Get ready to be inspired by the ultimate boss chick, Katrina Scott, the powerhouse behind Shades of Melanin Hair! This dynamic entrepreneur is slaying the game with her innovative approach to hair care, and we can't get enough of her melanin magic! As the proud owner of a black-owned hair brand, Katrina is breaking barriers and pushing boundaries with her vibrant personality, razor-sharp business skills, and passion for empowering women to rock their natural beauty. From creating show-stopping products to building a brand that's all about self-love and self-expression, Katrina is the ultimate marketing maven, and In The City Magazine is about to dive into the amazing story of how she's making waves in the industry, one gorgeous hairstyle at a time!
ITCM: Let's discuss WHO Katrina is. Tell our readers a little bit about your upbringing and how it influenced you to become an entrepreneur.
Katrina (Shades of Melanin): I was born in Sealy, Texas because at the time that was the local hospital from Brookshire, Texas. I lived in Brookshire, Texas up until the age of 5 then moved to Houston, Texas in Acres Homes known as the 44. I spent every summer with my grandmother in Brookshire and was so excited and looked forward to going. I had made so many friends and also had cousins who lived there and still do. In Houston, I went to Inwood Elementary and Hoffman Middle School, and to this day they still have those one-way hallways. In the 8th grade we moved so I attended Klein Intermediate and then moved on to Klein Forest High School. We moved to Katy at the start of my 10th grade year and I went to Mayde Creek High School. Mayde Creek was not a good fit for me so I left and went to Eisenhower in Acres Homes, known as Big Ike. During the second half of my junior year, we moved back to Brookshire, Texas for personal reasons and I finished and graduated from Royal High School. Yes, we moved around, but the good this is I was able to form friendships in different places. I'm naturally quiet per my Aquarius nature. So most of those friendships they started talking to me first lol. I'm a person that doesn't take people in so easily. But once you are in my circle, the first sign of you moving funny with me. That's a wrap. I don't do funny bunnies, playing sides, drama, or mess. That's how I've always been and still is as of today. I came from a single-parent household and I'm the only child. So it was me and my mom for the majority of my childhood. We struggled, was homeless and one point but after experiencing homelessness. My mom was like no we can't do this. She started working 2 jobs up until I finished high school so we could have a place to stay, food on the table, and things I wanted. Because when she found out I was being teased and bullied in school because of what I had on. U know like no name brand, Payless Pro wings and I was so skinny at that but cute. Yes, I was slim and cute. She started getting me name-brand tennis. I got my first pair of Nikes in 7th grade. And you couldn't tell me anything lol. When I had my daughters I taught them from an early age about bullying. I do not like it and will never support it. I had 3 daughters and was a single mother for the majority of their lives. It's like the cycle repeated itself. It was so hard, I don't know where I would be if it wasn't for my mother and grandmother. My first 2 daughters knew what the struggle was about and the sacrifices. But I started going to nursing school at night and worked in the day. I told them we not gonna be like this. I always was in school for something. But we made it and it got better. With my 3rd daughter, it wasn't as bad. Then I met my my love in 2016 and got married in 2019. I became a bonus mom to his daughter. My last daughter was in 9th grade when we met. I'm a huge advocate of helping single moms and helping get out of abusive relationships. I was in an abusive relationship when I was younger. An ex attempted to end my life as well. He almost succeeded but God had plans for me. I had a pulmonary embolism in 2016 and survived. By the grace of God is all I can say. I'm working on a book though. Been working on it for 3 years now. I have to stop because I still break down in tears about how God has brought me out. I wouldn't change anything because the path has made me stronger to deal with things and things I will not deal with. To be a better me. My daughters influenced me to become an entrepreneur. I work full-time in healthcare and run my business full-time with my daughter's help.
ITCM: When you sat down and started thinking of your brand Shades of Melanin Hair, what goals did you have in mind?
Katrina (Shades of Melanin): The goal I had in mind was generational wealth for my daughters. To let them know you can have a business too just like the big corporations we buy from. And with daughters, they know so much about hair, hair extensions, wigs, and coloring. I mean everything there is to know. So starting a hair extensions business was appropriate.
ITCM: Branding and marketing is key. When it came to your marketing and packaging what did you want to convey with the look of the brand?
Katrina (Shades of Melanin): I wanted my brand to stand out, I didn't want to be like everyone else or do what they do. I wanted to be professional but still be able to be me since I'm the face of the brand. I wanted my products to be for every woman to wear no matter what race they were. So we tested many vendors and found the best 3. We have hair and wigs for all women. Our hair wax and bonnets are also for all women. And it worked because we have black, Caucasian, and Hispanic customers even internationally. We have an LLC and our business name and logo is a registered trademark as of August 20, 2024.
ITCM: Katrina let our In the City readers know, that's the motivation for you to keep going amidst obstacles.
Katrina (Shades of Melanin): It's obstacles. The motivation is we don't have many black-owned businesses that a registered trademarks. I wanna be that business, a chain, a corporation to open more businesses. I want to provide employment opportunities. I want to give back so badly. To single moms, and cancer organizations, help get kids off the streets, and feed the homeless weekly versus the once-a-year I'm able to do. I have given back to single moms, like a wig giveaway, and to cancer organizations. But I wanna give money, big money from proceeds from my business. But I'm not there yet. It's coming though. I stand on God's faith and promise.
ITCM: Who is your support system and how has that impacted your journey?
Katrina (Shades of Melanin): My biggest support system that keeps me going is my grandmother, mother, daughters, and husband. They are so happy about their accomplishments and always say, great job, keep pushing, you got this. Man, I'm so big on family. I can't wait until I can get them big gifts, like huge. I want to buy my mom a car and house really bad.
ITCM: Who is the one person you would like to see representing your brand?
Katrina (Shades of Melanin): I would love to have Mary J Blige to rock this Raw Hair for us. But my biggest goal since Day one was to be a hair provider for Tyler Perry. I keep trying just for them to keep telling me, that Tyler Perry meets with nobody. I said, okay I'll call back. Our Wigs have been worn by Octavia Spencer in Truth Bee Told Season 2. Stephanie Charles wore our Curly Hair Extensions. Jekalyn Carr wore our extensions a couple of times. Cierra Payton as well.
ITCM: What things have you learned along the way in your journey?
Katrina (Shades of Melanin): Always keep God first on every decision you make to guide you. Pray for discernment. I learned it's a business and you have to be tuff! A door that closes on you is not the end of the world. Keep going.
ITCM: What's up next for you and the Shades of Melanin brand?
Katrina (Shades of Melanin): You have to follow us and stay tuned.
Katrina is for sure a success story. The recipe for success is never giving up on yourself. Entrepreneurship is a journey, not everyone has the patience to ride that journey out. As previously mentioned by Katrina, there will be obstacles along the way, but doesn't every job have obstacles that we encounter? Remember to turn your passion into purpose and level up your mindset. We love inspirational stories, and we hope you've enjoyed getting to know Katrina Scott, owner of Shades of Melanin©️
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