We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Anj Blanchard-Carter. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Anj below.

Anj, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

We turned a need into a hobby then a hobby into a business by needing loc maintenance for our own hair. My husband, Antonio FreshLocs Carter, and I maintained each other’s hair for years before it became a business.

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

What my career is today I wouldn’t have imagined any of this being my reality. I told my mother at the age of 4 while pointing at a storefront, “Mom, I want to own my own store.” So, my vision has always been towards fashion. I started an online boutique in April of 2009. I maintained my online store than opened a storefront approximately 6 years later. I grew my brand and decided to part ways after ten years in business. As I grew more knowledge, along the years of owning So Anxious Clothing, I made a lot of connections with entrepreneurs in the Hair, Beauty and Fashion Industry. When I closed my business I already knew what field I could began a fresh start. That fresh start was becoming a Loctician. Remember my husband and I continued to maintain our locs ourselves. By this time Antonio has already made this his career after graduating cosmetology school. He became well known and gain enough knowledge to teach me. The best way to learn is to have the experience. I need guests in my chair to earn the knowledge of being experienced. I went from Fashion to Beauty and this journey has been the most successful and financially rewarding.
What is most rewarding is that we turned our hobby into a business, Freshlocs Loc Shop, and it was a need within our community. A salon for loc’d hair clientele that has experienced and respect the culture and beauty of locs.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I had to learn what patience was and starting locs made me understand that my goal will be a journey and not an overnight success. Having locs is more than just a hairstyle. Having locs is a spiritual connection that strengthens your inner self. Choosing to have locs is a commitment that you will maintain this lifestyle choice.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building your audience can be hard work but it takes consistency. I managed to post 1-3 post 5 days a week. When using the correct images, with great lighting, is a simple but great way to gain more followers, too. When understanding the importance of using your 30 hashtags on every post, it will gain more awareness which leads to more likes and followers. I did noticed that potential followers like to see a variety of different things on your page instead of the same content. These little tips will helped me gain more followers.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.BookingAnj.com
• Instagram: LocsByAnj
• Facebook: Booking Anj
• Twitter: BookingAnj
• Youtube: Booking Anj

Image Credits
Erica Clayton, Through Her Lens Photography