We caught up with the brilliant and insightful DeAnna Gantt a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

DeAnna, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?

Some of the Biggest Trends I’m seeing within my Industry is SOCIAL MEDIA. At this point in time social media is Mandatory. My business was started back in the day when traditional marketing techniques were utilized. Business Cards, Commercials, paper advertisements, and last but not least Word of Mouth advertising.

As of now all those same traditional marketing techniques are utilized with a strong emphasis on geared towards social media. There are more than 4.5 billion social media users around the world. Entertaining these users with videos, skits, online shops have become a huge trend. The largest social media networks include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok.

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?

DeAnna V Gantt aka “HairbyDVG” has been a Master Cosmetologist in Muskegon, Michigan, for over a decade! My premier hair salon, HairbyDVG Beauty Boutique in Muskegon, has been flawlessly servicing clients since 2010. I specialize in Healthy hair/Scalp care, Natural hair press, Specialty extensions, and Helping patrons establish healthy hair care regimens. I have been a Licensed Cosmetologist and a Licensed Cosmetology Instructor for the State of Michigan for the last 15 years. DeAnna has also been a Certified Educator for Farouk Systems for over eight years. She enjoys traveling the world and teaching at hair seminars.

My passion for providing healthy hair care, cutting-edge techniques, color, curly cuts, protective styling, quality extensions, flawless skin, and a wide range of other services is the KEY to our longevity and success in the beauty industry. In addition to these services, we offer a range of innovative beauty products and take-home regimens for every client. I have assisted at various fashion shows and community events, I offer complimentary services to the elderly and assistance to the foster care community. I am also a huge advocate for those dealing with hair loss and scalp irritations.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

“When I was in the sixth grade, my aunt took me to Daniel’s Hair Academy and I remember thinking everything was so cool, the smell of hair did something to my spirit. I told myself that day, ‘I was going to attend this school when I got older.’ I fell in love with the smell of hair, makeup and fashion. From that day forward I would practice on my friends and family every chance I could. I even practiced my hair skills on some of my friends on my junior high school cheerleading team. I was the “Go To,” Hair girl around school and within my family.

Once I got to High School, I finally had my opportunity to attend Daniels Haie Academy as a Senior in High School. When I graduated high school, I was halfway through my Cosmetology Program. I graduated from Daniels Hair Academy and then enrolled in Business School at Fort Wayne Indiana Tech. I graduated with My Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a of concentration on Marketing and Human Resource Management from the Indiana Institute of Technology.

After college graduation it was tough finding a job that I enjoyed. Being laid off from my Full Time Job I was forced to rely on my side Hustle. Thankfully I was already prepared as far as experience, skill set, state licenses and a small clientele.

From that day I have been working Full Time as a Licensed Cosmetologist traveling the world education people on Hair Care and the Beauty Business. I have owned my own salon for the last 15 years successfully maintaining the same patrons with my clientele growing on a weekly basis. I also offer a range of innovative Beauty products that services ANY and ALL textures of hair. I have been featured in various magazines, I volunteer for various organizations within my community and the Foster Care Community. I was the 1st Place Winner for the Muskegon Black Pitch $10,000 competition in 2022. My Most recent Honor was being featured at the
Muskegon Public Musuem in the :Through Our Lens Series that runs from December 15-2022-March 12,2023.
This exhibition is a celebration of our diverse community, sharing the unique stories of people that grow it every day.

Today I service over 200 clients at My Brick-and-Mortar Location while providing limited online consultation services. I turned my old Side Hustle into my Full Time Career for the last 15 years.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

COVID 19 was the biggest pivot I have ever had to make within my career. When the world STOP so did my Business to a certain degree. I had to come up with ways to be able to help my clients and supplement my income. I had to get smart FAST. I had to figure out a way to help my clients at least maintain the health of their hair at home themselves.

I went from dishing out my own hair products, to shipping products, to basically having to adopt a “NO CONTACT SYSTEM! “The internet played a HUGE role in helping me grow and maintain some of my income through various ways of selling products, and classes online. All of my Covid Protocols still play a vital role within my business today.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.hairLOVEbyDVG.com
• Instagram: @iamHairbyDVG / @ Hairlovebydvg
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.om/HairbyDVG
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanna-gantt-cta-89410730
• Youtube: HouseofDVG
• Other: Email: HairbyDVG@gmail.com