We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Brandi Nichole. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Brandi below.

Brandi , appreciate you joining us today. Before we talk about all of your success, let’s start with a story of failure. Can you open up about a time when you’ve failed?

My moment of what I experienced a failure moment in business, but it was one of the greatest lessons in business for me. I have experienced six figures in the negative -$189,000 in business before ever experiencing six figures in the positive $187,000, 11 years later. Here’s what happened. 2008, I opened my 1st salon, Studio 77, in Owings Mills, MD. For me to get established, I had an investor who invested $20,000. I later experienced the investor coming to me with a contract, which was a red flag because it was on neon green and pink paper. Fast forward, I accepted the money, only to wake up one morning to a phone call from my stylist and was told to come to the salon IMMEDIATELY. When I arrived, everything had been taken out of my salon. The investor robbed me and a stylist who was booth renting. Due to my having a 5-year lease, I tried to start over with the insurance money; being pregnant and going through something traumatic like that, I eventually broke the lease and closed my salon completely down in 2010. Almost 12 years later, I opened a thriving hair restoration clinic, The Hair Clinic Rx, which hit 6 figures in the positive 2 years after opening.

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’ve been a licensed Senior Cosmetologist for over 21 years; however, being a cosmetologist was not enough for me. So in 2019, I pursued my Masters in Professional Cosmetology, which led me to my Trichology School. I later pursued my certification in Trichology because #1, I am a lover of science; #2, a lover of the beauty industry; and #3, I wanted to increase my knowledge and establish a niche in an industry that could serve clients in a greater capacity with a more significant impact. So, what is Trichology? It is a para-medical science study of the hair and scalp. A Trichologist is a para-medical specialist who studies the hair and scalp and provides the diagnosis and treatment recommendation for those suffering from hair loss, thinning, or scalp disorders such as eczema or psoriasis. My new profession alone sets me apart from other cosmetologists because I can diagnose alopecia and treat it, preferably holistically,

What I am most proud of as a Trichologist and business owner is having the faith to do it again after failing in business and filing ch—7 bankruptcy. I am also pursuing my doctorate in Professional Cosmetology, which will allow me to join the American Alternative Medical Association.

The main thing that I want anyone to know about me is that I specialize in women’s hair and scalp health who suffer from hair loss and thinning during perimenopause and menopause. I am very passionate about what I do as a trichologist. I thrive off of serving and being a wealth of resources for my clients to succeed in their hair restoration journey. My brand provides confidence to those who lack confidence and self-esteem through my hair restoration services.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

When funding The Hair Clinic Rx, I used grant money I received during the pandemic from another business I had to assist with my start-up. While that $14,000 was not enough, I utilized additional resources such as business credit and equipment loans to purchase what I needed. I started small, and after opening, I used the money I was making in my business to purchase things I needed to better serve my clients. Other funding resources I have used over the last 3 years were Quickbook loans and Square loans, which were paid off in 6 months.

Can you open up about a time when you had a really close call with the business?

LOL, Oh my goodness, yes! I have missed the payroll at least three times, and it was because I was so busy working in my business and did not have an assistant that I missed the 5 pm deadline, which cost me sometimes an additional $99 plus the per employee fee just so direct deposit can hit on time. While it is only $99, it should not just be thrown away, which means I have to plan my payroll week out a month in advance until I can hire a VA (virtual assistant), which I have now.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hairclinicrx.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/hairclinicrx
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/hairclinicrx
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iambrandinichole/

Image Credits

Reggie Wallace of Total Images Photography