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.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I start my day by making a to-do list the night before so that when I wake up, I already know what I need to do. Since I’m a night owl, my brain can be a bit clogged in the morning from working late, so having that list helps me stay on track. After waking up, I have breakfast and then dive into creating content—I’m a content finista! I’m really passionate about creating content for my business.
From there, I usually head to my store location, which I opened in 2019. At the store, I do some work, talk to my sales associates, and brainstorm ways to make Addabang even bigger. We also talk with customers on the phone daily, always working to improve and make sure people know what Addabang is all about. There are billions of people in the world who don’t yet know what Addabang is or what it stands for, and I’m focused on changing that every day.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Bringing my ideas to life is all about being natural and authentic. If something doesn’t come naturally, I’m not interested in it because I believe that your audience can sense when something isn’t genuine. I want everything I do to feel as authentic as possible.
There are definitely times when I don’t have it all together, but when I do get those sparks of inspiration, I make sure to capture them right away. I could be in the shower and suddenly have an idea—I’ll literally jump out, grab a journal, and write it down so I don’t forget it. My mind is always going, and I’m very creative. I feel like God gave me that gift.
Being outside and going places is another big source of inspiration for me. I draw from everything around me, especially from how I grew up. Whether I’m starting a business or planning a campaign, I look at the world around me and think, “How can I use this as inspiration for others?” Everything around you is a potential source of inspiration—you just have to see it.
What’s one trend that excites you?
When it comes to trends, I honestly prefer to create my own. I do keep an eye on what others are doing and what’s happening in the world—you have to stay on top of things—but I’m always focused on creating something new. I’m known for being innovative, and I love being called the “innovative queen.”
For example, I was the first to DoorDash hair extensions, and DoorDash even reached out to me for a collaboration because of it. Another trend I pioneered was making a flower bouquet out of hair bundles. I know that sounds unique, but we created these hair extension bouquets for Valentine’s Day, and it was a hit!
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
One habit I absolutely love is listening to podcasts. Seriously, I’m always listening to something, even when I’m in the shower. If you see me around, you’ll notice I always have my AirPods in because I’m constantly soaking up information.
At this point, AirPods should just sponsor me! I’m always tuned into podcasts about entrepreneurship, mental growth, and staying humble. I love listening to content that challenges me and helps me become a better person. That’s why I’m so hooked on it.
What advice would you give 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.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
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 is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
As an entrepreneur, one thing I’d recommend doing every day to achieve success is to think positively. It might sound cliché, but seriously, maintaining a positive mindset is crucial. Whatever you think and speak can shape your outcomes.
When I wake up, I tell myself affirmations like, “I am a millionaire,” “I will be successful,” and “I’m happy today.” It’s about setting a positive tone for the day. Instead of focusing on negative thoughts like, “I won’t make a sale today,” flip it to, “I will make a sale today.” Your perspective greatly impacts your actions and results. So, regardless of what’s happening around you, staying positive is key.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
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 is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
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 is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
When it comes to dealing with failure, I believe in fully experiencing it. If something doesn’t go as planned, like missing a sale or having to close a deal, I take a moment to really feel and understand the situation. I ask myself why I’m feeling this way and how I can get through it.
Rather than pushing the feeling aside, I embrace it. I want to feel the disappointment because it helps me process it better. Once I’ve acknowledged the feeling, I focus on how to move forward. I don’t want to repeat the same mistakes, so I use the experience as a lesson to learn from and improve.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
I’d say that the intimate hygiene market is a great opportunity right now. Many women want to feel and smell good, and they’re looking for products that help with that. Although it’s a topic that’s not always openly discussed, the beauty and women’s health industry is a billion-dollar sector.
If I weren’t focused on Addabang, I’d definitely be exploring this area, ensuring that women have top-notch intimate hygiene products and maintaining their pH balance.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Right now, I still use physical notes and my iPhone notes for everything. I jot down all my ideas and plans there. Addabang has grown thanks to those notes. Even though I don’t use an AI calendar or advanced tech, keeping things simple with my notes has worked for me. It’s all about finding what works best and sticking with it.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
One of my favorite books that come to mind is “Profit First” by Mike Michalowicz.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I’m a reality TV queen! I absolutely love reality TV shows, including Love Is Blind, Love Island, The Ultimatum, The Challenge, and Big Brother. I watch them all and can’t get enough of the drama and excitement.
Key learnings
- From Humble Beginnings to Growth: Sededra started Addabang at the age of 16 with just her mother’s support and a passion for beauty. What began in the basement of their home has grown into a successful brand, demonstrating the power of determination and innovative thinking.
- Innovative Marketing Strategies: Sededra is known for her creative marketing approaches, including pioneering guerrilla marketing techniques and unique promotional campaigns like delivering hair extensions and creating flower bouquet bundles. These strategies have helped her stand out in the competitive beauty industry.
- Commitment to Mentorship: Inspired by her own journey, Sededra is passionate about mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs. She offers guidance and support through her personal page and is open to helping others navigate the challenges of starting and growing a business.