We recently connected with Catherine Huynh and have shared our conversation below.
Catherine, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s talk about social media – do you manage your own or do you have someone or a company that handles it for you? Why did you make the choice you did?
I personally manage my business, @braided.bycat, which operates primarily through Instagram. I chose Instagram as my business platform because I feel most comfortable with the app, my target audience is active there, and it provides all the necessary tools to showcase my work and book clients.
Managing my own social media is crucial as it allows me to communicate directly with clients. In the hair styling industry, building trust is essential since clients spend hours in your chair and put their appearance in your hands. Through my social media presence, I can authentically display both my personality and my work, helping potential clients feel comfortable before they even book an appointment. This is especially important since I operate from a home studio – I want my page to reflect the welcoming yet professional space that clients will experience.
Running my own social media and creating quality content has been key to my success. My very first client found me through Instagram, and this platform has helped me achieve the highest income I’ve ever earned at age 22. To this day, both new and returning clients consistently mention that they discovered me through Instagram and that my content convinced them to book with me.
While we often hear about the importance of social media for modern businesses, my journey has shown me just how vital it is for sustained growth. Investing time in social media content creation is key to attracting and retaining clients. Moreover, showcasing your personality and work quality isn’t just beneficial for potential clients – it’s rewarding for you as well. I love seeing my content and engagement improve. I scroll through my feed and see my progress, or I rewatch my videos and am reminded why I chose this path. It brings me joy to connect with clients and do what I love – empowering others through hair!
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 am currently a first-generation college student at the University of Washington studying two degrees, Business Marketing and Interaction Design. Growing up, I have always loved doing anything creative and using my hands. I paint, make jewelry, bake, and more. I love creating something from nothing, which is why I decided to major in these two degrees, whether that be a design or business idea. This may also be the reason behind the start of @Braided.ByCat in June 2024. @Braided.ByCat is my hair-braiding business. I initially started braiding hair because my friends asked me to try braiding their hair after seeing me do my own. I had never braided someone else’s hair or tried the styles on different hair textures like they were asking of me. I took the leap and tried. I had them sit for several hours, and they still left with no braids. However, once I start something, I am determined to learn and do it well. After a few more sessions, it clicked, I kept practicing, it became fun, and I got significantly better.
The actual business did not begin until a few months after my first time braiding. I knew little about hair, hair types, braiding styles, haircuts, products, tools, or anything. All I had were my hands, a few videos, and my own curiosity to learn and unlock new levels of myself. Braiding became an obsession. So, when I had some extra time that summer, I decided, “Why not?”. I made an Instagram and began posting my work. After a week or so, with 4 followers and 3 posts, I got my first DM from a client asking for braids. I was surprised, nervous, and so excited. Quickly, it snowballed into three clients a week, then 5, then 10. I fell in love with each client, their story, doing their hair, and seeing their reaction afterward. I decided to take it more seriously and post more, engage with other accounts and clients, ask questions to others in the industry, and do what I could as I was entering this whole new world.
Based in the Greater Seattle area, @Braided.ByCat specializes in a variety of protective styling services including box braids, knotless braids, cornrows, twists, and custom styles. Some clients ask me to solve their hair maintenance challenges or bring their hair dreams to life. I help by providing long-lasting protective styles that fit their lifestyle and daily routines. I offer flexible scheduling including evenings and weekends to accommodate my clients’ busy schedules. Clients can easily book through Instagram DM (@Braided.ByCat) or on The Cut app. I pride myself on offering competitive rates while ensuring quality and attention to detail. Each service includes a consultation to understand your hair goals, lifestyle needs, and desired maintenance level.
I began braiding barbers, friends, and friends on sports teams, which all helped with “word of mouth” and the growth of my business. Braiding and twisting hair has been such a vehicle for me. It has provided me a way to learn about business, people, and the hair industry. I love seeing the difference in clients when they walk in nervous, maybe for the first time, or just ready to change their look, and leave feeling confident and excited to take on the day. I have learned so much about the world through my clients and their stories. The conversations shared in those few hours are so valuable to me. I love helping clients work through any problems, share laughs, and listen when they need an ear. I think that is why I do what I do—it makes my work feel purposeful when I get to make someone else feel good about their hair and themselves.
The risk I took to start my business has been more rewarding than I could have ever imagined. It has challenged my skills as an entrepreneur, hair braider, and person. I am so proud to be a part of people’s lives through hair, whether that is day-to-day or a special event. I like that I always get to learn and create new styles; there is no limit to what I can do with hair. I hope clients feel that I am genuinely grateful to be trusted with their hair and stories. I would not be able to be here without the support of my friends, family, and clients. They mean everything to me as I have grown so much on this journey. I never would have thought that my creative curiosity would have brought me to start my own business. I am still learning and growing as I run this hair-braiding business, but I am so glad that I took the risk into the unknown.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson that I had to unlearn since starting my braiding business is one that began when I was young. I come from a family of immigrants. My mother’s family came to the United States after my grandfather fought in the Vietnam War, and my father’s side fled from the Khmer Rouge to the States. I am the first generation born in this country in my family. It has always been instilled in me to go to college and get a 9-5 job. That was my definition of success since I was young. Though I do not disagree that following this traditional path can be and is many people’s definition of “successful,” I did not want this for myself. As I have gotten older, I learned that my parents wanted the traditional path for me because it provided security and opportunities that they never had.
Becoming an entrepreneur and having the desire to start my own business is a risk that they are very wary about. Though it has made me more money and I am more fulfilled than I have ever been working any job, it is difficult for them and even me at times to understand that this can be another definition of “success.” I have had to unlearn the teachings of my parents. I understand their views, but in some ways, it is coming from a place of trauma and fear—feelings I do not want to live by. I have had to learn that it is okay to go against the grain of what I have been raised with. Pursuing my own path fulfills me in ways that may not align with my parents and the lessons I grew up on, but I get to carve my own path in life, and becoming an entrepreneur is what I choose.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Building a reputation takes time and intention. I believe it is all in the details. Every interaction you have with someone builds your reputation. This can be in passing, through conversations had, or the environment or space that you create for connections to be made. In my business, I try to move with a lot of intention. I want to be known as someone who provides a safe, comfortable, professional, and welcoming space for great quality braids and twists to be provided. This comes down to the snacks and refreshments I provide, all the way to the content posted on social media.
Reputation is built through consistency. With each client I get to serve, the quality and experience must be equal. Following that up outside of the service, such as social media posting and reposting, is also important. Staying authentic to who I am online and offline is how people can trust me and my reputation.
On a more practical note, building my reputation includes all the things mentioned, but especially the importance of online presence. I built my reputation through crafting my content, carefully selecting the followers, and following I have that align with my goals and mission. As the majority of my business comes from social media, I have had to focus a lot of my time and effort on creating content and collaborating with others. The people in my market were more supportive than I knew coming in; it has been such a blessing. It is extremely important to network with other service-based providers and clients. Checking in and treating everyone with kindness and authenticity while providing consistent quality service is how you get others to speak about you and your services in a positive light.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/braided.bycat/
Image Credits
I took these photos and created these graphics on my own.