Kali Doreese McGee
Kali McGee is a seasoned entrepreneur and small business owner with over 40 years of experience in the beauty and service industries. She currently leads K'Doree's Mobile Salon, an independent hair business specializing in hairstyling, wig refurbishment, and client education. In this role, Kali manages all aspects of business operations, including client care, business meetings, and maintaining highly accessible communication with her clientele. Her commitment to quality and personalized service extends to a diverse client base, including performers, elderly clients, and single mothers, who often rely on her guidance and support beyond standard services. In addition, she owns Serenity Cleaning, providing professional cleaning services for homes, businesses, and events, and contributes her expertise as a hairstylist and assistant at EARTHWORM PRODUCTIONS LLC.
Kali’s professional philosophy centers on placing faith, people, and inner beauty at the heart of her work. She emphasizes gratitude, respect, honesty, loyalty, commitment, trust, and understanding in all interactions, viewing her clients as extended family. Her approach blends technical skill with empathy, offering step-by-step coaching to other stylists and ensuring clients feel valued and supported. Through her businesses, she has cultivated long-lasting relationships and built a reputation for integrity, professionalism, and personalized care.
Kali’s educational and professional foundation reflects her dedication to excellence and lifelong learning. She earned professional licenses in New Jersey and North Carolina and attended Empire Beauty School (2012–2018) and Paul Mitchell School (2014–2015), honing her expertise in hairstyling and wig care. Her career began with cleaning services, later transitioning fully into beauty, self-funding her businesses without loans or grants. Over the decades, Kali has successfully served a wide-ranging clientele, from musicians and actresses to local families, while mentoring and supporting other stylists through remote coaching and guidance.
• UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ - AS
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my faith in God and the unwavering support and guidance of the remarkable women in my life—my grandmother, mother, daughter, and granddaughter—as well as the trust and loyalty of my clients. Their encouragement, wisdom, and belief in me have shaped my journey, inspired my work ethic, and fueled my dedication to providing exceptional service and building meaningful relationships in both my beauty and business ventures.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to never get discouraged and to keep moving forward, no matter the challenges. This guidance has taught me resilience, perseverance, and the importance of staying focused on my goals, helping me navigate obstacles and continue building my businesses and professional skills with determination and confidence.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Encourages women entering the industry to be accessible, to prioritize inner beauty, to teach and support others, and to be grateful for their natural gifts rather than relying on plastic surgery.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is effectively marketing my services and reaching new clients. At the same time, this challenge presents a significant opportunity to strengthen client relationships, expand my network, and leverage creative marketing strategies to grow my businesses, increase visibility, and showcase the quality and personalized care that set my services apart.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are honesty, respect, integrity, and loyalty. Above all, my faith in God guides my decisions, shapes my interactions, and serves as the foundation for how I lead, serve my clients, and live each day.