Today we’d like to introduce you to Imani Yokii.
Imani, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I first learned to do extensions early in high school. My mom would have them put in my hair for pageants or modeling jobs and after a while of getting them done and taking them out, I was able to teach myself how to do my own. After I got good at my hair, I’d make friends and ladies that lived in my area here and thereby request for a small fee. At the time, hair wasn’t what I wanted to do for a career. It was just something I happened to be good at. I didn’t pursue my hair professionally until I got into my junior year of college. At that point, I was working waitressing and nightclub jobs to make money while I was in school. I would always do hair on the side at home, but after a while, I started getting more requests for appointments and I couldn’t manage two jobs, so I committed to hair full time. Instagram and Tumblr played a big part in helping me build my clientele. By the time I graduated from college, I was selling hair also to my clients and online. I had always done all of my work in my kitchen/ living room. So as the business grew, so did the need for some separation in my personal and workspace. One year later, I expanded the brand to a full service salon and wig store. This year we celebrate three years in store & 5 years in business.
Has it been a smooth road?
Of course not. When you are an entrepreneur, if it’s not one thing, it’s another. I’ve had website designers and photographers rip me off. I’ve placed large non-refundable orders for custom products that came back all wrong—thousands of dollars being held up for months by merchant processors because of fraud customers. Important shipments are not making it to the destination in time. Big shipments are not arriving at all. I honestly felt like anything that could happen did. Lol
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We specialize in Extension Solutions. We are most known for our custom wigs. These custom wigs are ready to wear and are available in high quality hair with superior construction and color work.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Atlanta is like the hair capital. It’s a great place to start, but some may say it’s a little over saturated. I think as long as a person can find a way to make their brand unique, they have a great shot at being successful here.
Contact Info:
- Address: 759 11th st NW Atlanta GA 30318
- Website: Hairpourne.com
- Phone: 6789106974
- Email: imaniyokii@gmail.com
- Instagram: @hairpourne
- Facebook: Hair Pourne
- Other: @yourplugyoko
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