Today we’d like to introduce you to Henricka Hoff.
Hi Henricka, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Thank you very much for this opportunity! It all started in Freetown Sierra Leone (Africa) when I was about the age of eight years old. I lived in a home with many of my auntie who were professional hairstylists. occasionally while they do customer’s hair I use to seat and watch them, after some time I started helping out and that how my love for hair and beauty started. After I started helping out I fell in love with hair doing and helping people feel beautiful. Even as a young girl I know God had blessed me with a gift but I was on a mission to find that gift.
Fast forward to my sophomore year at Angelo state university in TX. One time I was at the Beauty supply store buying hair products. A young lady in a military uniform approach me and ask me “excuse me who did your hair because I am looking for someone to do my hair” while she was talking, I was thinking in my mind this could be the perfect opportunity for me to start doing other people hair as a business. I proceed to tell her that “its me, I did my own hair” the young lady was so excited and immediately booked an appointment with me verbally. even though I was excited, I was very nervous because this would be my very first time doing someone else hair. I trust in God that I will do great. I did her hair and she loved it. doing her hair was my break though because I started doing almost all the girl’s hair at the Airforce base that was next to my university.
Fast-forward after college I moved back to Austin TX and continue to do hair. I work full-time at my main job while doing hair as a side hustle. To me my full-time job offer security for years, I remember talking to myself during my lunch break at my job thinking “one day I would work for myself then can quit this job” but I continue to hear this voice in my head that keep saying “I give you a gift use it, just try to do it” I hated going to work every day like I look miserable.
One day my fiancé said to me “if doing hair is your passion and you believed that this is what you want to do, then do it, I will help support you to follow your dream and your passion” that same day quit my job and started doing hair full time. I work hard to increase my clientele.
My Clientele increased rapidly, I open my online booking calendar for the month and it will fill up fast. It’s been that way ever since. I am now working in my own personal salon suite in north Austin by Lakeline mall. I couldn’t be happier but most of all for my fiancé for believing in me. we both prayed and trust God with this decision. without God and our faith, this wouldn’t be possible.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There’s been some challenges along the way, the main challenge is time management. from being a business owner to being a new mom.
When I was working my 9-5 job, work end soon as I clocked out. running a business is completely different because there is no clock out. Between running errands, responding to inquiries, taking care of motherly duties, household, making sure am available for my family and finding time to have a social life can be tough to manage. I am blessed to have my fiancé who helps me and helps make everything less stressful.
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is key, at times it can feel like I am being pulled in every direction, but setting a daily schedule for each day has helped me a lot. I have set cut-off times each day that allows me to stop doing anything work-related on my off days, those days are for my family and close friends.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am a professional hairstylist, specializing in braids, weave-install, wigs making and wig installation. I am known for my attention to detail, great customer service, providing neat and quality hair styles.
I am most proud of myself for having the courage to step out on faith to do what I love. believing I could run a successful business and follow through with it. I am also proud of my accomplishment in such a short time. I have provided online hair-doing classes that has helped other people learn and start their own hair business.
What set me apart from others, aside from my own work is my customer service and the ability to do a variety of different hairstyles. I treat every customer exactly how I would like to be treated. I truly care about my clients and I make sure each person is completely satisfied once they leave my chair. I provide as much detail as possible prior to each appointment and I am always available to answer questions. I also provide a private, clean, comfortable and peaceful environment. making sure each client’s experience is enjoyable. I also provide a wide variety of hairstyles, I can do braids, wigs, weave install, wigs construction, quick weave and more.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I just wanted to tell any young person that wants to start a business to set very strict boundaries and stick to it. My client has a clear understanding of how I run my business and they respect it. I set up a simple website where customers can book with me stress-free and I make sure all my policies are clear before booking.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://henrickahair.as.me/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/henrickahair/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/henrickahair
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/henrickabeauty
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@henrickabeauty
