We were lucky to catch up with Skye Marshall recently and have shared our conversation below.

Skye, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

If I were to go back in time I would have definitely started braiding earlier. My mom taught me how to braid around 2012 when I left college and moved back home. I was working at AMC movie theatre and did not have a career in mind. Back then it was just for fun, like a hobby. I started doing my friends and family and realized I enjoyed it. While still working my regular jobs I was braiding on the side for extra money. I was even working 2 jobs and braiding to pay bills. Once my clientele started building up and I started touching real money I started to think back like I should have learned this before college or in high school. I feel I would have been way more accomplished than I am. I probably would have had my own salon suites and products in stores. Everything happens for a reason though, I couldn’t sit and think on what could have been because I’m still young and I’m still accomplishing my goals.

Skye, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Skye Marshall, I’m 31 years old and I’m from Miami Fl. I am a braider with my own edge control & bonnets. While still working a full time job I started braiding part time in 2012. I was known for gripping short hair so one of my clients gave me the name Snatched & that’s how I came up with Snatched By Skye as my brand. In 2019 I made a huge risk. I ended a relationship, quit my job and moved to San Antonio where I became a full time braider. My clientele grew fast once I moved being that there weren’t many decent braiders here. During this change I had my mother and father give me wisdom on this industry (both were hairstylist when I was younger). During the pandemic I started mapping out ways to build some products. The process was long, I had to reach out to various vendors, try out different products and decide which ones best fit my brand and clients. In 2022 on my bday I launched my own edge control and bonnets. Business is good, I sold out on my bonnets maybe within the first 2 months. I’m hoping to sale my own durags in 2023 and own a shop by 2024. I constantly look up ways to increase my skills and business and that’s what I love most about myself. I’m very open minded, I work hard, I love being critiqued, I enjoy learning new things and broadening my horizons. To this day I still think back on where I was and where I am. I am proud of myself for getting this far, I still have a ways to go but I’m happy with what I’ve done so far.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

2 words, Social Media. Social Media is the biggest way to increase clientele. Before I moved to San Antonio I had to let the folk know I was coming so I went online made myself some flyers and started posting. I went to instagram searched up popular hashtags in San Antonio and started sending flyers to everyone. I also offered a discount just to reel them in. I went to lash tech pages, nail techs, barbers etc. I went through their likes and started inboxing everyone that I thought might be interested. I also went to Tinder lol and started promoting on there. They eventually blocked me though lol , it went well in the beginning though. I posted on Facebook, Twitter etc every day non stop. I was booked up before I even moved. You have to stay consistent with content regardless of how many likes or shares your getting, people are still watching. Don’t stop keep promoting yourself.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

I have a loyalty program. After booking 3 or more times with me I add you to my loyalty program which consist of certain perks. I email these clients the calendar before anyone else, discount codes etc. I constantly offer discounts just to keep them coming back. My booking site also keeps a contact list of anyone who has ever booked with me. I also keep an open mind to the trends. Usually I stick to what I know but I’ve started to try new things that I wouldn’t normally try. Asking for models to try these styles for a discounted price keeps new and old clients interested. They look forward to see if I could achieve the new style and once they see I can it brings in new clientele.

Contact Info:

• Website: Linktr.ee/snatchedbyskye
• Instagram: _hairbyskyee
• Facebook: Skye Marshall