Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ellana Stinson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ellana, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

At Safo Hair, our mission is to enhance lives by improving access to high-quality and safe hair care products. We are dedicated to offering innovative solutions that prioritize scalp health and foster healthy hair growth. Our commitment is to empower consumers to embrace and express their authentic selves confidently. Through research, development, and a steadfast focus on excellence, we strive to be a trusted ally on the journey to vibrant and thriving hair, enabling individuals to showcase their unique beauty with pride. Through transparency, education, and continuous innovation, Safo Hair aims to empower individuals to make informed choices, fostering a community of self-expression and well-informed, confident consumers.

Safo Hair offers a range of natural, plant-based products crafted with a unique blend of herbal ingredients. Our formulations are specifically designed to combat hair loss and thinning, promoting a healthy scalp and vibrant hair. Rigorously tested with only the highest quality ingredients, we prioritize consumer safety. Our mission is to build a reputable brand and establish a platform that empowers and informs consumers, encouraging them to embrace their authentic selves.

I am an emergency medicine physician, driven by a passion for healing. My brand is a reflection of this commitment to wellness, recognizing that it’s not just about hair; it’s a profound expression of ourselves and mirrors our overall health. The inspiration for creating this brand arose from a personal need. Having faced challenges with thyroid and fertility issues, I struggled to find products that catered to my specific needs.

In response to this gap in the market, I embarked on a journey to create a brand rooted in my Southern family traditions that have stood the test of time. Drawing on these timeless traditions and incorporating herbal ingredients, I formulated products designed to deliver tangible results for our customers. My goal is to guide everyone back to their roots, fostering a healthier scalp and promoting robust hair growth. This brand is not just a collection of products; it’s a testament to the power of marrying tradition with science to achieve true well-being.

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.

No one talks about how we show up in the world when our hair doesn’t look like it use to. At the age of 32, I was finishing up grad school and so very hopeful for my possibilities. Around this time, I began having compounding health issues, went through testing and received a diagnosis of thyroid cancer and reproductive health issues. At this moment, all my hopes and professional dreams for the next phase of my life came to a hault. Now faced with having to decide how to navigate my professional life around these new medical issues, I buckled down in Boston and chartered a new path. At this time, I was placed on medications, mostly hormonal. Starting to see changes in my body, I quickly realized changes in my hair and skin as well. The brittleness and ultra dryness of my hair, the breakages and thinning were so new to me. I had always had thick and full hair. Even though many may not have noticed, I did and felt very vulnerable and insecure with how I showed up in social settings.

I struggled with how to feel and look my best, so I sought medical attention with a dermatologist who provided limited solutions for what I was experiencing. I tried every product on the shelf at the time, none of which really addressed my needs or suited my hair type. I remembered my Uncle who made hair products in his kitchen and used those as a child. They worked so well on my scalp. Going back to the basics I gave him a call to ask him to ship me products ASAP, because I knew they had worked in the past. In these conversations, he encouraged me to create my own products. This was then reinforced again by a friend who I attended Harvard with. From here, I decided to get started. One foot in front of the other to learn the consumer goods and beauty industry. Where to start? Where to go? Who to ask?

This was a pivotal point in my life because I had a lot of decisions to make. How would I balance this new journey with my medical career. What did I truly want from my life and how would I even create a brand, let alone a product! It seemed so unrealistic at the time. But my friend and my Uncle suggested it as though it was so simple. So, I got to work creating products that even when people have a life change they can look and feel their best.

My life shifted so I could do this work to create products that no matter what major life changes occur, anyone can still show up their best self.

I literally went on a journey and allowed my curiosity and educational background to lead me. I started asking questions. I knew about the physiology of the skin and kinda the scalp, but not deep enough to feel comfortable, so I sought out a trichology certification. I knew what a follicle was, what it did, but did I know enough to start producing products. I wanted a better understanding so I started researching and reading. As I learned more, this led me to develop my products with very unique formulations that incorporate natural herbal ingredients found indigenous to the Americas, mediterranean region and parts of India as well as ingredients found on the continent of Africa. It was exciting as I learned the benefits and which ingredients to pair with others to address issues of dry itching scalp and hair, and address issues of hair loss and thinning.

