Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Ryai.
Samantha, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
When I was 16 I had the opportunity to attend cosmetology school while still completing high school. I was not really sure which career path I wanted to dedicate my studies too, so I decided to take this opportunity and have my cosmetology license as a backup plan.
I continued on to college to complete my studies in early childhood education where I received my teaching license for the state of Ohio. Throughout my studies in college, I realized that teaching was not the career I wanted.
In my second year of undergrad, also when COVID hit, I bought my first mannequin head and I started practicing here and there. I was then asked in the following months if I could curl hair for a wedding and I took the opportunity to help out, not thinking much of it at all. I was then asked to do another wedding as an assistant. The second job I took I realized how fun the job was, but I did not really know how to do a lot of styles at all. So as I worked through the next 2 years of college, I would spend time every day working on my mannequin head practicing styles. After the first year, I was posting on instagram and I had gotten some requests and I thought this would be a great job to have while working as a student teacher 5 days a week. So I opened up my LLC and I could take bookings!
I was so excited to take my own weddings and be a business owner while working through college to earn my teaching degree. The last year of college I had a really successful business and when I graduated I was able to do wedding hair full time. But because weddings only happen on the weekend, I needed something to do during the week. Soon I was working at two different hair salons building a clientele and building my wedding business. I am currently in my third year of Hair Styled by Samantha LLC and I have gotten to travel to 3 different states, work alongside amazing educators, and I was publicity recognized by two major hair styling product companies.
I was also flown out to NYC to complete a training class by one of my favorite companies in the hair industry!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have worked though so many struggles just trying to learn the job while working by myself and starting a business which I had no clue how to even do all while working a few different jobs and completing college. I also had to learn how to market myself, all the legalities of running a business and create a reputation fo rmyself.
As you know, we’re big fans of Hair Styled by Samantha LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I am a traveling bridal hair stylist that styles hair for weddings, photoshoots, companies, and special events.
I am known for bridal hair in the Cleveland, Ohio area. I want my readers to know that my dream is to travel abroad one day for weddings and be able to do bridal hair as my full time career in the future.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I think in my eyes taking the risk of starting a business in college and coming up with a business plan was so overwhelming that I was too busy to really realize any risk.
I think you should every risk in the book to achieve what you want to achieve, it is easier said than done but one day I hope that I can take more risks in my business and personal life to achieve things that seem impossible or out of reach. i think risk-taking is what makes life more adventures and it is how you learn, but always have a back-up plan if something does go as planned, because most things do not go as planned.
Pricing:
- Bridal hair $250
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hairstyledbysamanthallc.com
- Instagram: hairstyledby.samantha
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1aHAz2Bwp8/?mibextid=wwXIfr
