Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Judah Murray . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Judah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Covid has brought about so many changes – has your business model changed?
Around Covid I was in my senior year of high school and I was working at Popeyes and doing locs on the side for about a year and a half. School was virtual therefore I was able to take more clients. This is when my client base started to grow. I was paying Instagram weekly to boost my post, and I was very consistent. A lot of my clients will come from hashtags or word-of-mouth. In a time where a lot of people wasn’t working, my business was gaining a lot of traffic and I felt so blessed. Within a couple of months, I was able to move into a salon. Two months later, I quit my job of three years and decided to do locs full-time. That was in July 2020
Judah, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Growing up everyone in my family had locs. I am the youngest, so I remember just wanting my hair to look like my older siblings around when I was eight years old I was going to school, and I would see girls like me with different braids and beads. I made the decision that I wanted to comb my locs out. It took about three to 4 months, but then it was finally finished. I couldn’t wait to try new things with my hair. My mom gave me these box braids with curly ends, and I couldn’t stop playing with my hair. My mom would always tell me to stop putting my hands in my head. One day I was playing with my hair and one came out in the front. I didn’t want to go tell my mom I ran to the bathroom and tried to put the Braid back in. I remember seeing my mom do it, so I just tried it. After a couple tries I did it and I’ve been in love with doing Hair ever since. After I started experimenting with my hair, but my mom would do it mostly. I got older I would watch YouTube videos on how to do different styles and always bug my mom to take me to the beauty supply store. Around my fifth or sixth grade year I did my hair myself mostly box braids The crazy part of about it is I started off doing box braids and I was doing that for quite a while I didn’t start doing locs until my eighth grade year. At that point it was just my hobby.
Fast-forward into high school now I started my page for locs in 2017. I was promoting myself constantly. I was getting clients slowly about one or two every other week. Some people will haggle me about the price and at that time I was charging $25-$30 for re-twist and style. I got discouraged and stopped for a year and a half. I started again in 2018-2019 and remain consistent throughout. I told myself to not question your work, but that was hard because I’m such a perfectionist.
Staying consistent definitely paid off because within a year and a half I was able to quit my job of three years and move into a salon before graduating high school. At that point, I definitely had no choice to keep going. I really love to do locs. My hobby turned into my full time job.
I’m proud of myself because and how far I have reached in a little time. I’m glad I didn’t give up no matter how challenging it was. I really take pride in my work how I treat potential and existing clients.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
What helped build my reputation was being continuously being consistent with my work and hospitality. When my clients come getting their hair done by me I like to set the vibe. Play relaxing music , dim lights , nice fragrance , and great conversation.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
The best source for new clients has been instagram mostly and my loyal clients referrals as well
Contact Info:
- Website: hairbyju.as.me
- Instagram: __hairbyju