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WildMane Tinsel Hair
SUCCESS STORIES
INITIAL SITUATION
Diana Ruggiano, Owner, and Founder of WildMane Tinsel noticed an issue with the world of fashion – it takes too long to make yourself stand out. As a licensed cosmetologist with experience in salons, her path organically led her to a solution. With all the hair accessories, she knew there was no quick and damage free product to help you feel glamorous. Diana saw this niche and began to create tinsel hair clips for her friends’ kids; they absolutely loved it. These clips are eco-friendly, heat resistant, and take only a few seconds to apply!
While she had a strong product, there wasn’t enough time in the day to grow the business while balancing her full-time job and being a mom. Being a solopreneur is already time-consuming but finding time to expand her operations after finishing all her responsibilities felt nearly impossible. She felt it was great for the creative part of the business but that it hurt when making difficult decisions, being held accountable, and dealing with the momentum swings of success.
HOW THE SBDC HELPED
Quote:
“I don’t know that I would have been able to continue this entrepreneurial journey had I not been working with the SBDC program." - Diana Ruggiano | Founder
That’s when she connected with the Widener SBDC and Assistant Director, Kevin Tacchino. They reviewed the importance of desirability, viability, and feasibility in her business. He pushed her to understand the taxes, inventory management, and cash flow behind her business, which she quickly realized the importance of these metrics to her growth. She accepted the opportunity to work with Widener University MGT-451 students, who helped scale down the business to prioritize client engagements and save time with social media promotions. She later met with Marketing Consultant, Jim Turner, to discuss packaging and copyrights for her product. Throughout these engagements, Diana obtained key information and increased confidence in her entrepreneurial abilities.
SUCCESS
WildMane Tinsel received rave reviews about the products and exceptional process that they provide, making them a “Star Seller” on Etsy. She released new product lines that are being sold in six physical locations including salons and boutiques in several states. Diana’s success led her to compete in the upcoming season of “The Blox” on Amazon Prime, releasing this winter. Out of 16,000 applicants, Diana was one of eighty businesses selected for the season sixteen entrepreneurial bootcamp. After completion, WildMane received the incredible achievement of being voted as one of the top ten most-investable businesses in her season!
Diana not only enjoys being an entrepreneur but excels at it. It has changed the way she sees herself and most importantly she knows that her daughter can grow up watching her mom achieve her dreams. She is followed by a passionate community of tinsel lovers she calls the “Sparkle Squad”. They are proof that fashion is more than just a piece of fabric, it is a lifestyle and a sense of empowerment.
BUSINESS LOCATION
Sold Online & in 6+ Retail Locations across the U.S.
