Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ruby Lee. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Ruby , thanks for joining us today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

So are you one of those people who have like a million ideas but aren’t sure where to start or what to do? Yeah, hi- that’s me! Like I have so much passion for so many things, and I definitely have the dedication and drive to get it done, but sometimes that’s what can make everything seem like too much right.. the fact that you feel like you have to get everything done at once.

I definitely knew I wanted more and deserved more out of life. Don’t get me wrong, I love my job helping others as a social worker and mental health advocate, but I always had a creative touch and desire to be a business owner that just kept on calling my name!!! The idea of launching a wig line was something I have been sitting on for YEARS, probably like since 2017ish but I was too scared to take the leap because I thought I didn’t know enough about the industry, I wasn’t a stylist- just a wig-lover and wig-wearer, I didn’t know where to get started, and to be honest, I was nervous as hell that I would put everything into my business and didn’t even know if people would buy the wigs! But OMG- how those tables have turned honeyyyyy!

When I had my second baby all bets were off. It’s like having her literally released the floodgates of fear, failure, doubt, worry, I gave myself permission again to free fall in every area; it was almost like a rebirth for me. Culture Hair Co literally gave me a new purpose that I had to fulfill. It pushes me in ways that I did not even know were possible. The experience of being a business owner, momprenuer as me and my girls like to say, has been life changing. My Culture Hair Co family is absolutely incredible. I have met some amazing people from all over the US, those aren’t just my customers, they’re like fam at this point.

Moral of the story is- don’t sleep on yourself, bet on yourself! Time waits for no one, don’t waste it being scared. Start today, where you are, with what you got, and I guarantee you’ll be better than the day before <3

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Hey fam! My name is Ruby, I’m a mother of 2 gorgeous girls, a momprenuer, and a soon-to-be wife (we’re going to claim it- AMEN!) I’m from Detroit, Michigan and am a Spartan for life!!! I have a Master’s in Family and Community Services and a Master’s in Psychology. I am a mental health advocate and owner of a nonprofit called RYSE (est. 2016), the owner of Culture Hair Co (est. 2021), and co-owner of The Colour Pages (est. 2022). The bottom line is each business ultimately is geared toward helping others!

RYSE (Redirect Youth to Strive for Excellence)- is a nonprofit that is really speaks to elevating oneself to their fullest potential. We offer life coaching, mentoring, self-esteem building, self care courses, mental health seminars, motivational meetings, and MORE!

Culture Hair Co- Luxury Wig Retailer guaranteed to bring you “Top tier hair for every baddie and every budget!” We have luxury wigs, bundles, accessories, and hair care products that bring out every ladies inner baddie!

The Colour Pages- Metro Detroit’s Premier Black and Brown Business Directory. My partner, Victoria Hill, and I have put our blood, sweat , tears, and coins, into bringing the city and entrepreneurs together in a safe space where we can collab, network, promote and grow our businesses both virtually and in person. We hosts Pop Up Shop events, mixers, community events, and lots more and are growing our directory of black and brown businesses for everyone to utilize for all their personal and professional needs!

How’d you meet your business partner?

Keep up with me yall- I have 3 businesses so I’m trying to give you the run down on them all. I think this is the perfect question to provide some insight into the backstory of The Colour Pages. So Victoria, my business partner aka the co-owner The Colour Pages, but more importantly my bestie, and I met over 18 years ago and damn that sounds crazy. We met back in high school freshman year. My memory ain’t the greatest lol but I think we met in German class. Victoria and I are both quiet, until we get to know you, but then it’s game over! I think that’s what made us gravitate toward one another haha. Throughout the years we have gone though so much and never lost touch. We have lived so much life together and have so many crazy and incredible stories, it only made sense that we kept adding chapters so we decided to start a business together and it has been every bit of AMAZING :)

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Resiliency is my middle name lol, Resiliency is what RYSE was founded and built from. My backstory is too long to type honestly and it’s better conveyed in a different format, so that’s another story for another time, but I will say if you can think of a situation, I probably have gone through it. Grief and loss, sure did- my dad died when I was 17 and my oldest daughter’s dad died just 3 week before her 10th birthday; broke, definitely been there; physical abuse, mental abuse, sexual abuse- unfortunately, I mean the list can keep going on and on, what’s most important is that I didn’t stay there, I didn’t stay down! Regardless of any other talent I possess, anything I own, and anything I can do- I promise you my most valuable asset is my MIND. Having a strong mental state is what makes all the difference in your health, your happiness, and your success.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.culturehairco.com; www.thecolourpages.com
• Instagram: RubyMarie989 ; Culture Hair Co; The Colour Pages
• Facebook: Ruby Marie ; Culture Hair Co; The Colour Pages

Image Credits
Victoria Hill Makayla Hudson