Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharita Smith.
Sharita, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I go by Lethal Smith and I am the owner of Lethal Units, which is a hair company in which I specialize in custom made wigs or as I like to call them “Lethal Units” I am now in my second year of business and will be expanding sooner than later (shh, its a secret!). I launched Lethal Units in January of 2018. I’ve been making my own wigs since I was 15 years old. I BEGGED my mom to let me where weave and she finally let me start wearing “sew ins” when I became a sophomore in high school so I was pretty excited. I even got a job when I was 15 and used my whole check to buy “bundles” (life was great lol )I had several different hairstylists and no shade but I never felt like they had my hair’s best interest at heart. They all made me so pretty but none of them seemed to go the extra mile to care for my hair while installing this protective style because WEAVES ARE A PROTECTIVE STYLE MEANT TO PROTECT YOUR NATURAL HAIR.
Stylist were asking me to come to hair appointments with my hair washed, blowdried, etc my scalp wasn’t being oiled my hair wasn’t being moisturized and sew ins were just way too much tension on my naturally fine hair. My hair began to become brittle and dry and damaged! So I said, “forget it, I’m gonna start doing my own hair!” I started off making “u-part wigs” which are basically “quick sew ins the hair is sewn on a cap and cut into a “U” at the top of the head to allow for leave out, this is then sew at the top and around the perimeter of the head. This decreased tension and allowed for quick removal and installation so I could care for my natural hair. By time I was 17 I was wearing full wigs that were down to my butt! (I thought I was grown lol) I really got into wigs once I started college because I was able to save money and look good at the same time. Fast forward to me moving to Atlanta, GA in July of 2017. I moved away to find myself, I moved to Georgia where I had no family, and little to no friends, it was either sink or swim!
Around this time, I was toying with the idea of starting a business but I was SO SCARED! I was afraid to fail! (that was the Capricorn in me) Girls were stopping me in the streets asking about my hair! Anytime I went to the mall, grocery store, work, school, mailbox everywhere! They wanted to know was this my hair, where I got my hair from, who did It and how they could get one on their head! Lol, I had girls direct messaging me on Instagram begging me to do their hair and I am NOT a hairstylist. After being hearing repeatedly “You need to sell those!” I decided to start my business! I had being trying different hair vendors since college (which was extremely stressful and expensive) so I already had multiple hair vendors so I went for it! I started promoting myself and I became a walking billboard! I made sure anywhere I went my hair was LAID, honey and I passed out my business cards like there was no tomorrow! I went from making wigs four wigs per month in a corner of my room (which ended up taking over my whole apartment) to having 5-6 wigs a week and I now have I an entire wig room for all my units and units in the making (thank god). I’m working to keep outgrowing everything soon I’ll need a warehouse, an assistant and employees, a whole team! Because I am so invested in the idea of using protective styles such as wigs to maintain healthy natural hair I just launched my YouTube channel “Lethal Smith” where I will be sharing all of my hair care and Lethal Units secrets!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I would say this has easily been the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life! The hardest part for me is not knowing, I don’t have any business owners in my family, I don’t have any examples to go to for business advice. I had to teach myself everything and I’m still learning! I’ve surrounded myself with current business owners and I take notes from them! Another hard part for me is reinvesting. When you’re trying to grow your small business you never really see your profit because your profit goes right back into your business! It’s hard! I remember crying myself to sleep some nights because I wasn’t sure how I would pay my bills because I would put most of my money into my company! I believed in myself which is another struggle, it took me a while to believe in myself and my business and once I started believing in myself and my brand that when others started believing in it!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Lethal Units – what should we know?
I go by Lethal Smith and I am the owner of Lethal Units, which is a hair company in which I specialize in custom made wigs or as I like to call them “Lethal Units” Lethal Units have a personalized fit, a customized hairline to mimic your natural hairline and a transparent lace to ensure a perfect blend with all skin-tones. I am definitely known for my frontal units and my custom hairline (I sell 90% frontal units). I work hard to make sure my units look like SCALP. There’s a million hair companies and wig makers out there what sets me apart from the rest is my personalized approach. My goal isn’t to sell someone a bunch of wigs, my goals is to sell my clients a bunch of the right wigs!
Before I just take their money and run off lol I assess what you want to get from your Lethal Unit. Do you want a wig that you can take off at night or one that can stay on for 1-2 weeks? Do you want more flexibility in styling and a little more maintenance or less maintenance with a little less styling versatility? Also, lifestyle, do you work out often? Are you a new mommy? Do you want eye-catching hair because you work in a club or you’re an artist? Or do you want more conservative units because you’re in Med School or nursing school? People are picky about their hair and I want to allow for my clients to be as specific as possible. I work with my clients as much as I can throughout the wig-making process keeping them updated and allowing for any alterations/ changes before shipping. I am a perfectionist and I want my clients to feel like their unit is absolutely perfect. My goals is for my clients to purchase their perfect unit and learn how to slay their own hair so they can, in turn, save money and time while also protecting and caring for their natural hair!
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My boyfriend deserves endless credit been the driving force behind me, helping me to realize my potential, forcing me outside of my comfort zone, pushing me to hustle and providing me with financial support. My sister has provided me with emotional support; she always has my back no matter what decision I make and always reminds me that what I get out of life is what I put in it. And lastly, my mom has provided mental support, she’s always optimistic and reminds me of the law of attraction, keeping me positive and focused. A good support system is very important. I wouldn’t be able to do it without these people. Being an entrepreneur is very trying mentally, emotionally, physically and financially so having people to help keep your eyes on the prize is essential.
Pricing:
- Lethal Units range from 300-600 dollars, color processing is an added $50
- I run different specials every month, Discounted units, free shipping, free color process etc.
- March and April special : ALL UNITS ranging from 12-14 inches are $300 dollars
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lethalunits.com
- Email: lethalunits@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lethalunits/ https://www.instagram.com/lethalsmith/
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJVXCJPXA8lfvKKCZmkt0wg
Image Credit:
Photoshoots: Jase Lenard @jay.lenard, hair pics: Sharita Smith @lethalsmith @lethalunits
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
