We were lucky to catch up with Daphanie Venning recently and have shared our conversation below.
Daphanie, appreciate you joining us today. Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?
My daughter (Kerris) and best friend actually got me my first client before I even knew I was going into business for myself! So back in 2019, I braided and added beads to my daughters hair like I normally do. One day my best friend was in town and they went outside to play at the park and while they were out there a little girls mom asked my friend about Kerris’ hair. I remember my friend coming back and telling me, she told the lady where to find me lol. A few days later she came to my door asking about services for her daughter. At this time I was working at Verizon but was like, why not make some extra cash on my day off? I charged her $25. She then told her friend about me who brought her three year old with the same birthday as me named Malaika lol. This friend told her friend who also brought her daughters Brooklyn and Shaun’Tae. I still braid these girls hair ’til this the day.
Daphanie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’ve always loved everything about the beauty industry. Growing up I used to see a few women in my family braid hair or even got my hair done by them. I’ve never met anyone who hasn’t had a boost of confidence after getting their hair done. It just makes people happy and I wanted to be apart of that. I went to Garrett Academy in North Charleston, SC for high school. That’s where I studied Cosmetology. I had actually chosen culinary arts as my first choice, but it was full. So this was meant to be. I remember going to stateboard to test for my license and being nervous about failing, but I worked hard and went in and did what I was taught. Not only did I get my diploma, I got my license and for a 17 year old I say that took a lot of discipline.
Today I service ages 10 and up. I mainly focus on providing braids and locs services. Problem solving for my clients could be simply helping them chose the best style for their vacation or special event. Most times I become a listening ear.
I’m probably most proud of the fact that I’m still going. Entrepreneurship is not easy at all, as I’m sure many would agree. It takes so much of discipline, faith and dedication. However no matter how hard the journey I never gave up and don’t plan to. The one thing I would like my current and future clients to know is that I am dedicated to their hair journey and love helping them feel good about themselves.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I think it was my clients honestly. Majority of my new clientele is usually by word of mouth. When they meet me they tell me how they were referred. My clients speak highly of not only my work but me and my personality so I think that helps also.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
I remember a few months after having my daughter, I quit working at the salon I was at full time. I wasn’t making enough money and needed something more consistent. I became a hotel housekeeping supervisor for a few months then got lost in the call center/sales world for about 6 years. The call center life for me was awful and had me miserable but the pay was great. I eventually left and found my way back to hair.
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