We recently connected with Tatiyanna Edwards and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Tatiyanna thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Parents can play a significant role in affecting how our lives and careers turn out – and so we think it’s important to look back and have conversations about what our parents did that affected us positive (or negatively) so that we can learn from the billions of experiences in each generation. What’s something you feel your parents did right that impacted you positively.
What did my parents do right? Hmm..where do I really start? I’ve learned so much from my parents! They both have definitely taught me the same thing but differently if that makes sense. The most important that really has impacted my career is patience, integrity, being compassionate, and most importantly having Faith! All of those contribute to being a great entrepreneur. Believe it or not all four things ties into one. Both of my parents are so compassionate and supportive with whatever I choose to do! I will say the patience was taught more by my Dad though. No matter what he always instilled in me to take my time to fully process any situation before reacting. My mom definitely instilled my relationship and belief in God. Taught me how to listen to him and follow. Even when I think he’s not listening he is and when things don’t happen when I ask for doesn’t mean its not meant for me, just not the time for it. That alone from both my parents is what keeps me going & striving for my business to keep being successful.
Tatiyanna, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Tatiyanna. I am a 23 year old entrepreneur. When I was 18 sitting in my college dorm crying over eating noodles again for the third night I decided to start my own hair company! When I first started I didn’t have a exact business plan but I had a plan! In 2018 I started City Girl Hair Collection. At that time there was a popular rap girl group titled “The City Girls”. I figured the name would draw people my age in to purchase which it did.I found a vendor over seas to purchase my products. After noticing how successful my business was growing I decided to rebrand. This time around I was going for a luxury style. I came up with the name “The Vault” because I decided I wanter to sell more than just hair! My products consist of bundle hair, wigs, tape in’s, bonnets & more! I am also a lash tech! Became a lash tech March 2020 to make my own lash strips to sale with The Vault because I didn’t like the vendors strip. I wanted more of a natural lash look and closer to lash extensions!
Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?
Again, I started my business my freshman year in college. No credit which means no credit cards. Didn’t reach out to my parents because I felt they were doing enough so I funded everything myself! At the time I was working at Victoria Secret making I believe $12/hr. You’re probably wondering how because as I am typing this I’m wondering the same thing! I purchased something with each check! Hair, bundle bags, bundle wraps, and even paying for photo shoots in full! Honestly as a young girl trying to stand out and be different from other companies for whatever reason I never set a financial plan. It was easier to purchase the necessities because I wasn’t responsible for any bills. Advice for upcoming entrepreneurs definitely make your entire business plan with financial apart of it!
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Building on social media can definitely be tricky! It seems easy but definitely takes a-lot of work. I am a team of one so I do EVERYTHING on my own! The main thing you need to do is build your target audience. Figure out which audience you want to attract most and make post catering to them. When it comes to graphics select a primary color and like one or two secondary colors. With my rebranding I went with luxury so my primary color is black with silver and white being secondary. You must watch your insights to see what’s the best time to post each day, what post gained the most attraction to your page, and to track your audience. Staying consistent with marketing and posting can definitely be the hardest. Try to post on your actual feed three times a day and on your story twice a day. Instagram now has it to where you can schedule a post! 10/10 I love it!!! Can schedule post for any day and time in advance. I have a business account for each social media, it can be hard but hard work pays off. Lastly Google!!! Nobody considers google as a business tool but trust me it is! To save money create your own graphics with Canva. Canva is my best friend, every graphic I own was made with that app. Easy to look up inspiration for graphic but be sure to put your own twist on it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thevaultcollc.com www.winxedbytati.as.me
- Instagram: Hair: @thevaultcollc Lashes:@winxedbytati
- Facebook: Hair: The Vault Collection Lashes:WinxedbyTati
- Linkedin: Tatiyanna Edwards
Image Credits
Q11photography