Small Business Spotlight: Strands & Company

1. What is the name of your Business?

Strands & Company

2. Where is your business located?

Online shop headquartered in Austin, TX

3. Business' Website: www.strandsandco.com

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strandsandco

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/StrandsandCo

   Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/strandsandco

   OTHER  Social Media : YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/StrandsandCompany

4. Are you the owner?

Yes

5.  Briefly tell us about your business:

Looking for natural products for curly hair or textured hair? Seeking natural and organic skin care solutions? Strands & Company is proud to offer you an ever-growing selection of natural hair and skin care from reputable makers who share our vision of bringing you products that are safe for your body and provide results. Some of our products are USDA Organic-certified.

6.  How did you come to be in this line of work?

Strands & Company was born from my own personal hair journey. Managing my ethnically-mixed, textured hair has been an interesting road to travel - some parts of my hair are wavy, some parts straight, some parts tightly coiled, some parts frizzy. My hair has been chemically relaxed, frequently blow dried, and everything in-between.

After noticing my hair was thinning several years ago, I took a variety of actions to try and stop the issue. I stopped using chemical relaxers on my hair, I flat ironed and blow dried less. Less hair was falling out after making these changes, yet my hair was still coarse, dry and easy to break. Apparently, I had stopped my hair from abandoning ship... but it just didn't feel healthy.

So, I started seeking out products designed to moisturize and pamper textured or curly hair, with the added bonus of less harsh chemicals. It wasn't easy to find what I was looking for but after finding and trying a few natural products, I noticed an even bigger change in my hair - it was softer, easier to manage and most importantly, it was growing back!

I felt sure there must a store out there, focused on natural hair care brands for textured hair. While I found individual textured hair brands, and some online stores tailored to natural products, what was missing was a shop that was dedicated to both - natural products for textured hair. So I started Strands & Company, to bring a store like that to other people who had needs like mine.

7. How long have you been doing this?

I started working on the shop at the start of this year (2013).

8. Who would benefit from your product?

·         Someone with textured/curly/kinky/coily/frizzy hair who is looking for products with a high concentration of natural and organic ingredients.

·         Someone interested in skin care products made from primarily natural and organic ingredients.

9. How can our fans place their order or contact you?

Through our website, strandsandco.com.

10. Any current specials or event you want to share with our fans?

#1:
 I’d like to offer your fans a 10% discount off any order. They can use the code CCNS10 at checkout and they will receive 10% off their entire order. This discount is good through June 7th!

#2:
Sign up for our newsletter and be entered in a drawing to win the book “Better Than Good Hair” by Nikki Walton (aka CurlyNikki)

 

Small Business Spotlight: Miss. TeenyFab Couture

Hello and thank you for agreeing to be interviewed for our "Small Business Spotlight".  I am a huge fan of Miss. TeenyFab Couture and her "Afro Hello Kitty" shirts.   As some of you may know... Ms Bree one!  

1. What is the name of your Business? 

   Miss. TeenyFab Couture

2. Where is your business located?

   San Bernardino, Ca and Carson, Ca

3. Business' Website:

   Facebook: www.facebook.com/TeenyFab

   Twitter: TeenyFabCo

   Instagram: Miss_TeenyFabsMomma

   Pinterest: TeenyFabsMomma

4. Are you the owner? 
    Yes I'am

 

5.  Briefly tell us about your business:  

I love to make outfits that are sure to make other people WOW over your little darling.

From  OTT bows to fab tutus and custom shirts.  
We offer products that will set your child apart from the rest in today's world; I take pride in what I do and offering fab couture for my own diva as well as yours.

6.  How did you come to be in this line of work?

I've always loved bows so when I had my daughter in 2009 it began then  my mother in law taught me how to sew. 
In 2012 I decided to open up and started the Fb page which now my friend Shandria Alexander runs she's amazing!!! She makes sure everything runs smoothly and she also sews so were adding new items constantly 

7. How long have you been doing this?

 About 2 years for just family and friends and up and running our 1 year anniversary is coming up in July  

8. Who would benefit from your product? 

Anyone who's looking for something special for their child. We do a lot of custom items so its more then likely no one else is gonna have it. 

