Today we’d like to introduce you to Davida Roach.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Davida. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
So, I recently moved to Atlanta to follow my dreams and make connections with the right people. I am originally from Charleston, SC and I graduated in May this year with my Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice. After I graduated, and applying for multiple jobs in my education field and getting rejected, I decided to spend more time on my brands.
My first brand is Hair Bakery Boutique, and I “bake” all my wigs with love. Growing up, I was not confident in my natural hair and I always wore weaves. I had to depend on them so that I could feel confident. After a while, my mom (a single mom) was like “ok, these sew-ins are adding up, you need to learn how to do your own hair” so I did! I ended up doing other people’s hair because of my gift, and I started to make money. After a while, I stopped doing hair until 2017 when I took a pay cut at my job so I could focus on school. This forced me to start doing hair again, instead of getting a part-time job because of the flexibility. When I started doing hair, I became passionate about it, I traveled to take classes, networked, stayed up late watching YouTube tutorials, and eventually turned it into a business with a business credit card, logo, LLC, EIN, etc.
My business specializes in wigs and I didn’t realize how important they are until my business started growing. They are convenient, quick, and empowering! You can go from a bad hair day to a great hair day by putting a wig on, based off what my clients tell me. So, that’s where I came up with the idea that my wigs are made with love to empower women! In May 2018, my business was growing while I was in school, and my job was a very toxic environment, and I decided to become a full-time entrepreneur.
My other business is called Dear Deanndra. I created this non-profit organization after my sister Deanndra Roach was murdered by her ex-boyfriend at the age of 18 in 2016. This event gave me my other purpose in life, to empower women who have been abused. On special occasions, I hire a glam team, and we go to domestic violence shelters and provide complimentary beauty services. Of course, I’m the one who does hair, and I even donate wigs from hair business to the women at the shelters. I also host Women Empowerment events and I am actually having one here in Atlanta, October 19th. It will be a Fundraiser Art Gala featuring various works of art, to show our audience that women are works of art. The purpose of the event will be to spread awareness on domestic violence and promote women empowerment and I am SUPER excited! I am a firm believer that the end to domestic violence is women empowerment.
My newest brand that I created (last month actually) is Davida’s Diary, and I created this brand based on my motto “secure yourself first, then secure the bag.” Davida’s Diary was built to educate and empower women on healthy dating, healthy lifestyle choices, and healthy businesses. Based off my journey of toxic relationships, low self-confidence, poor decision making, all along my journey of entrepreneurship, I built this brand to inspire and motivate women so that they do not make the same mistakes I did. With my brand, I publish blogs every Sunday and I have a YouTube channel where I drop random gems to inspire women.
Every day, I wake up thankful that I get to do what I love every day, and that’s empowering women. I am also looking forward to what Atlanta has to offer!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. I was in a few toxic relationships and I did not value myself. Because I did not value myself, I did not value my purpose in life. It was when I left my last relationship that I started to love myself and I discovered what my gifts were.
Furthermore, when I started my business, I lost some friends. Not everyone supported me (even to this day) and I realized that I could not let that stop me. I used to get upset when friends did not come through and support my business or undervalue my work, but then, I had to realize that there is nothing personal about being a business owner. You have to move on and support yourself sometimes. Others will notice, and eventually, support you, but you must stay consistent and true to your dreams. I learned that not everyone is meant to be a part of your assignment.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Hair Bakery Boutique – what should we know?
For Hair Bakery Boutique, I specialize in making custom wigs. I take my time with them and they are all made by hand. I have a sewing machine, but it is more meaningful when I make them by hand. Also, for every client, whenever they set up an appointment with me, they get a free cupcake! This makes the customer service experience sweeter! I am most proud of the fact that I get to build relationships with my clients, and have them leaving empowered. Some of my clients love my energy and just come to my salon to visit me, because of the good vibes I give. What sets me apart is the bakery concept, all of my wigs are named after my favorite desserts!
For Davida’s Diary, I specialize in educating and empowering women with the lessons that I had to learn on my own. I am known for inspiring women to secure themselves emotionally, physically, spiritually, and mentally before securing the bag, their dreams or whatever position they want in life. I am most proud of the messages I receive in my inbox from people telling me that I inspire them so much and that my advice empowered them to pull through their situations. What sets me apart, is my story.
With Dear Deanndra, I provide beauty services to women who have been victimized by domestic violence. I also make cute and fun treat bags for special holidays for the women and the kids at the shelters. What I am most proud of is my Women’s Empowerment Fashion Show, I had last year that left the crowd in a standing ovation for me. It confirmed that I was walking in my purpose that night. What sets me apart, is that I go out of my way for others and whenever someone asks for something, I get it done immediately!
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I would say, my mom. She believes in me and whenever I ask her for advice on my business or relationship, she always comes through with the best advice! She protects my business and any time she gets the opportunity, she brings my business up, and sends me clients, she’s like my momager and cheerleader.
Another one would be my dad, because he is an entrepreneur himself, and he gives me the ins and outs of running my business professionally and successfully.
Also, my business mentor Leonard from Score. He checks in with me to make sure I am engaging with my target audience, that I am networking, checking on my competitors, making sure that I stay ahead of the game. He is the one who ties everything together as far as business and legal things.
Lastly, my creative director Dy’Rek. I adopted him as my little brother and assistant when I found out how creative he is. He reviews any idea or picture that I need a second opinion on. He has assisted me with all my events, from helping the customers, checking them out at the registers, etc. and he’s also my personal photographer.
Contact Info:
- Website: davidasdiary.com
- Phone: 843-224-8684
- Email: vidab12364@gmail.com
- Instagram: @davidasdiary
Image Credit:
Pink Chair Photography and Next Level Photo Booth
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