We were lucky to catch up with Nicole Oliver recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nicole , appreciate you joining us today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

Naming my company has an interesting backstory. I originally asked my oldest daughter to create a memorable name for my hair business. It was my first venture, and I didn’t realize the importance of a business name. She suggested “Bella Sia Hair.” I bought the domain bellasiahair.com through GoDaddy but had a question that couldn’t be answered online. God sent me a patient angel named Tyrone, who guided me through the naming process. When he asked why I named the business Bella Sia Hair, I explained it was my daughter’s idea. Tyrone immediately offered to refund me and help come up with a more suitable name, advising me not to make business decisions based on personal feelings. During his lunch break, we brainstormed together. He asked what I search for on Google when looking for hair. I told him “celebrity hairstyles.” He suggested “Celebrityhair.com,” but it was already taken and expensive. Then we thought of “Celebrityhairforless.com,” and the name was born.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Nicole Oliver, founder of Celebrity Hair for Less and Celebrity Hair Spa & Salon. My journey into the hair industry began with a personal passion for beauty and a desire to provide high-quality hair solutions at affordable prices.

Our first company, Celebrity Hair for Less, offers a wide range of hair products, including Afro Hairline wigs, which are designed specifically for African American women. We sell through various platforms like celebrityhairforless.com, Etsy, eBay, Walmart.com, Faire, and the Accessory Circle. The goal is to provide high-quality, stylish hair solutions that cater to the diverse needs of our customers.

In July 2024, we are excited to open the Celebrity Hair Spa & Salon in the Tucson Mall, right outside the only Macy’s in Tucson, Arizona. This Paul Mitchell-focused salon will offer a variety of services, including V-light extensions, ensuring our clients leave feeling beautiful and confident.

What sets us apart is our commitment to quality and affordability. We understand that looking and feeling your best shouldn’t break the bank, and we strive to make luxury hair solutions accessible to everyone. I’m incredibly proud of the personal touch we bring to our services, inspired by my daughters who motivate me every day.

The main thing I want potential clients and followers to know about my brand is that we are dedicated to enhancing beauty through high-quality products and exceptional service. Our mission is to empower individuals to express themselves confidently through their hair, and we’re here to support them every step of the way.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

We opened Celebrity Hair for Less in November of 2019, unaware that COVID-19 was just around the corner. I had so many plans for the company that had to be scrapped due to health restrictions. That was challenging, but nothing could prepare me for what came in 2021. In February of that year, my dad became ill, and we discovered he had liver cancer. By the end of April, he was gone. I fell into a deep depression, the hardest thing I’ve ever experienced.

In July 2021, our company received our first invite to a celebrity event. I was thrilled but still grappling with my dad’s passing. Then, in November 2021, I was diagnosed with stage three lymphoma. My treatment started in February 2022, right before our first celebrity event in March. I would get hooked up to machines for infusion treatments and then catch planes to attend these events. Praise God, I’m now in remission.

I’ve endured two years of treatments, but I never let that stop me from achieving my goals. This journey has been incredibly tough, but it has also strengthened my resolve and commitment to my business and my clients.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Honestly, I’ve heard stories about how hard it is for Black people in America to get business funding, but I didn’t realize just how difficult it really is. The old saying, “It takes money to make money,” is true, but what do you do when no one wants to fund your business? I’m 47 years old, have had a business since 2019, and have worked for the same stable company since 2011, grossing six figures. Yet, no one wanted to give me a business loan.

I was able to buy a house and multiple cars over the years, but not one bank wanted to give me a business loan for my salon. I had to get a personal loan to cover the startup costs. Even with that loan, the salon wouldn’t have been possible without the help of Brookfield Properties’ Partner to Empower Program. They helped share some of the financial burden of bringing my vision to life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://celebrityhairforless.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/celebrityhairforless
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/celebrityhairforless
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-oliver-411916241/

Image Credits
My Canvas Portraits