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

Earlean, appreciate you joining us today. Any thoughts about whether to ask friends and family to support your business. What’s okay in your view?

This is a question that I often get or is brought up when talking about support. I am a strong believer in what is for you is for you, meaning everyone has their own niche and maybe what you are selling or promoting doesn’t align right with them. Support does come in many ways though, whether it’s a repost on social media or simple word of mouth. Of course, while continuing to grow my brand I ask family and friends for support, but never make them feeling like they are obligated to purchase a product or get their hair done by me because of our relationship. Surprisingly, your most support is going to come from strangers and people that have watched the journey and I think that’s all that matters. Yes, who wouldn’t want the people closest to them to support their dreams or something that they’re passionate about, but please don’t let that discourage you, just use it as motivation.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hey yall , my name is Earlean most call me E

I am originally from Pasadena California and made my move to Dallas in 2014 where I attended HBCU Paul Quinn College, and that is where my journey began. Coming from Cali I think I was so use to how hair is done out there, that it was hard for me to find a stylist of my liking, for a cheap price and in my area because I had no transportation. After those first couple of weeks of school, it was time for a new do and my roommate tangy and I had to make something shake. She knew how to do sew ins, I knew how to braids, but never really did anyone else hair outside of flat ironing or curling my sister hair. Once we started doing each other hair, it turned into doing other student hair and then people from off campus. By 2016, I had a consistent student and staff member clientele and would do off campus clients hair at my friend apartment if I had time after class and work. 2018 was the start of the brand “BSpoiledBrats”, I had just graduated from Paul Quinn, still working my 9-5 at the local grocery store in the neighborhood and at this time word of mouth was my only promotion. My friend DK that does locs convinced me to make a hair page on instagram, at the time I was only doing braids so whatever name I chose for the page I wanted it to have braids somewhere in it. Every name that i tried was taken or didn’t sound right, then randomly i decided B is going to stand for braids and spoiled brats is what my clients act like so there is the brand. Within the first 5 months of me promoting on instagram, i was asked to come work at a shop in Duncanville where i was able to expose the brand more and grow my clientele. Sadly, it only lasted until the end of summer because I was a teacher now and school was beginning to start. Although I decided to slow down on doing hair and focus on my career, my clients was not having that, so if I got off at 5pm I was taking a client by 6pm and this would go on until 2020. The start of the year, I expanded my brand and added products, BSpoiledbrats beauty now offer edge control which is our top seller, bonnets, edge band, hair oil est. after launch products, I figured if I could do that, I can get my own suite because I was over being home based and the hunt began. Jumping out on faith is the scariest thing ever especially during a pandemic, but when God tell you it is time, it is time. I took that leap and quit my job, just found out I was pregnant and again we are in the middle of Covid, terrified was not even the word to describe how I was feeling. Here we are today and BSpoiledBrats is known to thousands, I have added more products online and have my own salon/suite where I rent out two booths beside myself.

Getting to the space I am at now was nothing easy, I have been through it and wanted to settle or give up plenty of times, but when things are for you it’s going to happen. Being grounded and staying disciplined will put you exactly where you need to be and open up doors beyond your imagination. In the hair industry besides slaying a head, customers service and the way you treat a client is just as important. One thing about it, when you walk into the shop mad, sad or frustrated, you are not going to walk out the same way and that is the main thing I focus on, having a happy returning client.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

In today’s world, social media is the main way to promote anything. I started off with Instagram and now I have TikTok , Pinterest, YouTube and facebook. Hashtags are extremely important and useful and your wording when writing a caption can determine if people will see your post or not. Also, look at people in your industry social media for inspiration.

Instagram – reels , catchy sounds, hashtags
TikTok – quick tutorial videos, trending sounds , ( TikTok is a search engine so when you write your caption, make sure it’s explaining the video in a way people will look it up )

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

TikTok

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bspoiledbrats.com/?_ab=0&_fd=0&_sc=1
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/bspoiledbratshair?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Image Credits
Photo of me – brenshotya 4-8 photos – islandXimagrey and phillipbvnks