Today, we’d like to introduce you to Mumbi Dunjwa.
Hi Mumbi, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
From a young age, my fascination with hair was evident. Growing up in an academic household in Kenya, East Africa, I cared for my youngest sister’s hair, and over time, I helped her hair grow from an inch long to well past her shoulder.
Yet, amidst this journey, I grappled with a persistent frustration—the lack of adequate tools and knowledge regarding hair care products. I also noticed non-genetic hair loss around the temples and crowns, which affected many women in the community around me. I gathered over time that this was due to some of the grooming products and techniques that were used. This realization sparked a subconscious desire for change within me.
Upon arriving in the United States for college, I encountered a familiar struggle among women, including myself, in understanding and effectively managing curly hair, often plagued by issues like breakage and dryness. I could not find products that enabled my hair to hold moisture for a sustained period of time.
I also noticed a lot of women of all ages and ethnicities struggling with hair loss due to the frequent use of chemicals and high heat to manage and soften their curly hair. My academic pursuits in chemistry and nuclear medicine technology fueled my curiosity for scientific solutions. Consequently, I resolved to intertwine my passion for hair care with my scientific background.
Driven by a vision to revolutionize hair care, I embarked on a journey of research and innovation. I found that many beauty products contain harmful chemicals that can contribute to imbalances in the endocrine system, the growth of uterine fibroids, and even contribute to the development of cancer.
My goal was to use effective and safe natural and organic ingredients to address the specific moisture needs of curly hair while ensuring that our products are free of toxic ingredients. Drawing upon traditional African ingredients renowned for their efficacy, like aloe vera, castor oil, shea butter, and coconut oil, I meticulously formulated Naturaz products with modern, natural, and organic elements to develop a hair care system that not only nourishes but sustains 3x more moisture in curly hair.
My mission was to make a difference for as many women as possible and contribute to a healthier community by producing and offering high-quality products that you see today on Naturaz.com and brick-and-mortar stores. Committed to redefining hair care standards, I fused cutting-edge chemistry with a profound respect for time-tested natural ingredients.
Fast forward to today, our products grace the shelves of beauty supply stores across Baltimore, Virginia, Maryland, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and the greater Philadelphia area, New Jersey, and New York, marking a significant milestone in our journey. Yet, our sights remain set on the future, eagerly anticipating our brand’s continued evolution and expansion.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like many other entrepreneurs, building a business is not always a smooth process. A common difficulty among women founders is being able to raise capital to grow and make needed solutions available to the market rapidly. Unfortunately, in the venture world, women receive less than 3% of all venture capital that is deployed to start-up businesses.
That gap contributes to significant needs in our communities that are specific to women and that remain unmet. Women are uniquely empowered to solve specific issues that relate to women, and so it is critically important to fund innovations that are driven by women for women. Raising capital beyond our own sizeable personal investment proved to be a challenge, but I am fortunate that we were eventually able to raise enough money to produce our high-quality products and bring them to the community in Baltimore and beyond.
As a CEO, I also wear many hats – from conducting research in the lab to navigating legal requirements and manufacturing processes, building a team, sales & marketing, raising capital, and more. This multitasking can be exhausting at times, but I’m reminded of the privilege it entails. Being intimately involved in every aspect of product creation ensures that our offerings align precisely with my vision, which is immensely gratifying.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Naturaz is a clean health and beauty company that is harnessing the power of nature to care for curls. We formulate products that are 100% vegan, highly effective, and scientifically formulated to care for curly hair.
The Moisture Burst System, our signature product and customer favorite, is scientifically formulated to sustain 3X more moisture in curly hair. If you are suffering from dry, damaged curly hair, hair dryness, breakage, thinning, frizz, or hair loss, then you have come to the right place. We are committed to harnessing the power of nature to care for curls in ways that are wholesome, sustainable, empowering, and enriching for curly-haired women around the world.
One of our proudest achievements is the amazing feedback from customers who attest to the transformative power of our products, delivering healthy, moisturized hair as promised. This validation underscores our unwavering dedication to our mission.
I also love how our brand identity reflects the celebration of natural beauty in all its diversity. From our vibrant colors to our inclusive messaging, Naturaz embraces and celebrates the unique beauty of every curl type, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment in our community.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I’ve learned that it’s important to be confident about telling your story. As you might suspect, we’ve presented the brand to many different audiences, including investors and retailers, and the biggest wins that have come to fruition have stemmed from presenting Naturaz with unwavering honesty and transparency.
I’ve also learned the invaluable art of resilience in facing rejection. Throughout the evolution of Naturaz, we’ve encountered numerous “no’s,” yet I’ve come to realize that these rejections will not deter us from our dreams. A steadfast commitment to our vision and perseverance ultimately paves the way for the affirming “yes’s” that propel us forward.
Pricing:
- Our high-quality products are positioned to be socially inclusive and accessible. Our pricing ranges from $12.99 – $19.99 in-store and online.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.naturaz.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naturaz_hair/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NaturazHairCare
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/naturaz/
Image Credits
Naturaz
