Healthy Hair Specialist - Xenuvi
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal care products but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Marilyn Smith, owner of Xenuvi, located in Cincinnati, OH, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Hair loss and thinning have grown significantly over the years. Consumers face heat damage, hair dehydration, breakage, and more. We’ve all had instances when we’ve felt awkward or overwhelmed with embarrassment while feeling insecure about our looks. Xenuvi is a hair salon and has brought to market a professional-grade product line formulated to heal strands from the inside out, making healthy hair a reachable goal. I pride myself on offering services and products to get customers one step closer to a more confident self.
Tell us about yourself
I am Marilyn Smith, Owner of Xenuvi and healthy hair care specialist. I have been doing hair professionally for over ten years. Spending years in the beauty industry, I saw in my clients the more their hair improved, the more their self-esteem improved right along with it. That’s when I decided to create my own hair product line. My mission is to give all women the courage to overcome these barriers and emerge stronger while becoming more beautiful in the process.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
What I consider my biggest accomplishments are the times when I’m able to really make a difference in how my clients see themselves when they look in the mirror. I service women who have alopecia and have serviced women who have cancer. While I’m not able to cure their hair loss condition, I am able to either slow down their hair loss or style their hair in a way that takes the fear out of wearing their real hair in public. Every time I see a client be overjoyed about the results of a healthy head of hair because of the services performed and products sold by Xenuvi, I see that as a huge accomplishment.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Having a service-based business where I build relationships with each and every client becomes overwhelming at times. As a stylist, I’m often the listening ear. I hear about a lot of personal struggles from different people, from divorce battles to career losses, even conversations about a loss of a loved one and dealing with depression. This would have to be the hardest thing for me as a business owner. I can’t help but take all the emotions that come with these conversations home and pray for their recovery.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Customer service is everything. You don’t have to be a master of your craft, but you do have to leave a great lasting impression on your consumers and create value to be successful. Be organized because the more efficient you are and the easier you’re able to run your business, the faster you can scale that business to new levels. Lastly, build valuable connections. Business growth is in who you know.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
If you are like me, trying to balance your personal life and your business life, and you feel like you are all over the place… don’t give up… keep pushing. It will be hard but stay focused!
In the words of Holyfield
“It’s like this—if you focus on the blows you are receiving, the only place you’ll end up is on your back. I never put much attention on the damage I was getting. I only focused on the damage I was inflicting.”
When asked, “Are you saying you never felt the punches?” “Sure, I felt them,” Holyfield said. “But I never lost my focus on the job at hand. That was to hit my opponent back… but even harder.”
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://xenuvi.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xenuvi/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xenuvi/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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