9. How can our fans place their order or contact you?

We can be reached through our Facebook page and at TeenyFabCouture@gmail.com 

10. Any current specials or event you want to share with our fans?

Yes we are starting the bow of the month club which we will have 6 and 12 month memberships and they will be exclusive bows that will only go to our bow of the month club members. And we also plan on doing a few giveaways in the coming weeks. 

Wow, so many cute things, is it possible to just get one?? probably not!  Now, make sure that you visit & follow Miss. TeenyFab Couture and look at all the fabulous items she has available for your little one.  

**Note: If you would like your small business to be featured in our "Small Business Spotlight", please contact me at caramelcurlznswirls@yahoo.com**

Cute & Simple- a style for Mother's Day

This is a very cute and very simple style that your little one can rock this weekend!!  

How to get this look: 

Products used after washing her hair:

100% Coconut Oil / Castor Oil (Equal parts)

Bee Mine Luscious Moisturizer

Banding Process:

I stretch Ms. Bree's hair by using several bands (i.e. small scrunchies, ouchless bands or cloth covered bands) at approximately 1/2 " to 1" apart. 

I choose banding in lieu of blow drying or flat ironing the hair because both will cause heat damage to the hair.

   

  

NOW WE ARE READY TO STYLE!

Products used to style:

Bee Mine Luscious Moisturizer

Curls Passion Fruit Curl Control Paste

Hair Tools you will need:

Wide Tooth Comb

Rat Tail Comb

10  Rubber Bands

1 Cloth cover band

3 Ouchless Hair bands/or rubber bands

5 Hair Pins

1 Flower Clip

*Remove all bands from each section;

  

* With your rat tail comb, part out a circle, clip the center hair so it is out of your way;

*On the bottom part of the circle, create five small box braids using a small amount of Bee Mine Curly Butter and Eco Styler Gel.

*Part the front section of the hair in the center;

*Part the left section in two equal parts and create two cornrows by using Bee Mine Curly Butter and Curls Passion Fruit Curl Control paste;

  

*Follow the same step above to do the right section.

*Collect the center section of the hair into a pony tail and secure it by using a cloth covered hair band;

*Slide the hair from the pony tail through your sock bun/foam bun;

*Cover the bun shaper with the pony tail hair as much as possible;

*once the bun is smooth apply the second hair band;

*Carefully bring all the hair toward the bottom of the bun;

*Create three braids using the loose ends of the bun.

*Bring the ends of all four cornrow braids around the bun and secure them with hair pins

The result:

Great Style & 4th Birthday Photos!

Ms. Bree turned 4 yrs old on Friday but her party is schedule for this upcoming Saturday, make sure you don't miss Royal Birthday Party- Part II

While we wait for the big day to come, we surely are having some fun getting ready for it.

We started by having her pictures taken on Saturday morning.  

After a few requests from our facebook fans, Ms. Bree rocked her natural curls for this photo session.  Make sure you follow us on facebook: CaramelCurlzNSwirls

Ms. Bree's photo session was scheduled for 11:00 a.m., therefore I washed her hair around 9:00 a.m. giving the hair enough time to air dry.  I do not use a blow dryer to dry her hair (at all)

I Washed her hair using the following:
    *Creme of Nature Argan Oil Moisturizing Shampoo;
    *Suave Moroccan Infusion Shine Conditioner (review will be posted soon);

To style it:
    *100% Coconut Oil applied to wet hair;
    *Bee Mine Luscious Moisturizer;
    *Bee Mine Curly Butter

I made sure that her hair was completely detangled during the conditioning process;

I used only my fingers to apply the products (no combs/brushes);

I placed a towel around her to make sure her clothes didn't get wet and I actually left it in place until her hair was almost dry.

Note: When we are at home and Ms. Bree is playing with Lil Man, I make sure that she wears her satin cap to minimize the frizzies.   

