Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracey Spruill.
Tracey, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My passion for hair began when I was a little girl. I still remember the times my twin sister and I would spend almost all day in the beauty shop on days we had hair appointments. We sat for what felt like hours in the salon chair to get our hair pressed. Although I was never excited about getting my hair pressed, I was always interested in the skill it took to style and care for hair. As I got older, that budding interest grew into my passion. After studying Accounting and graduating with honors from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (AGGIE PRIDE), I fortified my passion for hair by obtaining my licensure in Cosmetology from the Aveda Institute – Chapel Hill. While there, I was fortunate enough to learn from a diverse group of talented instructors.
My journey through cosmetology has allowed me to receive advanced certification and training from respected celebrity hairstylists, gain specialized experience working with different textures of hair, increase my presence in high-end multicultural bridal hair, volunteer my services to cancer patients and domestic violence survivors, and continue expanding my knowledge of the hair industry through product development (check out my therapeutic dandruff shampoo and conditioner Aloe + Coal By T. Spruill®). I’ve also been blessed to have my work seen on major runway stages such as Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week – Swim, Baker Motor Company Charleston Fashion Week, New York Full Figured Fashion Week, and the New York Fashion Week. My work has also been seen in ESSENCE® Online, The Huffington Post, Ferreira Dance professional dancewear catalog and US News & World Report magazine.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There’s a quote I like that says, “For a journey without challenge, has no meaning; one without purpose, has no soul.” Sustaining two small businesses, especially during a pandemic, I would certainly say it’s been a soulful experience. During the dawn of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was just launching my very first product line after two years of research and development. The excitement to see my therapeutic dandruff shampoo and conditioner on the shelves of many salons quickly dimmed as the entire hair industry was shutting down forcing many salon and barber owners to go out of business. Additionally, as a licensed cosmetologist largely servicing multicultural bridal hair clientele, weddings were canceled due to COVID-19. In order to sustain, I had to look at my current offerings and pivot to 100% online; Aloe + Coal By T. Spruill® product sales, wig making, and wig repairs. During this unusual time, I also took it as an opportunity to strengthen my professional network and became a founding member of The National Society of Black Wedding and Event Professionals (@NSBWEP).
No, my journey in entrepreneurship has not been smooth without challenges or obstacles but honestly, I wouldn’t want it any other way. Through those challenges, which you oftentimes don’t see coming, I became sharper and more equipped to continue growing. Like the late great Notorious B.I.G. said, “Mo Money Mo Problems”. Seriously though, adversity is what gives you the seasoning that makes the journey so special!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am the Founder and Owner of two small businesses, mane.ediTS® (@mane_edits) and Aloe + Coal By T. Spruill® (@bytspruill). As a licensed cosmetologist and trusted advisor in hair care, I use my platforms to educate clients, customers, and supporters on the importance of proper hair care maintenance and the benefits of gentle and effective hair care products. I started my cosmetology journey with the primary goal in mind to uphold the integrity of the industry through my work and by informally educating others. Through my experience with mane.ediTS® styling hair for bridal, runway, editorial, hair extensions, etc., I have a front row seat with clients struggling to manage eczema, dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, scalp psoriasis and other common health issues that adversely affect the hair and scalp. Seeing the impact on people’s self-esteem coupled with my own personal struggles with eczema led me to research a better option; thus, birthing Aloe + Coal By T. Spruill® – my therapeutic apothecary hair care line.
Emerging as a black woman-owned business in Over-the-Counter (OTC) hair care has allowed me to strengthen my network, thus positioning me to better service my clientele across both businesses. Aloe + Coal By T. Spruill® shampoo and conditioner is dermatologist recommended and ideal for those experiencing dry scalp, itchy scalp, scalp inflammation, hair breakage, thinning hair, and other common scalp irritations typically caused by dandruff. Rooted in my experiences from behind the chair, the vision of By T. Spruill® is to offer Farm-to-Follicle® apothecary cosmetic and OTC scalp therapy hair care by merging proven medicine with tried and true holistic healing.
Pricing:
- Aloe + Coal By T. Spruill® Shampoo = $29.97
- Aloe + Coal By T. Spruill® Conditioner = $29.97
- Aloe + Coal By T. Spruill® Shampoo and Conditioner Set = $59.94
Contact Info:
- Email: INFO@maneedits.com
- Website: https://maneedits.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mane_edits/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maneedits/
- Other: https://tspruill.com/
Image Credits:
1) BIO Headshot – Ebony Stubbs (@raeimages)
2) Thien La (@thienlaphotography)
3) Hooman Vesic (@vesicphoto)
4) Ariel Perry (@arielperry)
5) Jamie Watts (@jamiewattsphotography)
6) Scott Clinton (@scottclintonphotography)
7) Getty Images (@gettyimages)
