Today we’d like to introduce you to Brielle Collier.
Hi Brielle, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As a kid growing up in Rochester, NY if I wasn’t at school or cheer practice I was probably on YouTube watching hair videos or trying to do my own hair. I was always the girl in middle school doing someone’s hair, whether it was giving them two braids, fixing their edges or redoing their ponytail. During this time I did not have a real serious interest in doing hair, I just did it for fun. I remember times the front of my box braids would get old so I would redo them seeing if my installation of the braid would match the quality of when they were first done.
There was one time I went to the braiding salon and my braid install did not turn out as expected. I was certain I was not going to school the next day with the braids in the front of my head looking that way. I stayed up all night on YouTube and in the mirror figuring it out. Finally, I was done the finished product was amazing. The neatness, consistency and parting for my first time was impressive! I then started braiding my siblings and close friends’ hair constantly trying new styles and techniques. A few months later I made a post saying I was available to do hair and by that weekend I was booked with three clients. I didn’t tell my mom but she found out when she saw people in the living room getting their hair done. She knew from there that I had found my passion.
The summer before going off to college I didn’t realize how much of an impact I had on my clientele. I have the most loyal customers! They were adamant when it came to getting a quick style every few weeks and then another braided style that’ll last them a while I was away at school. Coming home for winter break and them telling me “I’ve been waiting for you to come home, I didn’t want anyone else touching my hair” meant a lot. Knowing that I work very hard in being professional and caring for the health of my client’s hair, I felt like I was finally being noticed.
Fast forward to now, I am a junior at the FIRST Degree Granting HBCU Lincoln University of PA majoring in mass communications with a minor in entrepreneurial studies. I have a very loyal clientele on and off-campus. I now work summers in a hair salon called Stallion Beauty where I have managed to stay booked and busy!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As a person who is willing to do my best to satisfy my customers, one struggle has been doing what I need to do in order to grow Brielle Braids and balancing client satisfaction. Starting with moving into a salon and price increases. A style my clients could get for $85 two years ago now costs $200. I also created a booking site that makes it more convenient for my clients and myself when booking appointments. One of my biggest challenges is dealing with braider stereotypes. Either we are known as unreliable, we charge too much or do inconsistent work. To ensure none of those words are attached to my name or business I work hard to remain professional and to continually perfect my skills.
As a young braider who is looking to expand my business, I had to realize businesses and business owners do not become successful by pleasing everyone. Learning to not be afraid of what my clientele would think just hoping they’d be willing to grow with me. Especially in a time where braiders don’t have the best reputation I thought things like raising my prices would be a turn-off to current and potential clients because I’d be charging as much as “those other braiders”. In taking steps to make my business what it is I’ve realized that there are times that it is important to listen to feedback and suggestions in an effort to provide good customer service.
Lastly, I have moved past being afraid of making changes that will enhance my business. I now understand that change is necessary when running a successful business. I am in a place where I do amazing braided styles, charge according to my worth and I am not afraid to take a step toward making my business what I envision it to be.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Brielle Braids started off with me trying different hairstyles on myself and my close friends just for fun. I began to realize that the outcome of these styles were actually pretty good. I became a huge fan of “Beautycanbraid” and “Dope axx Pana” on YouTube. I had then decided to begin incorporating their techniques into my braiding skills. Once I found that the quality of my work was good enough to get paid, I started taking clients. It took time, but I’ve always had a goal, which is wanting my work to look like the styles I come across on Pinterest and Instagram.
My technique has improved tremendously, as is shown when comparing my new styles to my old ones, continuing to shock not only my clientele but myself as well. Improving with each and every style motivates me to keep practicing, be willing to learn and try new techniques. That is what gave me the push to keep getting better and brought me to where I am today.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
In an effort to grow my brand “Brielle Braids” I am currently developing The B Collection. The B Collection is an extension to Brielle Braids where I sell hair and beauty products. Currently, I have a logo, Instagram page, as well as inventory of the first product I will be launching on campus this upcoming semester. I am excited all the girls on campus will “B Lashed” and I can’t wait to see how far this business idea will take me. In addition to lashes being sold, The B Collection will eventually sell lipgloss, silk bonnets, scarves and I did not forget the edge brushes! Due to my willingness to take some risks, I am finally realizing my braid business is definitely more than what it was when I started.
Contact Info:
- Website:https://linktr.ee/BrielleElise?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=cd2e5227-35fd-4910-bb66-4ab983e6b668
- Instagram: @briellebraids @briellelise @thebcollection
- Facebook: Brielle Elise
- Other: TikTok @brielleelise1
