We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Iva Colter. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Iva below.
Iva, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
At Niles & Chaz, Our Mission Goes Beyond Haircare. We are dedicated to reshaping conversations about mixed textured hair, dismantling stigmas, and fostering inclusivity in a world that’s becoming progressively more diverse.
For me, Niles & Chaz is more than a brand—it’s a reflection of my personal journey. As a white woman from Eastern Europe, raising two beautiful girls with my Black husband, I quickly realized I had so much to learn about their unique hair needs. I felt unprepared and overwhelmed at first, but I knew that my discomfort couldn’t stand in the way of their confidence.
So, I got to work. I reached out to friends and family, researched endlessly, and put in the time to educate myself. I learned how to honor their hair’s unique beauty and care for it in a way that celebrated their identity. Along the way, I tried product after product, only to find that most fell short—either filled with harmful ingredients or unable to deliver real, lasting results.
That’s why we created Niles & Chaz. We envisioned something different—cleaner, safer, and more sustainable products designed for every curl, coil, and wave. From 2A to 4C, our formulas meet the needs of mixed-texture hair with care and precision. And they’re not just for kids. Whether you’re a parent managing your child’s hair or looking for products to elevate your own routine, Niles & Chaz offers solutions that work for everyone.
Our products deliver real results: deep hydration, long-lasting frizz control, and unmatched slip to tackle even the toughest tangles. Free from harmful ingredients like parabens, sulfates, and hormone-disrupting chemicals, they are over 90% plant-derived. With Niles & Chaz, you can feel confident you’re using products that nurture healthy, vibrant hair without compromising your health—or the planet.
Sustainability is central to our mission. We are committed to reducing plastic waste and making environmentally responsible choices because caring for our children also means caring for the world they will inherit.
But Niles & Chaz is about more than haircare—it’s about fostering connection. Families today reflect a beautiful mosaic of cultures and textures, and we want to create a safe space for parents to learn, share, and support one another. The world is changing, and it’s time to replace judgment with empathy and ignorance with education. By celebrating diversity and embracing inclusion, we aim to spark conversations that empower families and honor every unique story.
Whether you’re untangling a knot in your child’s hair or redefining your own relationship with textured hair, Niles & Chaz is here to support you. Our products are designed for everyone who values clean beauty, sustainability, and real results.
With every curl, coil, or wave, we celebrate individuality, diversity, and the power of self-expression. Niles & Chaz isn’t just a brand—it’s a movement to reimagine haircare for a more inclusive, sustainable, and clean beauty future.
Iva, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
As I mentioned earlier, the genesis of Niles & Chaz was born from my personal journey as a mother of two beautiful girls with mixed-textured hair. As a white woman, learning how to properly care for maintain their gorgeous hair was a steep learning curve, one that required humility, time, and a genuine commitment to educating myself.
I quickly realized that the products on the market either didn’t meet our needs – of fighting frizz, delivering moisture for long periods of time and detangling with ease – or were packed with harmful ingredients like parabens, sulfates, and hormone-disrupting chemicals that I couldn’t, in good conscience, use on my children. On top of that, the environmental impact of traditional beauty products—particularly the excessive use of plastic—was a glaring issue I couldn’t ignore. These challenges, paired with my desire to create a better, cleaner, and more sustainable solution, became the driving force behind Niles & Chaz.
At its core, our mission is twofold. First, we aim to provide high-quality, clean, and sustainable haircare solutions that work for mixed textured hair in all its beautiful forms—whether it’s 2A waves, 4C coils, or anything in between. Our products are over 90% plant-derived, free of harmful chemicals, and designed to deliver deep hydration, frizz control, and unbeatable slip to make even the toughest knots manageable. And yes, while our brand was initially inspired by children, our products are versatile and effective for anyone, including adults.
