Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Oboh.
Jennifer, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’m the owner of Curly Coiffure. I started braiding when I was child and my mother took notice of my hobby. She would make me watch the braiders that styled my sister’s hair and take mental notes. When I got home from the braiding appointments, I would replicate what I saw the braiders demonstrate during the appointments. I found a unique joy in making things beautiful and using my hands. I spent time learning how to braid and trying to perfect my craft. I continued to braid part-time through high school and as I attended the University of North Texas offering services to various clients around the Denton area. Once I graduated I struggled to find a way to continue to braid and market my services while maintaining a full-time job. My husband encouraged me through the hard times urging me to push through the difficulties until I hit my stride again.
Around 2013, I started offering services in the North Dallas area and I found that using Instagram allowed me to market myself and increase my clientele. The most popular braided style at that time was Marley or Havana Twists because they mimic the 4c texture and are a beautiful protective style. Marley Twists are still in demand along with Goddess Locs and a new arrival on the scene, Passion Twists. I am growing my business by staying on top of trends, listening to my customer base and being consistent in the quality I provide. Each and every client that books with me is entrusting me to provide them with the same quality that they see online and I fully intend to deliver on that.
Great, 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?
My road hasn’t been a crystal stair at all. Every year the business pivots even if only slightly and you have to know how to stay on trend and in demand. A few years ago just posting on Tumblr would provide all of the clients that I needed and then the base of clients migrated to Instagram. With social media, there is a drawback to the instant access to images because of image theft. In 2014, I created a styled shoot and took some beautiful photos with a model that I knew. Unfortunately, those photos were stolen and dispersed all throughout social media and online with my watermark removed. I began to see that it wasn’t just about the pictures anymore.
Nowadays, you need to tell a story along with your posts to make sure that customers know that your work is authentic and your zeal for the work is real. Your personality has to be felt all over your social media to evoke a desire for clients to book with you and this is on top of the quality of braiding you provide. Another struggle has been staying consistent with posting on social media; there are times when I want to take a break but it will cost me in the long run. I’ve learned to persist when I’m tired, plan ahead and automate my posts.
A big hurdle has been maintaining a day time job while braiding on the evening and on weekends. I’m an educator by day and braider in the evening and on weekends. I find that this works for me because most clients are looking to get their hair done on the evenings and weekends. Time management is important right now for me.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Curly Coiffure – what should we know?
Curly Coiffure is known for providing protective styles for kinky curly natural hair. The vision for Curly Coiffure is to provide women with the ability to protect, nourish and moisturize their natural hair. I want to teach women that there is beauty in their curl and their curls are worth protecting, nourishing and moisturizing with excellent styles and high-quality natural products. I am extremely proud of the new line of butters and moisturizers that have been developed.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I believe in integrity and authenticity. I can only provide services and products that I believe in and I would use on myself. I love to create, tweak and design services and products that will meet a need for my clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.curlycoiffure.com
- Phone: 9723755084
- Email: joboh@curlycoiffure.com
Image Credit:
Christian Onuoha
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