Sededra Arthur is the founder of Addabang, a leading hair extensions brand renowned for its innovative approach and dynamic marketing strategies. Starting at just 16 with the support of her mother, Sededra launched her business from the basement of their home, turning it into a thriving enterprise. Known for her creativity and trendsetting techniques, she pioneered guerrilla marketing and unique product offerings like flower bouquet bundles of hair extensions. Under her leadership, Addabang has expanded its product line and is exploring partnerships with professional cheer teams. Sededra’s dedication to entrepreneurship is matched by her passion for mentoring aspiring business owners, offering guidance and support to those navigating their own entrepreneurial journeys.
How did you get started as an entrepreneur?
I started my entrepreneurial journey at the age of 16 while I was still in high school. I had always been passionate about hair and how it made me feel confident and beautiful, so I decided I wanted to start a hair extensions company. I remember telling my mom, expecting her to say no since she was a single parent working a nine-to-five job. To my surprise, she supported me wholeheartedly, even investing her entire income tax check into my business. We started out in the basement of her home and expanded from there. Originally, I was planning to become a registered nurse, but my life took a different turn when I realized that my true passion was in entrepreneurship. That’s how I founded Addabang Extensions in 2017.
How do you generate revenue as an entrepreneur?
In the very beginning, I didn’t have a blueprint or a mentor to guide me when I started my business. I was really just going by faith, trying different things to see what would work—kind of like throwing gum on the wall to see what sticks. I was figuring out the brand, its identity, and its purpose as I went along.
Initially, we were doing mobile deliveries of hair around Atlanta, Georgia. I was still in school at the time, so I promoted my business on Instagram, connecting with fellow teenagers. I was 16, so I had friends in high school, and they had friends, and so on—it really grew by word of mouth. My mom would deliver hair to different high schools, and we’d meet people at the mall on weekends. It started to grow beyond just a neighborhood business, and I realized this could be something much bigger. That’s when I launched my website, and everything just started taking off from there.
How long did it take you to start making money as an entrepreneur?
I don’t want to lie because it’s been a while—2017, wow! But I think I started gaining traction pretty early on. I got my first customer in the first week, and I was super excited. I thought, “This is it, I’m a millionaire now!” after making $180. Then, around two and a half months in, I started gaining more traction. People began promoting my business—not influencers, just regular people who loved what we were doing and how we started. I think what really connected me with customers was being real about the journey and how we started, which was something my mom always emphasized.
When you were starting out, was there ever a time you doubted it would work? If so, how did you handle that?
When I was starting out, I definitely had moments of doubt—it’s something all entrepreneurs face. You just have to take the risk, even though you never know what’s going to happen on the other side. People often ask me how I did it, and honestly, you just have to do it. If it doesn’t work, at least you know it didn’t work, but if you don’t try, you’ll never know.
When I first started my business, I had no idea what was going to happen. There were times when I didn’t know when the next paycheck was coming in because things can be unpredictable—one moment it’s rocky, and the next, you’re making thousands of dollars in a week. It’s a rollercoaster.
What got me through those tough times was praying and just keeping the faith. I kept going, never giving up on my business, especially since I started this journey when I was so young.
How did you get your first customer?
I’ll never forget my first customer—it wasn’t a friend, a relative, or anyone I knew. It was actually a real customer, just a regular person. I remember meeting her at this place called The Pilot because, at that time, we didn’t even have a website. We met there, I gave her the hair extensions, and she paid online through Square. I remember she posted about it, saying how much she loved the hair. She reposted it, and I tagged it on my business page. That was my very first customer.
What is one marketing strategy (other than referrals) that you’re using that works really well to generate new business?
Guerrilla marketing has become a key strategy for me, and I actually discovered it on the show (60 Day Hustle) without realizing I was already using it. Targeting is crucial for my business, and I incorporate guerrilla marketing into every campaign I launch.
The goal is to shock and surprise your audience, getting them excited about what’s going on. By attracting new customers, you create a buzz that makes them curious about what your core customers are experiencing. They want to be a part of the Addabang crew and feel that sense of inclusion.
So, my top secret for driving success at Addabang is guerrilla marketing. I love using it because it’s an effective way to generate excitement and keep the business thriving.
What do you think it is that makes you successful?
I believe that hard work never goes unnoticed. People often don’t see the daily effort behind the scenes—whether someone tried every day or gave up too soon. I’ve seen peers start something and then abandon it, expecting instant success, but that’s not how it works.
Hard work pays off. If you’re working consistently every day, it will eventually lead to results. You need to stay committed and put in the effort. If you don’t, your business is likely to fail. So, my advice is to work diligently, maintain a strong mindset, and believe in your goals. Manifestation and belief are key to making things happen.
What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
My most satisfying moment in business is definitely after a successful launch. When we run a campaign, which is crucial for getting people to notice the business, I’m constantly posting new content and working on projects. The real thrill comes when I’m back home, sitting down, and reflecting on how we achieved our goals. Seeing the hard work pay off and knowing we hit our targets is what excites me the most.
What does the future hold for your business? What are you most excited about?
Right now, for Addabang, we’re focusing on expanding by partnering with professional cheer teams. We’ve had a few meetings with some teams, but nothing is finalized yet, so I can’t mention any names just yet.
We’re also working on expanding our product line. We’re looking to introduce new items like dry shampoo and hair perfume, and we’re expanding our range of hair extensions to include different types like I-tips and K-tips. That’s where we’re headed at the moment.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
I would say always be courageous and never give up. As kids, we’re often fearless and ready to take on any challenge. For example, my little brother does the craziest stunts like backflips, and I think, “You’re so fearless!” I admire that courage and wish I had that same boldness when I was younger. So, my advice is to be proud of yourself for stepping out on faith and not being scared. That’s what really matters.
Are you willing to be a mentor? If so, how should someone contact you?
I would love to be a mentor because I didn’t have one myself. My mom supported me, but she didn’t have any background in entrepreneurship, so we were navigating everything on our own.
I’m really passionate about helping others now. If anyone wants to reach out for mentorship, they can email me or message me on my personal page https://www.instagram.com/sededraaa