Alumni-owned business spotlight: Marcia Rhodes-Tyler (B.A.’00)
VCU Alumni is highlighting Ram entrepreneurs listed in our alumni-owned business directory. Learn business tips from Marcia Rhodes-Tyler, owner of Hazel O Salon in Alexandria, Virginia.
What tools helped you the most when you started out?
Good credit and social media.
What was the biggest challenge to maintaining your business?
Creating a diverse salon where all hair textures are serviced. Our team at Hazel O often says, “If you have hair on your head, then our salon can do it.” Therefore, it can also become a bit of a challenge finding the right stylists to fit the diverse culture we are creating within the salon community. We really had to work hard at trying to maintain a healthy profit margin which can be difficult to do when you have loans, investors and taxes among other overhead and unexpected expenses.
What advice do you have for people considering starting a business?
If you choose to have a partner make sure it’s someone you work well with and that they don’t mind putting in the work. Also, keep in mind that you’ll have some really good days and some really bad ones … just keep going!