Today we’d like to introduce you to Nycole Mason
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have always had a dream of owning a beauty supply store. And I’ll admit I started doing research on it years ago and then I stopped. In 2019 I started back up again and my goal was to have a brick and mortar location. When the pandemic hit in 2020 I was crushed because everything was shut down. I knew I wouldn’t be able to get a physical location so I had to think outside the box. I didn’t want another year or longer to go by without me tackling my dream. I was sitting in my room one day thinking “wait a minute, you can get groceries delivered, clothes, and anything else you can think of (thanks Amazon), why not get your hair products delivered too. That’s when the idea came to me to pivot my business model from the traditional brick and mortar to a delivery service. I told myself I can be the DoorDash of hair products. Customers would place their order on my website and get it delivered the same day. They would be able to stay safe during the pandemic and still be able to look and feel beautiful.
My business idea took off. I honestly didn’t realize at the time how great of an idea this was and that it would still be relevant once the pandemic ended. So many people tell me to this day how this is the best thing I could have ever come up with. They love the convenience of being able to place an order online and within 2 hours it’s at their front door. If they are working late, at an appointment, etc. they don’t have to rush trying to make it to the beauty supply stores before they close, which here in Oregon is around 6pm. My business starts at 9am and doesn’t end until 8pm. Which gives me an advantage over my competitors. They also don’t offer a delivery service or have an online presence.
Today, my business is still thriving. I have now shipped to 3 countries and 21 states. I recently also got my slogan trademarked. Since starting my business, I have added so much inventory then what I had when I first started out. I have reached new audiences and my business is the first one tagged on social media post when someone is looking for a hair store they can get products from.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Has it been a smooth road? Absolutely not! I am not going to lie or sugar coat anything. The beauty industry, although it is a lucrative industry, it is a tough industry to break into and survive in. Just with any industry there are those who want to see you fail. There will be ups and downs, and people may even try to scam you. But the way I overcame this was by not giving up. Every time someone told me “No we cannot approve you for a wholesale account” I didn’t let that stop me. I found ways to still get the products I needed for my store. I made connections with women in other cities and states by reaching out to them and asking “hey this vendor denied me but I know you have an account with them, can I go in on orders with you?” This was tough for me in the beginning because I am a shy person but I know being shy isn’t going to cut it. I had to face my fears and get out of my own way if I wanted to grow in this industry and have my business.
There have also been times where I’ve ordered inventory and when it arrives to me it’s damaged. Shampoos, conditioners, gels, edge controls, etc. are busted open and spilled everywhere. There was even a time where I opened my box and there was product missing. This causes a huge set back financially when I receive items that are damaged or don’t receive them at all. That is money that is now gone to waste and product that I am not able to sell. It can take a toll on you mentally and emotionally as well but one thing I had to learn is, no matter what happens I still have to push forward and figure something else out. I can’t cry about it because crying won’t bring my items back.
As you know, we’re big fans of Elegant Boutique Beauty Supply. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
My business is an online beauty supply store. Most people when they think of beauty supply store they think of the traditional brick and mortar store. No one really thinks of a beauty supply store that is 100% online and offers delivery to their customers. And that is exactly what I do. My beauty supply store is online and offers same day delivery 7 days a week to the Portland Metro area. I also offer worldwide shipping for those who are not located in the city my business operates out of. Customers can place an order online and have it delivered the same day (typically within 2 hours) as long as they 1) meet the minimum order total 2) are within my delivery radius and 3) place their order before my cut off time. But that’s not where it stops. My beauty supply store also offers its OWN BRAND of braiding hair that is my number 1 seller. I also offer a wholesale program to stylist, braiders and barbers where they can purchase product from me at a discounted rate. There is a minimum quantity amount for them to get a discount. No other store in Oregon is a mobile beauty supply store, carries its own brand of braiding hair or offers a wholesale program.
What I am most proud of when it comes to my business is that my business continues to grow every day and reaches new customers. I get stopped often when I am out by people who say “hey aren’t you the lady who owns the mobile hair store?” Getting stopped and recognized for my business is something that I never thought would happen if I’m being honest. But to know that people recognize me for my unique business means the world to me. It lets me know that even on my slow days and when I feel like giving up, my business, my brand and all my hard work is paying off because people know me. They know my brand and my business. I am also proud of how far I have come with my inventory. When I started I maybe had 15 or 20 products and now I have probably over 100 items and for an online business with NO store front, that is beyond amazing.
What I want people to know about my brand is that it is something that I am passionate about. It isn’t something that I just do to past time. This is my passion. I have put my blood, sweat and tears into my business to have it be successful. My business is known for having its OWN brand of braiding hair which continues to be my top selling item. I appreciate each and every one of the customers and orders that come across my website, no matter how big or small the order is. When I see order’s come across my website I get excited every single time. I want my customers to know that when they order from me, they are supporting a small business whose dream is to be a big business and take over her city.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can support my business by:
1) liking my business page on Facebook (@elegantboutiquebeautysupply)
2) following us on Instagram (@elegantboutiquebeautysupply) & TikTok (@elegantboutique503)
3) interacting with our social media post by liking, commenting and sharing with friends, family and their social media following
4) purchasing from our website, no matter how big or small the order is (www.elegantboutiquebeautysupply.com)
5) if someone has purchased from us, leaving a review on Google
6) if they’d like to collaborate and/or work with us, we’d love for them to purchase product(s) from us and do a review and tag us. For example if they purchase our popular braiding hair, make a content video using it and tag us so we can repost it.
7) For stylist, braiders and barbers, we’d love for them to purchase their products from us and receive wholesale (we do a quantity minimum and not a dollar amount minimum)
8) most of all, telling everyone they know about us.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.elegantboutiquebeautysupply.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elegantboutiquebeautysupply/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elegantboutiquebeautysupply/
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elegantboutique503
