We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Cara Ford. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Cara below.
Cara , appreciate you joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later
If I could go back in time, I would have started my business when I was in college. I went to an all girls, private, catholic school in one of the most poppin parts of Baltimore. We didn’t have many black girls on campus, so all of us knew each other and stuck together. We would often visit the surrounding HBCUs and other colleges to enjoy their active campus life style. I would have had endless exposure, energy, clientele, and opportunities to network with people who were also venturing out and actively following their dreams. I would have lacked the maturity and business knowledge that I have now, but I believe that I would have been able to bounce back quicker from failures as I didn’t have many financial responsibilities that I had to worry about. I believe that I would have been able to step out on faith a lot easier than I am now.
Cara , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Growing up, I always relied on my (single) mom to pay someone else to do my hair. Sometimes she could afford to get my hair done regularly, and other times i had to rock the stale braids for months until she could pay for the next style. In college i tried the wigs and weaves but still was not able to afford to get it done regularly. Soon after i graduated in 2014, I became pregnant with my daughter. Prior to her arriving, my mom, aunt, and grandmother all sat me down and told me that out of the 2 of us, I had to always prioritize having her hair done before mine. I knew at that time that i couldn’t afford to have either of our hair done. This was when I decided to learn how to do it myself.
I knew how to do a basic cornrow and plait, but that was the extent of my knowledge. I began to watch endless people on YouTube until i learned how to section hair, make straight parts, add accessories, etc. By the time my daughter’s hair grew in, I was a pro at the basics. After her first birthday my mom and godparents sat me down again to explain the importance of investing. I knew I needed to invest in myself in some way, but wasn’t sure of how. In January of 2019, at 8 months pregnant with my son, I was invited by my best friend to be her assistant hair stylist for dancers in an upcoming film produced by Queen Latifah herself. The experience changed my life. I realized in that moment that my investment in myself and my kids was to start my own hair business. I bounced the name of “Royal Inhairitance” to my fiancé and godparents and they loved it.
I now had my business name and concept, but needed to have more practice so that I could get paying clients. I practiced on my mom, cousins, sisters, etc. I was confident in my work, but not the exposure. I started getting out of my comfort zone and posting my work on Facebook and Instagram. I wasn’t getting many views or followers so I made the mistake of treating it as a hobby rather than a business. When COVID hit, I realized just how quickly things can fall apart and a job can drop you. Even though I felt secure in my 9-5 position, I decided to really take my business seriously just in case what was happening to others happened to me. I hired a digital marketing manager to do my very first photoshoot with 5 models as I was 9 months pregnant with my 3rd child. Having my youngest daughter made me decide to view my business as the way that I would create opportunities for my kids and the community.
I now take my business and haircare very seriously. I am dedicated to the growth, health, and strengthening of natural hair through protective styles. I specialize in braids, natural protective styles, locs, and faux locs for men, women, and children. I use and provide products that stimulate hair growth during and after the life of the protective style. I have grown in my business to sell silk/satin sleep products such as reversible bonnets and braid bonnets with edge wraps, silk pillow cases, and growth oil. I love for my clients to feel and look like the king, queen, prince, or princess that they are when they leave my chair, and know that I am with them on their healthy hair journey.
How’d you meet your business partner?
I met my business partner in college. We only were around each other on campus for 2 years but created a life long bond. She did her own hair and her friends hair on campus, but of course wasn’t focused on that because we were in school. After college we remained very close. I would often make the hour and a half trip to Baltimore for her to do my weaves and braids. She got me into another business venture, but that fizzled out for the both of us after a few years. . After the birth of my daughter in 2015, I would often come to her for advice on how to do and style her hair. She at first would offer to do it for me, but then encouraged me on my journey to learning how to do it myself. Anytime that i was practicing on a family member or client, she was always there to walk me through it, offer me technical advice, and critique my work to ensure that I did better next time. When she was presented with the opportunity to be the lead hair stylist for a film produced by Queen Latifah in 2019, she didn’t hesitate to reach out to me to be her assistant. This was our very first time doing anything professinal together and we absolutely crushed it. At times that she felt overwhelmed or flustered, I was there to take charge and calm her down and vice versa. The moms of the girls were coming up to us asking for our instagrams and business information. We both froze as we knew that we didn’t have much (or nothing in my case) to show them. From that moment on, we decided to take our businesses seriously. We have worked hard to build up our individual brands, and are in the process of combining them to bring something new and innovative to the market. We are trailblazers dedicated to inspiring other trailblazers to work hard and follow their dreams.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been simply being myself. I relate the most to people who are their true and authentic selves, so I like to be that for my clients. I am naturally a down to earth people person who likes talking and listening to others, and my clients appreciate that. I am able to quickly pick up on my client’s vibe of either talking the whole time, listening to music, bingeing a show, etc. Yes my work is great, but my most loyal customers continue to come back to me for me! When I tried to follow trends or keep up with others in my industry, I would find myself lost and overwhelmed. I am able to be more consistent and organized by just doing things that feel right to me and show off who I really am. If my work doesn’t speak for itself, my clients will do it for me!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.royalinhairitance.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/royalinhairitance/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Royal-Inhairitance/100054437337233/
Image Credits
JPR Create, LLC Sir Charles Photography