Hidden Gems: Meet Beth Wiese and Ryann Hill of Clutch Hair Culture

Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Wiese and Ryann Hill.

Hi Beth and Ryann, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Our journey with Clutch Hair Culture (CHC) began in early 2021. When we first met, it quickly became clear that we shared a vision and passion for hair extensions. One conversation led to another, and the idea of starting our own hair extensions brand soon emerged. With Ryann’s extensive experience in hair and my background in e-commerce, we felt confident in our partnership. Our shared goal was clear: to empower women through our brand. With over 27 years in the industry, Ryann has always aimed to empower others. Her dedication to helping individuals become their best selves is evident in her work.

On the other hand, Beth’s journey has been about creating brands centered around female empowerment. We saw CHC as a platform for women to support each other. Our logo, combining two gold C’s while simultaneously creating an H in the deficit, represents our partnership and the strength of our combined skills. In the way that the H could only be complete with the C’s, Clutch Hair Culture could only be created with both of us.

Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
The journey of building Clutch Hair Culture (CHC) has been both rewarding and challenging. Like many startups, we faced our share of obstacles, but our combined expertise and shared vision helped us navigate them. One initial challenge was building up our inventory to keep all our products in stock and available to our customers. We currently carry 28 colors of hair extensions in three different lengths, so it took a lot of work. Thankfully, our successful careers outside CHC allowed us to self-fund the business, ensuring we could maintain our quality standards without external pressures. Forecasting which hair colors would be in demand was another hurdle contributing to our inventory stocking challenge. Without historical sales data to guide us, we had to rely on Ryann’s deep understanding of the industry and seasonal trends. This, combined with our limited sales data, helped us make informed decisions about inventory management. Operational challenges also arose as we worked to establish efficient processes for the business. Ensuring smooth operations, from product sourcing to customer service, required continuous learning and adaptation. However, our optimistic mindset played a crucial role in approaching these challenges. Instead of viewing them as setbacks, we saw them as opportunities for growth and learning. This perspective, coupled with our dedication to the brand and its mission, has been instrumental in overcoming the obstacles we’ve faced. While the road hasn’t always been smooth, our commitment to CHC and each other has allowed us to turn challenges into milestones.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
About Clutch Hair Culture: Clutch Hair Culture (CHC) is a luxury hair extension brand headquartered in Kansas City and built on the foundation of quality and women empowerment. However, CHC is not just a brand; it’s a movement. We’re making waves in salons across the KC area, and our unique story of two women empowering each other sets us apart. We specialize in premium hair extensions thick to the bottom of the weft in unique color blends crafted by Ryann Ramirez Hill. Our stylish tools and supplies line was carefully selected based on years of experience behind the chair and knowledge of what a stylist wants. Our education program is another core offering. Within six months of its launch, we’ve educated nearly 75 stylists. These stylists, once trained, become Clutch affiliates, gaining access to an exclusive community where they can share insights tips, and empower one another.

What sets us apart?
Our founders bring a unique blend of expertise. With over 27 years of experience, Ryann is an award-winning elite stylist and educator. Beth, an engineer by degree and entrepreneur by choice, brings a wealth of e-commerce and business knowledge. Unlike many other brands in the market, our leadership has firsthand experience with hair extensions in installation and personal use. This gives us a unique perspective and understanding of our customers’ needs.

Proud Achievements: We take pride in our rapid growth and the milestones we’ve achieved quickly. From becoming an official vendor for Lifetime Lifespas to being nominated as Overland Park’s best hair extensions, our journey has been marked by significant achievements. Our collaboration with Mirabella Makeup for the Pink October breast cancer campaign, where we donate 20% of sales to support under-insured cancer patients, showcases our commitment to giving back to the community. At Clutch Hair Culture, we’re more than just a hair extensions brand. We’re a movement dedicated to empowering women through our products and community initiatives. Our commitment to quality, innovation, and empowerment sets us apart. Whether you’re a customer looking for premium extensions or a stylist seeking to join a community of like-minded professionals, CHC is here to support and uplift you. We’re really proud that not only are we female owned but we’re minority owned, and that is a very important to us that we started ourselves together without a business loan.

How do you define success?
For us at Clutch Hair Culture (CHC), success is multifaceted. It’s not solely defined by financial metrics or market share but by the impact we make and the values we uphold.

• Empowerment: At the core of our brand is the mission to empower. Success, for us, means creating a platform where women feel confident, supported, and uplifted. Whether through our high-quality hair extensions that boost self-confidence or our education programs that empower stylists with knowledge and skills, we measure success by the positive change we bring to individuals.
• Quality and Innovation: We pride ourselves on offering top-tier products and innovative solutions like the Clutch Strength hand-tied method. Success ensures that our product or service is of the highest standard, meeting and exceeding our customers’ expectations.
• Community and Relationships: Building strong, lasting relationships is integral to our definition of success. From our partnership as co-founders to the community of Clutch affiliates, success is fostering a network where mutual respect, support, and growth are paramount.
• Giving Back: Our collaboration with initiatives like the Pink October breast cancer campaign underscores our belief that success also lies in making a positive difference in the broader community. It’s about leveraging our brand to support causes that resonate with our values.
• Sustainable Growth: While we celebrate milestones like expanding our team or increasing our net revenue, true success ensures sustainable growth. It’s about making decisions that ensure the long-term viability and integrity of CHC.

In essence, success for CHC is a blend of tangible achievements and the intangible impact we make. It’s about staying true to our mission, continuously evolving, and ensuring that every step we take resonates with our core values of empowerment, quality, and community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://clutchhairculture.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clutchhairculture/
• Facebook: facebook.com/clutchhairculture