OCTOBER 2025 | 10 min read
Braiding Confidence & Community: Inside Akouvi’s Rise with Elom African Braids
10 Months of Growth at a Glance
Website Visitors
+366%
Monthly increase
Page Views
80%
Growth in engagement
Monthly Calls
9 → 41
Leads from the website
Meet Elom African Braids
“I used to braid at home, only by appointment. Later on, I found a space close to my house and decided to open it up to have more clients because I started growing.”
— Akouvi, Owner of Elom African Braids
“Confidence, beautifully woven. At Elom African Braids, the mission is to help every client feel beautiful and empowered, honoring their heritage with every style.”
Starting Small, Dreaming Big
Akouvi is a master of beautiful, intricate braids, and her loyal clients would agree. But when it came to building a website, setting up a booking system, or managing her Google listings, she felt completely out of her element.She tried using a basic app, but it didn’t do enough.
What she really needed was a simple way for new clients to find her, book appointments, and get answers to their questions—without her being stuck on her phone all day.
When she saw an ad for UENI on Instagram, she decided to take the leap. She looked it up, liked what she saw, and signed up, hoping it would help her do what she does best: focus on her clients.
“Beauty and heritage intertwined. Each style from Elom African Braids is designed to instill confidence while honoring cultural significance.”
Braid by Braid: The Growth Plan in Action
Once Akouvi joined the Growth Program, things got moving. One of the first big changes was adding a direct booking option connected with Google Calendar. Instead of juggling calls and messages at all hours, her clients could see available slots and book themselves in without any back-and-forth.
A ChatBot was added to her website, acting like a virtual assistant that answers questions instantly. That means fewer repetitive messages for Akouvi and more time to braid.
The power of good word-of-mouth did not disappear; it grew stronger. By asking happy clients for reviews, Elom African Braids now has around 60 glowing reviews online. These make it easier for new people to trust her and book with confidence.
“I don’t have to go back and book clients. People who are booking find that my website is clear. When people go to the website, they can see the price, picture, and photo.” Explains Akouvi
The First Thread of Growth
It didn’t take long for Akouvi to notice the difference. When those first new clients started coming in through her website, she knew her efforts were paying off. Suddenly, her studio was being found by people searching online and seeing a clear, professional page that made booking simple, while maintaining her service and culture first.
In less than a year, the studio saw a 366% increase in monthly visitors and 477% more page views. Her calls went from just nine a month to over 40, and she now receives five times more custom messages from people ready to book their next braid.
Consistency, Confidence and a Busy Chair
One of the biggest shifts for Elom African Braids has been consistency. Before, Akouvi felt overwhelmed by all the moving parts: bookings, messages, marketing. Now, her website does much of the heavy lifting.
With her dedicated UENI Growth Manager, she meets regularly to make tweaks that keep her site fresh and easy to navigate. They have added custom pop-ups, improved SEO, and made sure every update works toward making her business more visible.
Posting regularly is now part of her routine too. Each positive review helps her show up more in local searches, putting her braiding work in front of new faces every month.
“Style that moves with you. Elom African Braids creates stunning, durable styles designed for both beauty and everyday life.”
Looking Ahead: More Braiders, More Growth
What comes next for Elom African Braids? For Akouvi, the goal is clear. She wants to keep growing, one beautiful braid at a time.
Today, she sometimes gets help when things get busy, but she knows the demand will keep rising. With clear bookings, strong reviews, and more organic traffic each month, she sees a future where her shop is buzzing with not just clients but a talented team of braiders working alongside her.
“The digital foundation for growth. A professional website and integrated booking system were key to achieving a 366% increase in monthly visitors.”
Celebrating What Comes Next
In the end, Akouvi’s story shows how great service paired with the right digital tools can turn a local braiding studio into a thriving destination. With a solid foundation in place, a website that works, clear booking options, a growing number of reviews, and regular update,
Elom African Braids is poised for even more success in the months ahead.
This isn’t just a story about hair. It's about a business owner finding her footing, exhibiting consistency, and simplifying the process of discovering and booking her work.
“I know I’m going where I’ll have a lot of braiders working with me. Through UENI, I’ll achieve that.” Expresses Akouvi
"Weaving heritage into every strand. The artistry of braiding is celebrated in styles that honor tradition and modern elegance."
