Today we’d like to introduce you to Katrina Simms.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Having three daughters, ages 24, 22 and 17 buying tons of hair over the years gave me the insight on good quality hair. If it wasn’t for my parents, I wouldn’t know what I would have done. My company name came from my fiancé Jamal Scott and myself. We spent months coming up with a name that would describe the women behind the company. I started selling hair and lashes out of the trunk of my car. Then moved to an online store.
We are currently in the process of looking for a small lease space. The hair quality I provide is great 10A hair. I made my prices a little lower than average because I feel some Hair is too overpriced. I always keep in mind what if they have multiple daughters and need to buy great quality hair for all of them. More than likely they wouldn’t buy any because it would be too expensive. It’s not fair to anyone to not be able to buy things there daughter want and have the experience of others because of being too costly.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has definitely not been a smooth road at all. If anyone tells you starting and running a business is a cakewalk. They are not being truthful. I started with no sales for weeks. Then one here and there. Then weeks nothing again. Then a sale or two the next month. I started my business in September 2019. And it has been truly hard. Plenty of restless nights, stress, blood, sweat and tears. Looking at other’s success, knowing I would be there one day. Daily constant praying. You have to pray through the process before and after. Having to raise three daughters as a single parent is hard. Some days I felt like giving up but then I look at them and say, giving up is not an option. I struggled in ways you wouldn’t believe. Then, I met my fiancé in 2016 and he has been a big supporter, along with my daughters, parents and family.
Please tell us about Shades of Melanin Hair.
I’m the owner of Shades of Melanin Hair. My daughters Sasha Pouncy, Alicia Thomas and Dawona Thomas are the Ambassadors. The knowledge and insights of my hair business is beyond. My daughters are the insights of knowing great quality hair. From the weft, thickness of the hair, texture, to knowing how to dye the knots on a closure to making custom wigs. I’m known for having great quality hair at a reasonable cost. Some ppl feel because my hair is cheaper that something was wrong with it. Until they try it and fall in love. I’m proud of the way my daughters look at me as there mother leading by example of starting a business and showing them how the business runs so they can take over one day. Once I’m more established, we plan on making custom wigs for cancer patients free of charge. There are other future accomplishments for coming.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start over, I wouldn’t have done anything differently. I’m a strong believer in everything falls according to God’s plan.
Contact Info:
- Website: shadesofmelaninhair.com
- Email: shadesofmelaninhair@gmail.com
- Instagram: shadesofmelaninhair
- Facebook: shadesofmelaninhair
Image Credit:
Photography: Jaylon Bradley
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