Have you ever wondered what it takes to turn your homemade product into a product line, then a full-fledged company? Gwen Jimmere was a new mom with a big idea who did just that. When she set out to simplify her hair care routine, add valuable hours back to her schedule and decrease the ingredients in her beauty regimen, she stumbled upon a product that would quickly become a household favorite for natural hair enthusiasts everywhere. Her young company is nearing the 7-figure revenue mark in only a few years time.
We talked to Gwen about what it takes to take your products from the kitchen table to the shelves of Whole Foods stores around the world.
About Gwen
The first black woman to hold a patent for a natural hair care product, winner of the 2014 Black Enterprise Elevator Pitch Competition, and named one of Hello Beautiful's 30 Under 30 Entrepreneurial Mavens, Gwen Jimmere is a frequent keynote speaker and highly requested panelist on business and entrepreneurship.
As the founder and CEO of NATURALICIOUS (http://www.naturalicious.net), she has grown her beauty industry startup into one of the fastest growing hair care companies in the U.S. NATURALICIOUS is the first company to develop an all-natural, patented hair care system that does the work of 13 products in only 4 simple steps, and is proven and guaranteed to take you from wash to style in less than an hour. The line is sold in select Whole Foods stores, all Mustard Seed Market locations and other fine retailers and boutiques across the U.S., Indonesia and Trinidad.
Prior to beginning NATURALICIOUS, Gwen held the position of Global Digital Marketing Manager at Ford Motor Company, overseeing and executing the big three automaker's digital marketing strategy. Later, she went to work for Uniworld, one of the world's largest multicultural advertising firms, where she spearheaded digital strategies for a client list that includes Ford, Home Depot, the U.S. Marines, Marriott Hotels, 3 Musketeers, and many more.
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