Naeemah is Master stylist and Owner at House of Beauty Salon, and a graduate of LAEDA's Entrepreneurial Development Training Program. We had a chance to sit down with her to ask her about her experience with entrepreneurship and LAEDA's training program.
Entrepreneurship is a very challenging path to take, with many different possible directions. What made you decide to become an entrepreneur? Why did you choose the beauty industry?
“I wanted to be an entrepreneur because I always wanted to do it after graduating college. I graduated in Business Administration and Marketing, but I wanted to do something greater and more creative. I am in the beauty and hair care industry because I have a great passion for it and for graduate school I went to Hair School to add on more to my skills.”
You mentioned that you started out by going directly to clients, as opposed to immediately opening up a brick and mortar salon. Can you talk a little bit more about this?
“Going to the homes meant for me to continuously bring all the products to my car and to their house and then back to my house. However, it was a great experience and I got a lot of experience and knowledge out of it. Especially, on what it will feel like once you have your own business. You need to be prepared to do anything even if it’s tough and may be out of your comfort zone.”
House of Beauty was originally located in Philadelphia but later moved to New Jersey. Can you talk a little bit about this process?
“Sometimes, we as business owners are afraid with starting over and developing ourselves. But I am really career driven and that’s why I am probably not married yet. I was thankful because even after this move some of my clients still come to New Jersey from Philadelphia. It was easier to start my business in New Jersey because Philadelphia has a lot of salons, and some of which are within walking distance of one another.”
Can you talk a little bit about the Entrepreneurial Development Training Program? How did it help you out?
“I joined EDTP because it gave me more skills in accounting, demographics, and a lot more in depth knowledge in understanding bookkeeping. The law classes really helped in learning the legal parts. I loved the program, especially the networking, because there were people in their startup phase and people already in established businesses. I also loved the classes because I learned from other aspects and backgrounds from all the different speakers and or instructors. The course opened up my eyes to many unknown factors that entrepreneurs might not know even exist when he or she first start out on this path.”
Do you have any advice for future (or existing) entrepreneurs?
“When [starting out] or rebuilding your own business it takes a lot of hours and sacrifices. My one piece of advice for future entrepreneurs who are thinking about starting a business or just starting out is don’t be afraid of the hard work because working for yourself requires more than the regular 9am-5pm schedule.”
Naeemah completed LAEDA’s Entrepreneurial Development Training Program in Winter 2014. Congratulations to Naeemah for completing EDTP and recommitting to your journey on the path of entrepreneurship. If you’d like to learn more about Naeemah and her business, please visit her on facebook at South Jersey House of Beauty.
The Entrepreneurial Development Training Program (EDTP) is a free, nine week business skills training course offered in Camden, NJ in the Winter, Spring, and Fall each year. Qualified entrepreneurs receive 72+ hours of training from industry professionals, business planning, and one year of technical assistance. Apply online at www.LAEDA.com.