We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ana Ita. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ana below.
Ana, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
The idea actually came from a really personal place. I had lightened my hair completely platinum blonde, and it became so damaged and so short that I kept having to cut it just to keep it somewhat healthy. I tried everything, every product, every treatment and nothing was working. My hair just wouldn’t bounce back.
Out of desperation, I started mixing my own ingredients and oils to create a shampoo and conditioner specifically for my hair. At the same time, I noticed that even the expensive salon products I was using on clients weren’t giving me the results I needed. So I started using my own formulas on them. Every time I did, clients would comment on how soft and healthy their hair felt and ask what I used. When I told them I made it myself because my hair had been so damaged, they immediately wanted to buy it.
That’s really how the business started. There was no big plan, just a blessing in disguise. What felt like a failure, the damage to my own hair, ended up inspiring me to create something that not only saved my hair but turned into a business that helps others, too!
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.
My name is Ana, I am a cosmetologist, creator, and founder of TAMED, a beauty brand that was born out of my own personal hair journey. I’ve always loved working in the beauty industry, but my path shifted when I lightened my hair completely platinum blonde and it became severely damaged. No matter what I tried…professional treatments, high-end salon products, every “miracle” item on the shelf, literally nothing restored my hair. It kept breaking, kept thinning, and I was constantly having to cut it just to keep it alive.
That experience pushed me into research mode. I started studying ingredients, experimenting, and mixing my own formulas at home. I created a shampoo and conditioner for myself using oils, nutrients, and restorative properties that actually made a difference. As my hair started getting stronger, healthier, and shinier, I began using the products on my clients. They immediately noticed the difference and kept asking what I used. When I told them I made it myself, they wanted to buy it and that’s truly how TAMED began. It wasn’t a business I planned… it was something that naturally grew because it worked.
Today, TAMED offers hair care, skincare, and body products designed for real people dealing with real concerns like dryness, breakage, lack of growth, dullness, and overall damage. Everything I create is rooted in my cosmetology experience and my belief that products should actually deliver results, not just smell pretty or come in a nice bottle.
What sets me apart is that I don’t create from theory, I create from experience. I’ve been in the chair, in the mirror, and in the struggle. I know what damaged hair feels like. I know what clients complain about. I know the frustration of spending money on products that don’t work. My formulas were born from solving my own problems and then solving them for others.
I’m most proud of the impact. Clients who couldn’t grow their hair past their shoulders are now seeing length. People with dry, brittle hair are getting softness and shine back. Women are feeling confident again. To me, that’s everything.
What I want people to know about TAMED is that it’s more than a brand, it’s a solution. It’s a story. It’s proof that something good can come from what feels like a setback. And what I want people to know about me is that I’m dedicated, hands-on, and passionate about creating products that truly transform. Nothing I do is mass-produced energy. It’s personal, intentional, and rooted in helping people feel beautiful, confident and taken care of.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy has been marketing myself relentlessly. Both online and in person. I don’t wait for clients to find me; I put myself in front of them. Whether I’m at a restaurant, walking around, shopping, or just out living life, I’m always promoting my brand. I talk to people, I share what I do, and I hand out business cards everywhere I go.
It’s about showing up with confidence, being my own walking advertisement, and creating real connections. Social media builds visibility, but face-to-face interactions build trust. Combining both has been the key to consistently growing my clientele and expanding my brand.
Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?
In the beginning I didn’t have a savings or investors. Everything I built started with the willingness to work for it. I picked up whatever side jobs I could: I was DoorDashing, valeting cars, and waitressing. There were days I would be exhausted, but I always reminded myself why I was doing it.
Every dollar I earned from those jobs went straight into my business. I was investing in ingredients, packaging, labels, and the quality I wanted my brand to represent. I was building something bigger than me, and that kept me disciplined.
There was something really empowering about it too, knowing that I was funding my dream with my own hard work made me appreciate every step even more. It taught me patience, dedication, and trust in myself. Because of my dedication and consistency; that eventually caught the attention of investors.
Looking back now, I’m grateful for that chapter. It shaped me into the woman and the CEO I am today! Someone who knows how to build from the ground up, stay committed, and believe in her vision even when no one else can see it at first!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Anastylez.com
- Instagram: @_anastylezz
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ana.ita.9
