Inspiring Conversations with Eryn Davis-Hayter

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eryn Davis-Hayter.

Hi Eryn, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello! My name is Eryn Ashlee Davis-Hayter. I am a 23-year-old Kansas City native and Senior at the University of Missouri. I was raised by my mother and grandmother, who are both educators. They have served as excellent role models for me and others, in many areas. From a very early age, they instilled in me the importance of being an educated Black woman in America. Thus, failing in any area was never an option. They have always pushed me to be better, given me confidence, and taught me that when you put God first, the sky is truly the limit. Without them, I would not be the woman I am today.

I discovered my love for writing at the age of 10. I would write everything from plays to songs to poems. From there, I blossomed into a great writer. This and other talents, led me to compete and win in poetry competitions, pageants, talent shows, and more. In middle and high school, I also wrote for school newspapers. Along the road, I’ve secured internships with multimedia companies, public relations firms, universities, and even City Hall.

Entrepreneurship was always something that came easy to me. In high school, I had multiple hustles. I did everything from photography to hair to custom phone cases. I did what I could to stay creative, while making a little money on the side. I even won First Place at the 2015 MECA Challenge KC, as well as First Place in the Entrepreneurship category at the 2016 Missouri DECA District Competition and placed at State.

When I was a freshman in college, I decided that pursuing a degree in Communications would be the best route for me. I knew I would flourish in that career field because of my passion for writing and storytelling. I gained new expertise and even picked up a knack for graphic design. I learned a lot in my first year of college. The information I received inspired me to want to share it with others. I did just that by starting a mentorship program at Grandview High School in 2017 & 2018.

Living in Des Moines, Iowa, at the time, there weren’t a lot of stylists in the area to choose from, that could care for my hair. I decided to do the “big chop” in 2018. It was then that I made my first wig. I got so many compliments and requests from my peers, for me to make their wigs. I realized that this could be a great business opportunity. Hence, the birth of Ashlee Wigsin 2018, specializing in luxury, custom wigs, crafted with you in mind.

I also incorporate community service work in this endeavor by participating in giveaways and volunteer work, hosting local events, and more. I faced a lot of hardships along the way while building Ashlee Wigs. One of the most difficult was balancing everything all at once. I often wondered whether other business owners experienced the same difficulty and what they did to manage it. I began to chat with different business owners in the Kansas City area, and I noticed that we all shared the same struggles. Then it hit me. What if I could solve this and other problems for business owners like myself? How would I do it? What would my approach be?

In December 2021, Stamped — Digital Marketing & Management Agency was born. Yet another new and exciting business venture. Stamped specializes in Digital Content Creation, Brand Design & Idea Monetization for small businesses. Because of my background in entrepreneurship and communications, I feel that I can be a great asset to business owners. My intention is for Stamped to become a household name. I believe that all entrepreneurs should be equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to succeed. I founded Stamped to fulfill that need.

Upon receiving my B.A. in Communications this year, I plan to take my career even further, reaching new heights and continuing to push myself. Currently, I manage my brand and businesses; Ashlee Wigs, Stamped, and Sista’ Schmooze. I’m also an Intern at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. It is my goal to put Kansas City on the map. I want to show young Black girls that despite all adversity, we can prevail.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Getting to where I am today has not been a smooth road. There were times when I wanted to give up. One of the main things I struggle with is the lack of support from my peers. A lot of people like to say things like, “You’re not putting in enough work,” or “You’re not doing enough,” when the reality is that it’s tough to promote yourself in Kansas City unless you’re popular. There were plenty of moments where I questioned myself, thinking, “Is this really what I’m supposed to be doing?”

Being an entrepreneur is hard! I have poured thousands of dollars into my businesses, and sometimes I get discouraged when I don’t see an immediate return. I even got to a point where I just decided to delete all my social media profiles. During that time, I realized that my successes outweighed my shortcomings. Building a long-lasting brand takes time, as does the reaping of the time and energy I’ve sown. Once I began to trust God and the process, I accepted that my value is not determined by what I can produce. My perception of myself is what determines my worth. The more I poured into my business, regardless of whether people would receive it, the more it flourished.

Although more and more doors are beginning to open for me, I know this is only the beginning. I have a lot more progress to make. There’s a long journey ahead of me, and I’m excited to find out what’s next. I’m sure I’ll face hardships along the way, but I believe I’ll be fine with God and my family on my side. No matter what, resilience is key.

