We were lucky to catch up with Valerie Richardson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Valerie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.
I was working as an emergency dispatcher when I got the idea to start my own business. I sat halfway through my shift thinking about all the training, certificates, and skills I had and somehow, I was not satisfied. Becoming an entrepreneur have always been a goal of mine. Growing up, I watched my Grandparents, and Father successfully own and operate M. Rich Heating and Cooling HVAC Company, a family business that has been serving the Metro Detroit area for over 30 years! While the idea was heavy on my mind, I walked off my shift after creating the name, logo, and business page for this idea I just came up with. First, I had to think about what I like to do and what I wanted to sell, then I thought about how I would fund this idea. Well, I am social, and I love luxury accessories and with that I created “Fauxhead Accessories” luxury headwear for women that sells faux fur headbands, designer and bedazzled headbands, and designer satin bonnets. Once I created my business, I start attending many pop-up events where I was able to interact with the customer face to face and sell my products. That led to the funding of more inventory and allowing me to host my own pop- up events. This allowed to network and meet some pretty interesting people, from there I curated and organized 2 sold-out comedy shows, started “SIPTALKCHILL” podcast (subscribe to the YOUTUBE CHANNEL) and became the host of “StreetLord Radio” that will be launching soon. Taking a risk is also having faith in the highest and believing the vision you have can and will come to past.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I can honestly say I got into the retail and media industries by simply starting off small and researching the first steps to starting a business. I had to register my business, obtain an EIN, and Dunns number in order to be taken seriously, then you want to setup a business account. Do not rush, take your time and get around people who know about the business you are trying to get in. Business relationships are everything, you want to be teachable as well as approachable. Following those basic steps is what brought me in rooms a degree, or certificate never did with valuable people. What I’m most proud of and what I want my supporters to know about me is that I didn’t share my ideas with nobody but God, I got quiet and every day or every week I had to accomplish something whether it was build a website, a social media page, participate in a pop- up event anything to keep my business and my network growing. People will remember you, continue to add skills and value to yourself. When you arrive at an event arrive on time, if you are travling with equipment make sure you have all your chargers and pieces, the last thing you want to do is FUMBLE!!! I want people to know I did not do anything they cannot do; I grew up on the Westside of Detroit, I attended DPD schools, and I maintain a good positive attitude until it was my turn to shine bright!
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
My entire life is from my journey that illustrates resilience. I was the type of child that did not take “NO” for an answer and I learned that from my 4th grade teacher at Gardner Elementary Mrs. Bonomo. Outside of her class she had a sign outside the door that read ” your attitude determines your altitude” and I used that saying to get through many difficult challenges. From trying out for the baskeball team, cheerleading, and track in my adolescence years and always practicing until I felt I was halfway decent for tryouts because I wanted to appear as a “natural” in everything all was true except the basketball team I sucked at it, however I stayed with the team the entire season. Moral of the story: Always put your best foot forward even if you’re not familiar with the situation, maintaining a positive attitude will determine how far you will go. Always push yourself harder even in difficult situations.
How did you build your audience on social media?
As a small business, I wanted my business to stand out on social media. I start researching and discovered that posting content particularly funny or relatable content will get you a high engagement on your page. I started asking my followers if they share/ repost/ or follow my page they will receive discounts, I do flash sales, and I also demonstrate different ways to wear my product. As far as media, I would take a clip from my interview of an interesting point of view or topic and add a trending song to the clip and post it 48 hours prior to the interview to get my viewers excited to watch my content!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Fauxhead Accessories
- Facebook: Let’z Network
- Linkedin: linktr.ee/valrich
- Youtube: SIPTALKCHILL