Revolutionizing the Wig Industry: A Conversation with Iasha, Founder of Styied Wigs

Iasha, welcome! Thank you for taking the time to chat with us today. Your background is incredibly diverse – you’ve worked in nonprofits, tech, and even the sports world! What ultimately led you to launch Styied Wigs?

(laughs) Actually, it all started with my hair! After years of straightening my hair and wanting to embrace my natural texture, I transitioned to wigs. But let me tell you, it was a challenging learning curve.

Learning curve, you say? What were some of the challenges you encountered as a new wig wearer?

“I’ve been active in sports for most of my life,” Iasha shares. “When I transitioned to protective styles like wigs, I was a bit of a clueless customer. I’d see gorgeous wigs online, but the reality was often disappointing. The marketing was misleading, and the wigs didn’t always live up to the hype.”

Everything felt so misleading! Gorgeous wigs online wouldn’t arrive ready-to-wear, competitors using the same stock photos across brands, and terms like “glue-less” were confusing and rarely meant adhesive-free. Often, the wigs looked nothing like the pictures, and the cost felt steep for something I couldn’t even wear right out of the box.

Most of the time, because I didn’t want to lose my money, I would just wear those wigs anyway just to wear them, but they did not look good, nor fit my style, and I ended up feeling scammed.

I’ve definitely been there before. How did those frustrations inspire Styied Wigs?

Those experiences were definitely the seed that grew into Styied Wigs. I wanted to create a brand that was transparent, honest, and offered high-quality wigs that actually arrived looking like the photos! No more guesswork, just beautiful, ready-to-wear styles for women like me.

We love that focus on transparency. What sets Styied Wigs apart from other wig companies?

For us, it’s about more than just the wigs themselves. We’re building a community where everyone feels confident and beautiful, regardless of their background or hair journey. Our wigs are perfect for experimenting with styles, but also for women experiencing hair loss or thinning.

One of your innovations is a rent-to-own program for custom wigs. Can you tell us more about that?

Yes! During our initial launch, we asked clients to send photos of desired styles. However, we found that follow-through was often inconsistent. To address this, we’re developing a rent-to-own option. Clients can specify the color or type of wig they’re interested in and try it on before committing to a purchase. Our cosmetologist has already established a rigorous sanitation process, and we’re finalizing the details to offer this exciting new service soon.

We understand that choosing a custom wig can be daunting. With the rent-to-own option, clients can experiment with a wig before buying. They can specify the color or style they’re interested in, try it on, and then decide if it’s the perfect match.

That’s such a creative solution to overcome that initial buying hurdle. What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs, especially those interested in the beauty industry?

That’s fantastic! Now, building a business from scratch is no small feat. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced along the way?

Finding reliable, high-quality hair suppliers was a major hurdle. It took almost a year of testing samples to ensure we were offering the absolute best. But beyond that, there was building brand awareness and managing my time effectively across all my roles.

The market is saturated with big brands boasting huge budgets. As a smaller, newer brand, we’re constantly seeking innovative ways to stand out on social media and attract attention. In addition to collaborating with beauty influencers aligned with our brand, we’re launching a five-day styling contest starting November 18th.

Participants have five days to post as many creative hairstyles as possible, tagging us. The winner will be featured on our platforms, and our judges will select a winner for a $300 Beauty Box. The beauty box is packed with our products as well as offerings from other Black-owned beauty brands. We’re really excited about it.

That sounds very exciting! It seems you’re going beyond wigs too. There’s a teaser video of you promoting the benefits of rosemary oil for hair and scalp. Are you planning to bring more educational content to your social media platforms?

Absolutely! Starting in December, we’re launching a series all about education of wigs, natural hair health, and more. We truly believe healthy hair is the foundation for beautiful styles, and we aim to empower our customers with the knowledge they need to achieve their hair goals.

We’re also looking forward to more collaborations with nutritionists, medical professionals, hair growth experts, and other stylists who can add another layer to our offerings by sharing tips and advice on managing natural hair and scalp concerns.

Juggling content creation, running a business, and mentoring can be demanding. What strategies have you implemented to manage your time and prioritize tasks effectively?

Strong relationships were key. Building trust with suppliers and customers made a huge difference. Social media was also a powerful tool. We’ve been able to connect with our audience, build trust, and gain loyal followers.

Beyond the relationships and team building, it’s been a lot about leveraging systems, like Asana, and staying organized by writing things down. I’m a big fan of pen and paper journaling, creating pockets of time to allow for creativity and inspiration to creep in, and reminding myself to just take everything one step at a time.

It’s so easy to listen to those limiting beliefs that tell you if you haven’t achieved whatever in a month or two, that you should just give up. But I know better than that. I know that perseverance and patience are key in the entrepreneurial world.

You seem very goal-oriented. Have you always been this way? What steps do you take to stay focused and motivated to achieve your goals in both your business and personal life?

I’ve always been a bit of a go-getter. I think it stems from my time in sports. That discipline and focus have really carried over into my entrepreneurial journey. While there are definitely ups and downs, I’ve learned to leverage my strengths to stay motivated.

One of the most effective strategies for me is building strong routines. It’s about creating a structure that supports my goals, whether it’s dedicating time for focused work, exercise, or simply unwinding. I’m currently on a dopamine detox, limiting social media to one hour a day. This intentional approach helps me stay focused and productive.

And how do you maintain a positive mindset, especially during challenging times?

I’m not naturally the most positive person, but I’ve learned to cultivate a more optimistic outlook. It’s about recognizing negative thoughts and feelings and taking steps to reframe them. I’ve found that physical activity, like exercise, is a powerful tool for managing stress and boosting my mood.

I also practice gratitude journaling. Every day, I take a moment to reflect on the positive aspects of my day, no matter how small. This simple act helps shift my focus and keeps me grounded.

Interestingly, your diverse background has come in handy here. Can you elaborate on how your experience as a mentor has influenced your approach to building Styled Wigs?

Absolutely! My time as a mentor has been invaluable. It’s taught me the importance of clear communication, patience, and understanding. I apply these principles to my business by actively listening to my clients’ needs, providing clear guidance, and offering support throughout their hair journey.

Mentorship has also helped me develop a growth mindset. It’s about continuous learning and improvement. I’m always looking for ways to innovate and enhance our products and services. My goal is to empower women to feel confident and beautiful, and I’m constantly striving to achieve that.

That’s inspiring! For those interested in learning more about your mentorship experience or the Start Up Mentorship program at Oneday.org, how can they reach out?

“They can reach out to me directly through LinkedIn. For the Start Up Mentorship program, you can visit Oneday.org. It’s a fantastic opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to gain valuable knowledge and support.”

A Final Thought

Iasha’s journey, from frustrated wig wearer to successful entrepreneur, is an inspiration to all. Her passion, dedication, and innovative spirit have transformed the wig industry. As Styied continues to grow, it’s clear that Iasha’s impact will be felt for years to come.

Ready to elevate your hair game? Visit the Styied Wigs website to explore their stunning collection and learn more about their innovative rent-to-own program. Don’t miss out on the chance to win big! Participate in their 5-day styling contest for a chance to win a $300 Beauty Box filled with amazing products. Be sure to follow Iasha @styiedwigs on Instagram and Tiktok so you don’t miss out on future contests and giveaways!

Thank you so much, Iasha! Your passion and dedication are truly inspiring. We can’t wait to see what Styied Wigs does next!