It's been a while
since I've had an Inspirational Interview on the blog. It's not for want of
trying (everyone is so busy with life and making things happen at the moment,
it's crazy. In a good way of course). I love hearing the stories of how people
are turning their dreams and aspirations into reality. To be able to share
those experiences on my blog and spread inspiration, motivation and
encouragement really excites me.
I'm currently on my
own journey to self discovery, attempting to find 'that' or 'those' little thing/s
that really make me tick creatively. This blog and my natural hair journey are two
things which have really unlocked my creative juices and seemed to have opened
up the floodgates of endless possibilities.
As a blogger it
goes without saying that I love reading
other blogs, and it was whilst getting my daily fix of Natural Belle that I came across Jacqueline Laing of Lovefro. Jacqueline is the brains behind a workshop entitled The Business of Natural Hair
which takes place in London on 14 July. This event really struck a chord with me, so
needless to say I've purchased my ticket. So on the 14 July that's where
I'll be. It promises to be a truly educational and inspirational event and I'm
super excited to be going.
I
caught up with Jacqui to discover more about her and her business Lovefro, the
motivation behind the workshop and why she thinks natural hair has become such
big business.
Name: Jacqueline Laing
Age: …..uhmmmm put it this way….the Wombles and Tiswas,
were the highlight of my week!
Tell me a bit about yourself and how Lovefro came
to be? Where do I start…? Well I am a graduate in Theology
and training to be a minister of religion, within my denomination. Outside
of that, I am working on developing my natural hair brand, ‘Lovefro’, with the
view to bringing out a range of products, in the not too distant future. I
love running my own company, find baking therapeutic, and enjoy contemplating
life. I’m always seeking to understand how to live more successfully
and meaningfully in his life.
The choice to go natural has really taken off all
over the world. Especially in the US and UK. Why do you think this is? Well,
to seek to isolate the growth in the natural hair movement, to one reason,
would, in reality be unwise. I think people transition or big chop
(B.C) for many reasons, and as a community, we should accept and respect
that. I think a better way of determining market growth, is to see it as
an awakening, a sense of coming of age in the black community; being more at
ease with self/personal identity, and understanding that beauty, is more than
one thing.
I decided to go natural because I was fed up of the
poor quality of my hair despite expensive relaxers. I'd simply had enough. Plus
I wanted to be an example for my young children and embrace my natural kinks? What influenced your decision to go
natural? Actually, I had wanted to go natural for may years,
but just didn't have the courage to. But the final decision to transition came
when, I just couldn’t afford salon hair care any more, and so my journey
began. I B.C'd 10 months ago, after transitioning for 11 months, when my
hair began to lock!!!
What
is your hair regime? What regime? Lol…really…I
don’t have a regime, I wash my hair as and when. ‘When’, I do
wash my hair, I detangle with a mix of oils and conditioner - TRESemme at the
moment. Wash with a mix of bentonite clay, coconut milk, and avocado
oil. Deep condition with Organic Hair Mayonnaise, mixed with more
oil/mayonnaise, rinse with ACV (Apple Cider vinegar), then moisturize
and seal with a lovely organic moisturizer and pomade that I have been toying
with.
What
are your favourite/'go to' hair products at the moment? If
anything, it would be the Bentonite clay, TRESemme Naturals Moisturising
conditioner, avocado oil/olive oil and perm rods!!
You
are holding a workshop entitled 'The Business of Natural Hair Workshop, on 14th July.
Tell me what those who wish to attend should expect? Well,
apart from goody-bags, attendees will come away, inspired and motivated, to
build their business on a solid foundation, and/or strengthen their existing
business, by understanding the market further, and identifying and honing in on
their ideal customer. In addition, they will ADD VALUE to their business
by:
1. Having
a better understanding of consumer attitude to the UK Natural Hair Market
2. Gaining
valuable insight into the Cosmetic/Beauty industry as a whole
3. Learning
how to capitalize on the opportunity
4. Understanding
how to build a business around their strengths
5. Knowing
how to develop market research on a budget,
6. Knowing
how to formulate questions that draw out the right information from
potential/existing customers.
Why do you think it has taken black people so long
to get properly established in the black beauty industry? (I.e. manufacturing
and selling products) I think a large part of our
failure to capitalize in this or any industry is our inability, to see ourselves
as owners/manufacturers, as opposed to simply being consumers. I also think its
a combination of ‘not knowing how to’ penetrate the cosmetic industry, a sense
of being unable to financially compete, with the large manufacturers and a
perception or mind-set, dominated by ideas that the beauty industry is the
domain of other nationalities.
Who is your motivation and inspiration? Well,
on a public level it has to be Oprah Winfrey, Margaret Thatcher (although I’m
not a Tory); I quite like Tony Blair, and academics such as Dr Robert
Beckford. On a private level, it is those one or two individuals, who have
proved to be ‘successful’ in church life, family life or married
life, my former tutor, Graham.
