Joe Ye spent years repairing air conditioners and insulating houses. Then he enrolled in hair school.
Ye came to the United States from China in 2019 and now owns Frozen Hair, a store selling human hair wigs and bundles at 228-11 Merrick Blvd. in Queens. He runs it with business partner and manager Destiny Mitchell, a Haitian American hair stylist.
Frozen Hair, located at 228-11 Merrick Blvd. in Queens, offers human hair wigs and bundles for customers looking to express their individuality through beauty and style.Tracey Khan
It was an unlikely turn for a man who knew almost nothing about hair. But Ye said he had friends who owned some of the largest hair factories in China, and he saw an opportunity.
He also saw a customer. Ye chose Queens because of its large Caribbean population, which he believed would be his biggest base of shoppers.
First, he had to learn the craft. Ye enrolled full-time at Magic Fingers Hair School in Queens, attended five days a week for three months, and earned his license. He then trained with working stylists in braiding and wig installation.
“Anything is new to me,” Ye said of those months. He called it one of the best experiences of his life.
His earlier work helped. “I am a handyman,” he said. “I learned very quickly.”
Ye then returned to China to meet suppliers and study hair textures, colors, and weights before choosing what to stock.
Mitchell, who also trained at Magic Fingers, brought the experience that Ye said he sometimes lacks. Clients feel at ease with her, he said, and she handles questions about textures and pricing when he is away.
“Being in partnership with Joe has been amazing,” Mitchell said.
Together, they have tried to answer a problem many shoppers know well. Buying hair online often means a lower price, but there is no way to judge quality. Even after buying, women may wait days for an appointment to have a wig installed.
At Frozen Hair Beauty, customers can feel the hair, try it on, and book a stylist in private suites inside the store, often the same day. The shop sources directly from factories, with warehouses in Brooklyn, Chicago, and China, and takes custom orders for length, color and quality.
“People can get maybe a better price,” Ye said. “But here, they get the security, good quality, and confidence.”
The partners also want the shop to be a place of support. Mitchell said they hope to create a space where women feel safe and part of a community. The store gives referral codes to outside stylists and sends clients their way. A stylist on staff teaches wig classes for women who want to style their own hair or build a clientele.
“We are selling our service here,” Ye said. “It’s more about beauty education.”
The store is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Its website is being rebuilt and will allow nationwide shipping.