They say that when you work for yourself you work the hardest you have ever worked in your life. Have you ever heard the term ‘head cook and bottle washer’ it might mean a variety of things to some.
But in this instance we can certainly apply it to the business owner because at the end of the day you will be the CEO, the social media liaison, the marketing manager, your brand expert and at the end of the night you will have to sweep and mop the floor and get things in order for the next day.
Business owners will tell you that late nights are nothing but a thing, and scheduling a break becomes somewhat of a chore if not next to impossible. It would be a bit shallow of me not to admit that ethnic minority business owners do have it a tad bit harder than our counterpart colleagues.
We have all the challenges of regular business and on top of that prejudices, misguided perceptions and just plain ole judgmentalism to deal with. To bridge the gap between that, and just providing a great product or service we have to work extremely hard at our craft much like anyone else, but also we have to create a great professional presence to avoid any distractions that might hinder us from making the money we deserve.
We were talking recently about supporting black hair businesses and a lot of you were asking how you would know of businesses that are black owned in your local area. While I am not aware of any such list that’s been compiled, we can certainly help you with supporting black owned online hair companies.
The natural hair movement gave birth to some really awesome businesses dedicated to creating and supplying products for our natural hair and skin. Most of them spend a lot of time on giving us products of the highest quality and treating us the consumer like the true beauties we are.
We have watched them blossom over the years to become avid players in the market and with that said we thought it would be kind of cool to give 8 of them a shout out right here on BHI, this is in no particular order just a good old list with some links that you can use to support them (They are not even affiliate links!).
1. Amazing Botanicals
Started in Brooklyn, Amazing Botanicals is owned and ran by two amazing young ladies, Asha and Shelly. Their products are hand crafted with infusions of exotic oils*, natural butters* and other amazing ingredients perfectly created for not only your hair but your skin as well.
What we can appreciate the most is that even though the quality of their products is high the prices are very affordable making it very easy for you to try a variety of their products without hurting your pockets.
The girls are very active on social media, shamelessly promoting their products, offering promotions and showing the much appreciated effort they take to bring us quality products.
If you are ever in the Brooklyn area, look them up or if you are on the internet right now, just click through to their website. They get two thumbs up from us!
Our picks from the line:
2. CURLS
Now here is a company that has successfully branded themselves to the point that you can spot the product from a mile away. The company was founded in 2002 by Mahisha Dellinger, a curly girl herself who has successfully expanded her brand with focus on quality and accessibility.
The line can now be found on the shelves of our major retailers including Sally’s and Target. The Curls brand is definitely an industry leader and one that we can learn a lot from while enjoying her fabulous hair cocktails. If you give them a try we are positive at least one of the products will become a staple with no hesitation.
Our picks from the line:
Texture Me Natural!!! Great natural haircare products!!
Sweet Naturals is a wonderful line look them up on FB
Sweet Naturals LLC
Azula Studio in Lanham, MD. Stacy Lee is my loctician.
Qhemet Biologic
Oyin Handmade!
I have heard of a few of these
Alikay Naturals by BlackOnyx
Hairobics, Los Angeles, California and Adiva Naturals, Richmond, Virginia
Sisters of Isis Holistic .Dallas TX
Naturally Isis Isis Brantley
E’tae natural hair products. Salon is in Philadelphia and now she’s starting to sell her products in select beauty supply stores.
Great information! Thx
http://Www.sweetnaturebyeddie.info. been around since 2007!
These products sound great, but i can’t find them in Spain. Is very sad!!!
A lot of them ship to Spain no??
I have to see, but most of the time the ship is very expensive 🙁
http://www.treenaturals.com
Trina’s Natural Scalp Stimulator is a product inspired by A Mother’s Luv. Through prayer and determination A Mother’s Luv is powerful inspiration. When my daughter was diagnosed with Alopecia Areata at the age of 10 it was very difficult for her to deal with her extreme loss of hair and the kids at school making fun of her. Drying her tears and trying to rebuild her self esteem became a losing battle. Doctors said she would never grow back a full head of hair. But through the Grace of God and inspiration A Mother’s Luv conquered those notions. Here we are today a full head of healthy curly hair later. Trina’s Natural Scalp Stimulator is a product from A Mother’s Luv.
