All Aboard the
Braid
story by
Vivian Moriarty Emily Zeller
design by
Train
O
wning a business at a young age is challenging. Students in all grades are starting their own businesses, using their creative skills. Junior Ian Haas is striving for a well known and successful business. Haas learned the skill of braiding and other forms of creating hair styles for years. Haas braids or does clients’ hair for special occasions, and then charges them a minimal fee through a business known as ‘The Braid Train.’ “I basically do what a hair salon does, but cheaper,” Haas said. His skills came from a more modern training method used to learn anything from handlettering to building a house: YouTube. He credits @cutegirlshairstyles as his go-to for tutorials. Like a lot of other successful activities, starting a business oftentimes requires lots of
trial and error. “It was definitely a little awkward to ask people to pay me to do their hair,” Haas said, “because I wasn’t used to that initially. But now that I understand how to ask correctly, it’s a lot less awkward.” As important as trial and error is in business, experience formed overtime is vital for success. “When I first started having people pay me to do their hair it was a lot less organized,” Haas said. “I didn’t have any set prices or anything, but now since I’ve done it more it’s more solidified.” If you have a need to get an updo, braids, or ‘half up bangs’ Haas’ prices are very much affordable. “For updos I charge anywhere from $2025 and for half up bangs I charge $10-15,” Haas said.
A French Fishtail braid created by junior Ian Haas. Inspired by his mother to start braiding, Haas began looking at videos to learn how to braid. “My mom showed me how to French braid and I really enjoyed it,” Haas said. photo provided by Ian Haas
photo by Sahra Barker-Hastings
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