We recently connected with Shayla Overby and have shared our conversation below.

Shayla , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

I came up with the name “Shayla Iyana Hair” from using my first name and middle name in 2017. I couldn’t think of a unique name for my brand and I really just wanted to get my brand out there. However, I am changing my name to “ICONIQUÉ XTENSIONS”. It took me almost a year thinking of a new name. I wasn’t satisfied with my previous brand name—in my eyes the name wouldn’t get my but so far. I wanted something catchy & that would stand out. I came up with this name because I call my customers “ICONS”. I look at my clients as celebrities and each client has an impact on potential clients. Every style that my clients wear is VERY iconic. “ICONIQUÉ” is pronounced the same way as ICONIC but a little dramatic. I will also go by “ICX”. Be on the lookout for the rebrand April 2023.

Iconic – widely known and acknowledged especially for distinctive excellence.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a 23 year old Wig Creator & Hair Colorist. I have a hair collection called “Shayla Iyana Hair”. I am currently in the process of rebranding and relaunching my hair line. I started selling hair on January 25th, 2017. I’ve always loved wearing hair extensions. I started wearing hair extensions in 2013 and everyone loved my hair. My first year of business was actually the easiest year of business I’ve EVER had. I made six figures that first year. Every day I made at least 5-6 sales. I received my first client three days after launching my brand.

In 2018 I decided to expand my brand. I added wigs to my hair collection. At the time I created all my wigs by hand making them. Everyone was in LOVE with my wigs. Every time a cliet returned they had nothing but great things to say. In 2021 I decided to take a wig making class using a sewing machine. That’s literally the best thing I could’ve done for my brand. It’s a quicker process for me as we all know the sewing machine moves faster than I do when making a hand made wig.

I’ve always had a huge love for COLOR. I love coloring wigs and my clients hair. It adds personality to each hairstyle. Even if the hair color is just black. Any color a client wants their hair—I’m capable of doing. I taught myself how to color hair. However, this year I’d like to learn new techniques from other colorist.

What sets me apart from others is my uniqueness. I live by Coco Chanel’s quote “In order to be irreplaceable one must always be unique”. I applied that saying to my brand. I never do anything in the “norm”. My favorite color is orange. In the hair industry I never see orange. Usually, you’ll see feminine colors like pink. With Shayla Iyana Hair you know its my brand from afar just from my color choice. Also, my brand is themed. It’s a cross mix between Marilyn Monroe/Dream girls era + America’s next top model. It keeps the business fun when clients are buying. I always want to sell a look vs it just being a product.

I am most proud of how I boost up my clients confidence after purchasing from me. I love to see women feeling good about themselves. It’s the best feeling ever. If you look good, you’ll feel even better!

Something I’d like my clients to know about me is that I will always be that person to cheer you on. I encourage women to have fun with their hair and invest into their looks. If I can help in any way that I can—I will.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I built my audience on social media by remaining consistent. I would post my flyers or my hair at least three times a day. The more they see you—the more they’ll remember. Also, I would wear hair that would leave a statement. Anything to attract the eyes of a potential client. For an example, I would get long black straight hair and get it silk pressed. That’s a look that women often go to when wearing hair extensions/wigs. The hair was very silky and shiny. Who wouldn’t want that look? My advice in business is to always stand out and remain consistent. You will see the progression.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

My side hustle became my full time career. At first, I worked a 9-5 job. I wasn’t really satisfied of the results I received from this job at the age of 17. The scheduling and the rules bothered me the most. It wasn’t for me. I added hair once realizing the impact I had on girls when I would get my hair done. They’d ask where I got my hair from and how did I get it like the way that I was wearing it. While working a 9-5 and starting my brand—the results I was looking for came! The second month of business I decided to leave my 9-5. I love the financial freedom I gained + the ability to create/schedule my day while doing it remotely. I became my own creative director in photoshoots, in charge of branding/marketing etc. I loved everything about being in control of my lifestyle and brand.

I’ve had a few milestones in my brand. One of my favorites was being able to create wigs for brides and her brides maid. Having full control of their hair in the event. The feeling of being in charge of creating the beauty for the wedding was everything. Even down to being trusted with my vision. Once clients seen that the bride was satisfied with my vision, it opened up a new opportunity. Women started coming to me about hairstyles for proms, date nights, photoshoots, birthdays and etc. It’s my passion to bring out the beauty that some people don’t even see in themselves. It’s almost as if I’m unlocking a new character within them.

Another milestone I had was making my first six figures in my first year of business by starting with $200. A lot of people are so surprised when I tell them this. When I started, I didn’t buy a huge inventory of hair because I had to promote it and figure out what was my target audience interested in. I ordered myself 3 sets of extensions and got the hair installed. I took lots of pictures and videos promoting how good the hair was.

In high school I took business management where I applied some of the things I was taught. I didn’t go to college for business so when I started my business I was learning as I go. My mom helped me research everything on how to successful run a business. Having a successful business with little to no prior knowledge is amazing.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Ricky_roshay / @iconiquextensions