International Black Women’s History Month

April is International Black Women’s History Month. We’re highlighting women doing amazing things in business and their communities. We had the opportunity to sit down with Tye Mack, the owner of Hair-apy.

•Tell us about yourself.

Tye: I’m an Eastern Shore girl, my mom moved around a lot. From St.Michaels , Easton , Baltimore , Cambridge, Salisbury and Federalsburg. I got a taste of the suburbs & the hood. Shockingly I’m back in Cambridge.. I vowed to never come back once I got away but I obvious have some work to do here.

•What was your childhood like?

Tye: My childhood was okay. It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t all good. I was angry a lot due to my father not being present. My mom was super strict. I’m the oldest girl out of my siblings so I felt pressure at an early age. I craved getting attention a lot, sometimes doing and saying just about anything to get it. Realizing and admitting that just felt freeing. I am now married. I would say happily married but happy is a temporary emotion. I’m joyfully married because even when marriage is kicking my butt I find joy in knowing that God gave me the perfect spouse. I have two little ones, a boy and a girl. Destin (9) & Charley (4). My children are my everything. I love my little family!

•Who do you feel is your target client?

Tye: “The old Tye would have said anyone with some shmoney.” But the growing business woman I am today I now see my target market are those who respect not just my price and my craft but also my peace. It will always be peace over payment. I will always reciprocate the same love and respect to all clients.

•What do you define as success?

Tye: I know for some this question would probably spark a long over the top answer but I’d simply say, success is me being better than I was yesterday. Many of us chase career titles, money, or social status and yet we don’t feel successful when we get those things. That’s because you can only measure success in your life when you define what drives your happiness and helps you find purpose. 

•What was the inspiration behind your rebrand?

Tye: God! I was trapping minding my business .. he said aye girl .. stop all that and follow me. That’s the urban version.

•What has that process been like?

Tye: This is literally my road to Damascus experience. Don’t get me wrong business has always been booming but I just never felt fulfilled until now . That’s because I literally made God my business plan. It’s been hard because I’m a control freak so every now and then I take over the steering wheel and crash and then God is like you want me drive again? So it’s taking a lot of faith, trust and discipline.

•How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

Tye: I honestly don’t feel I have competition. When I see other braiders and I see another opportunity to maximize the beauty field. Working together is always my number one goal , but I’m also fully aware of my value so if we being real I’m the competition. I bet on me everyday to grow and become better! I love what I do so so much that I refuse to ever get in a place where I’m unteachable or unreachable. It’s a lot in me .. MY BUSINESS AND WORK ETHIC SHOWS IT. When you brand your self properly competition becomes irrelevant.

•What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?

Tye: Facebook is my number one marketing and as of lately tiktok. “People love to interact with me. In doing so they see first hand the type of person I am and they build a social relationship with me first so by the time they book an appointment we’re basically cousins.” She laughed.

•What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?

Tye: Make God your business plan. Don’t let the fear of what could happen stop you from making something happen. Make whatever that made you miserable your ministry. If your dad wasn’t in your life, become a mentor for young men. You didn’t have the best shoes growing up, start a nonprofit “ kicks 4 Kids.” We need more go getters instead of never minders.

•Who is your business role model? Why?

Tye: I can’t name anyone in particular but if you are of color and you are still in business despite the odds that we have against us, thank you. Because of you not quitting, that leaves me with no excuses.

•What do you have planned for the next six months? Big things. Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Be sure to connect with Tye and her brand online