We were lucky to catch up with Taylor Patrick recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Taylor thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?
I dropped out of college during covid-19 so around fall semester of 2020. I needed something else to do fast as i wasnt going to school, i always had an interest in hair wigs specifically. I started to do my own hair ans would always get compliments such as “I love your hair! Who did it?” Or “I love your hair do you have any business cards?” And such, it wasnt until my boyfriend at the time thought it would be a good idea to start taking it seriously. I wasnt really interested in the idea being i just felt discouraged that it wouldnt look good or be good enough for them to want to come back, and It wasnt it lol. I struggled really bad until my boyfriend surprised me with a Hair class to Take, he was the first person to ever invest something in me other than my parents so I decided to just go for it. After the class i felt alot more confident, and I started “SlayyedbyTayy.”. It was very hard my first few months of doing hair, i had no clients so i began to again to get discouraged, I cried alot and eventually got to the realization i had to get up and put my ass to work lol, there was no time to cry. I got up and Made and designed my own business cards, and physically walked around surrounding college campuses, beauty supply stores, krogers, corner stores and all to promote myself. My very close friend Laquesha we call her Qua who seen me in my worse during this time became my muse. She let my practice and practice until i begin to bring clients in myself by marketing and promoting my business through instagram tools and canva. I eventually found a shop that was willing to take me in as an employee to start doing hair out of. I learned so many things starting a Business, Targeting an audience, keeping up with today’s hair trends, learning to be professional and Learning more about profiting and putting in.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Ive always had passion for hair since i was young, in like 4th grade during school pictures i messed my hair up so bad that til this day its in the yearbook and i occasionally think about how embarrassing that picture truly is that it scarred me for life lol. I just hope im never famous! They find everything on the internet. So growing up going to hair salon was everything for me. I got into doing wigs because it was a Way to protect my real hair whole being able to be creative and switch up my hair and style as much as I wanted, so I provide Wig installs, Quickweaves, and coloring services. What makes me stand out from others would be my prices, hospitality, and my particular way of doing baby hair. Often my older clients usually need the most guidance as they didnt grow up in the era of Wigs today, so I usually have to find a Quality wig and find a wig that pertains to what they want, hair length, color, Wigs cap size, the texture and so on. I want my future clients and those that don’t know me that my brand was truly built off hardwork, love, dedication and the investment that changed my life forever! i love the feeling of helping someone feel beautiful and confident! Im most proud of the fact that i am able to provide knowledge to others interested in wig installs. I Now offer 1 on 1 classes where people can get a more in depth and hands on experience learning how to properly install lace, along with products, and a list of vendors. I love what i do. Please if you want to start a business or a side hustle dont get discouraged if you see other people who did it before you or if they have more followers than you! Its not a race theres always something different that you can do that’ll make you stand out from everyone else.
How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?
Social media, and email links. I have it set up to where my booking site and this email engine i use can send out mass emails regarding promos, and Updates. Most of my clients who’ve been rocking with me for years use word of mouth and my business cards to bring me new clients are the ones ill travel through mountains for. They regularly receive discounts, sometimes gifts wether its there birthday or holiday or even just because sometimes, because without my loyal clients i have no clue where id be.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
During covid-19 i worked at amazon and if you know you know amazon is NOT it at all. After i took my first hair class I immediately knew this was what i wanted to do, so i made a goal of saving up 4k before i decided i wanted to quit , but again boo it was amazon so i saved up about 2k before i decided i did not want to work there any longer. With that 2k i brought everything i would need to be able to provide my services, so all the hot tools such as, hot combs, flat irons, curling irons, curling wands etc. I also used that money to make business cards, Flyers, and marketing through instagram. Mostly every penny i make i put it back into my business wether its buying new products, promotions or adding items to my salon room for comfort.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://slayyedbyytayy.as.me/
- Instagram: @_Slayyedbytayy
Image Credits
@_Slayyedbytayy on Instagram Taylor Patrick (Hairstylist.)