Meet Toya Willis | Owner of Mickey’s Braid Factory

We had the good fortune of connecting with Toya Willis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Toya, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?

I have to go down memory lane a bit for this one! I was in Retail Management for 15 years! At the start of my career, I literally ran a boutique (BCBGMaxazria) as a part time associate, before being promoted to manager, all in under a year. I’ve managed the day to day operations for other companies like White House Black Market, American Eagle/Aerie, and most recently Target. By then, I was managing the women’s department in a $65 million store, with 250+ employees. In a store like Target, you had to be well rounded and knowledgeable in all aspects of the store. There was rarely a time that you didn’t have to jump into other departments, based on business needs.

My initial goal was to become a Store Manager of a big box store like Target. It just made sense! But, retail was never my passion; I was just really good at it and excelled very quickly, so I kind of got stuck. As well, I never had the desire to become a District Manager or anything of that nature. I contemplated getting out of retail multiple times over the years, but I also didn’t want to start over from scratch while my daughter was so young! Based on my tenure and experience in retail, I was always able to obtain the financial stability I’d always desired, which was what I needed to raise my mini me!

It was this year that I finally realized that before anything I’ve ever learned in my adult life, I had a true, natural talent that I taught myself! I wasn’t happy in retail and hadn’t been for quite some time, so I felt it was time I do something about it! The same efforts and sacrifices I put into making money for other businesses, I could do the same for a business of my own. The same way I managed the day to day operations of those businesses, I can manage the day to day operations of my own! Now with my daughter being older and with the encouraging words and support from my family and friends, I decided to take this leap of faith! Now here we are!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

Mickey’s Braid Factory is my braiding business where I specialize in knotless braiding. I’m located in the Humble area and braid men, women, and children! Being a self taught braider dating back to elementary, is what I’m most proud of. I literally learned to braid while practicing on my grandmother’s mannequin, lol. Back then, my sister and I would even braid one another’s hair, just to have something to do! My grandmother was actually a licensed cosmetologist at that time and owned her own salon, built by my grandfather! She liked to call my sister and I her little “professional bootleggers!” I’ve honestly always had a thing for braiding!

By the time I was in middle school, I was braiding after school at the park, until my mom began letting me braid my close friends at home. I wanted to be a cosmetologist, but started making money so quickly in retail that I took that route. In my adult life, I would braid my daughter’s hair often, once she was about 6 years old. Other than that, I only braided here and there because a cousin or friend asked. They’d hit me with a picture and, “Toy, do you think you can do this?” Then their friends would ask who braided their hair and so on and so forth. I went from braiding my daughter’s hair for the sake of not having to comb hair every day, to now catching up to the latest trends, and starting my own business. I’ve started to branch out into twist and locs as well! I still get the, “Can you do this,” but instead from a growing clientele! Continued growth is important to me, so I’m always up for trying new styles!

I’ve definitely learned a lot and I’m still learning daily on this new journey. I’m learning how to say no, just to ensure that I maintain the work life balance that I never had in retail. Additional money from squeeze in appointments are awesome, but not to the point where you can’t manage your personal life and needs! Woo, have I been playing, big, catch up at times! Secondly, I’m still learning not to be so lenient with my policies! I’ve been in the “want to be nice and accommodate everyone” stage for a while! Y’all pray for me! As far as my brand and what’s to come, check back with me as I have so many great ideas brewing!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

I actually did this recently with a friend that was visiting! We stopped by Kouzan’s food truck, Dream Wings, and you can’t go by Dream Wings without stopping by Ella Shipleys. The fresh glazed donuts with the drippy icing, my God! I also love me some fondeaux from Pappadeaux or nachos from Pappasitos, so we’d definitely go by either if not both. If I had to brunch anywhere, I love the French toast at Snooze. I’m really a homebody so hanging at home or in the backyard is my go to. BYOE (Bring Yo Own Everythang) Ha Ha, just kidding! But, grabbing food and drinks hanging at home with my besties is always a win for me. You really should never choose me as your nightlife/turn up tour guide, lol! If I just had to go somewhere that wasn’t too rowdy though, it would be Prospect. You can literally sit there all day. You also can’t go wrong with parking in Midtown and going spot to spot. Actually, I went to Ador not too long ago, that was pretty chill! That’s all I got!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

I have to recognize my daughter (Jelecia Rachal) and my dad (Eric Willis). My daughter is my daily motivation and we are true besties! I learned to do feed ins and knotless braids on her hair. I mean we’re tight, tight and she’s always down to be my personal mannequin! Unfortunately, we lost my dad to Domestic Violence, in 2018, and that is a continued feeling that no one could ever imagine. His nickname was Mickey, which is how I came up with my business name! As well, I always associate the colors blue and purple with my business in his honor. Blue, for the blue Dickies set my dad worked in, typically with one or both pant legs hiked up on his work boots, lol. Purple, signifies Domestic Violence Awareness. So, through my business I honor my dad every day, which was my ultimate goal. I can’t go without acknowledging my mom, Felicia Jackson, who always supported my schooling or career decisions. Now if something made absolutely no sense, don’t think she wasn’t going to let me know! We all need words of encouragement, but we also need some tough love along the way as well! Most importantly, my mom definitely believed that I could and should have been doing this all along!

It takes a village and I can’t name everyone individually, but my siblings and two besties aren’t letting anyone else braid their hair and have supported me since day one! I have a “second mom” who’s going to share every business related reel or post that I share! My stepdad and grandfather have a super strong business mindset and pour into me often! Grandear, my sweet grandmother, and my aunts are always cheering me on! They’re never missing an opportunity to say how proud they are of me. The cousins! We roll deep honey, so the love and support run deep!

Website: https://mickeysbraidfactory.as.me/

Instagram : mickeys_braidfactory

Facebook: Toya Willis

Image Credits
Business looks- Stefanie Uribe (Instagram @sd_slowmotion_pictures)