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

Katrina, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the best thing you’ve ever seen (or done yourself) to show a customer that you appreciate them?

I always show appreciation to my customers because that’s who I am as a person. I was also raised to show appreciation to people who support you because they could have chosen any other company. All new customers get a ‘free’ gift from us. Sometimes I will randomly add a free bundle of hair or a wig just because. I also have done courtesy upgrades to the next length of hair. Since opening in 2019, I have done giveaways to single moms, high school/college students and cancer organizations. It is not always publicly announced because I’m a more behind the scenes and don’t do things for attention or clout.

Katrina, 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?

I am a mother of 4 daughters total, one by marriage. I was a single mom most of my girls lives, so it was very hard for me. There was nights I did not eat because I wanted to make sure my kids had enough. They would ask, Mom are you gonna eat. I would tell them, Mommy ate already so they wouldn’t worry.

Starting a hair business was pretty much clear and set in stone with having daughters. When we started the business in 2019, there was tons of research. It took a couple of months to come up with a name that stood out and had a meaning behind it. Once we confirmed the name, we developed a LLC, and then a year later had our logo legally done. We also own the rights to the logo as well. Before actually opening, we tested different hair vendors for months. Once we finished thoroughly testing the hair we was ready to open. We have 2 top vendors we use. Both are top of the line very high quality Raw Cambodian and Raw Virgin Human Hair. Let me say this. All hair is not good hair. If its dirt cheap, it’s not good. Trust me. You always want good quality hair that last years and you can do anything to it as your own.

In April 2022, I quit my healthcare job of almost 10 years and took a leap of faith. It was also affecting my mental health with everything going on and the high demands. I informed the company I was with and they offered no help. So it was best to leave. So my only source of income is my business.

As far as solving problems with my customers, I always resolve any issue that we may encounter. We rarely have any issues. However, I answer emails within 30 minutes from customers, I offer discounts if it was a problem on our behalf. We had some customers where I have sent next day shipping as a courtesy due to their own personal reasons for needing their hair quickly. Our customer service is remarkable. Because at the end of the day you chose us. We are forever grateful for every single order, big or small.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I have learned many lessons since I started in 2019. In the industry as a new business owner. People will take advantage of you if you let them. When trying to get my brand out in the public eye, it was hard and still is a work in progress. I have been taken advantage of by a few celebs who I will not name. I sent them products and they never tagged us even though the signed agreement was set in stone. I didn’t get upset about it. Just took it as a lesson learned. Because at the same time, many other celebs have tagged us and still is tagging us when they received the hair and we didn’t even make any agreement, They did it from their own heart and saw we was a small business and wanted to help us. I will forever be grateful for that.

Also, people get upset when family doesn’t support you like you think they would. Never get upset. Because like Supa Cent says, it’s your business. Strangers are your biggest supporters and will market your business for you. I stand firm on that! And with that we are growing every year. God’s grace and favor.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

The answer to this question will shock you. (laughs)

I did not receive any grants or loans. I applied for them but was unfortunate. Seeing people around me that really wasn’t into their business like I was had been granted grants and loans. I used my own money I had which wasn’t even $500 to open my first store location in April 2022. I make a sale I buy more hair and keep doing that to stock my physical store inventory. My husband helped me with a hair package to have at the Grand Opening.

I literally had no job or incoming income when I opened my physical store in April 2022. I Stepped out and did it on pure faith. Just me and God. But when God moves, he won’t allow some things because when your business prosper, you will know it was all God. God wants the credit for his works. I strongly believe that. Some people think I was crazy and was like girl I couldn’t. Well that’s the difference because my faith is strong. My physical store location is slow, I get discouraged, cry and all of that. But I’m still standing, praying and believing in God’s word.

I can see God opening doors now. I take it as him preparing me to see if I’m strong when things rough.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shadesofmelaninhair.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/shadesofmelaninhair
• Facebook: facebook.com/shadesofmelaninhair
• Twitter: twitter.com/melanin_hair

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