Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittney Buster.
Brittney, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started making custom wigs completely on accident. I have been natural – chemical-free hair – for over eight years now. Anyone who has gone natural knows, it’s a journey. Like most women with natural hair, I had been working my way through all the protective styles: braids, crochet, sew-ins, etc and I decided I wanted to try a wig. I started off with a beauty supply unit, just to ease my way into the wig life, but I quickly realized I needed a more high-end product with greater longevity.
So I entered Youtube University to learn more about wigs and stumbled into videos on wig making. I am a teacher by trade, and when spring break rolled around, I decided I would make myself a wig. Before the week was up, I had made myself three wigs on the sewing machine, and I’ve never looked back. A few months later, burnt out on teaching summer school, I figured the summer was as good a time as any to give my business a try. This was in 2019, and looking back, I made so many mistakes! Whewwww, so many! That first year was all about putting myself out there. I was fearless, so eager to try new things. I had a logo, a website, and some skills, that’s it. But somehow, I turned into business. I took every opportunity to put myself in front of people. Every pop up shop I could find I was there. By December 2019, after six months in business, I’d managed to have a 5 figure sales year! At that point, I knew this business was for me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Smooth? Absolutely not! I start every year by reflecting on the previous year and focusing on strengthening the weakest areas. In 2020, I focused on becoming a better wig maker. I took class after class to learn everything I could about turning out a better product. There was a lot of freedom in throwing myself out there when I first started, but when you gain loyal customers, you want to produce the very best for them. Little did I know, having a great product only gets you so far. I learned some big business lessons that year. In January, FedEx lost my entire hair shipment – no product; no sales.
In February, Asia was hit with Covid and shut their borders, which meant another month with no hair – and no sales. Then in March, the pandemic hit the US. Salons were shut down and people were flocking to me for wigs. Luckily Asian borders reopened, although slow, and I was able to get product. So many people needed a DIY hair solution that still served salon looks, and I gave it to them. Schools shut down and I became a virtual teacher. I had more time flexibility to meet the greater demand placed on my business. All the work I had done, putting myself out there, pop-up shops, etc, allowed me to be a visible solution for people who needed it. I took that opportunity and RAN WITH IT, Business was great! Until I had to return to teaching full time. The demand did not slow, but my ability to meet that demand dropped drastically. I realized real quick – I could make a great wig, but I knew nothing about running a business efficiently. I struggled, missed sleep, missed meals, missed my family, just trying to manage my business. I pushed all the way though Black Friday, and then I burned out. I took nearly two months off. I had already given up so much for my business, even quitting graduate school to pursue this new dream, so I knew I had to keep pushing, but I also had to do it smarter and better. So this year has been all about being a better business. Learning to implement systems and processes, learning work-life balance, just learning and growing and staying ready for the overflow.
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?
I am a custom wig maker. I turn bundles and lace into ready-to-wear hairstyles that women can easily apply at home or with a professional. I hand make each wig on a sewing machine to custom measurements. I cut, color and style each wig myself to my customers’ specifications. I specialize in low maintenance, glue-less units. Most of my clients are busy professionals or entrepreneurs. They are on-the-go and regardless of how busy they are, appearance is still important to them personally or in their workplace or profession. I’m known for realistic wigs that look natural and can blend with natural/relaxed hair textures. In other words, I make wigs that don’t look wiggy. Don’t get me wrong, I make units of various lengths, styles and colors, but the natural appearance of my wigs are definitely the most notable thing about my work.
The thing I’m most proud of is repeat customers. A lot of the customers who discovered me during the pandemic were referrals and first-time wig-wearers. Many of them go on to refer their family members and friends. I have customers who buy new wigs every other month or multiple wigs at once. If you want to know whether you’re doing a good job, check how many people recommend you and your work and how many people keep coming back for your products. What sets me apart is that I make having great hair everyday accessible. I know it may seem frivolous to some, but to many women and men, having great hair makes them feel empowered. I service clients with a host of hair concerns such as balding/thinning edges from medical treatments alopecia, burns, etc. As much as I offer wigs as fashion, more than anything, I offer a hair solution.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Before I started my business, I planned on making a lifetime career out of education. I was enrolled in graduate school, working on my second master’s to become a school counselor. I was one semester away from finishing when I dropped out. I straight up quit, didn’t bother finishing my practicum. I could have buckled down, pushed through, put my business on hold, but I knew I wasn’t going to stay in education much longer. Just like that, I rewrote my whole life path. In general, I’m not a risk-taker. I will overanalyze and overthink and consider things from every angle I can imagine. At that point, any decision is more of a measured step than risk. But when it comes to my business, I’m totally different.
Last month, I decided that I want to have a surplus of ready-to-ship options for people who needed a unit immediately. The only way to do that is to have a large amount of hair readily available. I thought about it for maybe 30 minutes. Long enough for me to decide what hair I wanted to order and boom, done. It’s a huge risk because you can never know what will sell. You just have to go with your gut, put it out there and see what happens. Always be willing to bet on yourself. I think that just proves that this business is for me. I always feel so sure about the next steps. I don’t think I’ve felt that in any other area of my life.
Contact Info:
- Email: contact@savagetresses.com
- Website: www.savagetresses.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/savagetresses
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/savagetresses
Image Credits
Melanie Jiles, JustMeAndaCamera Photography
