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

Gabriel, 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.

Just imagine being a teenager, starting your first year of high school and moving away from all of your friends to a brand new school and neighborhood where you literally know no one. The school that you’ve just started is a predominantly white school and you’re a black girl with thick kinky hair. You’re just getting into the swing of trying to figure out different ways to style your thick kinky hair, whereas all of your classmates can literally wake up brush and go. You’re the only kid in your entire class with your hair texture and no matter what style you come to school with you get weird stares and questions regarding your “hair.” Not questions to get to know you being that you’re a new student but, questions on why your hair looks the way it does. I was that kid and I ruined my hair with heat because of it so that I can “fit in” with my classmates. I had to stop wearing braids because it caused too much unwanted attention. No products worked for me no matter how many different ones I experienced and boy did I experience a lot! That was one of the worse times of my life and I made a promise to myself that I was going to embrace my hair more. For years I thought of different products for women shampoos, conditioners growth products etc. I even came up with products for men as well. I was determined to produce products to help others embrace their hair the way that I couldn’t back then. That’s how “Naturally Kinkz” came about. Hair care products for women, men and kids.

Gabriel, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Gabriel Rice. I am the owner of Naturally Kinkz, a all natural hair care line for women, men and kids. I grew up on the north side of Houston along with my four younger siblings. It’s a term that says “it takes a village to raise a child” well I am that child that the village raised. That village molded me into the wonderful woman I am today. I wanted to become an entrepreneur early on for so many reasons especially knowing I could possibly help myself along with helping others as well. Growing up I always had really thick kinky hair, I would despise having to get my hair combed. My granny Iris started making me hair appointments with her to the beauty shop at a very young age because only a professional could manage my hair. As I got older and started trying to manage my own hair it was very hard finding products that worked for my hair type. That’s one of the reasons I established my own hair care line. My products help manage and grow your hair with ease. Whatever hair problems you’re having my products can help solve or at least help in going in the right direction of your hair goals. I went back to the drawing board for years before I released my products to the world because I had to make sure what I was offering was actually helping instead of me just trying to get a sell.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for me has actually been client reviews and I love that! With so many different people trying my products and experiencing their hair shift in the direction that they want it to go is a great feeling. From that point my customers leave reviews and y’all know we all love going to read reviews before purchasing. From that point on my clientele is built up and I have a lot of regular returning clients.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

I usually keep in touch with my clients via email or direct messenger. I love keeping in touch with my clients because I want to know how their hair journey is going using my products. I like to hear their feedback on what they like or dislike, or what I could change/ add in my services etc. I usually reach out to new clients to inquire about their experience within a week after product purchase.

Contact Info: 

• Instagram: @NaturallyKinkz_
• Email: Naturally.Kinkz@gmail.com