Second, and equally important, we want to foster a sense of community and understanding for parents—particularly those in mixed-culture families—who may feel unprepared or even judged when learning how to care for their children’s textured hair. I’ve been there myself. I know the stigma, the judgment, and the isolation that can come from simply not knowing. But I also know how transformative it is to invest the time to learn, to ask questions, and to embrace the process. Niles & Chaz is about removing that stigma, celebrating diversity, and creating a space where families feel supported, empowered, and connected.
What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to clean beauty and sustainability. We believe that every child deserves products that nourish their hair without compromising their health or the health of the planet. That’s why we’ve built a brand that is not only cruelty-free and free of harmful ingredients but also prioritizes reducing plastic waste and environmental impact. Our focus on sustainability is driven by our responsibility as parents to ensure that the future generation inherits a planet that is thriving, not struggling.
What I’m most proud of is how our brand has evolved into something bigger than just haircare. It’s about identity, confidence, and connection. It’s about celebrating every curl, coil, and wave—and creating a world where mixed textured hair is embraced, not misunderstood. I want people to know that Niles & Chaz isn’t just a product line; it’s a movement to reimagine beauty, break down barriers, and honor the individuality that makes each of us unique.
Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?
One of my favorite sales stories comes from the early days of Niles & Chaz, just a few months after we launched. A woman reached out to me through Instagram, sharing her frustrations about managing her two children’s hair – a boy and a girl with very different textures. She had tried countless products without success. I could tell she wasn’t just looking for a product; she was looking for understanding and connection.
I took the time to respond personally, asking about her children’s hair routines and the specific challenges she faced. We exchanged several messages, and I could feel her relief in knowing someone truly listened. I didn’t push products immediately; instead, I focused on building a connection and offering helpful advice. By the end of our conversation, she felt confident enough to place a large order – minutes later. This experience reinforced the idea that sometimes the most powerful sales approach is empathy and genuine engagement.
Another moment that stands out was when a father of two girls contacted us. He shared how difficult it had been to find hair care products that worked for his daughters. His voice carried the weight of someone who had been searching for a long time. After trying Niles & Chaz, he was amazed at how manageable and moisturized his daughters’ hair became – lasting through their busy days. He told me how this experience changed his role as a dad. Before, his styling options were limited to a ponytail and a baseball cap, but now he felt empowered to experiment with new hairstyles, which meant the world to him. His story wasn’t just about the product; it was about how we could help shift the dynamic between him and his daughters.
These moments remind me that marketing isn’t just about selling – it’s about creating meaningful connections and being part of someone’s personal journey. Whether it’s through social media or direct messages, those one-on-one interactions continue to shape how I approach growing our brand.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
The lead-up to launching Niles & Chaz was nothing short of a whirlwind. Those early months were filled with excitement and anticipation, but they were also packed with more challenges than I could have imagined. From shipping delays and ingredient shortages to production hiccups, it felt like every possible obstacle lined up to test our resolve.
There were countless nights when my husband and I would sit down, exhausted, wondering if we should push the launch or rethink our entire strategy. I remember staring at spreadsheets and timelines, weighing the pros and cons, feeling the weight of every decision. As someone who proudly wears the badge of a self-made perfectionist and overachiever, the idea of launching without everything being just right was hard to swallow.
But in the midst of all the chaos, we made a decision – we were going to march on. The products we had ready were too important to keep waiting, and we knew families like ours were eager to experience them. So, with our kids right beside us, we embraced imperfection and moved forward. One of our main SKUs wasn’t ready, and while it felt like a major setback at the time, we launched the rest of the line and introduced that missing piece a few weeks later. And guess what? It was fine.
The experience taught me one of the most valuable lessons – adapt, pivot, and keep moving. In business, as in life, there’s rarely a perfect moment. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is trust the work you’ve put in and let the rest unfold as it’s meant to. Niles & Chaz’s launch wasn’t flawless, but it was real, and that authenticity continues to shape how we grow and connect with our community every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nilesandchaz.com
- Instagram: @nilesandchaz
- Facebook: @nilesandchaz
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/104353918/admin/dashboard/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NilesandChaz
- Other: Tiktok: @nilesandchaz
Image Credits
MichelleVanTine Photography