Today we’d like to introduce you to Elnora Foggy.
Elnora, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
When I was little, I always had somewhat of an interest in hair. I had a cousin and a sister who were hairdressers (old school lingo). They had mannequin heads that I took, played with, and cut up their hair. When I was in elementary school, I use to experiment on my hair a lot. I use to try different braided styles. Mainly micro braids because I definitely couldn’t afford to get them done but they were so pretty to me. When I was in middle school, I use to get to school and kids use to come up to me and ask who did my hair and I told them that I did.
Next thing you know, their parents were asking me if I can do their hair and I said sure. That’s how I started making a little money here and there. When I was in high school, I really started flourishing doing hair. I was doing hair in the classroom, in the gym, on the bus, at lunch, and of course, in my mama’s living room. I use to do a lot of my teammate’s hair when I was on the dance line and basketball dance team. I even started to do grown-up’s hair. I really had money to play around with. Oh how I miss those days! lol The crazy thing is that every time I was asked what I wanted to be when I grow up, I always said that I wanted to be a hairdresser. For some reason, it was always frowned upon. I was told that it’s not a good career choice, it wouldn’t make me any real money, and that I should just be a doctor, lawyer, or nurse. I didn’t want to be either and always knew that doing hair made me happy.
Even though I was passionate about hair, I decided to listen to them and put hair on a back burner and just “Pick One”. I went to college for business thinking that it was needed if I wanted to one day open a salon. I feel like I wasted time and money in college because I wasn’t really interested in any of the majors and I changed them three times. I enjoyed my college experience, though because I went to Savannah State University. I did hair while on campus every Saturday. I use to walk through campus and always got asked, “Who did your hair?” Of course I did it. lol Some girls would even copy my hairstyles and tell me that I inspired them. I was flattered. I went up to one girl who had a sew in. I didn’t really know what it was because in my home town, most girls wore quick weaves, ponytails, and braids. I studied her head and practiced on my friends until I mastered it. Then the clients really started coming in. I was happy that I knew how to do hair because I always had money to do what I wanted to do.
While in college, I got pregnant and had difficulties during my pregnancy but I got through them. I had my baby over the Christmas break which was good timing because I was able to get back to my classes and start fresh. Or so I thought. My advisor dropped all of my classes. When I asked her why, she told me that she thinks that I need to be home taking care of my baby. I was so upset because that wasn’t her choice to make and I had already had people and things in place to help me out. Since that happened, I went straight into cosmetology school at Albany Technical College. It was a great experience. I had one teacher who was always negative and acted like a lot of us would never amount to anything. Not sure if that was her reverse psychology but it pushed me even more. My other teacher really pushed me to my full potential and I really appreciate him for doing so.
After completing cosmetology school, I did a little hair in my hometown but I knew that I wanted to move to bigger and better things. I stepped out on faith and went on craigslist to see if any salons in Atlanta, GA was hiring. I found one that Friday and was on the road to Atlanta that Sunday with my son just to do an interview. I was that determined. Everything was a go and that next weekend, I moved to Atlanta with $40 in my pocket and my one-year-old by my side. Luckily I knew someone down there to stay with. I worked in a couple of salons though getting burned by some and built up my clientele and money rapidly and was able to move into my own apartment. Finally, our own comfort!! After that. I found an amazing salon that I made so much money with and it opened so many doors for me. I was thriving! Moving to Atlanta was the best thing I could have done for my son and me. I worked on the set of Love and Hip Hop, thanks to a friend. I even had Kelly Price as a personal client, thanks to another friend. Networking and Connects is the best thing to have when you’re trying to elevate.
From working in salons, being a traveling stylist, to working in salon suites, I finally just took things to the house. I started doing hair from home while still creating a great salon experience because I wanted more than just doing hair. I wanted to save money and start a Hair and Hair Product business. My clients always asked what’s the best hair to purchase and what’s the best hair products to use on their hair. Why refer my clients to other businesses for hair and hair products when I could just create my own company that will provide what they’re looking for? Where there was a pain point, I created a solution. I started back selling hair in 2016 and in Feb 2017, Herphoria by Norastylez was born. Norastylez is my name as a stylist. I had my own line of Hair products and I started to really sell hair and wigs. By the end of 2017, I felt like I needed a change. I decided that Atlanta was expiring for me. I needed a fresh start so I decided to take my Talents to Dallas, TX where I reside presently. I moved here March 2018. When I tell you that this was the best move ever, I’m not lying.