As you know, we’re big fans of “Ashlee Wigs,” “Stamped,” & “Sista’ Schmooze.” For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
While these businesses are very different, they were all built and maintained with the same passion and energy. I believe what sets my brand apart from others in the same industries is the fact that I take pride in having the utmost professionalism. Excellent customer service is my specialty. I believe it shows when people work with me. I go above and beyond to provide individualized care, guaranteed satisfaction, and overall, the ultimate shopping experience for each customer. I’ve put blood, sweat, and tears into my brand. I am incredibly thankful for everyone who has supported me thus far and to everyone that will support me in the future.

Ashlee Wigs
A woman’s hair is one of her most prized possessions. Simply changing your hairstyle can impact your mood. From the empowerment of rocking a pixie cut to the freedom you feel after trying a new color, your hair has the power to revamp your entire lifestyle. We aim to offer that same experience with the convenience of our units. With various colors and styles, Ashlee Wigs offers hassle-free and trendy wigs crafted to fit your lifestyle. We believe that women, especially Black women, deserve flexibility and, most of all, luxury. What’s more luxurious than feeling confident about your hair?!

Ashlee Wigs offers custom and ready-to-wear wigs that are available to ship anywhere in the United States. Founded by Eryn Davis-Hayter in 2018, Ashlee Wigs was created with you in mind. We provide a luxe experience and quality products at competitive prices. We understand how important it is to look your best without breaking the bank. We are dedicated to assisting you every step of the way. We promise to provide satisfaction with every purchase. You deserve luxury in all aspects of life, and we want to help you achieve it.

This is not your grandmother’s wig! Ashlee Wigs are custom and machine-made with love. Using 100% human and unprocessed extensions, our wigs are made using high-quality and professional products. We do the hard work for you. Our wigs come “pre-plucked,” customized, and “glue-less” to provide the most natural look. All you have to do is put it on!

Stamped
Stamped by Eryn Davis-Hayter is a Digital Media Management & Marketing Agency based in the Kansas City area. We specialize in Digital Content Creation, Brand Design & Idea Monetization. Stamped assists small businesses in elevating their online presence and overall business structure by offering various digital services. Your business is safe with Stamped. We understand that starting a business can be overwhelming. Our goal is to help relieve you of that stress while elevating your business. We provide our customers with the ultimate, personalized experience.

Our process is simple: (1) Research, (2) Strategize, & (3) Execute. By working with Stamped, you will gain; freedom and flexibility, confidence, brand loyalty and credibility, online visibility, improved planning and execution strategies, improved customer retention, and expertise.

Whether you have a business idea or you’re branding yourself, Stamped can help. We offer consultations for those just getting started, along with multiple packages and products tailored specifically to fit your business’ needs. We work with you along your journey, which can be helpful as times and business needs change. Though we are a new business, we are no stranger to the industry. We have worked with the City of Kansas City, Missouri, Twelve Magazine, Castello Branco Fields, Phillips-West Public Relations & Communications, Face To Face Beauty, Discover Her Glow, the University of Missouri – Kansas City, and more. Every day we are working to assist you better by improving and sharpening our skills. Let Stamped help put your brand on the map!

Sista’ Schmooze
Sista’ Schmooze is an upcoming lifestyle podcast hosted by sisters, Eryn Davis-Hayter & Sydnee Sirls-Hayter. Founded in 2021, this podcast will broadcast new episodes every Sunday about undergrad + grad college experiences, navigating your 20s, spiritual journeys, music, relationships, self-awareness, current events, and more!

Sista’ Schmooze sets its intentions on uplifting and projecting the voices of Black women and Black culture. Our goal is to have open and honest dialogue about the issues affecting our communities, in an effort to jumpstart the healing processes within them. Stay tuned for more, coming ⁠in Summer 2022.

What do you think about happiness?
What makes me the happiest is operating in my creativity. I enjoy pushing myself to limits I never thought I could reach. I am a self-proclaimed “Jill of all trades.” You name it, and I can do it well. In my spare time, I find myself writing poetry or music, taking photos and videos, traveling, editing, note taking, or watching films.

Spending quality time is super important to me. Whether it be alone, or with family and friends, I believe that being around people that love you, and doing what’s best for you, is what life is all about.

Seeing others happy also makes me happy. I love being of service to those in need in any way I can. Hence, my participation in a lot of community service work. Having a gift is equally as important as sharing it with others.

Pricing:

• Ashlee Wigs Custom Unit Inquiry — $450
• Ashlee Wigs Ready to Wear Units — Starting at $200
• Stamped Retainer — $50
• Stamped & Ashlee Wigs Introductory Consultations — Free

Contact Info:

• Website: www.erynashlee.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/erynashlee
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/eryn.davishayter.77
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCvTv2zKYjO3Pj-FrQkKLAzw
• TikTok: @erynashleee