Gocha Hawkins is an award-winning hairstylist and owner of Gocha Salon, an Atlanta-based salon specializing in precision cuts, color, extensions and make up applications.

 

A native of Detroit, MI, Gocha has over 20 years of experience in the beauty business with 19 of those years spent as a salon owner. She received her cosmetology training at John M. Patterson State Technical College (now Trenholm State) in Montgomery, AL. Shortly after, she opened her 1st salon in Alabama where she made a name for herself by creating stylish, short haircuts and continued opening up salons as she progressed in her career.

 

Arriving in Atlanta in 2010, Gocha opened her current salon in May 2011. Her reputation for striking color and cuts spread fast and soon her work was being featured in Sophisticate’s Black Hair, Style Q, Smooth Magazine and on the covers of Hot Atlanta, Salon Profiles, Salon Sense and Black Passions.

 

Naturally, she found her way into the entertainment world and has since worked with celebrities such as Nicki Minaj, Serena Williams, Beyonce, Keyshia Cole, Christina Milian, Kandi Burruss, Vivica Fox, Drake, Ja Rule, Pitbull, Mike Epps, Lil’ Jon, The Game, R. Kelly, T.I., Kelly Rowland and many more.

 

Additionally, Gocha has over 10 years of experience in image consulting for the NBA. She has worked for the Orlando Magic cheerleaders, the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks dancers as a key hairstylist.

 

She has also earned credits for work done on the sets of H&M and McDonalds commercials, a short film (Fit Arcade Gone Wild) and TV shows such as “Real Housewives of Atlanta” (Bravo), “La La’s Full Court Life” (VH1) and “Kandi’s Wedding” (Bravo).

 

In 2013, she launched Wrecklez (pronounced “reckless”), a line of styling products designed for at-home hair maintenance.

 

Gocha firmly believes in education and in developing cutting edge trends and techniques in the beauty industry; she regularly conducts training seminars at trade shows and conferences around the country.

 

In 2015, Gocha can be seen as a featured cast member on season 4 of WE tv’s hit show “L.A. Hair.”