A note from Nadine

Unity is my labour of love to the community…

Afro hair textures vary, so clients should be given proper instruction on how to care for each individual's unique hair pattern. Black hair care has to be taught. Unity’s goal is to offer basic knowledge to their clients in that regard.

“Educating my guests and ensuring that they feel welcomed and appreciated is my number one priority!” ~ Nadine Sparks, Owner

How Unity was born

Tired of working dead-end jobs, Nadine always believed, “Something better is always waiting for you if you're ready to push for it and fight for it.” Coming from a single-parent home, she knew what it was like to struggle. So, Nadine decided that she was going to change the narrative for her family. Being a high school dropout and teenage mother of two daughters, who are now adults, she vowed to show her children that anything is possible.

Let’s just say, natural hair is her jam! Nadine finds great joy in helping her clients work with their natural hair texture. Her journey began as a little girl, caring for her own and family members’ afro hair. In those days there wasn’t much available for people with kinky hair. Doing hair was a part of basic living skills that she acquired in her home, growing up. Nadine would often travel to Ontario -where there is a large multicultural community - to purchase wigs and hair care products for herself and to sell as there were no salons that catered to black hair, and haircare products were always scarce for people of African descent, locally. Caring for her and her daughters’ hair was a struggle for years - the main reason being that she was misinformed as to how to manage her hair.

During the pandemic, the need for another stream of income became evident so Nadine decided to increase her existing wig inventory. This has proven to be a great added element to the business. Women have expressed their appreciation as to how they can now shop locally and try on a wig before buying it. Soon, a room dedicated to wigs and hair extensions will be added to Unity.

Offering services that cater (but are not exclusive) to afrocentric hair care, our goal is to nurture, inform and educate everyone who walks through our door.

The Team

  • Let’s just say, natural hair is her jam! Nadine finds great joy in helping her clients work with their natural hair texture. Her journey began as a little girl, caring for her own and family members’ afro hair. In those days there wasn’t much available for people with kinky hair. Doing hair was a part of basic living skills that she acquired in her home, growing up. There were no salons that catered to black hair, and haircare products were always scarce for people of African descent. Caring for her and her daughters’ hair was a struggle for years - the main reason being that she was misinformed as to how to manage her hair.

    With the diehard desire to start a business that would satisfy this need, in 2007, Nadine would make her first attempt and open a beauty supply store. Although this lasted just over a year, her confidence and belief in knowing what was possible grew. Her inspiration to continue pursuing her dream far outweighed the thought of failure or giving up.

    Nadine has always been eager to expand her knowledge in every area of life. She received her Natural Hair license following that up with Apprentice Hairstylist status. Even though becoming a licensed hairstylist was not a part of her plan, originally, Nadine loves what she does!

    Nadine attributes all of her accomplishments to her faith in Jesus Christ and to her mother who gave so much of herself to raise Nadine, her siblings and then her grandchildren (Nadine’s two daughters). Becoming a hairstylist was not a part of Nadine’s original plan. She simply wanted to bring something to the community that was very much needed with a plan to hire a loyal team to do the job.

    Wait! There’s another layer to this phenom of a woman. Nadine is a brain injury survivor. She was told that she wouldn’t be able to work a full-time job. In fact, health officials suggested that a few hours a day would be all she could handle. You’ve been reading up to this point, so you know full well this lady is not one to settle for less. Despite the discouraging prognosis she was given, Nadine stayed strong in her Faith and remained diligent in pursuing her dream of attaining her high school diploma, continuing on to attend college and then to become a business owner.

  • Tanesha was born in Halifax, but raised in Cole Harbour. She has always had an eye for beauty since she was a little girl.

    After graduating from Cole Harbour High, Tanesha took a year off to truly evaluate what career path would best suit her. She graduated from Eastern Collage in 2019 where she received her makeup license.

    Wanting to add more knowledge and experience to her world of beauty, she attended The Academy of Cosmetology, where she graduated before her class and received her Esthetics license in 2020.

    Tanesha has worked in the industry since 2020, and her passion is to continue to satisfy her clients by understanding what they want to the fullest and building a strong connection with each one of them.