We had the good fortune of connecting with Robyn Carter and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Robyn, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I have always been creative, artistic and into crafting since I was a young girl. All of my school projects were over the top! I was the student helping teachers decorate their classrooms and doors. I also have been styling hair since I was a young girl. Creating styles and practicing on my doll heads, led me to styling my own hair by the time I was in the third grade. Going to school with certain styles, made my peers eager to have the same styles. I was styling Prom hairdos for seniors in high school, when I was only a freshman. Well all of that followed me through out, middle school, high school and college. I was a freshman in college majoring in Business, with a concentration in Small Business and Entrepreneurship. I knew since I was an adolescent that I wanted to own my own hair salon. After graduating from Troy University in 2013 I returned to my hometown Birmingham, AL and began working at a popular retail cosmetic store. My plan was to work at the cosmetic store and go to cosmetology school to become a hair stylist. In March of 2014 I enrolled into cosmetology school, however my job let me go because I was truthful with them about my plans to work and go to cosmetology school. My Cosmetology school of choice didn’t work out the way I planned, so yes I dropped out. I was a beauty school drop out. Soon after, I found out I was pregnant. My oldest daughter Kylei was born in December of 2014 a week after her dad graduated college. It was then, my now husband & I realized we had to do something. So he found a job and I continued the grind and worked from home styling hair and making Birthday pins or whatever anyone asked me to make. My husband Ivan worked and I was a SAHM hustling from home. Although I wasn’t a hairstylist owning my own shop like I had dreamed. I liked being my Own Boss of my little crafting business, doing a little hair on the side. I continued to craft throughout the years. It was July of 2020, almost 6 years later that Carterncompany became a legally registered business!
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m most proud to say I am My Own Boss, I am an Entrepreneur, and I am actually doing it! I am proud to be an examples to my 3 daughters. I’m most excited to see my daughters grown alongside the brand and eventually integrating the two. As I said before I am raising bosses and I will not stop until my daughters have a foundation laid out for them to do the same for their children when they become pregnant of age. I’m proud of my determination, will, & motivation to keep going. Not only has my brand and clientele grown and expanded well outside of Birmingham, Alabama but it did these things during a global pandemic all while carrying my third child and caring for my other two children. For that I am extremely proud of myself and my family for pushing me and themselves during these tough times.
How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way.
I have ALWAYS been creative and artistic even as a young lady attending the prestigious Ramsay High School located in the heart of Birmingham where I helped a few of my favorite teachers design and organize everything from walls to lesson plans. From there I attended Troy University where I studied business and entrepreneurship while eventually meeting my husband. The process from student to boss was far from easy but the journey was worth it. In life or business or anything for that matter, if you have never gone through the hard times then you will struggle to appreciate the good times. It is all apart of the journey. I’ve learned to plan and stay organized! With 3 daughters with extracurricular activities, a husband, and a dog; it can be pretty crazy! I literally get orders and inquires while I’m driving my children to dance. You have to remain humble and trust the process. Trust that your time comes when it’s your time. I am very grateful for it all for each order and client. These lessons have shaped me into the woman, wife, & mother I am today.
I want the world to know that CarterNcompany is what you read. Robyn & Ivan Carter are the CARTER, our children make up the Company. Carterncompany is Small Business that specializes in customized items. We give the customer the opportunity to provide us the ideas, colors, etc and we come up with the design. We strive(aim) to bring imaginations and ideas to life thorough the relationships we create with each custom order.
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?
If my best friend was coming into town on a Sunday night I would first greet them and make them comfortable whether they were staying at my house or staying at a hotel. I would let them get some rest from their flight/drive in and we would end out the night enjoying a nice dinner at a nice quiet family restaurant such as salt grass or longhorn. We would end the night off at the newest chill spot on town called “eighty eighty” and enjoy some cocktails and live music as we catch up.
On Monday we would wake up and go to brunch at the best brunch spot in the magic city “FIVE” after that I would take her to the Summit outlet mall on 280 to do some shopping and site seeing. Later that night we would get ready for drinks at the Grand Bohemian and dinner and probably end the night bowling.
On Tuesday morning we could get dressed up and have brunch at Roots & Revelry in downtown Birmingham followed by a tour of Birmingham and unique scavenger hunt led by Birmingham’s Wacky Walks. We would rest until dinner and then enjoy fine dining at Texas De Brazil 🇧🇷 and just spend hours in the downtown district in which is now called Uptown and enjoy late night fun such as Too Golf.
Wednesday morning we would cook in and then get dressed for an exciting day of paint ball and laser tag at Prime Paintball in Leeds Al and enjoy lunch at Blue Print on 3rd Avenue in downtown Birmingham followed by a baseball game at the wonderful Regions Field. Of course end the night with dinner and drinks at Perry’s Steakhouse. Maybe late night drinks and hookah at 3000 bar and grill!
Thursday we would be some R & R, rest and relaxation. We would get some fresh air at Moss Ross Preserve and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Afterwards we woke grab some Frutta Bowls in the Summit to cool down. I would even ask if she wanted to stroll the strip and pop into some of the local stores.
Friday we would spend the morning/ afternoon getting pedicures and grab some lunch from Iguana Grill. We would then spend the rest of the day just talking and enjoying each other company since she will be leaving soon. That night we would make a stop at the newest Bar & Lounge Casanova.
If it’s a fall visit then Saturday are for GAME DAY!!!! We are eating babyshower food and watching some good football.
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?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to My husband for being my CEO, an investor, for believing in me & ALWAYS holding me and the girls down. All those times running to the store for materials and just helping me wherever and whenever I’ve need for the business. To my 3 daughters: Kylei Brielle, Khoda Ivy & Kosmic Ori; thank you for choosing me to be your mom & role model, for understanding when deadlines need to be made. I Love You Young Queens with every breath in me.
To my mom for investing and sponsoring me and my crafts since I was a little girl & ALWAYS supporting me.
To all of my customers, thank you for supporting my dreams and shopping with Carterncompany !
For y’all I WILL KEEP GOING!
Website: www.carterncompany.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/_carterncompany
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Carterncompany
Image Credits
Yea’ Iknow Justin Evans @YoungEntrepioneers