Katrina Scott, the fearless founder and CEO of Shades of Melanin Hair! This is your all-access pass to the electrifying journey of a business tycoon who’s dominating the beauty biz with flair and finesse. Katrina isn’t just running a business; she’s revolutionizing the way we think about hair care, one fabulous curl at a time. At the helm of her thriving black-owned brand, she mixes sharp business acumen with a contagious passion for celebrating natural beauty. Recently SHEEN Magazine had the pleasure of getting to know Katrina and she shared the secrets behind her success. Here’s what we learned.
What inspired you to specifically choose the haircare industry for your entrepreneurial journey?
Katrina: I chose the haircare industry because of my daughters. They started wearing hair extensions in their middle school years until now. They know so much about hair, whether it’s good or bad, and taught me things I didn’t know. What to look for when it comes to hair, tinting closures, bleaching knots amongst other skills. So it was the best choice so I could have a company to continue when I decide to push back and let them completely take over.
Can you discuss the research and development process behind creating your product line?
Katrina: We researched many hair suppliers. We tested the hair, and sent the hair and wigs to a few real celebrity stylists to test and try once we started to narrow down the best vendors. Let me say this, every vendor says, they have real raw human hair but that is not true. Some hair we tested, was matted badly, shredded badly, and even had plastic fibers that looked like human hair. We have 3 top of the line vendors from Southeast Asia and Cambodia. We periodically retest the hair to be sure the quality remains the same.
How do you ensure that your products cater to the unique needs of different hair textures and types found within the black community?
Katrina: When we tested the hair, I kept in mind that I wanted our hair to be worn by all women with different backgrounds and textures. Not just the black community. We specify in detail each product so the Women are aware and able to choose wisely. We have clients from different ethnicities and other countries wearing our hair. And they love it! We have textures from Kinky, Wavy, Straight and more. Our hair is known to look more natural than a weave.
What challenges have you faced in establishing your brand in a competitive market and how have you overcome them?
Katrina: The market is very competitive but we are not going anywhere. We are unique and different in our way. I’m the face you see on most of our social media posts. I just be myself and show how the hair looks on me. A natural everyday look. We have great customer service and reply in a timely fashion to our customers. Which they love. We don’t pay attention to everyone else and just do us.
How important has the community’s feedback been in shaping your products and services?
Katrina: We pay attention and appreciate customer feedback. When we first started it was room for improvement, due to customer feedback. You listen to them, learn, and correct them. And that has made us a better company.
Can you share a success story of how your products have positively impacted one of your customers?
Katrina: Oh yes!!! So we are huge advocates of supporting the Cancer Organizations. Cancer runs in our family and some have survived and some have not. And as a Woman, we know our hair identifies us. So each year we do giveaways to a cancer organization of our choice. Myself, the CEO does this out of my pocket. We had a giveaway winner from New York, a Latino lady. She received a Wavy wig that was the same texture as her natural hair. She was so happy that she mentioned us to a New York publisher. The publisher reached out and interviewed us for a magazine.
How do you leverage social media and digital marketing to boost your brand’s visibility and sales?
Katrina: Social Media Marketing is not always beneficial to us. Digital has been the best tool for us. We haven’t done much. 90% of our clients have found us from direct Google search.
What role do collaborations and partnerships play in your business strategy?
Katrina: They play a big role. We have had collaborations with Octavia Spencer, Drea Kelly, Jekalyn Carr, Stephanie Charles, and Cierra Payton wearing our brand. Very excited to have achieved that.
What advice would you give to other black entrepreneurs who aspire to start their own business in the beauty industry?
Katrina: Don’t think about the things that could go wrong or the naysayers. Start your business and keep pushing no matter what.
How do you balance the demands of running a business with your personal life?
Katrina: I make the time. Family then Business. Neither have interfered but I do make time for myself and my personal life. It can be managed if you have a supportive and understanding family.
How do you think the haircare industry can better serve black women and men
Katrina: I feel it can be better served by introducing more men’s pieces. Women have so many options to choose from but not the men. They go through life changes and it should be accepted more as with women when it comes to their hair.
What impact do you hope your brand will have on the perception of black hair and beauty in society?
Katrina: I hope to have an impact on society knowing that we care about what we offer to the community. We are not here just to make a buck. But we are here to provide high-quality products that are more affordable and last years. Myself, my daughters, mom and friends wear Shades of Melanin Hair. I wouldn’t sell anything I wouldn’t wear myself.
Motivational stories are always a reminder to us all that no matter where you start, there’s a journey to be traveled. Effort and hard work can go a long way. Never allow your RIGHT NOW to determine your outcome. Let your RIGHT NOW be a blueprint start to where you want to start. Make sure to follow Katrina and find out more about her brand.
Photo Credit: Shades of Melanin
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