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

Hi Robert , thanks for joining us today. Often outsiders look at a successful business and think it became a success overnight. Even media and especially movies love to gloss over nitty, gritty details that went into that middle phase of your business – after you started but before you got to where you are today. In our experience, overnight success is usually the result of years of hard work laying the foundation for success, but unfortunately, it’s exactly this part of the story that most of the media ignores. Can you talk to us about your scaling up story – what are some of the nitty, gritty details folks should know about?

Before actually starting to do hair I use to just sell hair extensions while also working a 9-5. As I saw how much much money can be made in the hair business and also having my passion to help people I wanted to do more. So that’s when I quit my 9-5 and decided to go to hair school. While attending hair school I began to do hair out of my home to try and mange my bills and also take care of my foster kids as I was a beginning foster parent at the time as well. After school I began to continue to build my clientele and saved up enough money to where I don’t have to do hair out of my home anymore I can have a shop where people can come and get the ultimate experience while being pampered at the same time. Now my business is bigger than I ever could have imagined and clientele is continuing to grow everyday.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Robert owner of Ocahes House of Wigs where you will come and get the ultimate hair experience. In my shop I also have other stylists that specialize in different techniques such as braiding, quick weaves, Locs, kids hair styles, and I am the wig specialist of the shop. While waiting for your appointment you have the leisure to experience our home theatre which has recliner seats, selfie room that has a ring light full body mirror, and our lounge area where you can just take a load off and wait on your appointment.We also have a full wig room where you can come and look at the new wigs available for the week and also try them on. We also provide layaway for those who don’t have the money right away you can put down a deposit and you have 30 days to pay off your wig. The thing that makes my shop so unique is the design of it all when you come in it’s not just a hair salon but a full experience that you can endeavor before getting glammed up for the week.

Any advice for managing a team?

When managing a team you have to be stern I’m not saying that you guys can’t have a good time while working but everyone needs to have the business mind set that you are working with. When customers come in they are greeted by me or any of my staff with the best customer service. You want to make sure you have people that will run your shop with the best intent so when you are gone there are no worries. The reason I say best intent is because no one is going to run your business like you will and there is no down play on that it’s just the reality of owning your own brand. The more people that come in and wittiness the great experience they have word will get around and next thing you know your business will be exuding.

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

While I was in hair school I use to have clients come to my home and also sold hair extensions to clients. I did this for for 3 years because my credit was bad and no one would approve me for any type of loan. By the end of those 3 years I had saved up $100,000 and in the summer of 2019 I opened up Ocahes House of Wigs.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @ocahes_house_of_wigs
• Facebook: Ochae Louis
• Youtube: TheCarterFamilyX5