Mar’kiyah Saunders is the owner of Marked By Kiy LLC. Marked By Kiy was formed in 2021, not only as a hair business but to encourage people to practice self-care. Marked by Kiy offers affordable prices, quality work and a space for people to not only get their hair done but to relax and feel at home. We had a chance to sit down with her to ask about her experience with entrepreneurship and LAEDA’s training program.

(1) LAEDA: Entrepreneurship is a very challenging path to take with many different possible directions. What made you decide to become an entrepreneur?

I did not choose entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship chose me! Once people saw how I styled my family members’ hair, I began gaining clientele. Eventually I decided to turn my hobby into a business.

(2) LAEDA: Why did you choose your industry?

I chose the hair industry because I come from a long line of females. I would practice different braid styles on my sisters and cousins. I enjoy seeing the smiles on their faces when they see the final result. My goal is to make women feel good about themselves and to encourage women to practice self-care.

(3) LAEDA: Tell me about your experience while attending EDTP. What have the major takeaways been from the program? Have you had any “Ah-ha!” moments? How did the program help you?

The EDTP taught me to remain a student at all times. It does not matter how much you think you know about running a successful business, there will always be something new for you to learn. Policies and laws are changing daily and it is up to the business owners to keep up with these changes. My “Ah-ha” moment would be when I finally realized that I cannot run a successful business alone. It is better to ask for help from others or partner/collaborate with other organizations in order to strengthen my business. The program helped me to realize that constructive criticism is needed to allow your business to grow.

(4) LAEDA: Tell me about your journey on the road to business start-up. What have been some of the challenges, successes, failures, etc.?

When I first started my business I had no idea what I was doing. My prices were really low and I would be standing on my feet for hours. Over the years I learned to increase my prices but still keep them affordable. I faced many challenges in the beginning including being undervalued, taken advantage of, and being too kind. As my business matures I am learning to charge my worth, build boundaries and enforce policies. I would not say that I had or have any failures but I look at them as lessons. Failure is a word that I personally would not use to describe myself or my business. The obstacles and challenges that I leap through allow me to become a better person who will use these lessons to strengthen my business.

(5) LAEDA: Could you tell me a little about where your business is today?

Today my business is very successful and my schedule is always fully booked. Now that I have more than enough clientele, my focus is making my business stand out from others. This process includes making sure that my clients stay satisfied so that they will return. My goal is for my business to work for itself so that I do not have to work as much. I am currently in the process of adjusting my business so that I can eventually have stylists working for me.

(6) LAEDA: Do you have any advice for future (or existing) entrepreneurs?

My advice for future or existing entrepreneurs is to never give up. There will be times when it can get very overwhelming but it will pay off in the end. Patience is a key factor to being an entrepreneur. If you notice that your business is getting slow, use that extra time to find ways to improve and promote your business. When you find yourself stuck or lost, it is helpful to join a business class or reach out to someone for help. As mentioned before, remain a student. There is always something to learn because businesses and policies are constantly evolving. Lastly, do not compare yourself to other entrepreneurs because everybody’s story is different and the only one you can control is your own.

More about Marked By Kiy LLC:

My name is Mar’kiyah Saunders and I am the owner of Marked By Kiy LLC. Marked By Kiy was formed in 2021, not only as a hair business but to encourage people to practice self-care. Marked by Kiy offers affordable prices, quality work and a space for people to not only get their hair done but to relax and feel at home. My slogan “It’s not just hair, it’s an experience” shows that I care about the experience my client endures as much as I care about styling their hair.

To get in touch with Marked By Kiy LLC:

Call the Business number: 8562093484
Email: markedbykiyllc@gmail.com
Visit the website: markedbykiy.com

About the Entrepreneurial Development Training Program (EDTP):
The Entrepreneurial Development Training Program (EDTP) is a free, nine-week business skills training course offered in Camden, NJ in the Spring and Fall each year. Qualified entrepreneurs receive 72+ hours of training from industry professionals, business planning, and continued technical assistance.