When Keshia Darden walked out of beauty school in 1992 at just 17 years old, the beauty industry was a vastly different landscape.
Social media didn’t exist, and the global beauty market was a fraction of today’s $532 billion industry. Yet armed with determination and freshly minted cosmetology credentials, Darden opened her first hair salon.
“I opened Simply Divine when I was 18,” Darden reflects, marking the beginning of an entrepreneurial journey that would evolve from a single salon into a comprehensive beauty empire spanning salons, barbershops, beauty supply stores, and an academy.
Over 30 years, Darden became a pioneer in the beauty industry, systematically expanding her reach and ultimately establishing Simply Divine Academy in 2013.
The academy prepares barbers, cosmetologists, estheticians, and nail technicians through both traditional classroom programs and apprenticeship opportunities, offering cutting-edge instruction and hands-on training.
For Darden, the beauty business extends far beyond transactions.
“There’s so much more than just selling supplies. You get to have relationships with people,” she explains, highlighting the community-centered approach that has sustained her business through decades of change.
This commitment became especially evident during the September 2024 Eaton Canyon wildfires, when the Simply Divine Beauty Supply store and Academy (which was under construction) in Altadena sustained water and smoke damage but the Beauty Supply store remained open to serve the community.
“We moved here in September. We sell not just products for Black hair, it’s all hair products,” Darden notes, spotlighting the inclusive approach that has helped Simply Divine build bridges across diverse customer bases.
Through her academy and apprenticeship programs, Darden now shapes future beauty professionals, ensuring that the skills, values, and community focus that built Simply Divine continue into the next generation. Simply Divine Academy Altadena will take the first group of students starting September 29, 2025.
Simply Divine is located at 301/325 West Huntington Drive Monrovia, CA 91016. For more information, call 626-386-5917
Simply Divine 421/431 East Woodburry Rd. Altadena CA. 91001 or visit https://simplydivine1.com
