From Big Chop to Big Vision: How my natural hair journey blossomed into a brand made 4 Us

My natural hair journey began in 2011 with a big chop and a big question: Why be natural? I didn’t have all the answers, but I was determined to find them.

By 2015, I was documenting my process online, first under the name “YBNatural.” What started as curiosity turned into connection—I found myself interviewing other women with natural hair, creating a safe space where we could share stories and learn from each other. I still remember doing impromptu interviews in parks during my lunch break from my corporate job. Natural hair wasn’t just a trend—it became a mission for me.

As I began embracing my own texture more confidently, I launched the “WhyBeNatural” Instagram page. That space introduced me to an entire community. From brand collaborations to events like CurlFest and The Hue Affair, I was no longer just documenting a journey—I was fully living it.

By 2018, the idea of creating my own products began to bloom. I kept journals filled with notes on ingredients, recipes, and ideas. Encouragement from family, friends, and even brands I worked with pushed me to dream bigger.

Then came the pandemic. Like many others, I was laid off and struggling. But I saw it as a turning point. With money tight and the world in crisis, I decided to invest what I had—stimulus checks, school relief funds, and savings—into this vision. Between homeschooling my son, working toward my degree, and holding on through the storm of 2020, I chose to believe in something greater.

That belief led to the creation of 4 Us HairSkin—a brand born from my lived experience. What started as a passion for natural hair grew into something deeper. After battling dry skin, adult eczema, and stretch marks during and after pregnancy, I began experimenting with natural ways to care for my skin too. When friends, family, and neighbors began using my handmade products and giving amazing feedback, I knew I had something special.

So, on April 21st, 2021, I took a leap of faith and officially launched 4 Us HairSkin—a brand dedicated to nourishing and celebrating Afro-textured hair and melanated skin. Built from my story, for us.