Today we’d like to introduce you to Christopher Box.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Christopher. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have over 20 years of experience in the beauty & hair extension industry here in Dallas. I helped create one of the first tape hair extension systems on the market called Diva in a Box back in 2004. My team and I launched it at the Nordstroms in the Galleria. It was the first DIY tape in extension products on the market.
This product eventually became one of the leading tapes in extension products in the US. Even though I am no longer associated with the brand, you can still find my idea alive and well in salon chains like Aveda and Ulta. Over the years I have traveled the world educating stylists about the wonderful world of “weave”, worked as a brand ambassador for a high-end hair extension line at New York Fashion week and even started a very successful extension focus salon in Dallas, Texas – The Beauty Box Salon. (which is now celebrating its 10th year of business)
In 2017 I sold the salon and decided to jump into the world of product manufacturing again. I developed my own hair care line, Big Kizzy Hair. It is designed to help anyone who is in a “complicated relationship” with their hair. Most haircare lines can’t keep up with the unique hair needs of today’s modern women. Initially, the line was launched with a strong focus on hair care for extensions. I realized early on, that hair extensions rarely matched the texture and needs of his client’s hair. It was a daily struggle to find hair extension safe products that were good for his client’s extensions AND their own natural hair.
I decided to flip the script on what a hair care line was supposed to be. Most people don’t fit into neat little categories. The truth is that people get a variety of services, like hair extensions, color & keratin treatments. Also, most people have a combination of textures, hair densities and services they like to get in a salon. Basically, almost everyone is in an “it’s complicated” relationship with their hair. Some people have thin frizzy hair. Some people have thick hair that is super fine. Curly hair people want to have straight hair and vice versa. You get the picture.
In 2018 I launched a version of my original tape in hair extension remover under my brand Big Kizzy Hair on the Amazon platform. I loved this remover and just thought it would be cool to share it with other professionals and hair extension junkies. Within six months the product became a massive hit on Amazon. It is currently the #1 hair extension SKU on Amazon with well over 300 product reviews.
Today I have what I call “the mullet” of small businesses. Business in the front and party in the back… I have a 4000 sq ft office/warehouse off of Webb Chapel and Walnut Hill. The front part of our space is dedicated to our thriving Amazon business. In the back, I have an art studio where I get to put my artist hat on. I like to think of my art studio space as “the party or fun side”.
Side Note: My business and home both barely survived the tornado that hit us last year. I missed having my studio completely destroyed by one building. We were without electricity for a week. Luckily we had a small camping generator that we could run the computers on for a couple of hours a day to get orders out. When we were done with that we would hand out water and snacks to our neighbors who had lost it all. It was an extremely humbling experience to say the least.
My focus in 2020 is expanding and growing the artist that has always lived inside of me. I realized a couple of years ago that doing hair was just a way for me to express myself artistically. My true passion was painting the whole time. I just figured out that if I painted hair I could make money. I never thought I could earn a living as an artist. I fully intend to prove that to be incorrect.
Has it been a smooth road?
I think the biggest obstacle I have encountered was myself. The truth is we do not always listen to our gut. We are taught early on to always seek more, to expand, to grow no matter the cost. When you know yourself you can navigate life in a way that is easier. Oh, it’ll still be hard… it just doesn’t always have to be as hard as we make it.
Over my 20 year career in Dallas, I have learned to listen to my instinct. No one person ever really makes a business. It is the combination of a team that truly makes the magic things happen. You truly are only as good as your weakest link. I have learned to be wise about the people I surround myself with. Because when shit hits the fan you want to make sure you have people who will be there for you. And let’s face it… the shit always hits the fan at some point.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Big Kizzy Hair – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I am most proud of my ability to see the potential in people. Sometimes people cannot see just how amazing they really are. I have a very small team that gets a lot of things done. Collectively we do a lot with a little. I have three other team members that help me run a haircare line and my budding art business. Loyalty means everything to me. In return, I always take care of my people. In ways, they are my family.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love Dallas because of the opportunity it provides. If you live in LA, NYC or other “cooler” cities it is much much harder to make your dreams happen. I think Dallas is the perfect combination of cityscape and heart. If you work hard in Dallas it will be rewarded. I have lived here for 20 years and definitely call it my home. I have really enjoyed watching it bloom over the past two decades.
When the tornado hit my neighborhood it was an honor and privilege to be able to go out and help my neighbors. Dallas has been kind to me. It felt good to repay the favor. Dallas has always had my back. It was cool to be able to have it’s back too. My least favorite thing? We drive like crazy people. I don’t know how it happens but one day you wake up and realize you are a crazy driver too.
Contact Info:
- Address: 10048 Monroe DR
Dallas TX 75229 - Website: www.bigkizzyhair.com
- Phone: 214-614-2442
- Email: expert@bigkizzy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigkizzyhair/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bigkizzy/
- Other: https://theflipartist.com/
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