We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Hailee Fortuin. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Hailee below.

Hailee, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

I absolutely love being a business owner, but I’d be lying if I said I never thought about what it would be like to have a “regular” job. The biggest thing that crosses my mind is the stability—things like health insurance, retirement plans, and just the general ease of knowing exactly what your paycheck will be every two weeks. There are moments where the unpredictability of entrepreneurship feels overwhelming, and I wonder, Wouldn’t it just be easier to clock in and out somewhere and not have to think about all of this?

What I’ve realized is that being a business owner is incredibly rewarding in ways that go beyond the stress and unpredictability. Yes, it’s a lot of work, but it’s also the most fulfilling thing I’ve ever done. Watching my businesses grow, seeing the impact I have on my clients and students, and knowing I’m creating something that reflects my passion—it’s all worth it. There’s a deep sense of pride in being able to create your own success and freedom, and every time I help a stylist grow their skills or create a custom braid for a client, it reminds me why I chose this path.

The freedom to set my own schedule, decide how I want to work, and build something from the ground up is incredible. It’s the kind of fulfillment that can’t be replaced by a traditional job. So while there are moments when I wonder about the simplicity of a regular paycheck, those thoughts are short-lived because I know the rewards of being a business owner far outweigh the challenges. The independence, the creativity, and the impact I can have—those are the things that keep me going. I wouldn’t trade this life for anything.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m the founder of Hailee Kay Hair and Half Sweet Studios, two businesses that are both rooted in the festival hair industry. Hailee Kay Hair focuses on braiding services, styling, and education, while Half Sweet Studios is my product-based brand offering high-quality festival braiding hair, tie-in braid sets, and other styling essentials.

My journey into this industry started purely from a love of braiding. When I began, festival hair wasn’t a big thing yet, and there weren’t many resources available to learn from. I was completely self-taught, figuring out techniques through trial and error and refining my skills through hands-on experience. Over time, I built a brand that not only offers services but also helps other stylists expand their skills and access the right tools.

What excites me most about my work is the combination of creativity, education, and problem-solving. Festival hair is a constantly evolving art form, and I love being able to push the boundaries of styling while also teaching others how to do the same. Seeing stylists grow in their craft and gain the confidence to take on more complex styles is incredibly rewarding.

One challenge I noticed early on was the lack of education and high-quality products tailored specifically for festival braiding. That’s why I’ve expanded into both teaching and product development. With Hailee Kay Hair, I offer education that helps stylists improve their technique and work more efficiently. I’m currently launching the Hailee Kay Hair Braiding Academy, which is designed to give stylists the structured support and knowledge they need to take their festival braiding to the next level.

On the product side, Half Sweet Studios was created to make festival hair more accessible and reliable. I wanted to develop braiding hair and styling essentials that actually work—products that hold up through long festival days, are easy to install, and allow stylists to create bold, long-lasting styles without frustration.

What sets me apart in this industry is that I didn’t follow a traditional path—I had to create my own. I know what it’s like to start from scratch without formal education or a guide, which is exactly why I’m so passionate about helping the next generation of festival stylists. Whether through my courses, products, or hands-on styling, my mission is to make festival hair more achievable for stylists at all levels. There’s still so much potential for growth in this space, and I’m excited to keep pushing the industry forward!

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

Kristen is my business manager. She literally flipped my life upside down in the best way possible. She started as a client—I had braided her a handful of times—so we already had that connection. But everything changed when I launched my line of braiding hair, originally under the Hailee Kay Hair brand. She reached out and said something along the lines of, “Hey, I’m a Shopify expert. Do you want help?” And I was like, Yes, please, please, please.

From that moment on, she completely transformed the business. She came in and made everything 3000% better—streamlining systems, improving the online store, and making the entire process more efficient. Then, when it came time to rebrand into Half Sweet Studios, she was the one who helped me pull it off. That shift was huge for the business, and I couldn’t have done it without her.

Now, she’s my right-hand woman and business partner, and I genuinely can’t imagine running things without her. She keeps everything running smoothly behind the scenes so I can focus on the creative side. It’s one of those partnerships that just works—we balance each other out, and I’m so grateful she sent that message when she did!

How did you build your audience on social media?

When I started building my audience on social media, I had no grand strategy—I was just throwing things at the wall and hoping something would stick. I knew I loved braiding and was passionate about sharing what I knew, so I started posting whatever felt right. Over time, I realized that education was where I gained the most traction. The more I shared helpful tips, tutorials, and insights into festival braiding, the more my audience grew. People crave valuable content, and when you give them something they can actually use, they engage, follow, and stick around.

Now, I run two different types of social media accounts:

@haileekayhair, which is my personal brand and service-based business, where I share behind-the-scenes of my work, educational content, and insights into my journey as a stylist and educator.

@halfsweetstudios, which is my product-based business, focused on festival braiding hair, tie-in braid sets, and styling essentials. Running a product-based account is very different from a personal brand—it requires a balance of showcasing the products while also educating customers on how to use them and inspiring them with different ways to style festival hair.

For anyone just starting to build their social media presence, my biggest advice is:

-Provide value – Whether you’re running a personal brand or a product-based business, share helpful, informative, or inspiring content that speaks to your audience.
-Stay consistent – You don’t have to go viral overnight. Posting regularly (even if it’s not perfect) will help you grow over time.
-Experiment and refine – Try different formats—videos, carousels, behind-the-scenes content—and see what works. Social media is always changing, so be willing to pivot when needed.

If you’re a stylist looking to grow your brand or start offering festival braiding, focus on showing your skills, expertise, and personality—that’s what sets you apart. If you’re launching a product-based business, think about how to not just showcase your product, but also educate and inspire your customers. No matter what, authenticity wins. That’s what truly builds a real, engaged audience.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://halfsweetstudios.com
• Instagram: haileekayhair / halfsweetstudios
• Other: tik tok – haileekayhair / halfsweetstudios
  thinkific online course – https://haileekayhair-braiding-academy.thinkific.com/

Image Credits

@lavenderhazemedia
@thevividcollective
@jakecoxphoto