Many people spend years on a job helping other fulfill their dream until they realize, there more to gain as an entrepreneur. CEO of Locks-4-Ever, LLC shares her journey to success after dedicating 35 years of hard work in corporate America.
The Journey
It all started on a rainy day in Panama City, Panama in October 2011. My husband (Alfredo) and I were looking at retirement homes. We were with my “Parents-in-Love”, Alfredo, Sr. and Hazel. We’d taken a ride to a popular beach area. We were greeted by stray dogs and a chicken or two just hanging out on the side of the road. I said . . . “um . . . I don’t want to see this place.” Alfredo responded “You haven’t SEEN the place, we aren’t there yet.” I replied “if this is what I have to see to get to “the place” I’m not interested!” We apologized to the realtor and headed back toward Panama City to check out another up and coming area, Brisas Del Golf, Norte. It was rainy season and the clouds had opened up. Alfredo said “let’s just go back to the hotel, we’ll look again on our next visit.” I said “I can see clear skies ahead, let’s keep going.” Sure enough, the rain stopped and the sun shone brightly over Brisas Del Golf, Norte. We got to the community only to find the Sales Office had closed five minutes prior, but wait . . . there’s more! The Sales Agent just HAPPENED to be walking by the security gate and realized we wanted to see the model home and MIRACULOUSLY decided to oblige us! We fell in LOVE, we put a deposit on Lot “B-21” and the race to figure out how to do the whole “international real estate thang” started. I also began to think of ways I could earn money in Panama with “limited” Spanish.  A year later, we closed on our home!
I knew I wouldn’t be able to be an admin, which had supported me my entire life and I was 9 years behind Alfredo in retirement . . . What’s a girl to do? I thought about the Afro-Panamanian women who struggled to keep their curly hair tamed in the heat, humidity and rainy climate of Panama. Then I had THE “Ah ha” moment . . . SISTERLOCKS™! I knew in 2011 they might not be ready to embrace the natural hair movement that had picked up steam in the US, but I estimated by 2017 they might be more open to it. In 2012, with no natural hair experience, I made the executive decision to take the Sisterlocks™ Course and planned to bring this AMAZING hair system to Panama.Â
Let’s Do This
Locks-4-Ever was established in 2012 with a mission to be the BEST in professionalism and customer service and to help as many women as possible take advantage of this beautiful natural hair system.
We were a home-based studio until February 2014, when we moved to a commercial studio in Woodbridge, VA. I became a Certified Sisterlocks™ Consultant in August 2014 (achieved Brand Ambassador in July 2019). In February 2015, we became an LLC and in March, we added another Sisterlocks™ Consultant to keep up with the growing demand.
February 14, 2016, we moved to a larger location and became licensed by the DPOR. April 3, 2016, was our Grand Opening with Guest of Honor, Dr. Joanne Cornwell, Creator of Sisterlocks™ and elected officials.Â
September 2016, we acquired the salon BUILDING! We FIRED our LANDLORD!
Farewell Corporate America
January 5, 2017 was my last day on the J.O.B. Within two years, I exceeded the income it took more than a quarter century to earn working for other people! This was not my first entrepreneurial rodeo, but it was CERTIANLY the most lucrative.Â
Product Line
October 16, 2016, LOCKS-4-EVER launched the first of its all-natural product line. We now offer 4 Products.
No More Tender Heads™ – All Natural – Relieves scalp pain during styling
Hair Influence Plus – All Natural with Special Blend of 9 Essential Oils, Relieves Dryness, Promotes Hair Growth, Freshens Hair and Beards
Yum Yum – Light Leave-In Conditioner with Hints of Coconut and Rose – Softens hair and smells DELICIOUS!
Morning Glory – All Natural with Special Blend of 9 Essential Oils. Spray daily to hydrate and refresh hair and scalp.
Trademarks and Patent Applications
December 29, 2015 and January 20, 2017 Trademark registered in US and Panama
April 2017 – Filed Provisional Patent Application for No More Tender Heads™
April 2018 – Filed Non-Provisional; Abandoned November 2019
Panama
July 2017 construction completed on Panama Studio. Official launch 2018.
Coaching/Mentoring Services
Coached nine Sisterlocks™ Trainees to build successful, professional businesses and supplied them (and others) with a constant flow of clients.Â
Collaborating with Afro Panamanian organizations to provide free coaching services to Black women who own natural hair businesses.
Due to demand and the successful execution of our June 2018 “Natural Hair Business Development Workshop,” we formally added a Coaching Division in 2019.
National Podcast
Our first “Sistas Talking Natural Hair & Business” podcast aired October 2019. I give advice on how to build an EXCELLENT, Natural Hair Business and showcase Black business Owners/Experts. Our prestigious guests include A’Lelia Bundles, Madam C.J. Walker’s Great-Great Grand Daughter and Author of “On Her Own Ground – The Life and Times of Madam C.J. Walker” the book which “inspired” the Netflix Series “Self Made.”
Community Involvement
Meetup Group – LOCKS, SISTERLOCKS and NATURAL HAIR brings naturals together for cultural/physical events.
Facebook Group – NATURAL HAIR CAFÉ is exclusively for AA Natural Hair Stylists/Salon Owners to connect and support each other.
Cultural Trips – SISTERLOCKED IN PANAMA 2020. Forty AA women attended.
We support/showcase Black Owned Businesses by promoting them on “Buy Black Friday” and on Podcast.
At the End of the Day
 “I got my start by giving myself a start” ~ Madame C. J. Walker
GIVE YOURSELF A START . . . Contact me today!
