We recently connected with Bleema Weissman and have shared our conversation below.

Bleema, appreciate you joining us today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

You’re absolutely right – naming is one of the hardest parts of building a business! For me, the name had to capture something deeply personal.
My whole life, people called me a ‘rebel,’ but honestly? I never felt like one. I was actually the ultimate people pleaser, always trying to fit into everyone else’s expectations. And nowhere was this more obvious than with my hair. I spent years fighting my natural curls, trying to tame them into what I thought was ‘acceptable’ or ‘professional.’
But curly hair? It’s inherently rebellious. It breaks all the rules. It refuses to be contained or controlled. It’s powerful, wild, fearless – everything I was afraid to be. When I finally started embracing my curls, I realized I wasn’t just changing my hair routine; I was stepping into my power as a woman.
That journey led me to create a hair product that could help me – and others – truly embrace our natural beauty and appreciate our curls. But when it came time to name the brand, that’s when it really hit me: there are so many curly-haired queens out there who, like me, don’t have the right products to truly love their natural texture. We’re taught that our hair is ‘difficult’ or ‘unmanageable,’ when really it’s just unstoppable strength that won’t conform to boring standards.
Rebel Queen represents that moment when you stop apologizing for taking up space and start celebrating what makes you extraordinary. It’s for the woman who’s ready to break limits, embrace her wild heart, and live without boundaries. It’s about recognizing that our curls aren’t just hair – they’re a lifestyle, a statement, a declaration that we’re more than average and we’re done hiding it.
The name had to honor that transformation – from people-pleaser to powerhouse, from hiding to thriving. Because when you give your curls what they need, you’re not just changing your hair; you’re changing how you show up in the world.

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.

I’m originally from England, where I spent three years in college training as a hairstylist and educator. After graduation, I continued teaching hair techniques while also freelancing with hair and wigs for another three years. To become a true one-stop shop for my clients, I also trained as a makeup artist, which allowed me to handle everything for weddings and events – hair, wigs, and makeup all under one roof.
When I moved to New Jersey, I continued building on this foundation, working as a hair, wig, and makeup artist while also offering both professional and non-professional classes. It was honestly the perfect career for me – flexible enough to work around raising my three kids while still doing what I loved.
But here’s where my real journey began: Over the years, whether I was working with curly wigs or styling my own natural hair, I was constantly frustrated by not having the right products. Nothing seemed to work the way curly hair actually behaves. I started making my own product cocktails – some were amazing, others… not so much! I knew there had to be a better way.
Eventually, I found a chemist to work with, and we spent three long years formulating what I knew curly hair really needed. That’s how Rebel Queen Curl Control was born – my perfect product finally became a reality.
Now I’m juggling my original passion for hair, wigs, and makeup with marketing this incredible product, and honestly, the feedback from everyone who tries it has been overwhelmingly positive. But I’m working hard to get the word out to more curly-haired queens who desperately need this.
What sets Rebel Queen Curl Control apart is that it’s truly unique in the market – it’s like a 3-in-1 product. Most people with curly hair are mixing and layering multiple products, spending a fortune and still not getting the results they want. My product is designed to be the only thing you need to manage your fabulous curls. It’s everything I wished existed when I was struggling with my own hair and my clients’ needs.
What I’m most proud of is creating something that actually works – not just another product that makes big promises. I want people to know that this comes from years of real experience, real frustration, and a real understanding of what curly hair needs. This isn’t just a business venture; it’s the solution I desperately needed and couldn’t find anywhere else.

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

Creating Rebel Queen Curl Control was honestly one of the biggest tests of my resilience. I had a clear vision of what curly hair needed, but turning that idea into reality? That was a whole different challenge.
Working with my chemist, we spent three years going through countless formulations. I remember the phone call before the winning formula when we were just about ready to give up.
But then I thought about all the women I’d worked with who were struggling with the same frustrations I had, clients whose curls made them miserable because nothing worked for them.
I couldn’t give up. So we pushed through one more time, and finally had our breakthrough. Even then, it took several more tweaks to get it absolutely perfect.
Those three years taught me that resilience isn’t just pushing through hard times, it’s remembering why you started when everything feels impossible. Every failed formula brought us closer to the right one. Now when I see the results people get with Rebel Queen Curl Control, I’m so grateful we never gave up.

We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.

Yes, I manufacture my own products, and honestly, the story of how I got started feels like fate. For over 15 years, I drove past a cosmetic factory down the street from me, and every single time I’d imagine myself formulating and making my own products. I finally worked up the courage to call them just months before they moved locations.
While I didn’t end up using that factory, the person I spoke with connected me to the chemist I currently work with, who also handles manufacturing. Sometimes the universe puts exactly what you need right in front of you!
I definitely didn’t know how to manufacture when I started, this was completely outside my comfort zone. But here are the key lessons I’ve learned along the way:
First, don’t be afraid to try something new. Stepping out of my comfort zone has been incredibly rewarding.
Second, get everything in writing before you start, that was a tough lesson to learn the hard way.
Third, get a business mentor, but make sure they’re successful in the specific area you need help with. Not every mentor is right for every situation.
Fourth, before printing anything, labels, packaging, whatever, check, check, check again, and then check one more time. When you’re dealing in bulk, mistakes are expensive and they do happen. You can never be too careful.
And finally, start small and make small mistakes. There’s no point in growing too fast when you’re still learning. Small mistakes are manageable; big ones can sink you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rebelqueen.net
• Instagram: @rebelqueenhair
• Facebook: @rebelqueenhair
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bleema
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bleemaschannel

Image Credits

MLW Design