is doing, why it matters, and how clients can continue caring for their hair at home. That commitment has helped build lasting relationships and a loyal client base that continues to grow.
One of the biggest milestones in LaToya’s journey came on June 16, 2026, when she proudly celebrated the grand opening of The Gem In I Beauty Bar. It was a day that marked not only the opening of her salon but the beginning of an exciting new chapter built on hard work, determination, and a passion for serving her community.
We are incredibly proud to have been part of LaToya’s journey and can’t wait to see what the future holds for this remarkable entrepreneur. Congratulations, LaToya! Your story is just getting started, and we know the best is yet to come.