Though known most for their larger than life personalities, crazy drama, and wild antics, reality television stars are more than just primetime entertainment. Many of them have successfully launched their own entrepreneurial ventures, helping them to branch out beyond the television world. One example is Erica Dixon, cast member on Love and Hip Hop Atlanta and founder of Klass 6 Hair and Klass 6 Dress Line.
We caught up with Erica to ask her about the inspiration behind the “Klass” lines, what’s she learning about running a business, and advice she has for ladies who want to start their own ventures. Check out the interview below.
MadameNoire (MN): How did your experience on Love and Hip Hop inspire you to start Klass 6?
Erica Dixon (ED): Being on a reality show, seeing others have that motivation to go ahead and pursue whatever their dreams or aspirations were [inspired me]. Klass 6 was something that I always wanted to do. I wanted to put something out there for the ladies. With Love and Hip Hop, I had that platform [and audience] to go ahead and do it. I told myself that I was procrastinating. What was I waiting for? Let me go ahead and do it.
MN: What made you focus on fashion and hair with Klass 6?
ED: I did hair and fashion because that is what I am all about. I’m a female. I love to have my hair done and I love to have on a bada$$ dress. I’m not going to sell a dress or hair to somebody that I wouldn’t wear or buy. When you see me, I always have my hair in. I may not always have on one of my dresses. I do like to help other brands, but the majority of the time, you will see me with my own products.
MN: Is it important for people starting out to “eat, live, and breathe” their own brands?
ED: [Constantly self- promoting] is vital to your brand when you are just beginning. You have to take those steps and put it out there for people to see how good of a brand it is. There is nothing like seeing the products of someone that you idolize and look up to. Once you see Erica in it, you’ll say, “Erica has it on, I want it. It’s a product of Erica’s!” I can get someone else to brand and wear the clothes and hair, but you got to have both. They go together. You want people to see what you see in [your brand]. When they do, customers will come and your business will be successful.
MN: What distinguishes Klass 6 from other hair and dress companies?
ED: My line is for the everyday woman. You have classy women. I want everyone who wears my line to represent that class. And for me “classy” means positivity, productivity, and prosperity. If you live by those 3 P’s, you can’t go wrong.
MN: Is there anything about running a business that you learned from being a celebrity?
ED: I didn’t come into this with the mindset of being an entrepreneur and doing everything on my own. I was thinking that maybe someone would give me the answers to what I should do. It is definitely not like that. You have to get out there on your own and do things on your own. I’ve learned [that] as much as people say, “I’ll help you… I’m there for you,” there are a lot of people who are actually there for themselves and are out for themselves and not out for [helping you].
MN: What do you think has been the unexpectedly hard part of running Klass 6?
ED: To me, it’s promotion and marketing. I’m still learning. I’m actually back in school now to educate myself when it comes to business [and] my marketing skills. Educate yourself as much as possible. I also reach out to people that already have businesses and are doing great for advice.
MN: What future plans do you have for Klass 6?
ED: In a few years, I am going to do a plus-sized line. Like I said, the dresses are made for the everyday women. We have plus-sized women as well; I’d like to cater to that market. I also want to have some high-fashion, prom-type dresses for the younger females.
MN: What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs who have a dream about launching their own line?
ED: I tell everyone to just do it. Don’t procrastinate. Don’t let anybody [put you down]. A lot of people will say that they want to help you and help you do well. It’s not about what they want to do. It’s about what you want to do. Stay calm and stick to whatever your dream is. Your dreams will come true.
Rana Campbell is a freelance branding and content strategist who helps organizations and individuals succeed in the digital realm. Follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
