Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lacy Messinger, Owner of Black Label Society PGH and Lace Luxury Haircare, located in Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I have three legs of my business - a hair salon, on-location bridal beauty services, and a hair product line. The hair salon and bridal beauty business fall under the name Black Label Society PGH, and the hair product line is named Lace Luxury Haircare. Our customer base is mostly 25-45-year-old women interested in fashion and beauty.
Tell us about yourself
I have been in the hair industry since 2005. In 2016, I made my LLC and started researching my first hair product. In 2017, I launched both my first product and my first hair studio. In 2020, I opened a larger 1100-square-foot salon and had been expanding my product line.
I am very motivated by educating stylists and clients alike. I love creating hair products because I have worked with products that I have both loved and hated. I have always loved the idea of clean beauty, but I have worked with a few lines that I didn't find very effective. My goal is to create profession-grade hair and beauty products using clean and vegan ingredients.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I have worked in some very toxic work environments. I love that I have created a safe space where stylists can work without being victims of emotional, verbal, or sexual harassment.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
For me, it is trying to get everything checked off of the to-do list. I manage my time well and have the best team, but I always feel like I am adding more to my list than what I am crossing off.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Research, research, research. You have to learn as much as you can before you start.
- Do what you can on your own in the beginning but know your limits. If your gut is telling you that you won't be able to do something correctly on your own, outsource an expert.
- Marketing. This can be tricky, and a lot of businesses don't budget enough money. It is crucial to the success of most businesses.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website:
https://www.blacklabelsocietypgh.com/
https://laceluxuryhaircare.com/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/blacklabelsocietypgh/
https://www.instagram.com/laceluxuryhaircare/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blacklabelsocietypgh
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.