Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Dioguardi.
Stephanie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I moved to Houston from New Orleans in 2011 as a junior in High school. After graduating in 2012, I attended the University of Houston-Downtown to complete my Bachelor’s in Business Administration. Shortly after my sophomore year, things took a major turn for my family & I. I had to drop out of school to help my family. There was a point where we didn’t have a place to live or any money coming in. I would have to say that is what woke up the entrepreneurial spirit in me. I had to come up with an effective plan on how to get us out of this situation and also figure out how to never be in this place again. I always had an interest in becoming a tax preparer so I stepped out on faith and was able to get a loan from a friend and I became a franchise owner with Colbert Ball Tax Service. During my off-season I spent time researching the beauty industry and trying to create the perfect temporary hair color product, that would be 100% plant-based, easy to use, as well as vibrant. Within a few months of research and working with different factories Candy Hair Paint was born.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has not been a smooth road at all, with my tax office, my first year of business I was extremely unprepared, I had no knowledge of running a business so I just jumped into it and messed everything up. My first year I had about 150 clients and I only got paid for about 50 of them. I didn’t know how to work the software properly and I pretty much did everyone’s taxes for free from a simple mistake of pressing the wrong button. That was the hardest time for me because I didn’t figure this out until the end of the year so there was no way that I could fix this. I was completely devastated and was sure that I didn’t want to try it again for the next year but after praying about it and the support of my friends and family I realized that I had already made the worst mistakes that I could have possibly made. I knew that I didn’t make it this far just to stop everything and give up.
With the odds being completely against me, being a young woman (22) in business, without a college degree, coming from very limited means and being able to be a franchise owner of a well known/respected tax company, I knew that there was a reason and a lesson in my many mistakes and that the next year I could correct them all and have a successful year. The next year was much better; I was more confident, had double the clients and I had way more skills on running a business so things went a lot smoother. I am beyond grateful that I did not give up because if I did I would have never started Candy Hair Paint.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Candy Hair Paint/Colbert Ball Tax Service story. Tell us more about the business.
Candy Hair Paint is a line of temporary hair wax colors made of 100% Natural ingredients. All of our colors show vibrantly on dark or light hair without the hassle of any damage to the natural hair. It is very easy to apply, you just take a hand full of wax, rub your hands together and then rub the product through your hair. To remove, just wash your hair using your normal routine and the color will wash completely out. This is a fun way to safely explore different hair colors without the commitment.
I am most proud of the fact that I’ve built both of my companies from the ground up and being able to watch them grow daily. It makes me feel like all of the mistakes, trials and tribulations were worth it and more than anything, they made my companies become stronger and better than ever.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I honestly don’t believe luck has played any role in my life or business. I feel as though my success thus far has come from my hard work, dedication, and faith. Even in the most unfortunate situations that I’ve encountered, one may call it “bad luck”, but I always see the bigger picture in things going wrong, there’s always a lesson to be learned and whatever it may be is going to make a better woman/businesswoman.
Contact Info:
- Website: WWW.CANDYHAIRPAINT.COM
- Phone: 2818534396
- Email: info@candyhairpaint.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/Candyhairpaint
- Other: Instagram.com/stephanienicole__
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