For many entrepreneurs and small businesses, social media can be an absolute game-changer! All it takes is one viral post and a business can suddenly take off.
At Like A Voss Inc, we’re highlighting local businesses and entrepreneurs who are killing the online game. This week’s spotlight is on Hailey Wyatt, owner of Wyatt House Design Co!
Wyatt House Design Co is a sustainable, zero waste clothing brand that focuses on breathing new life into second hand and vintage textiles through innovative up-cycling methods. Wyatt House is dedicated to creating a brighter, more inclusive & circular future for fashion.
Our girl Betina interviewed Hailey about her secret to success in business and in life. We also got some awesome insights into what they think makes social media such an effective tool in business.
A Little Bit About Being an Entrepreneur
1: How long have you been in business?
I originally started out as a vintage reseller in 2019. In November of 2021, I finally made the jump to start my very own zero waste clothing brand and I am so excited to launch my first official spring collection this May!
2: What made you decide to break away from the 9-5 and start Wyatt House Design Co?
I’ve never had a full-time 9-5 job. I’ve always spread my time across many commitments, part-time jobs, and education because I knew I could never feel fulfilled just doing one thing. I have such wide spread interests and my brain is constantly looking for new things to learn. When I started my business, I realized I had hit the jackpot. I can do so many different things! One day I can be a designer, the next a seamstress. Sometimes I’m a social media manager, a marketer, an accountant, an event planner, a copywriter, a website developer… There are endless roles to fill in my business and I get to play around in all of them. It is heaven for my easily distracted and curious brain!
3: What do you love most about being an entrepreneur?
I love that I get to be creative every single day. Creating is honestly my medicine. As a kid I was OBSESSED with LEGO – it’s all I would ever ask for every Christmas and Birthday. As I got older I still loved working with my hands and making art, but it became something that I just did on the side, if I had spare time. I feel like being a fashion designer has allowed me to be a kid again. It has allowed me to feel joy and inspiration and happiness through creating something beautiful and meaningful with my hands. I wish people played more often. Play and creativity are so important to our physical and mental health.
4: What is the hardest thing you have had to overcome as an entrepreneur? Something you did not foresee when you decided to start Wyatt House Design Co?
Being an entrepreneur can sometimes be scary and isolating because there is always a degree of lingering uncertainty. I will never have a guaranteed salary. For this reason, the hardest thing I have had to overcome is to learn to trust myself. It’s so easy for self doubt to get in the way of taking action in my business. But I am slowly learning more and more that if I don’t trust myself, then who will? If I really want to have a successful career as an entrepreneur then I can, and I will. It has taken me some time to finally be able to say that!
5: What is one thing about working in your industry that people would be surprised to learn?
When I first got into the fashion industry, I didn’t realize how many opportunities there were. We are always taught that if you want job opportunities, take science, math or engineering. I never realized how much demand there is for artistic and creative professionals in the workplace. Especially now that there is more demand for local, sustainable & ethical garment manufacturing.
And Now Onto The Social Media Questions!
6: Do you have a favorite social media platform? Why?
I love TikTok. People are so encouraging and supportive on that platform. I’ve been able to reach people from all over the world, including South America, the UK, and Africa. I’ve never had that kind of reach on Instagram. There is also a huge community of textile up-cyclers and zero waste fashion designers on TikTok that keep me motivated and excited for the future.
7: What made you decide to start using social media as a way to promote your company?
I started with Instagram right away in 2019 because that was just the thing to do – it was the only social media platform I was comfortable with. It was only within the past year that I’ve been making TikToks – and I surpassed my Instagram follower count within a few months! I still love Instagram though because that is where I connect with my community and customers in more meaningful and personal ways. It’s easier to have conversations and discussions on Instagram than it is on TikTok.
8: How has social media impacted your business? Would you say that it’s an effective marketing tool?
Yes! I have been able to connect with so many beautiful humans through social media. I would say that 90% of my success in my business is due to the opportunities that come from my social media connections. Instagram and TikTok is where I found my community of like-minded people and my business would not be where it is now without those communities.
9: What advice would you give to other businesses and entrepreneurs who want to use social media as a way to connect with customers?
Just start! It doesn’t have to be perfect or glamorous. I suggest taking advantage of polls and interactive stickers on your Instagram stories to engage with people and ask them for their opinion on what you’re designing. I love getting that feedback and I think customers love contributing their input to my designs! I want to make clothing that makes people excited to wake up and get dressed every morning. I wouldn’t be able to do that without the connections I’ve made through simply asking people what they want out of their wardrobe. The best thing social media can do is give you a platform to listen and respond to people’s concerns and problems with the skills and creativity you have to offer.
A Little More About Hailey
I never thought I would end up finding my passion as a zero waste fashion designer. I always thought I was going to be a doctor or a researcher. I have a BSc in Microbiology & Immunology from Dalhousie University and was this close to pursuing further education in research and medicine. Something inside me said I should try fashion school instead, and here we are! I am so thankful for my background in science and research because it helps me look at the fashion industry through a very analytical lens. I look at fashion and I see a mountain of injustice. To see so much textile waste go to landfill saddens me but also inspires me to do something about it. I see every opportunity as an experiment, which means I’m not afraid to try new things and fail, because who cares! It’s just an experiment and it will help me learn and move forwards. That’s what science is all about and I think having that experimental mindset helps me overcome challenges as an entrepreneur and as an artist.
Connect with Hailey
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Do you know a Voss Boss who loves social media as much as we do? Contact us today – we’d love to tell her story!
