Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in beauty and cosmetics but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ja'Lisa Calaway, Founder of Ja'Lisa's Gorgeous Extensions, located in Minneapolis, MN, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Ja'Lisa's Gorgeous Extensions is a luxury hair extension & lash extensions business. We specialize in virgin and raw hair extensions and well as custom wigs. We are in store 3802 Grand Ave S Minneapolis and online.
My target audience would be the everyday working woman that loves to be beautiful on a budget. We have various options to meet everyone's price range. Within the last year, we signed a contract with Sezzle offering shop now pay later options.
Tell us about yourself
I became a business owner in 2016, my senior year of college, to help cover the expenses of my last semester because my scholarship had run out. Truly I never thought that my business would take off the way it did; it was just a side hustle on top of working at a better women's shelter. Once I posted on social media that I had hair extensions for sale, I figured a few of them would sell, but I didn't think that I would get a waitlist on the same day. I am truly blessed to have a business that was successful from the first day because I've heard many stories from other business owners that are taking them years to even begin to see revenue. I chose to open my store in May 2017, which is my graduation month, instead of taking a 9-to-5 job because I truly enjoyed what I did. I was able to have one on one conversations with women and get to know them a little bit better, all while making them feel beautiful with a new hairstyle.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Being that I graduated with a social work degree in no background and business and have used trial and air for the last six years, my business is extremely successful. I'm very proud of our social media presence as far as photo shoots, Live Photos (not stock photos you can find on google), and models that represent what a real woman looks like. It's very important to me that my customers feel like they can relate to the women in the photos, so I often like to use photos of women that live here in Minneapolis because that could maybe be a family member or friend who makes the products and a lot more relatable and customers often want to shop then. Even though the pandemic made us close our physical location, I was able to put more time into teaching myself the techniques that are going to making a proper lace unit and revamping our website, making it more user-friendly, and also revamping the salon area building private rooms for more safety and quiet setting for our clients.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Within the last year or two, I've been able to sit down and think about who my target audience is; in previous years; I didn't care who shopped with me; I just wanted everyone to have my hair in their hand, which was great in the beginning because it was perfect word of mouth every woman of every price range could afford my hair, but I've realized that now I would like to offer a more luxury service, so that's why we sell virgin and raw hair which currently I am charging the same price for but if I'm being true to myself there really needs to be a two-level price range. The hardest/scariest thing is charging your worth. Especially with the way income is set up, people are so in survival mode, and buying hair is a luxury and often the last thing on someone's to-do list.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
I own three businesses, one being a business coach - helping new and existing businesses start and/or revamp. I always tell my students there are a million bread companies in the store, and people are always going to choose their favorite. Don't give up because you see other people doing the same idea. You have to figure out who your target audience is and how you are going to cater to them.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.jalisasgorgeousextensions.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jalisasgorgeousextensions/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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