We were lucky to catch up with Sonya Hernandez recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Sonya thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
My parents have instilled the desire in me to show concern and love for others. I remember as a young girl having different family members live with us. We were shown how to sacrifice our time and space. We were also taught never to view the suffering as a lost hope or cause but instead we were to show them dignity and support. During that time, my special needs brother needed a lot of support and ongoing care. I saw both of my parents selflessly pour into others when they themselves truly needed support. My father worked hard at the county correctional facility. My mother worked hard at home to inculcate life giving principles that I still live by. Today because of my parents, I look for the overlooked, the suffering and I look to be a support to those in need.
Sonya, 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?
I started my brand after seeing many suffer from hair loss due to medical treatment. Not only were people looking for nontoxic products to restore their hair, but they were also looking for practical support. I have developed my brand to meet both needs. Along with supplying nontoxic hair products that restore healthy hair, I also support my clients through a series of videos and zoom conference meetings to monitor their progress. This way, I can use my 23 years of experience as a cosmetologist to help my clients virtually with solutions and techniques. At the end of the day, I am most proud of my clients when they successfully restore their hair! Hearing the reports and seeing their faces beam with satisfaction makes my day.
How did you build your audience on social media?
Social media can be intimidating and taxing. I have patiently and strategically built my audience over several years. The best advice that was given to me was never copy what you see others doing. The way to never stand out is to be a copy of someone else. People are looking for that new twist or new vibe that doesn’t exist yet. While you are inspired by others don’t steal, instead let it motivate you to dig deep and create something that speaks to who you authentically are. Also take social media breaks and set timers. You can make waste a lot of time liking and posting instead of building your brands foundation. Ignore the numbers game because it does not mean success and it is not what validates your brand or business. You are! Make sure you show up and connect with your audience by going live and talking about why you do what you do. Collaborations are a wonderful way to reach other people that you may not have met before. Finally, be consistent, plan and schedule your posts ahead of time. Don’t just be a receiver but be sure to engage with comments and those who like your posts support your journey,
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I think that being a licensed cosmetologist and having a professional business background has earned trust in my market. I have studied 23 years in and out of the salon the chemistry of hair and product knowledge. I encourage you to show up in your market with a background or some form of specialized training in the field of your business. Take business courses with the local business administration in your area. Your state may offer free classes that are from trained experts to help in your area of expertise. This way you will be equipped with knowledge and confidence that will help you navigate your business as you earn the trust of others and build your reputation. People invest in your expertise and your trustworthiness. Put in the work to be an expert in your field and the rest will follow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.recoverrestoregro.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recover_restore_gro/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/recoverrestoregro/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/recoverrestoregro
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/user/Creekgirl29
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/stores/RecoverRestoreGro/page/40CD7CA0-D716-4C86-A412-7545285B286A?ref_=ast_bln
Image Credits
Alejandra Pereyra Photography