Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kia Ja. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Kia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Often the greatest growth and the biggest wins come right after a defeat. Other times the failure serves as a lesson that’s helpful later in your journey. We’d appreciate if you could open up about a time you’ve failed.
When starting a business it can be both exciting and challenging jumping into any industry. As a business owner you have to know your target audience be your own financial advisor, Marketer, Photographer, Videographer, and so on when your coming up on your own and paying out of pocket. I can say without the skill set and knowledge in neither fields I’ve failed time and time again. It took long nights and dedication and till this day I’m still learning while working and taking care of home. It’s a challenge but when you want something bad enough you go for it. At one point I wasn’t getting any clients because my work wasn’t up to par so I practice and took losses doing things for free but it built my craft, at one point I’ve done things free just to build my clientele as well. In the end it’s all worth it. I’ve brought more product then needed thinking I would have guaranteed clients in a week and didn’t have as many. So to fix that problem I’d purchased a booking site w/ deposits. I’ve lost clients because of this and because I’ve changed my pricing according to my crafts and how better I’d gotten. But either way your target audience will come and will never question you because they know your worth every penny.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
When I was younger my aunt had a shop and every day after school I would go there. I loved that when I stepped into a salon it was so warming and every one loved to see me. It took my mind off of the situations I was going through as a little girl. Eventually I would shampoo and condition clients into doing color, relaxers and then cleaning my aunts tools for the next day. I was an apprentice before I ever knew what and apprentice was. Then eventually I would do my friends hair for fun roller wraps and quick weaves. I didn’t get into braiding until 2018 years later when I seen I wanted to do a style and push forward with braiding only seeing how much money it was in the braiding industry. At first it was a hobby that quickly turned into my business because my clientele had picked up at one point. I was cheap and also provided everything. Until I seen I was spending more money than I was making. Fast forward to today I own and operate Colormeout and also 1/2 founder of Usnotthem a non profit me and my sister had come up with during covid. Because of my past experiences with life it’s self it made me want to do more and give back our saying and what we’re about “Spreading positivity, providing promotional support &taking action on social injustice”.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
My target audience are the ones who understand quality over quantity. Understands that when you sit down in the chair your getting over and beyond service for your money. Styles that’s going to last which saves you money, service that comes with everything provided and your leaving feeling 10x better than you walked in because knowing as a women or male you don’t look like you did before. My target audience knows the value I put into my craft and knows I’ll also educate and there journey with me will be for a lifetime.
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
When it come to Usnotthem there was no better person to begin this journey with than my sister. We’re not real sisters but when it’s been over 15+ yrs and she’s been by my side seeing everything I went through since a little girl. That’s my sister. We first met outside summer of 2005 outside we had just moved in an apartment complex and from there is history! I feel god placed her in my life knowing I needed her she’s definitely my soul sister! Every cry every time I wanted to give up she picked me up! I’ll forever do the same!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://colormeout.glossgenius.com/
- Instagram: @colormeout_
- Facebook: @colormeout
- Other: https://linktr.ee/ColormeoutbyKiaJa
Image Credits
Kia Ja