Meet Brittany Perry | Hairpreneur, Actress, & Singer

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

Hi Brittany, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Honestly, being a business owner wasn’t a part of the plan until maybe 10 years ago. When I was younger, the only thing I talked about was being a singer, actress, and ballerina. I didn’t know anything about owning a business or what an entrepreneur was. It wasn’t something that was talked about or heard of. It was always, “go to college, get a degree, or get a good job with benefits”. After working several retail jobs and having to answer to supervisors, it was then that I realized that I wanted to be the person who calls the shots. Something about working a 9-5 just didn’t sit right with me. I knew I was made to do and be more than just someone’s employee. My love and passion for performing arts is what led me to start my company StandOut School of the Arts in 2020. That same year, I also started a 501c3 non-profit organization, I Love My Roots Inc. for inspiring young entrepreneurs in the hair care industry. My godmother is a cosmetologist and as a teen, I would always watch her braid hair. I would go home and practice on my dolls and nieces and before I knew it, I had clients and I’ve been braiding hair ever since. My love for braiding hair is what brought me to teaching other teens not just how to braid but the business side of owning a business in the hair care industry, financial literacy, skin and hair acceptance, and cultural awareness. I believe my organization will have a huge impact on the next generation of entrepreneurs and also help educate and bring awareness to how they see success and how they see themselves. I wish these types of programs were around when I was younger.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I own a performing arts program, StandOut School of the Arts, and a 501c3 non-profit organization, I love My Roots Inc. for young entrepreneurs in the hair care industry. What sets I Love My Roots, Inc. apart from others is it’s not just another braid class, or braid mentorship program. I help inner-city youth reshape the way they see success, by reducing the poverty gap through financial literacy, invoking leadership skills, raising cultural awareness through hair and skin acceptance, and teaching them the steps of entrepreneurship and business ownership in the hair care industry.
What I am most proud of or excited about is the future and expansion of my brand and being able to inspire, motivate, and give youth something I didn’t have growing up. Giving them hope that they CAN be and do whatever they dream of doing. That their passions, and goals aren’t unachievable.
The reason why I am where I am today is because someone believed in me. Someone told me that I CAN do this. That it WILL work. Someone grabbed my hand and literally walked with me through this entire process. In the beginning, It definitely wasn’t easy. Fear and doubt tried to get me to quit. All it took was 1 yes that led me to my first on-site summer program with the City of Lauderdale Lakes. And because of that 1 yes, and my previous online zoom summer program, I KNEW that I had something special, I KNEW that this program was something that was needed. And people have been interested in the I Love My Roots program ever since.
One lesson that I’ve learned along the way is that “It’ll work if you work it”.
One thing I would want the world to know about me is that I am a TRUE LIVING example of what “doing it scared” looks like. The only way to overcome fear is to face it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Hmm…. I’m such a homebody, but if I’m going to go out, I mostly like to do fun activities rather than just go out to eat. If they’re visiting the area, I’d probably take them to South Beach. I know that’s usually the first place people from out of town like to visit. So we’d probably get a hotel on the beach. Do the speed boat tour, go to the smash it house, PlugIN Karaoke with some friends, find a place that does ATV riding, Improv Comedy Club (if there’s a good comedian that week), go to a nice lounge spot, and probably anything else they may have in mind to do.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Whew! There are several people I could Shoutout who have been super supportive over the past few years. But there are two in particular that I HAVE to give recognition to…

My amazing mentor Ashaala Shanae, the Creative Director of The Music & Arts Healing Institute. She has been my biggest support since I’ve started this journey as a business owner and I’m super grateful to have someone who believes in me the way that she does. It’s because of her encouragement, the push, and just her leading by example that I haven’t given up.

Danielle Mone’ Truitt, Man! She is such an amazing example of perseverance. Her drive and determination is so inspiring and I’m always appreciative for all the advice, support, and encouragement that she’s given to me.

I’ve gleaned from both of these amazing, gifted women and I’m so proud every time I see them win!

Website: www.ilovemyrootsinc.org www.standoutschoolllc.com

Instagram: @ilovemyrootsinc @brittanyn.perry

Facebook: @ilovemyrootsinc