We recently connected with Courtnee Donald and have shared our conversation below.

Courtnee, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Too often the media represents innovation as something magical that only high-flying tech billionaires and upstarts engage in – but the truth is almost every business owner has to regularly innovate in small and big ways in order for their businesses to survive and thrive. Can you share a story that highlights something innovative you’ve done over the course of your career?

Rico Beauty has one of the first Drive Thru hair stores and hair vending machines in North East Florida. We strive to make hair buying as simple as 1 2 3. These innovative ideas have allowed our company to grow and stand out from others.

Courtnee, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My brand The Rico Collection is a premier wig and hair extensions line helping bring out the beauty within. As an experienced and licensed hair stylist with over a decade of experience. After searching the globe for the best quality hair to provide to my clients I decided to provide top quality hair to other beautiful women. At The Rico Collection, we believe in celebrating and embracing individuality, offering a large variety of quality products and services. Our tresses are carefully handpicked from young healthy hair donors from the origins of Asia. We provide 10a grade human hair and the best customer service there is.
As an African American woman myself, I’ve sought out ways to make hair care an easier process for women of color. Often in the work place and society we face scrutiny if our hair is not “tamed” for lack of better words. This can be frustrating and exhausting for women who don’t have the gift of hair styling. Proving weave extensions and wigs to women of color can impact lives in ways many won’t understand.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Once graduating high school I entered into FAMU in 2011. My major was Bio/Pre-Pharmacy. Once I entered the Pharmacy program I realized it was not for me and decided to take a leap of faith and dive into entrepreneurship. This was a scary risk to take but very rewarding to say the least.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

While putting myself through school I learned how to do hair and make wigs. I showcased my talents on social media and my clientele grew quickly. This side hustle turned into a full time career with me now owning my own salon and having a hair extensions line.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thericocollection.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/the.ricocollection?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thericocollectionhairboutique?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thericocollection4241