We were lucky to catch up with Briana Davis recently and have shared our conversation below.

Briana, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Our mission is deeply rooted in personal experience and passion. It all began when I became a parent and encountered the challenges of finding high-quality, natural hair care products for my child. As a mother, I wanted the best for my little one, but I struggled to find products that aligned with my values of safety, efficacy, and sustainability.

This frustration sparked a journey of research, experimentation, and ultimately, creation. I delved into the world of natural ingredients, formulation, and product development, driven by a desire to provide safe and effective hair care solutions for families like mine. The mission to create products that nurture and celebrate natural curls became my purpose.

For me, this mission is deeply meaningful because it’s about more than just business. It’s about empowering parents to make informed choices about the products they use on their children, promoting self-confidence and self-expression through hair care, and fostering a sense of community and belonging within the curly hair community.

Every milestone, every testimonial, and every positive impact we make reaffirms the importance of our mission. It’s a journey of passion, purpose, and pride, and I am committed to continuing to champion it every step of the way.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Certainly! My name is Briana Davis, and I’m the founder and creative force behind Ooume. My journey into this industry began with a personal quest for solutions to a problem that many parents face: finding high-quality, natural hair care products for their little ones. As a parent myself, I was frustrated by the lack of options that met my standards for safety, effectiveness, and sustainability.

Driven by this need and a passion for crafting solutions, I embarked on a mission to create products that catered specifically to the needs of curly-haired children. Drawing on my background in formulation and development, I immersed myself in research, determined to fill this gap in the market.

The result is Ooume, a line of meticulously crafted hair care products designed to provide gentle, effective care for young curls. From hydrating shampoos to nourishing conditioners, each Ooume product is carefully formulated with natural ingredients, prioritizing safety, efficacy, and sustainability. We believe that every child deserves to embrace their natural curls with confidence, and we’re here to support parents on that journey.

What sets Ooume apart is not just the quality of our products, but our commitment to fostering a sense of community and empowerment within the curly hair community. We celebrate diversity, embrace natural beauty, and empower parents and children alike to love their curls. I’m incredibly proud of the positive impact Ooume has made in the lives of families around the world, and I invite you to join us on this journey of self-discovery, self-expression, and self-love.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

Yes, I manufacture my own products. Initially, I explored outsourcing manufacturing, but I couldn’t find a partner whose ingredient standards aligned with mine. Determined to create products that met my criteria for safety and effectiveness, I delved into research and self-education on hair care formulation. It was a journey of trial and error, spanning over a year, during which I collaborated closely with moms of curly-haired children to perfect the formulas. Their feedback was invaluable in refining the products to meet the specific needs of our target audience. Today, I’m proud to say that every Ooume product is crafted in-house, ensuring full control over ingredient selection and quality.

One of the key lessons I’ve learned along the way about manufacturing a product is the importance of providing a solution that directly addresses the needs of your target audience. Understanding their pain points and challenges is essential for developing a product that resonates with them and truly meets their needs. Additionally, involving your target audience in the product development process can provide valuable insights and feedback that can guide the manufacturing process and help refine the final product. By actively listening to your customers and incorporating their input into the manufacturing process, you can ensure that your product is not only effective but also tailored to their preferences and requirements.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

When it came to funding my business, I initially considered taking out a loan. However, after reviewing the terms and feeling uneasy about the quick repayment schedule, I decided to explore other options. Ultimately, I chose to finance my business with my personal funds. While this approach required a significant investment upfront, it allowed me to maintain full control over the business and avoid the pressure of strict repayment deadlines. By leveraging my own resources, I was able to bootstrap the business and gradually reinvest profits to fuel its growth. Though it required careful budgeting and financial discipline, this decision provided me with the flexibility and autonomy I needed to navigate the early stages of entrepreneurship.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ooume.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareooume/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Ooume/100087199788022/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ooume?trk=public_post_feed-actor-name

Image Credits
Jessica Simone Angelique Johnson