The Evolution of Mermaid Braidz

Just over a year ago, I created a braid style that was for my brand but a style that would bring my clients confidence & beauty to another level. This style has took my business up a notch just by the amount of bookings I had each month. On an average, I completed about 20+ Mermaid services per month which means I’ve done this style over 100 times. Many people ask what made me call this style Mermaid braids. Well one day I was in the shop with my former co worker Sparkles and we talked about how pretty the bulk hair I purchased was. I told her I wanted to come up with a name that represents how you will feel with this style. After a few hours, we can up with the name “Mermaid braids”.

Mermaid braids will really have you feeling like a Mermaid getting out the water with your hair feeling luxurious and soft, as you are walking up the beach Your braids flowing with the wind and as it naturally dries, the curls are amazing. This is really the PERFECT VACATION style that you should have. You get braids and a weave look all in one. When I first announced the style to my social medias, I was nervous about the reactions I would get especially because of what the price was.

Price really has been my biggest battle with the style. I ALWAYS want to be affordable to my clients, but I also have to make money too. Even though I call my style a different name than other braiders who style is similar to mine, most braiders are charging at least $100 more than I am. I tell people all the time, I like being the underdog because it shows me that people really love my work despite my price and regardless of how my following may be on social media, I’m always booked. I gave specials pretty much the end of 2023 and most of 2024 to give people a chance to let me do their braids at a cheaper rate. Did I take a big cut? Yes I did … about $50-$65 cut per client, but it didn’t matter to me because it’s was about building the clientele. And honestly it worked out in my favor greatly because this whole past year I’ve gained new clients and retained them. Now that my first year passed of introducing Mermaid braids, I can now charge my regular price and my clients will pay it because they know what to expect already and besides I have the best bulk hair options in the area right now.

Now let’s get into this bulk hair, and let me say this first I learned a lot about the hair game just in a small matter of time. In the first year, I went from one vendor to gaining about 5 bulk vendors that I actually like and actually stopped working with two just because of shipping times. I literally order hair almost every other day and people say all the time why don’t you just order all in one. Only reason I don’t is because people like different textures and different amount at once, so I like to make it easier for myself by ordering at least 2-3 times a week so I can keep up with the flow. But every vendor I’ve used, I haven’t had a complaint about the hair and if hair does mess up, I’m 100% confident that it’s the client and not me as a braider.

This past year I’ve had some issues with clients and their hair which resulted to me creating a hair issue policy (please go read if you haven’t on my website) but this helps me and also gives a client grace because things can happen. Depending on how bad an issue is and I can’t fit you into my schedule, I will issue % of a refund but other than that, if you miss the grace period you have to pay. 10 days is 2 business weeks to me (not including weekends) so anything outside of that will be a charge because the bulk hair cost. Despite of any issues, I have always made it right with my clients which is why I am in business successful running 8 years strong.

I say all of this to say that … I really love what I do as braider and I will always continue to evolve Mermaid braids to be better because this style really has brought me success, amazing new clients, and knowing that this style alone has boosted the confidence for so many woman that it truly makes my heart melt.

Before I end my first blog, if you have ever been a client of mine, please leave a comment below about your experience with me or about anything you believe that I can correct to make your braid experience better as a client … I love you all so much 💖 Keep rooting for Rayy Braidz 🫶🏽