Find us on Instagram, Facebook and Youtube @locks4ever
All images courtesy of Charlotte Van Horn
Wonderful success story!
Thank you!
Charlotte is a awesome Business lady. I wish her the best and I know good Things will come her way. She’s a very caring and giving person. Gongrates and much more to come
Great article. Such an amazing journey for an amazing mover and shaker. So excited to see whats next!!!
Thanks for your encouragement!!
Congratulations to you Charlotte and to Locks-4-Ever on your continued mission. It was indeed a pleasure in meeting you, your husband and the ladies during your “White Affair” in Panama in January 2020. You were such a gracious hostess to both my mom and I. I will continue to follow you on your journeys. Be safe and Be well. Felicidades🎉
P.S. Awesome articleđź‘Źđź‘Źđź‘Ź
The pleasure was ALL mine. Your family is a shining example of Black entrepreneurship. Thank you for your support and encouragement.
Excellent article, Charlotte! It has been a true pleasure watching you on your journey to greatness! May God continue to shine brightly upon you and all that you do.
Thank you! I appreciate your support and encouragement more than you’ll ever know!
I love your journey, sis. I applaud your passionate ,positive and professional services. Success is assured.
Thank you Ife!!! I appreciate the encouragement! I hope to see you soon.
Love it! Being an Afro-Panamanian myself, I am so proud of ypu for following your dreams, especially developing a business and product that caters to our needs. Growing up, we were taught to press and relax our hair to emulate the white women, because we did not think we were pretty with our natural hair, which God gave us. I have worn my hair relaxed until recently when we were hit here in the USA by COVID19, leaving us in quarantine and not able to get my hair done. I decided to cut the processed hair off and went natural, and I love it. I live in Northern VA. Where can I get your product and more information? Thank you and congratulations for your sucess. To God be the Glory.
Hello Velita!! Thank you SO much! I actually “married in to Panama” 🙂 But I LOVE my Panamanian Sistas! Thanks for sharing that with us. Going natural is a liberation and pride that you just have to know for yourself!! Unfortunately, right now, Covid has got me scrambling for bottles for my products. I tried to order as much as I could before things got bad, but I’ve sold out and I’m having a problem finding bottles that aren’t marked up 1000% So, I have my clients recycling bottles! LOL I’m working on it though. I am here in Woodbridge, VA. We might be neighbors!!
To learn more about the products, visit my website store. If you place an order, I’ll get it and I can tell you if the products are available. I KNOW “Hair Influence Plus” is available (it’s the small glass bottle). It’s AWESOME!! i’d love to hear from you and I’ll even throw in a discount for your taking the time to respond to this article. It means the WORLD to me. I’m so grateful for the comments. We received a lot of love on our Social Media platforms as well.
Here is the link to order products: .http://www.locks-4-ever.com/store
Thank you!
You are just amazing and inspiring! You deserve everything that is coming to you. Hard work pays off and having an amazing support system helps as well. Continue to pave the way trial blaze for us all.
Thanks for the kind words and support! I REALLY appreciate you!
Charlotte,
You are such an inspiration to many.
Why because of your desire to make a difference in your community.
1. Coaching others to be an entrepreneur.
2. You are a hard worker, and you make others feel like you can do whatever you put your mind too.
3. I am a living witness because you been there to support my business.
Congratulation !!!!
Thank you!! You are an amazing woman with so many gifts! I’m happy to support you!
Charlotte I’m so very proud of you and it just gives us all inspiration to become our own boss! You have always had the strength to pursue your dreams. I’m so glad you took that leap of faith!
Thank you for your support and encouragement. You are very talented and when it’s time for you to take that leap, you will he ready and you will be BOSS!
Congrats! Awesome journey. I would like to know how you actually transitioned from your full time job in corporate America to entrepreneurship full time.
Thank you Chardé’!! I received this inquiry a few times when this story was shared on our social media accounts. Please follow us and check out my Sistas Talking Natural Hair & Business Podcast Episode, “Don’t Sleep In Your Day Job” for more information regarding the steps I took to transition from my day job.
I am proud to be part of the Locks-4-Ever family!
4 years ago, I started my Sisterlock journey with Locks-4-Ever and we are still going strong!
I knew at the time that I was making a permanent decision regarding my natural hair, but had no idea that I was gaining a Sister-Friend for life, as well.
Charlotte’s passion for providing the best customer service constantly exceeds my expectations.
I look forward to my appointments: I get treated like VIP, I get to connect and share thoughts and feelings. Charlotte is a good listener and has a way of sharing what I call “nuggets of knowledge” along the way.
I am one of her adult tender-headed clients and “No More Tenderheads” works wonders for me.
Going back to the customer service aspect, one of the things that I appreciate the most is: After locs are completed, she asks if I can stand a massage BEFORE she proceeds to do it. Those tiny details mean so much to me and goes a long way. To me, that’s exceptional customer service and shows how much she cares about how my scalp feels, especially since I am tender-headed.
I am the only Sisterlocked person in my family, but you could not tell (lol). Her all-natural hair products are so great that other family members are always asking me to pick up bottles for them, so I usually come with a list of products that I need to grab for others on my appointment day.
Thank You and Congratulations Charlotte! You deserve this spotlight — Keep on shining, Sister!
WOW!!! Thank you, Michelle! I am so grateful for you. You are an exemplary client who follows instructions to a T. I look forward to being your Sista friend/Consultant for years to come! Thanks for your support and for taking time to share your thoughts.