We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Emelia Nwokobia a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Emelia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
The idea for SlayedLocks was born during my time working in an oncology clinic, where I saw firsthand how chemotherapy and radiation affected not just my patients’ health, but also their sense of identity. Many of my clients, from diverse ethnic backgrounds, experienced unexpected changes in their hair texture, or complete hair loss, which deeply impacted their confidence.
Wanting to support them beyond medical care, I started organizing Saturday morning wig-shopping trips. It wasn’t just about finding a wig—it was about reclaiming confidence, experimenting with new styles, and turning what could have been a difficult experience into something uplifting and even fun. I also worked closely with women in the workforce who were navigating career advancements while undergoing treatment. Some feared being treated differently at work due to visible hair loss, so I helped them find wigs that closely matched their natural hair, allowing them to feel like themselves as they stepped into new opportunities.
Seeing my clients’ joy when they looked in the mirror and didn’t see “what they were going through,” but instead saw *themselves*, was the moment I knew this was more than just a passion—it was a purpose. SlayedLocks is about more than wigs; it’s about restoring dignity, confidence, and control for those on their healing journey.
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 Emelia Nwokobia, and I’m the founder of SlayedLocks, a brand born from both passion and purpose. I started this journey not just because I love beauty and hair, but because I saw firsthand how deeply hair loss can affect a person’s confidence, identity, and healing process, especially for those battling cancer, alopecia, or other medical conditions. What began as a creative outlet became a calling.
At SlayedLocks, we specialize in creating custom, medical-grade wigs that are both beautiful and functional. Our clients often come to us in vulnerable moments, after a diagnosis, during treatment, or while navigating the emotional toll of hair loss. Our mission is to walk with them through that journey and help them feel seen, powerful, and whole again.
We offer fully customized wigs, wig revamp services, and educational masterclasses for aspiring wigmakers. Each unit is crafted with care, comfort, and confidence in mind, and what many don’t know is that some insurance providers will cover the cost of these wigs. We’re proud to assist clients in navigating that process so they don’t have to bear the financial burden alone.
What sets us apart is our heart. We don’t just sell wigs, we restore self-esteem, we build community, and we empower our clients to show up fully, even during the hardest seasons of their lives.
One of the things I’m most proud of is seeing a woman look at herself in the mirror after putting on one of our wigs and smiling, really smiling for the first time in a while. That moment is why we do what we do.
To anyone reading this, I want you to know: SlayedLocks is more than a beauty brand. We’re a safe space. A place of transformation. We’re here for anyone who’s ever felt like they lost a piece of themselves to help them get it back, beautifully.
We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.
Yes, my side hustle absolutely became my full-time passion and business. I actually started my professional journey working in oncology clinics, where I witnessed the emotional and physical toll that cancer treatment takes on patients particularly dealing with hair loss. I saw firsthand how losing their hair affected not just their appearance, but their spirit, their sense of identity, and their confidence. That experience lit a fire in me.
What began as me experimenting with wig-making on the side quickly turned into something so much more meaningful. I realized I had the skill and heart to create wigs that weren’t just stylish, but truly life-changing for patients experiencing hair loss from cancer, alopecia, or other medical conditions. That’s how SlayedLocks was born.
Some of our key milestones include expanding from hand-sewing wigs at home to launching a full service menu, offering wig revamps, and even hosting wig-making masterclasses to empower others with this craft. Most recently, I introduced a new hair growth oil, created to nourish the scalp and support hair regrowth which is a perfect complement to our mission of both covering and restoring hair.
It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m proud to say I wake up every day doing work that not only fuels my creativity, but also uplifts and transforms the lives of others.
If you have multiple revenue streams in your business, would you mind opening up about what those streams are and how they fit together?
Yes, SlayedLocks has several revenue streams that support our core mission while allowing the business to grow sustainably. In addition to selling custom wigs for medical hair loss, we offer a wig revamp service, where clients can send in old wigs to be restored and styled like new.
We also teach wig-making masterclasses, helping others learn the craft — whether they want to start their own business, care for their own wigs, or provide wigs in their communities.
And most recently, we’ve launched a custom-blended hair growth oil designed to nourish the scalp and encourage healthy hair regrowth. This oil is especially helpful for clients in the early stages of hair loss or recovery and can be used alongside our wigs or on its own.
These multiple streams not only diversify our income but allow us to serve our clients at every stage of their journey — from hair loss, to healing, to regrowth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.slayedlocks.com
- Instagram: slayedlocks
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SlayedLocks
