Life & Work with Andrea Joy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Joy. 

Hi Andrea, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
My love for hoop earrings started years ago. Like, preteen years. I couldn’t leave the house without my hoops. And if I did, you better believe I was swinging by the hair store to grab a pair! I felt naked without them. My outfit was never complete until I threw my hoops on. They had to be jumbo too. I needed you to see my hoops before you saw me! I always got compliments and people asking me where I got my hoops. The more I got asked, the more I saw an opportunity. So instead of sending the money elsewhere, they could just shop with me. I invested in my inventory, set up shop inside my salon and that’s where it all started. I would ask my clients what they would pay for certain sizes and styles so that I could stay in a comfortable price range. Once I set up the business, I hit the ground running. I hit every festival, fashion show, homecoming, marketplace, conference, pop-up event, happy hour and anywhere else I could set my table up to sell and be seen. I was everywhere! Lol. I was selling out of my trunk. Meeting my hoop lovers in parking lots. Dropping off at their houses. Some even pulling up to my house to grab their hoops. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. Sometimes I lose money, other times the return is amazing at vendor events. Some fees are low and some not so. The most I’ve invested in a booth was close to $1100. I didn’t even double my money but the exposure was worth the investment. One weekend, I packed my car up for a homecoming event about an hour away. Paid for the space and was so confident that it would be a great event because of the institution that was hosting it. I get there, and not a soul was in sight. I took a loss and learned a lesson. Now, I’m Inspector Gadget on whoever is throwing the event. I’m seeing who knows who and who knows what. I’ve paid for events where I made no money, but I made connections. I get so much information from other business owners at these events. I’m so thankful for the ones that share freely. Being consistent with marketing is not easy. I know for me; I need to build a team that can do what I’m not skilled at. You really have to make, making content a part of your schedule. Counting inventory, a part of your schedule. Researching the business, you are in as part of your schedule. Trying to stand out in the vastness of social media can mess with your head. Feeling like your efforts aren’t being seen. But it’s vital to growing a business now. Being consistent even when your schedule doesn’t have time or space to be. It’s not easy. I’m a single parent. I’m a salon owner. We all have personal and life issues. All of that affects the process. It’s just about how bad you want it. So, I have to keep everything going even when I don’t have any go left in me. It’s so much that comes on the other side of that LLC, Corporation, or whichever structure you file under. The wins and losses. Tears and doubts. Withdrawals and sometimes no deposits for weeks… WEEKS! Setbacks and come-ups. All of that is waiting on every entrepreneur. That’s just part of the journey. Keeping your thoughts in the right direction when you are discouraged, that’s the hardest part for me. Staying focused when you feel it’s just not working. I cry. I question myself. Then I wipe my face and get back to It. I know what I signed up for. I know that the work comes before the profit. It takes years to build a brand and business is the long game. And it will make you pace yourself as you learn how to grow. In every aspect. But I got a whole lot of faith. I won’t say I’m built different. But I will say I’m built like my mama. She solid. So, it’s in me. I never saw her quit, so my kid won’t see me quit. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve been in the hair industry for 21 years. I took a couple of breaks within those years to pursue other endeavors. But I always ended up back behind the chair. That’s my happy place. I specialize in cutting and styling short hair. I absolutely LOVE my clients. I opened my salon, Inception Hair Studio, in 2017 and every day I walk by faith. I’m just thankful. Integrating Cute Hoops into the fold just naturally fit. When I would take pictures of my clients they would always say “Hold on, let me put some earrings on.” So now they have plenty to choose from and I’m able to cross-promote. It just works. I’m known for walking what I talk. Handling myself and actions with morals. I’m a friend. I’m real big on friendships. Genuine friendships. And doing right by people because energy is real. 

The thing that I am MOST proud of is what I’ve instilled in my daughter. She sees me making moves. She watches me like a Hawk. She has seen me bounce back from SO much. Her seeing me flow builds her character. I’m her example and I am loving the person she is growing into. 

I would say the thing that sets me apart is my drive. I will bend every single corner until I end up where I need to be. I’m always willing to take a chance. When I’m in, I’m all in. 

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Mentors are extremely important. Honestly, I still need one. There’s always someone who knows more than what you know. Business owners that I follow on social media are mentors to me. They don’t know it, but I’m watching. And learning. For free! Find someone doing what you want to do and take notes. Literally. Go to vendor events, make a purchase with a small business, and spark up a conversation. Ask questions. Frequent places where you know the bosses show up. Sometimes you don’t even have to engage. You can ear hustle and pick up some gems. Read! Let the books be a mentor. Podcasts. I watch a lot of Earn Your Leisure (EYL) on YouTube. Wherever information is, tap in. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.cutehoops.com | www.inceptionhairstudio.com
• Address: Inception Hair Studio 5502 Carthage Ave, Cincinnati, Ohio 45212
• Phone: 513-780-9831
• Instagram: @Cutehoops_earrings | @Inception_hair_studio
• Facebook: www.Facebook.com/cutehoops | Facebook.com/Inceptionhairstudio
• TikTok: cutehoops1

Image Credits
Andrea Joy
Jairon Robinson