Meet Tia Williams, former beauty editor (Elle, Glamour, Lucky, Teen People, Essence), best selling best-selling author (It Chicks, The Color Of Beauty) and 1/3 of the team behind The Fly Cut, an innovate weekly deal website selling discounted vouchers to hair salons specializing in African-American and ethnic hair. Yes, you heard correctly: discounts to get your hair did.  Together with her sisters Devon and Laura Williams, the trio has been working overtime to launch the website, which will not only make it possible for consumers to experience 5-star salon services at some of the most sought-after Black and ethnic hair salons without paying full price, but also offer members of The Fly Cut exclusive information about their favorite salon as well as tips on finding a salon fitting for his/or her specific hair needs.

CB: So The Fly Cut is like Groupon meets The Daily Candy but with an emphasis on ethnic hair salons. It’s brilliant yet I am surprised that no one else has thought of this before? What inspired the concept behind The Fly Cut, particularly the name and why the focus on African American and ethnic hair salons?

Tia Williams: My sisters and I always talked about working together, and The Fly Cut seemed like the perfect business at the perfect time!  The economy sucks, no one has any money, but black and brown women need for their hair to look fierce. As a beauty editor, I have access to some of the top hair salons in the country — so we thought, why not share it with the masses by offering major discounts on top salon services?  Gorgeous hair at affordable prices!   The Groupons and Living Socials aren’t targeting black women and their hair, exclusively.  It seemed like a no-brainer. “The Fly Cut” refers to both a fabulous haircut and a “cut” or a discounted service.

CB: This is basically a family-owned business, founded by you and your sisters Devon and Lauren Williams. What roles has each sister played in establishing The Fly Cut and share with us how the experience has been of building a business and a brand with family?

Part of what makes this venture so exciting is that we each bring something unique to the table.  I’ve been a beauty editor for 15 years, so I know the hair industry inside and out.  Devon’s a corporate and entertainment lawyer, so she’s the legal genius of the operation.  And Lauren’s the deputy editor at TheRoot.com, and knows the online space like the back of her hand. It’s kind of a dream team moment!