We recently connected with Anndita Dadzie and have shared our conversation below.

Anndita, appreciate you joining us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

I actually started my business in 2017 but I was only doing hair part-time to my full-time customer service job. It started by just doing hair on the side for a few extra dollars. I was really tired of working the 9-5 lifestyle, but I knew I had to provide for my family. I was afraid to trade in the certainty of getting a paycheck from employment, to not knowing if I will have clients to provide for my family. I just decided to continue to do hair only on the weekends and sometimes after work. Then my hours at work had changed from 1st shift to 2nd shift, and they literally did not care about any outside responsibilities that I had at he time. Now I am getting off of work at 10:30pm instead of 5pm, and could no longer do hair after work. The biggest downfall, was that I wouldn’t be able to see my children before bedtime. However, I was still stuck in the mentality that I had to work for someone else to gain money. Even when I first got my cosmetology license back in the early 2000’s, I always worked at hair salon chains and made money from working for another business. Nobody in my family had a business that I could go to and get advice from to help me come up with an exit strategy. So I just kept clocking in and doing clients on the weekends.

Then in 2018, after working second shift for about 4 months, I started taking clients before work. At that time I was a traveling stylist, so I would go to the clients home and braid the clients hair in the comfort of their home. It got to the point where I kept being late for work because, I would have to drive to work from my clients home, and sometimes they would live 45-60 minutes away. Then suddenly, potential new clients were reaching out to me and wanting to book appointments on days and times I would have to work.

I decided to take PTO from work and schedule clients during that time. I promised myself that if I could make my paycheck, which took 2 weeks to gross, in this one week of PTO, that I would put in my two week notice. I made more than what I expected and I did what I promised myself, and I have made more money working for myself, then I have ever made working for someone else.

Anndita, 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?

My name is Anndita Dadzie and I have been in the hair industry for over 20+ years. I am a professional natural hairstylist, that provides high-end protective styles for woman and young adults. I believe what sets me apart as a stylist, is the variety of styles that I can provide for my clients. Nowadays it is popular for hairstylist to find a niche within the business, and grow a community from that, however I am old school, and back in the day, one hairstylist did it all. I feel it allows me to build a better relationship and closer bond with my client and their hair. I started out only braiding hair but now I offer braids, silk presses, sew-ins, and faux locs. I also make hair growth oil, that is infused with over 22 natural herbs that increases blood circulation. Since its is being used on the scalp and it is being topically applied, it will increase blood flow to the scalp and increase hair growth.

I am proud of the business that I have built, but I am more proud that my children can say they seen their mother create something out of nothing that grew into everything.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I have always been on Facebook and Instagram but only to keep up with family and friends. After I decided that I was going to create this side hustle, I made a new IG account strictly for my business. I also made a business page on FB and joined all the hair groups in my surrounding areas. I posted in these groups almost daily. I would post deals for new clients and remained consistent with posting new content. my audience on IG grew as well because, I would do raffles and one of the requirements to be entered is you must be following my socials. Then I started getting familiar with Canva and how to use it for graphics. I would always find a guru on IG and/or watch YouTube videos to help me learn more about it. Once I became more comfortable with Canva, I started doing my own graphics which helped draw in the attention of others.

If I had to give advice to someone who is growing the social media presence, would be to remain consistent. No matter what, remain consistent and always post you work. They say it takes people to see something new several times over and over again before they decide to purchase anything. Don’t worry about the pace of someone else’s journey, just focus on your own and make sure you have a clear social media plan.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of new clients for me is through social media and through word of mouth. That is why it is important for me to stay up to date with the new social media trends and marketing strategies. I have clients that has found my page from hashtags or from someone that referred me to them.

Social Media is such a game changer when it comes to serviced based businesses. I have realized that the most important thing with gaining new clients through social media is your customer service. When you deliver top notch customer service, you will either immediately gain that client, or its a high chance that they will remember you and get serviced in the future.

Once I gain a new client, its almost certain that they will come back, and I have learned that if they don’t come back, then another new client is on the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ad0rnbyanndita.as.me/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/adornbyanndita?r=nametag
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adornbyanndita/

Image Credits
J.Pegues Photography