Having beautiful hair is something many women long for, but often can’t attain. For one Kenyan entrepreneur, Angela Livu, this provided an opportunity to create a business that would provide the solution. Her company, Luxury Hair, is providing discerning women with the highest quality hair products that are 100% ethically sourced and beautiful to look at and wear.
LoA found out more about this young woman entrepreneur who is looking to make an impact in the world of hair and beauty.
What does your company do?
We import Luxury Hair products and help women manage hair loss. Our hair comes from 100% ethical sources, and we do not use, or have ever used, so-called Temple Hair for our extensions. We receive our hair from women that cut and sell their hair for a profit. Many families for generations make a living by selling their hair. They have beautiful hair that grows faster than that of most women. The hair is tied into a ponytail and cut so that the donor has a chin-length bob-cut. It is also cut this way so that the hair cuticles stay in the same direction since it is tied together before cutting. This is called single-drawn hair. We do not use hair that is shaved from the scalp. We are against any unfair practice in the hair trade. When hair is traded correctly and ethically, it is a win-win situation. We have been working together for years with our suppliers and factory. We know them, their families, and where our hair comes from. With Luxury Hair, you can be sure to get only ethically sourced hair.
Luxury Hair aims to provide its diverse clientele with healthy, luxurious, 100% virgin cuticle hair collected directly from donors in South America and various regions in Asia. The hair strands are handpicked, sterilised, and sorted for the best quality and textures in order to provide our customers with a superior product that stands out. Our hair is unprocessed human hair that has not been chemically treated. There are no permanent/semi-permanent colours, perms, or relaxers used to alter the colour, texture or curl pattern of the hair. Our hair comes in natural textures of Straight, Wavy and Curly and in natural tones of black and browns. Our hair can be coloured with professional permanent, semi-permanent and cellophane colouring products.
"We import Luxury Hair products and help women manage hair loss. Our hair comes from 100% ethical sources."
What inspired you to start your company?
I started in University where I realised there was a need for quality hair extensions in Kenya.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
Because of the quality and longevity. I strive to provide quality hair products for my clients in a market dominated by many fakes.
Tell us a little about your team
So far we are a small team. I have a Sales Lady, Marketing representative and a Delivery team plus myself.
"We are against any unfair practice in the hair trade. When hair is traded correctly and ethically, it is a win-win situation."
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
It has been a long journey with lots of ups and downs. My father is an entrepreneur and he has been my biggest support system. My biggest challenge is capital which I have been able to manage with time.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
My plan is to expand my Luxury Hair brand throughout East Africa. I’ve also started a CSR initiative where I try to help other upcoming entrepreneurs with capital to start their small businesses - this could be anything from a Kibanda or Tailoring.
"My plan is to expand my Luxury Hair brand throughout East Africa."
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
The fact that I’ve been able to change people's lives from either how they look and feel, to what they can do.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Be Patient. Rome was not built in a day. Also to put God first in everything that they do.
Contact or follow Luxury Hair
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | EMAIL angielivu@gmail.com
Why LoA loves it….
At LoA we love those young women entrepreneurs who see a challenge as an opportunity and build a business to find the solution. In the case of Angela Livu, she is on a mission to make beautiful hair available to everyone, sourcing the finest, ethically sourced natural hair, and building a business that is focused on creating luxury products for discerning customers who want to look and feel good about themselves. --- Melanie Hawken, founder and editor-in-chief of Lionesses of Africa