We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cindy Tawiah a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Cindy , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

In 2017 I had a wonderful opportunity at BWI airport. I opened the Diva By Cindy retail store( it was the 1st natural hair care brand to open a store in the airport). The goal was to replenish the shampoo and conditioner that was thrown away by TSA resulting in major trauma for women who needed their products. Our first year was extremely successful, but in early 2018 I received a devastating email to say my unit was being reclaimed. My unit was given to a larger well know cosmetic company and I was totally unprepared to lose my clients and staff. This unexpected situation caused me to lose significant revenue and it was one of the most confusing and difficult periods . Two months later as I was sitting at my kitchen table at home wondering what to do. I prayed and asked God what to do next . I kept hearing the word automated, automatic. I had a vision of a vending machine and suddenly realized that putting the Diva By Cindy hair care products in a vending machine. Since there wasn’t a prior machine in 2018 . I reached out to a company and we engineered the 1st natural hair care vending machine and placed the machine in BWI airport. Making our company the 1st natural hair care vending machine in the US. Every misfortune is a blessing and overcoming adversity is necessary in order for your business grow. What ever you do.” Don’t give up”

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

At the age of 16 years I was taught to make beauty products by my Chemistry teacher because I was failing his class. He inspired my love of beauty products. My family didn’t approve of me going into the beauty business. I was urged to go into the medical field . I left nursing after 13 years to open a hair salon. I experienced turn over in the beauty business and it led me to my hair products. The Diva products not only stop hair shedding and breakage , but also help promote healthy hair growth. We use a percentage of the proceeds to help support homeless women and victims of domestic violence, hosting days of beauty and healing for them and uplifting women. What sets us apart ? We are a hair care brand with a heart. We really care about our clients/our audience.

Do you have any stories of times when you almost missed payroll or any other near death experiences for your business?

I 2007 I had a hair salon and it was faltering . I had poured my heart and soul into my salon and had gone from a staff of 6 to 1person. Everyone told me it was time to close down. The one Stylist I had was a Stylist by day and worked in a strip club at night. I was sinking and scared. In a conversation with a friend ( whom I needed advice from). . I shared that I had helped so many people and felt betrayed by those whom I had helped. He asked me what my purpose was” why did you go into the beauty business? Why a hair salon? I went home and recovered a journal in which I had written I would create hair and beauty products. I recalled my Chemistry teacher showing me how to make beauty products and inspiring me when I was sixteen. I was overwhelmed, I created my hair care brand out of the realization that that was my destiny all along. The salon regained stability after that , but 2 years later when my lease was over I moved on . That location had fulfilled its purpose in me.

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Through out my time of owing my business, I have heard no so many times. I was denied bank loans multiple times before I opened my first salon, I was denied leasing locations. I had severe staff turnover, when I had my first salon. I have been on the verge of losing it all. I have had my space/unit reclaimed at an airport where I had a booming thriving business. I have had to rebuild my business and pivot multiple tomes

Contact Info:

• Website: www.divabycindy.com
• Instagram: @divabycindy
• Facebook: @divabycindy
• Linkedin: @Cindytawiah