We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Elexis Irby . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Elexis below.
Elexis , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?
I started braiding my own hair when I was a senior in high school. I specifically remember the event I was preparing for. My class was getting ready for our senior trip to Chicago and I had to figure out what to do with my hair that would last me, my mom didn’t have to do it, and didn’t cost us an arm and a leg. From this day forward, anytime someone asks who did your hair, the answer is always me! Fun fact: I’ve done my own hair for every fashion show and Photoshoot I’ve been in! I took this skill with me to college to use as my hustle to help me get by in school. College classmates would refer my work and this became the true beginnings of Luxury Hair By Lex !
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?
At the young explorative age of five, Elexis was taught how to braid by her mother. Now, 21 years later, Lex turned her hobby into a business. In her early years of braiding, she realized braiding was extremely relaxing to her and it became one of her favorite forms of self care. During the COVID pandemic, she quickly learned how important hair and self care was for the mental health, not only for herself but her clients too.
Lex believes everyone deserves to have healthy hair and should practice self care the Luxury way! When you look better, you feel better.
Luxury Hair By Lex’s mission is to provide quality braid services while promoting positive self care practices. Our purpose is to remind every client how amazing they are and to encourage them to think about themselves, because that’s self care too.
Healthy hair is Luxury Hair, and Luxury Hair is self care!
We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.
Braiding hair was definitely a hustle that I never expected to become my full time business. Honestly, shout out to the pandemic. Durning this time my eyes were wide open to the wonders of the world and at that point I just knew I needed to do more than work in child welfare. I wasn’t getting that daily life satisfaction I was seeking. After the pandemic, my mom began having serious health issues that did not allow me to work a normal 9-5 as well as the company I worked for did not allow me the time, grace, or mental space needed to juggle my moms new life reality. I had to make the decision to choose my life and happiness over a job and that’s when I realized that I should turn my hustle into a business and it was the best decision I’ve ever made.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
My pivot came in when I quit my job. I was working with 5 years of experience and 2 criminal justice degrees and was no longer satisfied in my career path choice. Before I quit my job, I was already planning my exit out, so by the time I put in my resignation, I already had my LLC and website / booking site built. At the point of quitting all I had left was to execute the plan I already had in motion. April will be 2 years in business and I cannot be more grateful for being inspired by the other business owners in my life to take a leap of faith that can be carried with my family for generations to come ! Now I have time for me, family, friends, and enjoying my other hobbies which are modeling, background stage dancer, yoga instructor, and personal training.
Contact Info:
- Website: Luxuryhairbylex.com
- Instagram: Luxuryhairbylexllc
- Facebook: Facebook.com/luxuryhairbylex
Image Credits
The lighthouse 810 Adriana Lanice—LaBelleWERK modeling agency