When I was 17 years old, I attended a masterclass about reinventing yourself and starting your own venture. I’ve always been fascinated with hair, especially Black hair, and deep down, I knew I wanted to start my own business. However, I wasn’t sure if I could really do it. After that masterclass, I decided to take the leap and just start, to see where it would take me.
I began very small, working out of my room, and doing hair for friends and family. At the time, I didn’t have the mindset that one day, I would grow this into something significant. But as time passed, I fell more in love with the business and the constant need to reinvent myself. What drives me on this journey is the desire to make a change in the hair industry in the Benelux.
Every day, I receive questions from many women who face hair problems, and what truly motivates me is educating them about their hair issues. Whether it’s dealing with hair loss or simply learning how to curl their hair, I love helping women understand their hair and feel confident about it.
In my business, I’ve learned that my audience needs to see my work, so I need to create content frequently. In the beginning, I used to think I could take pictures however I wanted, without worrying about lighting and angles. Over time, I realized the importance of investing in better-quality cameras and lighting.
I also participated in a few beauty events and attended networking events to increase my visibility. Nowadays, with so many people on social media, I make sure to have a presence on almost every platform and stay consistent with my content.
I remember when I was in school, many of my classmates used to ask who did my hair. I would proudly tell them that I did it myself and then offer to do their hair as well. Even now, when I go out, I still receive a lot of questions and I refer them to my services.
In the past, I used Snapchat a lot to engage with my customers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I started going live on Facebook, which brought a lot of new customers to my business. I continue to do that and now also use TikTok and Instagram to connect with my audience.
I view mistakes as lessons. Whenever I face a setback, I make it a point to have a meeting with myself to reflect on what I can do better next time. I’ve encountered numerous mistakes, and I’ve gleaned valuable insights from each one.
I recall when I initially entered the business world without having set ground rules for customer appointments or product purchases. Without a policy in place, a business lacks a solid foundation. I struggled to handle dissatisfied customers or product returns, often simply offering refunds. I now understand that having clear policies protects business owners when addressing such issues.
Another error I made was impulsively purchasing 30 pieces of a new product, a hot comb, without testing or sampling it. Upon their arrival, I found the hot combs didn’t reach sufficient temperatures and had short cords. This left me with 30 unsellable pieces.
To rectify this, I ran a promotional offer where every new customer received a free hot comb. This approach lessened the impact of the flawed product since I aimed to clear the inventory regardless.
This year, I introduced a new product line to my business: selling glueless wigs. I’m proud to say that when I release a new collection, it often sells out within a week, sometimes within a day! I must give all the glory to God for that achievement, and I feel incredibly grateful.
When I started selling these wigs, I had a bit of a scarcity mindset, thinking, “Are people really going to buy these wigs at that price?” But then I shifted to an abundance mindset and reminded myself, “Yes, they will, and they’re going to love it.” The initial launch was slow, but the wigs started selling quickly after the first sale.
I made sure to go live every week, even if only one person was watching—I treated it as if were 100 people in the audience and kept my energy high. I also created a dedicated wig corner in my salon and took high-quality photos to make the wigs look as appealing as possible.
In addition, I kept my audience informed about the specifications and quality of the wigs so they knew exactly what they were getting.
As a Christian, I always bring my faith into everything I do. I believe that we all have a purpose in this life, and if you have an idea in your heart, it’s important to bring it to life. We often think that starting a business is just for us, but in reality, it can change so many lives.
I encourage you to find people around you who speak life into your dreams and surround yourself with business-minded individuals. Believe in yourself – it might sound cliché, but when you have faith in your abilities, the doubts of others won’t affect you.
I also advise saving up for your business. Sometimes, you’ll need specific tools or resources to get started, and having some savings will help you acquire what you need. Otherwise, you may be postponing the start of your business. Remember, every step you take brings you closer to fulfilling your purpose.
I absolutely love this question! It’s a fantastic way to conclude this interview. My next steps for the business involve focusing on expanding wig sales and creating new designs. I’m committed to building a strong community and connecting with my audience while also broadening my product line. In 2025, I have plans to launch a highly anticipated product that many people have been waiting for.
To wrap up this year, I will be hosting a significant Black Friday sale, so watch for that! Additionally, you can expect more content from us as I strive to establish my brand as a household name. When people think about wigs or weaves, I want my business to be the first name that comes to mind.
With God, all things are possible, so I am incredibly excited about what the future holds.
FEM-START is ready to support you on your entrepreneurial journey. We provide educational courses on funding, pitching, and finding investors, nurture a growing community of female entrepreneurs, and organize events all year long.
Based in The Hague, the Netherlands
© 2024 FEM-START All rights reserved
Please don’t hesitate to send us an email at
info@FEM-START.com
Receive our weekly newsletter for upcoming events, interviews, membership features and more.