This place is full of thriving professionals, it’s such an open and bright place, and there’s so much more to do. It’s a very family-oriented place. I feel like I’m getting the best of all worlds out here. Enough about that. lol Moving to Dallas, my clientele grew rapidly. I had put myself out there. I was posting ads on Craigslist, in people’s DMs, Inboxes, and passed out my business cards at every beauty supply that I could get to. I even used the fact that I was a stylist from Atlanta to draw them in. It worked. lol I’ve made amazing connections, met amazing people, and developed incredible bonds with a lot of my clients. People in Dallas are way more nicer and is more serious about networking which has pushed my business even further. Well as of the present day, I have rebranded Herphoria by Norastylez into Hephoria Collection because I know that my brand will be international one day with so many different things under this umbrella. I’m currently a retired hairstylist as of November 2020 due to the fact that I suffer from Carpal Tunnel and Tendonitis. But I’m not all the way sad about it because I wanted to retire at the age of 35 and I’m 34 so a 1-year difference isn’t that bad. I thank God that I’m able to do so. I’m just going to continue to keep God first and keep focusing on my business and making it what I envision it to be even if I have to halfway go broke behind it for now. lol Just kidding. Herphoria Collection is my baby and I can’t wait for the world to see everything that it will consist of.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It wasn’t a smooth road at all. I don’t even know what smooth means in this circumstance. Everything about this journey has been a struggle. On this journey, I’ve dealt with one of my cosmetology teachers being very discouraging. I even wondered if I should’ve kept going but I did. I think my passion for doing hair was so strong. The hair industry is most definitely Not for the Weak!! Finding a great salon home was a struggle because you tend to deal with jealousy. If a person feels like you may be a threat or do better than them, they start having the “Hater” mentality and try to block or steal clients and make your workspace pretty toxic.
That’s another reason why I started working in salon suites and eventually started working from home. Dealing with unruly clients can be very stressful. I even had one that tried to tarnish my name because of a misunderstanding but my character and credibility outweighed everything, Booth rent definitely became a struggle at times. Some weeks might be good and one week might not be so you end up working just to pay your booth rent while your bills start to lack. When it comes to my products, I took a great loss my first year due to lack of some business knowledge but I’m back and better. Overall, I wouldn’t trade any of these struggles because it has built me into what I am today.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Consider myself an artist and creative because I have to create some styles from scratch or even mimic a few styles based on what a client would want. I also have to create videos/content for my marketing campaigns which can be pretty fun. I specialize in hair extensions and natural hair. I use to be a braider but I stopped a while ago. I’m known more for wigs now that I’m trying to dominate in that area. I’m getting better and better every day. Though I suffer from carpal tunnel and tendonitis, wigs are easier for me because I’ve cut out the braiding. I’m most proud of Who I evolved to be. I didn’t let anyone discourage me to actually quit. I’m living off of my talents and making more money doing what I love. I’m so happy to have my own business and is excited to see it flourish before my eyes.
What I’m most proud of is that I’m creating a line of wealth that I can pass down to generations after me. What sets me apart from others is that I don’t mind helping people get ahead in this industry. Even though I’m about my money, I don’t mind dropping a free gem here or there. If somebody ask me something about hair or how I got to where I am, I just tell them. I don’t worry about what anyone can possibly take from me because what’s meant for me to have can Never be taken away. Also, most people will tell you that I have good customer service and that I actually care about my clients and customers and will take the initiative to go over and beyond.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I’ve done a collaboration with someone before and did a giveaway. We both gave each winner a product from our businesses. We did it to put ourselves in people’s eyesight and to open ourselves up to a market outside of our own. I’m always down for giving back. I’m always down for any type of collaboration. I would love to throw brunches and networking events to get to know other people in my industry and even people who are inspiring to be in my industry. The best way to support me is to tell people about me. Yes, you can purchase from me but word of mouth is the best support ever. At least for me it is.
Pricing:
- Wigs start out at $250 depending on length and color would be extra
- Hair bundles start out at $65
Contact Info:
- Email: herphoriallc@gmail.com
- Website: www.Herphoria.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/herphoriacollection
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/herphoriallc
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/herphoriallc
- Youtube: Herphoria by Norastylez https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJzahIrunjv-pTDiU6jYbEw
Image Credits
Feature photo and Photos in Black Lace bustier – Alex J Hudson @alexjhudsonphoto
Photo in Pink Tulle – Darnell Porter @deee_porter
All other photos – Elnora Foggy