So my end result, has been this natural plant based hair care line that is walking the walk and talking the talk. In addition, enabling me to build a platform that will allow me to merge my passion of healthcare, medicine, and public health. All of this affords me the ability to fill gaps in how we talk about hair and our health and gives people hope and to feel their best about themselves.

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

In the midst of the chaos that was 2020, I embarked on a journey to launch my own brand. Little did I know, the year would throw unprecedented challenges at me, testing my resilience from the very start.

Supply chain issues became the formidable opponent that many businesses faced, and as a small fish in the vast sea of commerce, the struggle was real. Launching a business during a pandemic was like navigating through a stormy sea with no clear path in sight. Many entrepreneurs didn’t make it out, but I found myself at the early stages, facing both a blessing and a curse.

The roadblocks were aplenty, especially when it came to manufacturing and securing the necessary supplies. Just finding the basic ingredients to kickstart production felt like an insurmountable challenge that could have easily crushed my dream. Yet, in the face of adversity, I chose a different perspective.

Instead of viewing these obstacles as barriers to success, I saw them as opportunities to slow down and meticulously piece together the puzzle of my business. The pandemic forced me to be intentional about every step, ensuring that I had a comprehensive understanding of all the components needed to bring my products to market. It was a time for thoughtful planning, not a rushed sprint.

The slowdown allowed me to assess and reevaluate, giving me the chance to position myself strategically in the market. When things seemed to fall apart, I learned to go back to the drawing board, refining and improving my ideas. The pandemic became a teacher, guiding me on how to adapt and thrive even when the world seemed to crumble around me.

As the landscape shifted and suppliers and manufacturers adjusted their practices and sales strategies in response to the pandemic, I learned the art of resilience. Instead of resisting the waves of change, I embraced them, learning to ride the tide and navigate through the uncertainties. It wasn’t about avoiding challenges but facing them head-on, evolving with the circumstances, and emerging stronger on the other side.

In the end, what started as a rocky journey in the most challenging year turned into a testament to my resilience and adaptability. The lessons learned during those tumultuous times became the foundation for my success, proving that even in the darkest storms, there is always a way to find light and sail through.

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

My journey began with a passion for creating high-quality cosmetic products, but I quickly realized that manufacturing was a world of its own. Knowing that I didn’t want to handle the manufacturing process myself, I sought out a cosmetic chemist to bring my formulations to life. This decision allowed me to focus on the creative and strategic aspects of my business while entrusting the technical expertise to a professional.

However, finding the right manufacturer proved to be a significant hurdle. As a small business owner, I was committed to ensuring that my products were produced in a clean, safe, and certified environment to guarantee consumer safety. This added a layer of complexity to my search for the perfect manufacturing partner.

One of the crucial criteria for me was finding a manufacturer that could accommodate a low Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ). This requirement was essential for my budget and allowed me to scale my business without facing excessive upfront costs. The process involved plowing through long lists of potential manufacturers, making countless calls, and conducting interviews.

After an initial setback with a manufacturer that seemed promising but couldn’t handle the specific products I needed, I faced a moment of frustration and slight panic. However, I embraced the valuable lesson that often, understanding certain aspects of your business comes through trial and error.

Undeterred, I continued my search, making more calls and engaging in numerous conversations. Persistence paid off, and I eventually found the perfect manufacturer that not only met my MOQ requirements but also understood my industry and target audience. This partnership has been thriving for a few years now, showcasing the importance of aligning with a manufacturer who comprehends the nuances of your business.

One of the key lessons I learned along the way is the importance of finding a manufacturer with industry experience and an understanding of your products and target audience. Building a successful partnership is not just about meeting production needs but also about fostering a relationship with a vendor who is easy to work with and aligns with your values.

In the end, the challenges and setbacks I faced during the manufacturing journey have become integral to my growth as a business owner. The experience reinforced the significance of perseverance, adaptability, and the importance of honest and reliable business relationships in the entrepreneurial world.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.safohair.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/safohair/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/safohair
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellana-stinson/
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@SafoHair

Image Credits
Photo: The Studio Chicago