Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Idio J.D.
Hi Stephanie, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hair By Akoni started 5 years ago when I moved to China to pursue business. After exploring many factories, and market districts, I began consulting clients who needed my help “entering China” to launch their hair and beauty companies with products and special manufacturing. Soon after I branded my own line of hair extensions and wigs. I was able to visit hair factories all over southeast Asia making me a credible source for many hair and beauty businesses. When the pandemic hit, I came back to Texas and extended Hair By Akoni from hair-to-hair care and began producing herbal hair and beard care products for textured hair.
As my consulting services grew, I started consulting other types of industries for businesses who wanted to enter China but needed help finding manufacturers and sourcing. In fact, when many borders closed, people had to quarantine, many companies laid-off employees, and international shipping vastly delayed, my consulting services became essential and my passion for hair really fed my purpose to help other entrepreneurs.
If anyone told me that after graduating law school and working in the legal industry, that I would not be working as a traditional lawyer, I would have laughed; but now I know, doing business is my destiny…
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
On the not so smoothe days, I could run into several issues including manufacturing/shipping issues, time, language, and culture barriers from clients to suppliers, balancing work and personal life, etc. Of course, doing business can be a challenge but as I reflect on my past and where I am now, I grow stronger and more resilient every day. But the most important part is that I understand the assignment and stay in alignment with my purpose.
As you know, we’re big fans of Hair By Akoni. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Hair By Akoni is a product and service company that sources hair extensions and creates natural hair care for texture hair for both men and women. Our services include consulting business that need sourcing and manufacturing from China.
What sets my company apart is that we not only offer hair and beauty products but can also help you start your own company. We have over 6 years of experience and can really speak to the origins of our products. We know where our hair comes from, continuously meet with our manufacturers, and we make all of our hair care in-house with all-natural ingredients. I don’t know many other people who can say that they literally have or want to travel to the source of their business to learn and see the “how-to” of it, so people end up hiring us because we have done all of the hard work. If you want something in life, you have to go after it, and my brand and leadership embodies that.
For all hair and hair care- www.hairbyakoni.com
For consulting services- www.hbasiaconsulting.com
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I like the most about DFW is that it hosts the fastest growing cities in America, many national corporations, and international. I enjoy travel so being able to experience many cultures here really helps me grow and travel without leaving home if I don’t want to.
What I like least about DFW is that it can be slow to change, but I understand that sometimes, progress takes patience and time.
Pricing:
- Wigs… $55 and up
- Hair Extensions … $48 and up
- Herbal Beard Growth Oil… $19
- Herbal Hair Growth Oil…$19
- Hair Face Body Butter Soap… $10
Contact Info:
- Email: hairbyakoni@gmail.com
- Website: www.hairbyakoni.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/hairandbeautyconsulting
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/hairbyakoni
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/akonihairpage
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvs-1m_TLaPRRLeB4lYNruw/featured
- Other: https://linktr.ee/hairbyakoni
Image Credits
Christa Equsquiza
Keira Jones
Iheoma Aharanwa
