Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Butler.
Hi Victoria, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Since I was a young child, I was always interested in running a business. I also was quite passionate about cosmetology, specifically hair braiding, which I started doing in middle school. I also thoroughly enjoyed event coordination which I’ve done on many occasions, whether it was for business or leisure events.
Throughout the years, I would take business courses and even in college at Florida Atlantic University, I was a part of the College of Business, getting my B.S. in Hospitality Management. With this degree, I thought that the hotel industry would be the career that was for me, but it wasn’t. However, through the courses I took and the extracurricular programs I was involved in, I was still able to learn managerial skills, life skills and networking. Those programs/clubs included Alpha Kappa Psi Co-Ed Professional Business Fraternity and SISTUHS, Inc. Although over time, I found that the hotel industry wasn’t for me, I found myself circling back to my passion for braiding hair.
A couple of years after graduating college, I started back in the hair industry while working full time for a tech company and also having multiple general e-commerce dropshipping businesses. Eventually, I knew that I wanted to pursue my passion full time and no longer be a part of corporate America. With that being said, I took charge in February 2021 and became a full-time entrepreneur and didn’t look back. I’ve been happily working for myself with not only doing hair and running my e-commerce stores but also selling hair products as well.
Being a full-time entrepreneur pushed me, even more, to get out of my own way, getting comfortable with being uncomfortable by networking a lot more, speaking at business events, joining forces with other entrepreneurs and pursuing other business ventures for my future.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Fear was and is the biggest obstacle. Fear of not being able to make it in my industry, gaining more clientele, making enough income to take care of myself and more. Although I’ve conquered the majority of these obstacles, I still maintain the fear of what’s to come. However, I’ve learned that I must be able to channel my energy towards managing those fears and using them as fuel to push me through like before.
I’ve also dealt with doubt from friends and family about choosing the entrepreneurial path. While this could’ve left me broken, the strength within me and the true few in my circle that supported me helped tremendously. A support system is everything.
Another struggle is marketing. It truly never ends. It takes innovation and persistence with the ever-changing social media trends. Additionally, having a diverse marketing platform is key. Building relationships with my clientele created loyalty and promoters of my brand also. Using social media, email lists, having brand ambassadors, appearing at events, and doing out-of-the-box things to raise brand awareness is not easy but worth it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a braiding stylist that specializes in box braids and faux locs hairstyles with the care of the clients’ natural tresses in mind.
What sets me apart is I always ensure that I’m educating my clients, whether it’s on social media, in my salon chair or on the email list on how to maintain protective styles, taking care of their natural hair in between styles and hair care products I find that work well for different hair types.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Girl, let me tell you!! There are trends every week actually between new hairstyles, new hair products, new technology and so much more.
In the future, due to the pandemic occurring, however, I do see more of a need for an online-based beauty supply selection versus brick and mortar. Although clients will always have to be serviced in person, they may want more online options for hair care or any cosmetology products for at-home use. If there’s a delivery option, it would be even better at times like this.
Contact Info:
- Email: Queenvpurple@gmail.com
- Website: www.braidedtressesbyv.as.me
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/braidedtressesbyv
- Facebook: www.Facebook.com/braidedtressesbyv
- Other: www.Pinterest.com/braidedtressesbyv
Image Credits
@photosbyreem @crashexposures
