4 Ways to Establish Business Boundaries
Our reporter Tanya Chirimuta sat down with The CEO of Fashwigs, Mary Fashoyin and Got insight on how to run a business and have business boundaries.
What would you say are four ways to establish Business Boundaries? Service Time frame - I always ask my client to give me their wig 5-7 days before the appointment yet, some people message me two days before asking to get their wig done the next day. It is very inconsiderate because making a wig requires many hours of your time. From putting the all the bundles & frontal together to bleaching & tinting the lace, drying the wig, straightening/curling the wig, and then gluing it down to match the client’s natural hairline. If I was to do all that in a day, it would take about 11 hours and that is without a break. That is why I always ask clients to give me their hair 5-7 days before, so I can make the wig properly and they can be happy with the result. Late Fees - I always ask my client to come at a certain time if they arrive late and I always ask for an extra charge depending on how they are. Most of my client’s travel from far places and are always lost because I live in South London so if they message or call me, I don’t charge them but if there’s no communication at all then I charge them. Client Expectations - Many of my clients have sent me images of the result they want but it is impossible to do such because the hair they bought is cheap or the wrong shade. I always show/communicate to my clients the type of lace they need for their skin tone because most of the time my dark/brown skin client’s may buy a transparent lace which is meant for a fair/light client, and they expect me to work as though I am a magician. I always tell them if you don’t get the right lace you won’t get the best result and the thinner the lace is the better it will melt. Working Space - On social media, there has been many small business owner’s complaining about their loyal customers who are stealing from them. Taking into consideration reasonable controversy, I stopped doing my clients hair in the bedroom and started doing it by the doorway.
Tell us a bit about your business? Mary: Fashwigs is a small wig service business for colouring and making wigs. What inspired you to start your business & yourself?
Honestly, I always loved doing new things especially things out of my comfort zone. My hairstylist cancelled on me while I was in college, so I had to do my closure wig replacement myself without watching any videos or having any professional help. It turned out great! At university, my new hairstylist was busy, so I had to do my frontal replacement myself and it turned out okay. I was so proud of myself, but I did not think of starting a business though. Everyone around me keeps saying “You need to start making wigs as a business” but, I didn’t care to listen because I was in my second year of university and I had just started a new job at Aldi. It just seems like it takes up lots of your time. On my 21st birthday, a friend of a friend messaged me asking if I can do her hair because her hairstylist was busy, so I agreed. She loved it and from there I started ‘WigByRexy’ which was later changed to ‘FashWigs’. What are the boundaries you have put in place for friends & family so your business can grow? Every boundary that I have in place for my clients, I have for my family and friends too as they should all respect my working space. No Special Treatment - Most businesses don’t put 100% effort in when it’s family or friends but I always make sure I treat my family and friends the same as every client. In terms of boundaries, I always say to them that this is a small business, I spend lots on products and charge £65 when everyone is charging £120 so they shouldn’t expect a discount. For example, I bought a lot of products online because of COVID-19 and I have been getting one client every 2 months, if I was to give my family and friends a discount or free services then it will be hard to replace the money I spend and grow as a business. What tips can you give to someone starting a business on boundaries to put in place?
Research - industry research, what is the latest/present? What is the past? What is the future looking like? Everything about what business! There’s no point in starting a business without research. For example, I know the different types of lace that are best for different skin tones.
Consistency – It is very important! This is something I have been trying to improve on, even before COVID-19 started. I have been using this time to improve on my weaknesses.
Marketing - Sharing yourself shamelessly! I HATE feeling like I’m bothering people, it’s still something I don’t know how to do. I don’t mind people sending me their stuff here and there but I don’t like the idea of someone thinking I’m bothering them.
Have a Muse/Practice with Friends or Family - Do free services at the start of your business if you have to.
Giving Every Product 100% - There should never be an excuse as to why you can’t give your all into the business. Treat every client the same whether they are friends or just clients. Wig making is a service-based industry, just because I’m working for myself doesn’t mean I should stop giving people the right attitude. Customer service is very important!
Follow people in your industry- follow other hairstylists, support each other. There’s space for everyone, it is not a competition!
What are your goals for 2021?
Due to COVID-19, it’s hard to make a plan but before the end of 2021, my goal is to turn fashwigs into a brand for products and ready-made wigs to sell. This will make it easier to focus on my career while still having a business.
Photo taken by Mary Fashoyin
First, third and fourth image work done by Fashwigs
second pic of CEO Mary Fashoyin
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