Charlotte startup Prept brings professional style and beauty services and advice straight to its customers with just a few clicks.
Nicole Boyd began developing the startup last spring when she was on maternity leave from her corporate job. She realized that as someone who often waited until the last minute to prep for events, she wanted an easier way to have her fashion and beauty choices all in one place — and she knew she couldn't be the only one.
Prept is a web and mobile app that gives its users a full concierge experience. To get started, users fill out a survey stating their style or beauty needs and preferences; they're then matched with a vetted service provider who best suits their needs, Boyd said.
"We have a network of 20 stylists and 30 beauty service providers from all over," she said. "Once you're matched, you book a virtual consult and (they) begin creating your virtual look book."
As the concept for Prept began to take shape, Boyd decided to take the company completely virtual to not only adhere to Covid-19 safety guidelines but also to appeal to potential customers outside of the Charlotte market.
"Stylists are hundreds of dollars per hour," she said. "I want Prept be the one-stop shop for both beauty and style needs. I want us to be accessible as a digital platform, and from a price point as well."
And while Boyd hopes to gain widespread traction through the company's website, Instagram page and service offerings, her main focus is still on Charlotte. When Prept launched last year, it was already working with 20 local companies, partnerships Boyd intends to nurture.
"We’ve really tapped North Carolina a lot and grown organically, but because we’re virtual we’re moving beyond," she said. "As much as we’re virtual all over and wanting to scale, however, we are very passionate about the local (Charlotte) communities in which we operate."
Eventually, Boyd said Prept will roll out in-person services, though timing will depend on Covid restrictions.
"Covid forces us to go all-in on this virtual angle, but we're really passionate about that in-person aspect," she said. "People still want that, 'Come to my house and look through what I already have' interaction."
