Curl Collection: Behind the Scenes

For this installment of How to Start a Subscription Box I am interviewing Curl Collection‘s Nadja Renise. If you are unfamiliar with this beauty box, it offers natural hair products for women with natural hair.

What made you decide to start a subscription box service? 

I decided to start a subscription box service because I was subscribed to several boxes that didn’t provide the type of sampling service I was looking for. To me, sample means to test out a product. I mean REALLY test it out, and try it multiple times in multiple ways. The only way for me to do that was with FULL size products.  Sample size products weren’t enough to get a true feel of a product.  So I decided to start a subscription service that empowered women to really try and discover products.

How did you choose your subscription niche?

I choose a niche that I was interested, no obsessed with. When I did my big chop I knew nothing about natural products and ingredients.  I would spend hours on the Internet researching products, ingredients, home remedies, and natural hair maintenance. It was overwhelming to say the least. So when it came time to start a business, it was a no brainer. I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I wanted to create a subscription service that featured full size products for women with natural hair. I also wanted the products to be ones I could stand behind.  I can’t stand behind products with harmful ingredients that I wouldn’t use on me or my family.

Do you work out of your home or an offsite location?  

Currently I work from home.

Do you handle all of your business operations yourself or have employees? 

For all practical purposes I am a one-woman show. I do have the support of my family and they help with a lot of the packing & shipping.  I love the idea of my kids watching, helping, and learning what it takes to build a business from the ground up.  It’s a great learning experience for them.

How do you source the products that will be included each month?

I start by finding brands with products that are free from harsh ingredients. I also look for brands I’ve tried, heard of, met at an event, or discovered through online research. I look for products that are different, new, best sellers, and that would appeal to my subscribers.

What marketing avenues did you use to get the word out? Any memorable successes or failures?

I’ve used mostly social media, which is our biggest resource since we are an online business. There are still a lot of people who don’t know who we are so I would say my success and failures are one in the same. Social media is an amazing tool, but I’ve got to increase my social media usage and continue to spread the word.

What would you change if you had to start over?

Truth be told, not a thing. It has been a learning experience and I appreciate every trial, triumph, and opportunity I have to learn and grow and improve the Curl Collection services.

Where do you see your business five years from now?  Any changes in the works? 

Honestly, I don’t know. Everyone says you should have a long term goal but five years ago I didn’t see myself here. I hope to continue to grow and expand the products and services Curl Collection provides. I will say that I am planning on releasing a new product in the coming months so stay tuned for that!

Thanks, Nadja! Visit Curl Collection to find out more about learning to love your curls.