Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittney Rudolph.
Brittney, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama. My journey into being a professional stylist started in elementary school when I decided one day I would put my own relaxer in without the proper steps to keep my mom from straightening comb my natural hair due to tender headiness. As I thought for years putting lotion in barbie dolls hair as perm was skills enough to do my own (lol). I started out braiding and would only do close friends hair. That soon increased to family members months later. At the start of middle school, I started implementing proper sewing weave and bonded weave into my skills. As high school approached, I just knew I wanted to do something more than just going to college and getting a degree. Hair was most definitely my passion, and being able to make someone smile and beautiful was all it took to bring sunshine on a cloudy day. Being that my brother was a professional master cosmetologist, I would often look up to him for guidance and motivation. When I started taking more and more customers, I knew I had to get my license in order to do hair professionally in my brother’s salon due to state board regulations. In the fall of 2019, I did an apprenticeship program under my brother and completed, after the correct number of hours required, to now be a Licensed Natural Hairstylist. Without God, self-motivation, and motivation of close family and friends, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
This journey has not been a smooth road but well worth it. Some people think being a hairstylist means big bank rolls (true enough), however, it is not about the money but about building everlasting relationships to where your customers become family and repeat clients. A lot of people would think being booked and busy was all it was, but you have to think about slow days, no days, and how to compensate for lost wages when customers have no call no shows and buying products. Being an entrepreneur makes you have a total different outlook on the business side of things. Always keep business separate from personal or you want to see your business elevate from mixing the two. The struggle most start out with is record keeping and saving because you make money every day, you began to think it is OK to spend everyday. The 2020 pandemic became a prime example of saving and record keeping for your business to stay on top.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
The brand Hair by LaShay was re-branded back in 2019. My company specializes in weave, natural hair care, and make up. What sets my brand apart from others is my ability to have a one stop shop. I never wanted a clientele base to go from here to here for this and that when they can get it all in one place by one multi-talented individual. I am most proud of myself for setting goals within my brand and accomplishing them one by one at my own pace. One being building a full self-service website www.hairbylashay.com, so that customers can shop and book appointments from the comfort of their own home. I want customers to know my brand takes pride in providing quality service and products that best fits their everyday needs.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
When finding a mentor find a unique individual that best fits the qualifications in the area in which you are trying to pursue. Meaning, find an individual who knows the all-around business side as well as being able to relate to the field in which you are working. For example, I use my brother as my mentor because he knows business decisions being that he has had his salon going on 12 years. Also, I can ask him advice on styling, how to gain clientele, and how to conduct my business professionally.
Pricing:
- Traditional sew-in: $150
- Closure sew-in: $165
- Frontal sew- in: $225
- Frontal wig install: $125
- Make-up: $30- $60
Contact Info:
- Email: hairbylashay2019@gmail.com
- Website: www.hairbylashay.com
- Instagram: @hairby_lashay19
- Facebook: @Hairby_lashay19 (Hair by LaShay)
