Today we’d like to introduce you to Lakeisha DePeyster.
Hi Lakeisha, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Growing up in NYC wasn’t easy especially with having parents for addicts and the constant violence. My escape was daydreaming about becoming a business owner and becoming successful and leading a life I was on TV. As you grow up, you realize everything on TV isn’t real but if you work hard enough you can achieve your goals and have a life you can build for yourself. No one tells you about the obstacles you have to face or the hardships you only see how they got there not what it took to get there. I went to college for two years and went into the military for four years. I came out a single mother and the guardian of my 14-year-old brother. You think with all of the experience you learn from the military you would get out and have all of these options (not at all). I had to take care of my family so I worked for temp agencies finding any job that I could and creating side businesses doing taxes. I was able to land a job in real estate the pay wasn’t great but it was better than I was getting paid when I first got out and I was grateful. I stayed with real estate managing properties and watched everyone else create a business and I always thought to myself why not me but I didn’t have the courage or the money to do so. I made excuses for why I couldn’t. When I turned 40, I was determined that I would open a business but I didn’t know what business that would be so I started researching what would be able to survive any downturn in the economy. What do people use daily or in their daily routine? God gave me a vision and it was the beauty industry I did my research and realized this is the business I wanted to be in. It was great in my mind but I wasn’t prepared for the mindset that goes with this business, this business is dominated by Asian owners so there is a level of resistance with some vendors and distribution centers but by the grace of God, he navigated me through the terrain and I was able to get the contracts and the inventory I needed now I needed the customers it was slow for the first year and now I am in my second year. It’s gotten better but I have a long way to go.
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?
It has not been a smooth road. There are times when you don’t have enough money to buy inventory or pay rent, that is why I was glad I still had my job to help out with that but at times, that wasn’t enough. No one tells you the sales tax, withholding tax, and payroll tax eats up a lot of your profits or the utilities along with paying employees. I ship as well as do picks up for the people who don’t feel comfortable coming out of their house, I thought that would give me an edge during this pandemic but it hasn’t. Also, employee shortage has been a problem. I see so many of my fellow beauty supply businesses owners killing it and I was trying to figure out what I was doing wrong. I have been working on several marketing tactics and reading on how to bring more customers to your store. I am grateful for the loyal customers I do have and we get new customers in all the time so it’s getting better. Growing a business takes time and patience.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Although it’s not an easy business to get into it is rewarding because you meet so many great people and build great connections especially with the community. Although my specialty was real estate, it brought a unique perspective because I was able to negotiate my lease, get detailed information about the area I wanted to be in, and how to work with the city in getting permits and getting the business open on time. We are known for our great customer service, and the fact that we ship, do pick up, and deliver is a plus most beauty supply businesses don’t have that. We also have a full-service boutique on one side of the store. You can buy shoes, purses, apparel, hats, etc. You can come to sit down in our relaxing chairs and have the Queen experience. We are still growing but it’s a good journey because appreciation comes from the struggles. We carry all major brands in the beauty supply industry. We are a one-stop shop.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Yes, we have to stay safe, keep our distance and try and make people’s life easier by giving them options to make them feel more comfortable. It also taught me to think outside the box because this is a serious pandemic.
Contact Info:
- Email: queensboutiqueandbeauty
supply@gmail.com - Website: queensboutiqueandbeau
tysupply.com - Instagram: instagram.com/
queensboutiqueandbeautysupply - Facebook: facebook.com/
queensBBS - Twitter: twitter.com/
QueensBBX19
