How Elle Jones Got Back Up & Became an Entrepreneur

Have you ever been in a really sh*tty place in your life and wondered how can you get yourself back up? After a dark turn in her life, Elle Jones took a new approach to deciding what she’d invest her time and effort into.

She took her passion for hair and made it into a career on the side of her college life. With over 35 thousand followers on social media, she has created a fan base due to not only her fleek hair, but also always being on point in general. If you’re interested in hearing how Elle did it, check out our Q+A.

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Shmood: 🖕🏾🖕🏾🖕🏾🖕🏾🖕🏾

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How did Senoj Studios come about and why did you pick this name?

Senoj Studios launched in 2014-2015. I was in the hospital after trying to hurt myself and I had a lot of time to think. For some reason the word “investment” kept popping up in my head. Not in the business sense, but I wanted to begin to become aware of who, how, and when I invest my time and energy. I wanted to put my all into something that I could earn from, something that wouldn’t make me feel incompetent like people and circumstances had before. And like a phoenix, Senoj Studios was born. My sister…was an economics major in her undergrad career and came up with the business plan. She came up with Senoj (which is Jones backwards, our last name). She’s awesome, I told her when I get famous she’ll get a cut for that.

How did you make your hair company well known in a short time frame?

Wearing my product. Some people really like me and some people hate my guts, but either way, people know my face. And someone told me that they found Senoj because of me, not the other way around, if that makes sense. I am my brand. I’ll put it on my back and carry it to the top myself, because no one will represent this like me.

When you decided to start your company, what was your biggest fear and how did you overcome it?

My biggest fear was mediocrity, honestly. I didn’t want to just be another girl that sold hair. Beauty is a great market, especially hair. But I refused to be marginalized to the girl that “just” sells hair. To overcome it, I educated myself, but in a unconventional sense. I didn’t buy a “Business for Dummies” book, I studied the market. I study apps like Instagram, how people interact with such apps & I watch people whose work ethic I admire. People like Kylie Jenner, Karen Civil, Ming Lee, India Love, and Miracle Watts. I watched them, and I took notes and went to work.

What are the 5 most important factors in starting a hair extension company?

1. Do not do it for the money because it doesn’t just come rolling in, no matter how big your following is.
2. Marketing is everything!
3. Your plug will arguably be your closest alliance in this business. Stay in contact, work out a great deal and build up a rapport.
4.Use what you have to get what you want. Use your friends to help promote your Instagram and anything else.
5. Network, but don’t d*ckride.

Where do you see your company in the upcoming years?

In the name of Jesus, I see a shop and major expansion. I see a pop up shop with Elle Jones gear, the works. I am very hopeful about the future.

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What tips do you have for young women entrepreneurs?

As a business woman, you have to move different. People will talk and say, “who does she think she is?” Don’t tell them, show them. Carry yourself as the person you want to be. As women, we are such loyal beings, but the sooner you realize that everyone can’t come, the easier the transition from baddie to boss will be. Also, don’t quit, and keep God (or whoever you believe in) close. He/they are the only business partner you’ll ever need.

How did you grow your social media following?

Lots of content and staying relevant. A few Instagram pages would repost me and that also helped my following grow.

How does your company reflect your personal style?

Versatility. You never know what you’re going to get with Elle. I can talk business all day, but I can also be sexy, conservative, yet raunchy. I think as a woman that versatility is the most important quality to posses. And as I said before, you cannot put me in a box. I am more than a hair dealer and in due time, I hope to show my supporters that.

What do you want your supporters to take from this interview?

I’m just grateful for this opportunity. I’m so excited for the things to come. I’m at a place in my life where I feel really invincible, like I can do anything I can put my mind to and I pray that feeling over anyone who reads this interview.

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