Discretion. Confidence. Trust. These are the three values that have helped ensure the success of Billy Hendrix (BHX), a full-service luxury lifestyle management company. Founder Renee T. Billy began the company in 2006 by offering exclusive shopping services while serving as a fashion-advertising executive for various popular print magazines. Her relationships with brands such as Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and Nikon proved to be invaluable assets and she was soon flooded with many requests that led to her expanding the company’s services.
Presently, BHX serves Manhattan’s elite by managing personal assistance projects such as closet styling, personal shopping, event management, home and office organizational assistance and more.
Rolling out spoke Billy about her mother’s influence on her company, how she determines which clients she will not work with, how her stint in corporate America helped hone her leadership skills and more.
What inspired you to start this company?
Growing up, I watched my mom decorate the home and keep everything organized. I guess she gave me the bug. Prior to creating BHX, I read and watched anything that offered tips on how to make chores and tasks easier. For years, friends would often ask me to assist them with projects, from decorating tips to clothes shopping for events. My best friend is the first person to put the notion in my head to create a business like BHX, stating that there was a way to monetize what I was already doing.
How do you determine which clients you will or will not service?
I base my decision on deliverables and their expectations. If a client has an unrealistic budget for a project, I will most likely decline the project. If their time frame for a project is not doable, I will decline. My goal is always to deliver superior service. Therefore, I will not promise something that cannot be delivered.
Were you always a leader, or was it something developed over time?
I have always been a leader. My mom and grandmother raised me to be an independent thinker. Plus, my 20-year career in sales and marketing prepared me for this journey since making quotas and meeting expectations determined my success. I had to be highly motivated to survive. For me, being a leader means you are not afraid to take risks and you dare to be different.
