We recently connected with Chayala Zigelboum and have shared our conversation below.
Chayala, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?
I get this question a lot!
So, my full name is Chayala, which in Hebrew means “life.” But it could be kind of difficult to pronounce for a lot of people. In high school, my friends started calling me “chai,” like the latte, and it stuck! I felt like naming the business something like “hair by…” was kind of redundant because it’s obvious that I do hair. “Chai” captures my personality at this point, so that’s how we ended up with “By Chai”!
Chayala, 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?
My name is Chayala; I’m 25 years old and have been doing hair since I was very young.
After getting married, I decided to enroll in Cosmetology school in Miami to refine my skills and turn this into a career. I completed my 1200 hours, took the state exam, and obtained my Cosmetology license.
I then started my business, which offers concierge event and bridal hair styling to clients in South Florida. I travel within South Florida and beyond to serve my clients wherever the event is or where it’s most convenient for them.
I discovered that on the day of an event, not everyone has the time to visit a salon. They seek a service that offers the highest quality available, complete with all the equipment found in a salon. That’s exactly what I do—I bring it all with me.
Another concern I identified with concierge services similar to mine is hygiene standards. Not everyone is diligent about sanitizing equipment between clients. Therefore, this is something I take pride in and am very transparent about on social media.
Lastly, concierge services often add hidden fees after the fact, such as fuel or travel charges. I offer a flat fee that ensures you pay what you expected from day one, making the process seamless and stress-free on the event day.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I believe the most rewarding aspect of this job for me is helping people feel beautiful. Whether it’s on their wedding day or for any event when someone desires an extra touch of glamour, I have the ability to bring out their best selves.
Frequently, when I finish working on a client and show them a photo of themselves, they often can’t believe it’s really them. The expression on their face is priceless, and it’s what motivates me to continue. That’s the reason I do what I do.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
Definitely a combination of social media and word of mouth.
Social media has proven to be an invaluable tool for showcasing my skills and reaching a broad, new audience. My Instagram page functions as a virtual business card and portfolio.
Although we’re in a digital age, word of mouth remains incredibly powerful. When you excel at making someone feel beautiful, they’re compelled to share their experience with others. I’m dedicated to delivering exceptional experiences to my clients that consistently surpass their expectations.
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