We had the good fortune of connecting with REONNA TAYLOR and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi REONNA, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
Proudly born and raised from the South Side of Chicago, and I never miss a chance to mention it! There’s something truly special about coming from a city often misunderstood by many. Despite its challenges, Chicago breeds some of the most intelligent and resilient individuals I know. It’s as if there’s an inherent hustle ingrained in people from Chicago. My parents, especially my mother, did their best to raise my brother and I. iMy mother nstilled in us the value of financial stability, often reminding us, “Always ensure you can stand on your own feet without relying on anyone.” Throughout my life, I’ve encountered both positive and negative moments that left their mark, whether I was ready for them or not. However, these experiences, combined with my mother’s wise teachings and my father’s timeless advice of “treating others as you wish to be treated,” have shaped me into the woman I am today.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
CURLS4U operates as a quarterly subscription-based box service, dedicated to delivering premium natural hair care products. Our core mission is deeply rooted in the belief that every woman deserves to showcase beautiful, healthy hair. With a fervent commitment to this belief, we passionately provide a platform for small businesses owned by women of color to highlight their exceptional products. Each quarter, CURLS4U meticulously curates five carefully selected full-size or trial-size products, tailored to meet the diverse needs of our subscribers. Our goal is to empower individuals to explore and embrace hair and beauty items uniquely suited to them.
Beyond hair care essentials, every CURLS4U box features a distinct non-hair care item sourced from a woman of color-owned small business. This thoughtful addition not only enriches the overall experience for our subscribers but also serves to promote awareness and support for small businesses within our community.
At CURLS4U, we address the challenge of helping women embrace their natural hair and aesthetic preferences by providing access to natural hair, skin, and beauty products tailored specifically for them at an affordable price point. Our endeavor is to not only fulfill immediate needs but also to cultivate lasting relationships between our subscribers and the vendors featured in our boxes.
My personal journey as a woman with naturally curly hair has uniquely equipped me to spearhead the mission of CURLS4U. As someone who has personally navigated the challenges of finding suitable products without breaking the bank, I felt compelled to bridge this gap. Thus, the concept of launching a subscription box service was born. Our focus on featuring natural hair products from women of color-owned small businesses, complemented by themed non-haircare beauty and skincare items, is a testament to our dedication to this cause.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I often find myself being the go-to person for my friends when it comes to recommending good restaurants, bars, and things to do in Chicago. The best time to truly enjoy all the city has to offer is during the summer. If my friends arrive on a Friday morning, I would start their trip with a visit to the Starbucks Reserve Roastery, where they can enjoy a dynamic menu of coffee, food, and drinks while soaking in the downtown atmosphere.
Next, we would explore the classic tourist attractions, such as grabbing a slice of pizza or a Chicago-style hot dog, and taking an architecture tour. We would definitely make time for a rooftop bar visit, such as Selva or Avli. No summer weekend in Chicago would be complete without a trip to the playpen area on someone’s boat.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have to Shoutout my family as they are the reason why I want to build generational wealth and my closest friends who have always supported me and been there for me when I truly needed the support.
Website: WWW.CURLS4U.COM
Instagram: thecurls4ubox
Linkedin: CURLS4U
Twitter: THECURLS4UBOX
Image Credits
Not applicable photos were taken by me