Rejeaner Burney always had a talent for doing hair. What began as a hobby in her teenage years eventually grew into a business built on creativity, a passion for her community, and a belief in her own gift and abilities.
“I started doing hair as a teenager just for fun,” Rejeaner says. “Nobody taught me. It was a God-given talent, I multiplied.”
By 17, she knew hair would always be part of her life. At 25, she turned a small storage shed behind her home into a salon. “I was good with it, but I knew it was going to have to grow.”
Rejeaner is the founder of Fly Girlz and Guyz in Spartanburg, SC, a full-service beauty business that offers braids, protective styles, and boutique fashion for women of all sizes. Whether it’s for a wedding, date night, prom, or girls’ night out, her business provides clothing and styling to help clients feel their best. She’s continuing to expand her offerings to include esthetics, with a goal of creating a one-stop luxury beauty experience.
From Hobby to Hustle
While doing hair came naturally, running a business took time to learn. In 2018, Rejeaner joined the Start:ME Spartanburg program and realized that talent alone wasn’t enough to find business success. She needed business tools and a support system to grow. Rejeaner applied herself throughout the program, learning about purchasing, marketing, and growth strategies. She placed first in her class, which fueled her motivation to keep building.
She also connected with CommunityWorks, where she received funding and participated in the MicroEntrepreneurship training. This helped her expand her inventory and space, turning profits back into her business and continuing to grow at a steady pace.
“Being with CommunityWorks helped advance me,” she says. “The MicroEntrepreneur training helped me think bigger. I was able to do more.”
Striving for Growth
Rejeaner is driven by purpose and a desire to make an impact through her work. Her advice to others: start a business because you love it, not just to make money.
“If you just want to make money, go get a job,” she says. “But if you want to impact people and share your gifts, that’s the right reason. You’re going to make mistakes, but if you love it, you’ll keep going.”
She emphasizes the importance of passion, patience, and a willingness to grow through every stage of entrepreneurship. “You have to be good at what you do, and then figure out how to be better. Be willing to take risks, trust your process, and keep learning.”
For Rejeaner, growth means being uncomfortable, pushing past fear, betting on herself, and continuously learning how to run and expand her business. From reinvesting profits into her space and inventory to taking every opportunity to grow her skills, she’s committed to building something lasting.
With a growing client base, a bigger vision, and a commitment to giving back, Rejeaner’s journey is far from over. She continues to build Fly Girlz and Guyz not just as a business, but as a space for transformation for herself and for everyone who walks through her doors.
