Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kayla Russell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kayla, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the best or worst investment you’ve made?

Investing into my hair (Viva La Kay Luxury Hair Co.) and (Viva La Kay Luxury Apparel) clothing company has been the best investments I’ve made because I am able to sell merchandise that I love and use. I love being able to share what I’ve created with others/consumers because when they put on the merchandise that I sell/made, they fall in love with it. It makes me feel good to see others happy with my merchandise. I am very happy with being a business owner and I love being able to create my own work schedule, rules, and regulations. Being a business owner has been by far one of the best decisions I’ve made in life. I love how creative I can be when it comes to running both of my businesses. Although being a business owner isn’t easy, I say it’s definitely worth it. I decided to invest into my hair and clothing company because I’ve always loved the beauty and fashion industry since a kid. As I was growing up, I used to watch my mom do hair part time and she always seem to enjoy it. Watching my mom do hair and attend cosmetology school, made me want to follow her footsteps and do the same exact thing. Once I turned 18, I knew I wanted to be an business owner. So I started doing hair in my college dorm, selling lace-up t-shirts, and hats. By the age 21, I decided to start my affordable hair company (Viva La Kay Luxury Hair Co.) so that I could cater to the women in my community. I wanted to be one of the first hair companies in my area selling affordable custom virgin hair wigs and bundles. So I became the first and only person in my neighborhood to sell hair and clothes. After starting both of my businesses, I’ve learned to never give up no matter what. Being a business owner isn’t easy but every step makes you appreciate being a C.E.O more and more. From the accomplishments to the late nights working, every milestone is worth it. The milestones make you a greater C.E.O. and person.

Kayla, 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?

Hello my name is Kayla Russell, I am a 26 year old woman from Washington D.C. I am the C.E.O of Viva La Kay Luxury Hair Co. and Viva La Kay Luxury Apparel. I became a C.E.O to my first business Viva La Kay Luxury Apparel in 2015 when I was attending the University of Maryland eastern shore. I started selling Lace-up t-shirts, zipper hats, and fur sandals to the college students and people in my neighborhood. Once I seen how fast all of the merchandise that I made was selling, I decided to turn it up a notch. So I later started selling Custom virgin hair wigs and bundles since I got so many compliments on my hair. As of now (2022), I am a traveling Hair stylist and Seamstress. I specialize in Wig unit installments and Faux loc Installments. I also sell custom HD virgin hair wigs, bundles, lashes and custom puffer coats. Many of my clients come to me because I fulfill their hair needs and also customize their clothes. I set apart from many designers and hairstylist because I do both. I am able to do a client hair and also make them a custom outfit for any occasion. I am most proud of being one of the first entrepreneurs in my family and my friendship circle because I can help them whenever they want to start a business. I love being able to help others start or run a new business. I want everyone to know that I take both of my companies very serious because I worked so hard on both of them. I started my businesses to create generational wealth and to bring my sense of fashion to the fashion and hair industry.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

My college side hustle turned into my full time career. I turned my college side hustle into my full time career because it suited me better than any job I’ve ever worked. My side hustles always kept me motivated, happy, and it also helped keep my bills paid. I started my side hustle in 2015 during my second semester of attending the University of maryland eastern shore. My parents used to send me money when I was away at school and I decided to flip the money they were sending me by purchasing materials from local markets that sold fabric and hats. I would go to the local markets on the weekends and purchase hats and fabrics to design. I would get my friends and family to model my merchandise and later on down the line they began to ask me if they could purchase what I was making. Once I got my first customer, it was on from then. I started purchasing more material in bulk and selling to more people. A few months later, my cousin gave me my first sewing machine and I fell in love with sewing. I began designing and selling lace-up t-shirts and making Jean and fur clutches. Once my clientele began to build, I did my research and created a website so that I could start shipping to other states. After creating my first website, I got addicted to networking and shipping to other states so I decided to give my hair company a try. In 2018, I decided to start my hair company Viva La Kay Luxury Hair Co. and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. Since I’ve started my hair business I have been featured in Elements magazine company and built so much clientele in the DMV area.

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

A lesson that I had to unlearn was thinking I was right all the time. As a business owner, it is alright to take advice from experienced people who aren’t professionals. You cannot go around thinking you know it all because you don’t. When I first started my business in 2015, I didn’t want to take advice from people who weren’t business professionals because I thought they knew nothing about being business owners. I was completely wrong, many people who have experience with running a business but aren’t professional can tell you where they made mistakes at when they started pursuing their hustle/business. I had learned so much from experienced business owners who aren’t professionals. I’ve met many different men and women who sold products out of the trunks of their cars that taught me how to become a better seller. I was taught so many different selling tips that helped me sell my products online from state to state and also internationally. It is great to take advice especially when it’s needed.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.vivalakayluxuryhairco.com
• Instagram: @VivaLaKayLuxuryHairCo @VivaLaKayyy
• Youtube: Viva La Kayyy

Image Credits
@VivaLaKayyy @VivaLaKayLuxuryHairCo