She is old enough now to keep her satin cap on most of the time, if it falls off while playing, she is really good about letting me know right and I just put it back on.

Royal Birthday Party! PART I

Ms. Bree is turning 4! 

Wow, where does the time go?  

And for her big day I'm doing a lot of things by myself, for example the cake, the food and the party favors.  I have also purchased several items to transform my formal dining room into a "Royal Cafe" and I will be decorating the entrance where all her guests will be stopping to take pictures by a 5 piece Disney Princess Scene Setter.

Ms. Bree is a big fan of Disney Princesses, especially Belle & Cinderella.  Based on her love for the princesses I decided to do a "Princess Tea Party".     

Princess Party Favors:

How to make them:

* Disney Princess Party Cup ($0.99 each)
* Fill the cup with paper crinkle (I used Ms. Bree's favorite color, "Purple") ($2.99 Medium Size Bag)
* Place your favors, we used the following:  

• Clip
• Maze Puzzle
• Prism Viewer
• Wand
• Heart Bracelet
• Bead Necklace
• Box of 4 Crayons
• Mini Princess Pen

* Slip the cup inside a clear bag ($4.99 for 16 bags)
* Tie shut with curling ribbon. (I used the color pink- $1.99)

Simple and perfect, very worthy for the little princesses! 

The Princess Pinata:

I actually bought this from Party City Online.  You can find different styles and sizes at the store but they didn't have this specific style.   What I liked about it was the fact that she can pull the strings to release the candy instead of hitting it with a stick.   Although I did purchased the stick and blindfold.

Price:  I paid $19.99 plus tax and shipping/handling.  But you can also find something similar at Toys R Us as well.

Description:

This Disney Princess Castle Pinata features a sweet pink castle with 3 turrets, a pink tissue roof and the Disney Princesses waiting on the lawn. With a pull string pinata, there is no hitting. Just take turns pulling ribbons on the pinata until one ribbon opens the hidden door and releases its contents. Fill Castle Pinata with candy or favors (sold separately) for a fun party activity or simply use the pinata as decoration. Disney Princess Castle Pinata measures 16in wide x 17in tall.


The Music:

As some of you may know, my daughter loves to sing and dance along and she has most if not all the Disney Princesses Sing Along DVDs! 

Therefore, I thought..why  not make this memory even more enchanted for her by playing all her favorite music in the background??  

This CD can only be purchased online for $9.99 and includes all of her favorite songs like:

1. Reflection
2. Part of Your World
3. Just Around the Riverbend
4. Colors of the Wind
5. Beauty and the Beast
6. A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes
7. Once Upon a Dream
8. So This Is Love
9. Candle on the Water
10. I Won't Say (I'm in Love)

The other 10 tracks are actually just musical version of every song mentioned above and the kids can sing their solo!


The Flowers:

Step 1:

2 Green Floral Foam  ($2.99 for a pack of 2).  You can purchase these at any crafting store and Walmart.  

Step 2: Using construction paper, wrapped around the foam.  Make sure its completely covered.  Don't worry about covering the bottom of it, but if it bothers you that much, you can cover the bottom as well. I use purple and pink paper ($0.99 each sheet)

Step 3:

Draw leaves pattern all over the green construction paper.  You can draw the leaves as big or as small as you'll like. 

Step 4:  Cut the leaves out;

Step 5:  Using your glue gun (or any type of glue) glue the leaves all around the top edge or you can glue them as together or as far from each other as you'll like.

Step 6:   Place the gem stone stickers at the bottom of each leaf. 

Step 7:  Place the stickers of your favorite princess below the leaves.  

Step 8:  Using glitter glue, draw fun patterns within each leaf.  NOTE:  this step should be the last thing you do, the glitter glue takes approximately an hour to dry depending on the amount you use.

THESE ARE THE RESULTS: 

These are just some of the items I have done so far.  As I said before I am doing a lot of the decorations myself as well as the food and the Royal Castle Cake.  

I will be posting the second part of this post hopefully three days after her birthday bash which is set for February 16th! 

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