Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffani Dillard.
Hi Tiffani, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Where do I begin? I never thought that I would be a hairstylist . I started working in the beauty industry when I was a teenager and being an entrepreneur wasn’t ideal for most people. I ended up going to school for early childhood which I shortly learned that it was not for me. I didn’t have any clientele so I worked at commission based salons to get more experienced. I did that for about 5 years until I fell on hard times. I was homeless for about 2 years. I really didn’t have a plan or a way out. One thing that inspired me to start my business was reading the book JUMP BY STEVE HARVEY. I decided to rebrand myself . I switched to being a loctician and dyed my hair red and I became stylesbyshortcake. I passed out at least 20 cards a day. Eventually , I was booked and busy .It wasn’t easy starting over but I am glad I did.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Being homeless and starting a business was my first bump.For 2 months I slept behind a building across the street from my job and would get cleaned up at qt. At the time most of my clients didn’t know but I got through it. About a year later Covid happened. Luckily I had just moved into my home but I didn’t have any supplies. Bills still needed to paid. I decided to work from home which ended up working out. I actually built my clientele during Covid which was such a blessing.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a loctician who specializes in healthy hair. I absolutely love what I do and it shows. Sometimes I think I care about my clients hair more than they do. I enjoy doing loc reconstruction. It is a difficult task but I love the challenge.I love that I am able to help put smiles on people faces. When a client looks in the mirror and I see their face light up. It really makes my day. It isn’t all about the money for me. I really care.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
That is a good question, I feel like there is no set handbook to starting a business and everyone journeys different. The one thing that I can say is stay motivated and take care of yourself. Being an entrepreneur can be hard on the your mental and physical. Taking care of myself is something that I wish I knew sooner. Also, I know that it is hard to listen to the people who have gone through this before you but listen,it will save you so much time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bookstylesbyshortcake.as.me/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stylesbyshortcake?igsh=bWd4enp6cDhsbnV3&utm_source=qr