Trina’s Natural Scalp Stimulator http://www.AMothersLuv.com
Soultanicals http://www.soultanicals.com
Custom Hair Oils in LA…they have you all on their website as a resource http://www.customhairoils.com
One not mentioned and I know you could not mention them all, is, All Things O’Natural. Wonderful handmade organic products. BTW, is Alikay Naturals in Target now?
Taliah Waajid
I absolutely love All Things O’Natural products! I use them daily and the Sistar who owns the brand (which she runs with her hubby), is amazing! She has a great spirit and in the goodness of natural things. Her products can be found at http://www.nattynatural.com and her blog is http://[email protected]. She can also be found on FB, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
http://Www.nattynatural.com
Dominique Goosby Harris could you share all your info?
Latisha Lockett and C.T. McKenney, thank you soooo much!!!!
Latisha Lockett, you have the website correcto, Beautiful!! thank you again!!
I thought carols daughter is black owned
@ Stacey M Bland where can you purchase this. I don’t need it, but a friend of mines need it. Too much pulling her hair out while taking down microbraids. She has no patience. She starting to thin in this same area. Please help her.
Hydratherma Naturals
http://www.healthyhairjourney.com/
You’re welcome!
Gracie’s Hair Butter wonderful all natural hair butter with proven moisture retention and promotes hair growth. Also on Ebay
Gracie’s Hair Butter on Ebay. On Facebook at Sweet Inspirations Boutique
Bambola’s Body Scrubs & More
Is a New & Up coming Business that has Awesome Organic Bath, Beauty & Health Products. The owner is a Retired Nurse that handcrafts all her products.She has products like an Organic Honey Hot Oil Treatment that is Superb. A Pain relieving Body Scrub, Gentle Body Scrubs for infants/children that suffer with eczema & psoriasis and my favorite is her “Ace Acne” Facial Mask! Her prices are very Reasonable and Shipping is quick! Worth a TRY! Check her out at [email protected]
Bobeam Products on Etsy. The owner’s name is LaQuita. She has a lot of different shampoo bars. One even has chocolate in it. I like her Rootz Herbal Oil. Her prices are great and her customer service is above and beyond the call of duty.
Nzuri Hair Care and Wellness. It is owned by Leola Anifowoshe, an African American in Houston. They have amazing hair growth oils and vitamins for adults and children.
Congratulations to all of the Brands mentioned. I’m sure the writer couldn’t share the 100’s of new Brands out there but, I appreciate the introduction to a few. I have used Oyin Handmade, Amazing Botanicals and Karens Body Beautiful! I am in Love with those brands but, will try a few mentioned. I’ve heard about the natty
Moist and have to GET some! I’m so happy to see the brands coming to Target and Other store but, I’m most proud of these Minority Women who OWN these business! Let’s congratulate them a support each other!!
http://www.bluerozebeauty.com
I have so much ABLove for this company and its founders. The latest Honey Condish whipped formula has now become my #1 curl product that does not leave my hair feeling greasy after application, then dried out the next day. My curls maintain their shape after air drying and over the course of a few days my hair is still manageable, still soft, still shiny. I have never found a product that didn’t leave my hair crunchy when the curls dried or dried out looking with product residue until now. Thank you Amazing Botanicals.
I’ve learn a few just right stuff here. Definitely price bookmarking for revisiting.
I wonder how so much attempt you place to make
this kind of wonderful informative web site.
Nice to have a list to look for!
what of the other great natural hair businesses?
I plan on being one of these people one day. Woo!
dont forget oyin handmade which is based outta dc (i believe)
Article is confusing, hope Decca Decca Plus is on the list
Shea Moisture, Uncle Funky’s Daughter
Dedrick Chandler