We recently connected with Zhané Thorpe and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Zhané thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later

If I could go back in time, I would start my business at the same time that I did. Mainly because, I was actually ready to bet on myself. I’ll never forget laying on the couch and saying the prayer I said before I submitted my resignation letter. It just felt like it was time to stop being overworked and underpaid. I always wanted to make an impact and I knew I wasn’t going to be able to do that working in the role I was in. Based on my experiences in life, I’ve learned and realized that things happen when they need to, not necessarily when we want them to happen. Becoming a full time natural hair stylist, who focuses on hair care services, came from wanting to show black women that our hair can be manageable and grow. It’s like putting the excitement and willpower back into the woman’s hands and ensuring her that she’s not doing this alone by joining my Team of Growth. I decided to take a risk by going from a part time natural hair stylist, to a full time one. I sat with myself and asked: “How can I set myself apart?” “How can I make this my main source of income?” In 2017, I noticed the magnitude of hairstylist, but not many who focused on hair and scalp care for natural hair and providing non-heat related services. So, noticing this helped me choose a lane to go into and I decided to market to women who were seeking hair care, scalp care services, and who’s open to learning about embracing and loving their hair. I truly believe the more we know how to do + understand our hair, the less of a chore it feels to us. It has shown in the number of women I’ve been able to service and its been rewarding to witness their growth in their hair, their mindsets, and themselves! Im thankful to be able to witness it all and to see the impact the services I’ve provided over the years. The only change I would’ve made was seek an assistant to help with the demand!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Zhané Thorpe and 6 years ago, this November, I created my business, Her Own Beauty, a natural hair service based company. I provide natural hair styling, scalp care and thermal services for the everyday women of color and, now, weddings! My salon suite is located in Ridgewood, NY, inside of a building for artist, creatives, and entrepreneurs for almost 3 years now. When I first started Her Own Beauty, my main goal was to show women, who choose to wear their natural hair, that it can be healthy, full, and grow beyond their shoulders, as well as, teaching them how to care for it. It truly started with wanting to change the perspective of seeing our hair as another chore and seeing it as apart of pouring care and nurture into ourselves. Each client who books me is entering a commitment and investing in self with my assistance. It’s truly a team of growth, as their hair is not the only part of you that will grow! The goal has always been to bring a new perspective to how we view & treat ourselves (internally + externally) & our hair. If need, during every interaction, I make strides to provide knowledge on each client’s’ hair and scalp and give solutions to issues, if any, and create, while growing a client:stylist relationship. After spending almost 6 years servicing numerous women within NYC, I’m currently taking a step back from accepting new clients to search & bring on another stylist to join my salon team. As well as, breaking into the wedding industry as a wedding vendor/bridal hairstylist, which is called, HOB Bridal! By focusing on building a team for my natural hair salon and expanding into the Wedding Industry, it will help me upscale my business, alleviate burn out, open my doors to more clientele, and bring my experience with textured hair into an industry I love, Weddings. I remember reading an African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” And it’s time I no longer do things alone, as I truly want to go very far.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Back in 2017 into 2018, I decided to become more strategic on what and how often I was posting. I asked myself the following: 1. How do I want my social media platforms to look?
2. How can I keep people on my page once they’re on there?
3. What is missing on social media in regards to hair care that I can provide?
After answering those questions and doing my research, I was able to determine the kind of content I wanted to post. Posting almost every day, early in the morning before my 8am hair appointments was crucial in increasing my foot traffic to my platforms. It helped, tremendously, as I was focusing on showcasing more tutorials on natural hair care and education back then. I also made sure my page on Instagram looked cohesive and you were able to look at my instagram and know exactly what services I provide and an idea of the energy you can expect to receive once you are serviced by me.
Advice: Be consistent and authentic when posting. Show your personality! The more I showed my personality, the more clients I received who were in alignment with the services and energy I provide. Put your best foot forward and do your best to engage with your audience! Make them feel apart of your journey. Show them some of the ins & outs of your business and not just selling a service or item. Create your content in a way that makes people *want* to meet you!

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

Two words: Email Marketing! It has been the *easiest* way for me to keep in contact with my clients on a larger scale! I have automated emails personalized for clients to be contacted after their first appointment with me, a reminder email at 3 months to remind them of their quarterly trims; and one at 5 months, if I haven’t seen them within that time frame. Each client I partner with is in a team of growth with me; so it’s imperative to stay on top of hair care appointments to ensure each partnership is reaching its individual goals! Utilizing email marketing for my returning clientele has also allowed me to be able to keep every client on my roster updated on what is happening at HOB Salon Suite and its always there for them to look back at! I’ve noticed by doing this for the past 6 years, this has created a sense of brand loyalty, as my clientele has been able to go along on my journey and not be left out of the process!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.herownbeauty.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/herown.beauty & https://www.instagram.com/hob.bridal/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/herown_beauty
• Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/herownbeauty/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hob.bridal