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Natural Hair

Published on
3 mins read

Pressed Roots Secures Millions, Expands Salons Specializing in Textured Hair

Pressed Roots

Frustrated by a lack of haircare options catering to highly textured hair, Piersten Gaines founded Pressed Roots in 2020.

This visionary salon chain specializes in caring for and styling coils and kinks, offering a transformative experience that goes beyond haircuts and styling.

Inspired by her own journey and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by those with natural hair, Gaines has built Pressed Roots into a thriving business, breaking barriers in venture capital funding and spearheading a movement of empowerment and education within the beauty industry.

Pressed Roots

Strategic Growth and Investment

In the early days after Pressed Roots’ launch, she successfully raised approximately $500,000 in investment capital. This initial boost allowed her to lay a solid foundation for her burgeoning business.

A year later, in 2021, Gaines’ visionary approach and the salon’s growing reputation attracted an additional $2.5 million in investment. This influx of capital was instrumental in expanding Pressed Roots’ reach and enhancing its service offerings.

Breaking Barriers in Venture Capital

The road to success has not been without its challenges. In 2023, the venture capital landscape was particularly tough for Black entrepreneurs, with funding dropping to a mere 0.13 percent of total capital invested. Undeterred, Gaines persevered and achieved a significant victory by raising $3.1 million.

This round of funding included investors such as Slauson & Co and RevTech Ventures, as well as high-profile figures like Naomi Osaka, Howard Schultz, and Meg Whitman.

Financial Success and Expansion

The financial trajectory of Pressed Roots has been equally impressive. By 2022, the company was booking more than $2 million in annual revenue.

This figure rose to $3.5 million the following year, reflecting the growing demand for Pressed Roots’ services and the salon’s reputation for excellence.

As of March, Pressed Roots operated three stores, with plans underway to open a fourth location. This expansion is a testament to the salon’s popularity and the effectiveness of Gaines’ strategic growth plan.

Pressed Roots

Community and Education

Beyond its services, Pressed Roots is committed to community building and education. The salon regularly hosts workshops and events to educate clients on natural hair care, fostering a sense of community and empowerment among its clientele.

The Future of Pressed Roots

With Piersten Gaines at the helm, Pressed Roots is poised for continued growth and innovation. Her unwavering commitment to excellence and her strategic vision have positioned the salon as a leader in the beauty industry.

As Pressed Roots expands its footprint and continues to break new ground, it remains dedicated to its core mission: celebrating and caring for natural hair with expertise and passion.

by Tony O. Lawson

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Published on
3 mins read

Loclicious, a Black Owned Natural Haircare Brand Inspired by a Personal Setback

Loclicious

Loclicious is a Black owned natural haircare brand that creates all-natural haircare products for locs, loose naturals, and all hair types.

Black Owned Natural Haircare
Kabi Mickens, founder of Loclicious

In her teens and early twenties, Kabi, the founder of Loclicious, often used relaxers. As a result, she got bald spots on her scalp and could only wear her hair in certain styles to hide them.

She decided to go natural in 2008 after she got pregnant with her first child. Although she was no longer using relaxers, she realized that many of the products that claim to be for natural hair were anything but “natural”.

“As a loc’d sister, I saw that the loc community was underserved in their options. I found that the existing haircare product options were full of harmful chemicals and poor-quality ingredients that at best leave unwanted residue in locs and at worst can severely damage locs/hair.

As a result, it can be very overwhelming and stressful for women who want to start their loc or natural hair journey. I saw a need in the loc and natural hair community, so Loclicious.”

Black Owned Natural Haircare

How do Loclicious products differ from others on the market?

Loclicious Haircare promises a high-quality product for modern men and women of color. Our products are FREE from Parabens, Phthalates, Sulfates, PEGs, Mineral Oils, and other toxic chemicals. Our products are lightweight, water-based and will not leave residue that causes buildup.

Black Owned Natural Haircare

What are some business accomplishments you’re most proud of so far?

Loclicious was initially only available via our website www.loclicious.com. However, as of September 2022, Loclicous products are now also available on Amazon.com.

What advice or tips for others interested in starting a haircare business?

There is a lot to consider when starting a haircare product line. However, the first question to ask yourself is… what business model do you want to go with?

You can decide to self-manufacture products in a private label model (like we did) or you can choose to do a white-label model where you purchase premade products in bulk and brand them with your business name.  Both models have pros and cons but you should choose the model that works best for your business.

What are your future goals?

We look forward to getting our products into retailers like Walmart, Target and Sally Beauty in 2023.

 

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Published on
1 min read

The Largest Natural Hair Event Just Shut Paris Down

natural

On June 10th, the Natural Hair Academy in Paris held one of the largest natural hair conferences in the world, boasting over thousands of natural beauties and vendors.

Black Enterprise was there to talk about how to feel comfortable in your own skin, but more importantly, what it takes to be unapologetically black.

In addition to a representative from SheaMoisture, panelists included singer, actress, and co-host of the BET Africa TV show, BET A-List, Nandi Madida; acclaimed French pop-soul singer Imany; writer and “image activist” Michaela Angela Davis; and French-Senegalese journalist, award-winning filmmaker, and activist Rokhaya Diallo.

Brands like SheaMoisture, CURLS, Cantu Beauty, The Mane Choice, and Carolina-B also showed up and showed out by giving live hair demonstrations. The informative demos were all about how to best nourish and maintain curly textured hair.

Read the rest at Black Enterprise and Check out this video from last years event.

 

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Published on
2 mins read

Black Owned British Hair Care Brands

Black Owned British Hair Care

Today, we’re highlighting some Black owned British hair care brands. These brands are not only providing high-quality products formulated for textured hair, but they are also creating a space for self-love and haircare education within the Black community.

Let’s dive into some of the innovative brands paving the way for a more inclusive and empowering beauty experience.

Black Owned Natural Hair Care Brands from the UK

Charlotte Mensah

Founded by celebrity hairstylist Charlotte Mensah, this brand offers luxury hair care products specifically formulated for textured hair types. Their products cater to the unique needs of curly, coily, and kinky hair, promoting healthy hair growth and beautiful styles.

Dizziak

Dizziak is a haircare brand committed to clean, vegan, and sustainable hair care products. They use natural and organic ingredients to create effective formulas that nourish and protect all hair types, while being mindful of the environment.

Flora & Curl

Flora & Curl is a haircare brand that celebrates the beauty of natural hair. Their products are made with botanical ingredients and are designed to cleanse, condition, and style curly, coily, and kinky hair textures. They focus on enhancing your natural curls and coils for healthy, beautiful hair.

Equi Botanics

Equi Botanics offers hair and skincare products made with pure, plant-derived ingredients. Their botanical formulas are suitable for all hair types, even sensitive scalps, and prioritize gentle yet effective care for your hair and overall wellness.

Bouclème

Bouclème is a French haircare brand specializing in products for curly, coily, and wavy hair. Their luxurious formulas are designed to cleanse, condition, and style curly hair textures, helping you achieve beautiful, defined curls with a healthy shine.

Nylah

Nylah is a haircare brand that caters specifically to the needs of children’s hair. Their gentle and tear-free formulas are designed to cleanse, condition, and detangle delicate strands while promoting healthy hair growth for your little ones.

 

 

The feature image is of Whitney White: Founder of @MelaninHaircare 

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