Today we’d like to introduce you to Viola Bruce.
Viola, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Just like most entrepreneurs, I was working my 9 to 5. I left working as a pharmacy technician to pursue my hobby that I love, braiding hair and formed bruce braids. I know that may sound like a drastic career change, Right? However, I was already doing hair on the side while I was working in the pharmacy. My new manager gave me that extra push by giving myself & other co-Worker’s a hard time when I returned from maternity leave after having my baby. With that said, my thought process was like “Rochelle” from everyone hates Chris. I had a side hustle and a husband with two jobs. Therefore, I dropped my two weeks’ notice like saying “I don’t have to put up with this, my man has 2 jobs!” I began to do something where I could continuously make my community feel confident on the inside & outside with every braid installed, spend more time being a mother, wife, and most importantly being able to create my own empire. Which now I have expanded beyond standing behind the chair at Bruce Braids and created “the braid campus” and Natural Botanical Nutrition. If it wasn’t for me trusting god and the encouragement from my husband, sister, kids, mother, clients, and friends I would’ve just settled in a career that did not serve me to my full potential.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Nooo… it was hard. Especially in the beginning because I didn’t understand anything about formally starting a business & I had to figure it out on my own or with my husband’s help. Lol, to be honest I was forced to get focused after I had a young man come to sit down with me & attempt to sell me insurance. He was upset because I didn’t purchase & went to the city to report that I was running a business from inside of my home without a business license. He saw multiple people working with me and felt like I had the money. Lol. As the young people would say “he was counting my pockets”. He didn’t hurt me, but it served as a lesson about people and a push toward better business. At the time this happened people wasn’t on social hyping up get your LLC, EIN, and all of that. I didn’t even have friends at the time that had successful businesses, most were more worried about what club they were going to that weekend or followed the path of traditional employment.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a serial entrepreneur. At Bruce Braids I’m a master Braider who has specialized in the installation of faux locs and trending braid styles for the past 12 years. For Natural Botanical Nutrition LLC, I’m a product developer, manufacturer, saleswoman, & walking billboard. What sets me apart from others is that all of my family household (husband and daughters) help me to braid, instruct classes, and make hair & skin care products for Natural Botanical Nutrition (NBN). Our top-selling product is our “Green Magic” line, which developed using all-natural herbs and oils with beneficial properties for the hair, scalp, and skin. We’ve been told that this product helps grow the hair and even helps with outbreaks and breakouts (such as herpes, eczema, and etc.) due to the beneficial ingredients. Bruce Braids is proud to announce that our “Mommy & Me” classes will be going on tour beginning 2023. We’re doing our best to connect as many mothers with their children through braiding. Plus, 25% of the proceeds will go towards “the braid campus” our nonprofit that gives girls ages 6-16 a constructive outlet while teaching them the business of braiding via our five week summer camp. Our goal is to give girls free access this year. Therefore, if you would like to join a class visit brucebraids.com to enroll or donate to help our younger generation be successful in the beauty industry. For this reason, our focus is on our developmental training classes and courses that we have created. If interested in our services or products, please follow brucebraids on all social media platforms or visit brucebraids.com.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
In finding a mentor, I believe 2 is better than 1. I believe that a budding entrepreneurs should seek out a mentor within their business field that has achieved success as the entrepreneur currently defines success. This person can offer their actual, factual & practical steps advance to their level, list their do’s and don’ts, as well as provide assessment of their business. Additionally, I feel that it’s great to have a mentor outside of their field for purposes of fresh perspective and assessment without an “industry” perspective. I am a firm believer in the power and benefits of networking. Networkingcan be a way to expand your business, create limited or long-term partnerships, forge relationships, meet vendors/vendees, or obtain funding. Networking can also be a way to connect with a mentor.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.brucebraids.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brucebraids/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=bruce%20braids%20%26%20styling
