We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Yiyyleeia Ford. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Yiyyleeia below.
Alright, Yiyyleeia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. One deeply underappreciated facet of entrepreneurship is the kind of crazy stuff we have to deal with as business owners. Sometimes it’s crazy positive sometimes it’s crazy negative, but crazy experiences unite entrepreneurs regardless of industry. Can you share a crazy story with our readers?
The craziest thing that has happened to me since owning my hair business was me going back to school for my license only for the law to change in my home state and this license was no longer needed! I originally started cosmetology school in 2012 at the age of 15 through a program in my high school named VoTech. In the state of Pennsylvania we are required to have 1,250 hours. When I finished high school in 2015 I had close to 1,000 hours. As a young 17 year old high school graduate the main thing on my mind at the time was having fun & exploring what life had to offer. Fast forward to 2021 I started to get back into my passion of hair and wanted to sell glueless wigs along with other hair extensions products but life happened with me getting pregnant just 7 months after starting my business. I, once again, put my hair dreams on the back burner. As the end of 2023 approached my passion for hair came burning a whole in my brain and heart as it had done in the past but this time I had to get serious and lock in. I am a mother now. Every move has to make sense. I became my own walking billboard for my glueless wigs. Getting compliments everytime I walked outside! People stopping me asking if I install wigs as well so then a lightbulb went off in my head… I decided it was time to finish what I had started 10+ years ago. Little did I know my original cosmetology hours had expired after 5 years if I didn’t put them in escrow. I didn’t even know that was an option at the time. I was so close to being a licensed cosmetologist just for all of my hours and hard work to go to waste. I was so upset but eventually I accepted I would have to start my hair journey over (school wise). I started to do my research and found out I would not have to complete the whole cosmetology program over since I was not interested in offering natural hair coloring or haircuts. I learned of a limited license called the natural hair braiders license which would allow me to do everything pertaining to hair except coloring and cutting which was totally fine with me. In January 2024 I enrolled in/started a 10 week program to obtain my license. I then successfully completed the program in March 2024 with perfect attendance. I was ecstatic that things were going exactly how I planned them to go. In May of 2024 I officially became a licensed natural hairstylist in the state of Pennsylvania and I finally felt like all of my hard work paid off. It was too good to be true… As of July 2024 a bill was passed that eliminated the need for natural hairstylists/hair braiders. I felt so defeated! All of my hard work was for what? My hard earned money spent on a program was for what? I now felt unseen as my license holds no merit. It means nothing. I was confused, hurt, upset. Where does this new law now leave me in my hair journey? Was it a sign to go harder or that hair wasn’t for me anymore? I decided it was best to take my hair skills online by providing glueless wigs solely online with the option of in person installs. Occasionally I do still have moments of frustration about feeling like I wasted my time and money but this journey is MINE. Everything happens for a reason and this situation is one that I may never know the reasoning too. Life is a marathon not a race. I’m just getting started.
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.
My name is Sunny and I am the owner of Wig Wonderland. I have been interested in hair for as long as I can remember. I learned how braid at the age of 9 and practiced on every head I could get my hands on! Family members would pay be $10-$20 to braid their hair and I loved it. Doing hair has always been fun to me. Once I went to cosmetology school at 15 it opened Pandora’s box. A world I never existed was shown to me and I was eager to learn and expand my knowledge beyond the basics. I now offer glueless wigs, hair extensions, and in person service appointments keeping quality customer in mind throughout the whole process. Glueless wigs are the focal point of my business. I want my customers to experience quality that does not cost their time or hair. I am very big on convenience and that is exactly what my glueless wigs provide. I also wanted to have a product that could be used no matter where you are in the DIY hair journey. Rather you’re a beginner or seasoned hair girl, a glueless wig is bound to benefit you. I think what sets me apart from others is my customer service. Today we see so many companies with good products but horrible customer service. While your products matter the backend of the business does too and that is making sure your customer is satisfied from beginning to end. I am most proud of not giving up roadblock after roadblock. The main thing I would like people to know is that I truly love what I do. Love and hard work is put into every single small detail at Wig Wonderland. You will never be disappointed shopping with me or sitting in my chair as a client. I want you to feel like your best self.
How did you build your audience on social media?
I built my audience by showing my face. I know it may sound cliché but just being you does go a long way. My most viral video is of me sharing the many trails and errors that’s happened along mg journey. I am of course showing myself in the video but I am just walking in the background. People could relate. It let them know I am human and just because I am a business owner doesn’t mean that my life is perfect or all figured out. The best advice I can give on building social media presence is to show up. Put yourself out there, let people know that you exist and what you have to offer, show people who you are (your face). Lastly, be authentic. Be 100% YOU
We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.
I personally use a vendor to manufacture my glueless wigs and I customize upon arrival. I think working smarter and not harder is key to a successful business. As much as we want to, as a business owner you cannot do everything yourself. I went through multiple vendors and dollars trying to find the right one. I ultimately was able to purchase the perfect vendor. The woman who ended up being my mentor years down the line is who I purchased my now vendor from so life ended up coming full circle being able to get in the room with her. Some lessons I learned about having someone else manufacture your products is don’t be afraid to ask questions, don’t be afraid to ask for freebies, and don’t be afraid to ask for tips. Manufacturers work will 1,000’s of businesses worldwide and they may be able to give you insight that other wouldn’t. They normally know the latest hair trends and what’s the best seller at the time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.WIGWONDERLD.com
- Instagram: @Wigwonderland_
- Facebook: Wig Wonderland
- Other: TikTok – @Wigwonderland__
