Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamei Lauren.
Hi Jamei, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
By Jamei Lauren started out in a very challenging time and under unusual circumstances. For those of you who don’t know what the company By Jamei Lauren is, it’s my amazing e-commerce store that sells hair accessories of all kinds to women and children.
I began my business during the pandemic and I must say that I couldn’t have asked for a better blessing than the one that I asked for, which was a business to call my own. I was at a place in my life where I wanted more than to be an employee of a company, I wanted ownership of my own. When the opportunity presented itself, to be able to have the much needed downtime I was looking for is when my wheels began to turn.
When I first started thinking about what I wanted my business to be, I knew I wanted it to be something that my audience would love and that was aligned with my brand that was created over the last few years. My brand was known for natural hair, lifestyle and just showing up as my true authentic self.
So with that being said, I knew that I had a few ideas in the works, but with so much going on in the world, I knew that I wanted something that I could start fast since time was ticking with my time off from my 9-5 and I didn’t know how long I would actually have off when the pandemic first started.
As my wheels started turning, I realized that I wanted to start a business that allowed women to show their own version of creativity within their hair and that is when I birth my small business called By Jamei Lauren. In the early stages of planning, I thought how great would it be to have a self-titled business since my audience was already familiar with my name and what I stood for.
Once I had my name established this is where the groundwork kicks in. I had to truly put my best foot forward to make sure that I made an impact on my target audience. With no prior entrepreneurial experience and knew very little about business, let alone selling a product, I knew I had my work cut out for me, but I was ready for the challenge. I began to structure my day where I spent a certain amount of hours each day learning new ideas, campaigns, and how to keep and sustain a successful business.
After I focused in and learned all that I could to make my ideas a reality, I gave myself a starting budget of 1k, took a leap of faith and then I told myself its time to launch my new business baby! Once By Jamei Lauren was officially open for business, I was able to double my initial start up invest in the first 48 hours! I could not believe all the love and support that By Jamei Lauren was receiving. As time went on, I began to continue to strive for the best for my business and was able to secure a few large partnership opportunities. The one I am most proud of is the one that has and continues to make great passive income for me and that is having a retail partnership with the Black Hair Experience. The Black Hair Experience is a pop up content-driven location that highlights all about black woman and our culture. The Hair Black Experience was my very first retail partnership that allowed me to sell and market my products at their first location in ATL and eventually to their three other locations-DMV area, Texas and the newest location and my hometown, LA!
I am so grateful for all the knowledge, opportunities and growth that has taken place in under two years and I cant wait to see the new heights that By Jamei Lauren will experience in the near future.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I would say that overall yes, it was a pretty smooth road with a few small bumps here and there. I was very fortune to have been able to take a leave from my 9-5 during the pandemic to be able to get a jump start on my own business. I was off for an entire year and the things that I accomplished in that year were truly amazing!
I have to say that learning to start my business felt foreign at first until I started to fully embody what it takes to be a businesswoman. I structured my day while being off of work like I was in school. Every hour to two hours, I had a new zoom call, webinar or e-class that I was a part of listening in to gain as much knowledge as possible on how to be a great businesswoman and how to build a business from the ground up.
I really learned so much which allowed me to dive into the start of my business with minimal issues or errors. One issue I encountered which is one that I think could be common among other businesses that are just starting, but making sure you meet the demand with your supplies. Since I started my business in the middle of the pandemic, I was afraid that my products would not make it on time to me or that my packages would not make it to the customer in a timely manor. I had one situation where my package but late and was missing some items that was a stressful situation but was resolved rather quickly!
Overall I would definitely say that this has and is still the most eye-opening learning experience I have had while still being a rather smooth road for me. I have learned what the word pivot truly means and how in the midst of adversity, you can still prevail through it all with patience trust and faith in yourself and your abilities to deliver.
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?
I would like readers to know that By Jamei Lauren is a black-woman owned hair accessories business with the sole purpose to allow women to bring our their creativity, versatility and uniqueness when picking and wearing my hair accessories.
By Jamei Lauren is known for letting its accessories do the talking! I have many different styles and colors that make it easy for women and children of all ages to pick an item they love.
What sets By Jamei Lauren apart is its brand trust and integrity. As a company, I have worked hard to make sure that packages are put together in a neat and nice way, sent out in a timely manor and the condition and quality matches the presence of the display. I put a lot of care, thought and time in making sure my customers are fully satisfied with the items they purchased.
What I am most proud of with my business is how much I was able to learn and accomplish in a little over a year. I truly feel that all the hours and sleepless nights of working have truly paid off in a positive way. I am proud of myself for being able to overcome self-doubt and fear to create a company that people are proud to support.
If you or anyone you know is looking to support a brand that is standing proud for all the black-owned small businesses out there, By Jamei Lauren is the business for you! You can take a look at what we have to offer at www.byjameilauren.com.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters to me the most is the integrity of my company being aligned with my brand and morals that I have set for myself and my business. I want to make sure that my customers always know that their information is being protected, that I am delivering quality products and that I value making sure their experience is as top tier as possible.
It’s important that I show up for my brand and my customers so they feel safe, excited, and happy with every purchase they complete. It’s important to allow my customers to give me honest feedback and allow them to give constructive criticism to allow my business to continue to uphold a high standard.
That is what matters to me.
Contact Info:
- Email: byjameilauren@gmail.com
- Website: www.byjameilauren.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/byjameilauren
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamei.reed.7
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/byjameilauren
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpYZSz-6uP0TWxAf7SOu2rQ
Image Credits:
B.Townsend Photos
