Support system + sister circle helped lead to 60% increase in sales during the pandemic!
We sat down with Founding Member Iyonna Woods, Owner of Fancy Free Hair & Skin, to discuss the early stages of her business, business during Covid-19, The WELL and more! Here's her story.
What inspired you to start your business?
I had a product that consult clients kept wanting to buy from me even though I gave them the recipe. I set up an Etsy page just to make it convenient and the product just took off.
What struggles did you face when you first launched? What struggles, if any, do you continue to face?
Marketing and branding, processes, budgeting, bookkeeping, certifications, networking, mentors, and funding. I guess everything. LOL! My marketing and branding is a continued process as the market changes. Funding is always an issue. Not as bad as it was but I could always use more money to grow faster.
What is one of your proudest professional moments?
One of proudest professional moments was hiring my first employee. I felt like "This is what I'm supposed to be doing. Creating opportunities in the "Q-munity."
What is one hard lesson you learned?
I hired a marketing company that didn't have my best interest in mind. And they were EXPENSIVE! I did not have my attorney review the contract before I signed on with them and almost had to go to litigation when I terminated their services early. Luckily I had all of my documentation in place to justify the early termination and stop payment.
What is your advice for other Black women business owners?
Find your tribe and run with them. They don't necessarily have to be in the same industry but women who understand what it's like to be a woman entrepreneur and understand what it's like to be a Black woman entrepreneur and everything that comes along with that.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
Having my customers share how my product changed helped them with various issues they were unable to resolve with personal care products they were using previously. Having the flexibility in my schedule so that I can be a hands on mother when I need to be.
How has Covid-19 impacted your business?
Between COVID-19 and the widespread deliberate efforts of our community to support black-owned business, I have seen a 60% increase in sales compared to 2019. While sales are increasing, staffing has decreased.
How has being a member of The WELL served you during this challenging year?
Having a support system and sister circle to bounce ideas off of and sometimes vent has been invaluable. The energy is just as refreshing online as it is important.
About Fancy Free Hair & Skin:
Raised in a beauty salon, Iyonna always had a passion for the beauty industry and, as a retired health care professional, she knew that beautiful hair and skin are the direct result of living a healthy lifestyle. Her passion for encouraging healthier lifestyles from the inside out has birthed Fancy Free Hair & Skin. She believes, wholeheartedly in our motto, “Keeping you FREE from harsh chemicals”.On her journey to live a chemical free life, she experienced difficulty finding products that suited my needs. She eventually used the skills she learned in her 15 year career as a laboratory scientist to create the hair and skin magic that is now known as Fancy Free Whipped Shea for Hair & Skin. Fancy Free products are designed with the notion that we shouldn’t put anything on hair and skin that we can’t put in our body. She is committed to helping people on their healthy lifestyle journey.