Today we’d like to introduce you to Tabitha Maneti.
Tabitha, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Dillon Joy actually isn’t my first business venture, haha! I first co-owned a dog walking company in Chicago, IL. I ended up selling half of the company to my partner when my first daughter was born in 2013. I became a stay at home mom where I started sewing little dresses and ring slings for my daughter. As she got older & we moved to Dallas, the itch to start a company started up again. I loved sewing and finding different creative outlets, so I started making headbands & bonnets & then head wraps with no concrete business plan, really, I just knew that if I was going to start a business there is not trying, only doing, so I just started sewing and told myself I would figure it out along the way. Tina Fey says, “say YES, you’ll figure it out afterwards.” Which is terrifying by the way, haha, but also exciting as heck. So, I did that. I took that advice from Queen-uh-Fey, and it’s brought me to where I am now.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I feel like with anything in life that is truly meant for you there will be many struggles. Trying to navigate a business, working from home, having my three kids with me while I work. It’s very hard. My husband travels for work, so there’s never really any time off. It’s long nights, early mornings, corresponding & engaging constantly on four different social media platforms. There’s the expression, “quit your 9-5 to work 24-7 to follow your dreams” no truer words have ever been spoken quite like those to an entrepreneur, and a mother.
Please tell us about Dillon Joy.
I own a head wrap & accessories line, Dillon Joy! My shop is most known for two things: me laughing at myself on my Instagram page & head wraps of course! What sets the shop apart from others is definitely the shop’s wild prints and colors. I like loud, vibrant, fun fabrics. I spend hours online looking for fabrics that are both eco-friendly & exciting to add to an everyday outfit. I think what makes me most proud of my shop is the community I’ve built on my platforms. I cater to ages infant-adult. Mothers, fathers, teens, college students without children, and more. I’ve made so many friends through my shop & helped a lot of people. My first full year, I donated head wraps to women & children undergoing a variety of hair loss treatments, and thousands of dollars to different organizations for children, mental health, & homeless shelters. I’m really proud of that. The fact that through making cute accessories and expression, I can take some of the proceeds & give them to help people in need. There’s really no greater service.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Haha, this is a loaded question. Well, I had no clue what I was doing when I first started when it comes to online platforms, so if I could take the knowledge I now on how to actually run an online store have I would obviously apply all of it! I don’t know that would be as good of a story though!
Pricing:
- full-size Babe Buns are $21-24
- Hair bands are all $15
- Lovey Blankies are $35
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dillonjoy.com
- Email: dillonjoyhairwraps@gmail.com
- Instagram: @dillonjoy.co
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dillonjoyhairwraps/
Image Credit:
Phoenix Michele Photography, Jillian Silva, Abby Kail, Jasmine Adisbeth Photography
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