Meet Shari Chryss Alfred | Educator with a passion for Beauty

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shari Chryss Alfred and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shari Chryss, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I am an Educator and although I loved the beauty industry, it just wasn’t something that I saw as a career. I often dismissed the idea of becoming an entrepreneur. I would always say, “I did this for fun.” Growing up, I often found myself styling my hair in the mirror. I enjoyed styling my cousins’ hair and it was something that I continued to perfect through the years.

After relocating from the US Virgin Islands to Tampa, FL for graduate school in 2016, it was difficult to find a stylist that fit my needs. Whenever I found someone, they would either be out of my budget, or my hair was never styled to my liking. As a result, I started making wigs for myself. I was so proud of the units that I made, I excitedly began posting them on my social media platforms and received lots of good feedback. I started making wigs for my friends to get more practice and eventually, people began asking me to make wigs for them.
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit I began to look at things a little differently. College students were sent home, and I felt as though my career was at risk and the uncertainty of colleges across the US was looming.

Crown Essentials, my all-natural hair care line made its debut in 2020. To be completely transparent, I had no edges, and my hair was damaged beyond repair, but I hid it well under my weaves. I struggled with finding the right products for my hair type. Being from the Caribbean (Dominican born, and Virgin Islands), raised we use herbs for everything. I spent a copious amount time researching herbs and oils to see what worked best together and testing products on various hair types and genders to create a formula that worked. From this, came my top seller my Imperial Growth Elixir which is a combination of 7+ oils and over 20 herbs that help with growth, moisture, and strengthens the hair from the follicle to the end. I also have other products such as my Dominican Black Castor Oil that is 100 percent pure and authentically made on the island of Dominica, and other hair products that make styling complete.

What should our readers know about your business?
When I created Her Crown Palace, I wanted to offer an experience. Our mission is to provide self-care through flawless hair! Everyone wants to make money, but I want to be able make an impact as well.

I take pride in adjusting the Crown of each of my customers with every product and every unit.  Yes, external beauty is important, but inner beauty is too. My goal is to help increase their confidence while enhancing their beauty. I want to assure them that they are not alone on their healthy hair journey. I have been blessed to serve many different types of customers. Young and old, cancer patients to women who have been battling depression or just someone who may have been hiding their hair under weaves to damage.

I am a big advocate of self-care, and believe in nurturing the mind body and soul. I use my social media platforms to share motivational quotes, podcasts and other things that has helped me in all areas of my life. Therapy has been a big help and I am an advocate of self-care. My friends call me the spiritual friend because I have a quote or devotion for everything.

Our products are suitable for all genders,  but we’re specifically  here to build Queens and Princesses by advocating for self-care through flawless hair.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Firstly, a week is a long time (lol). My friends know I love sleep, so I’ll be taking naps in between the fun. There are a few restaurants that I’ve visited and enjoyed that I would recommend. Spice House is my absolute favorite because of their authentic Caribbean cuisine. Other places with great food that I would recommend are BQE Restaurant and Lounge, The Boiler Atlanta, Lily Restaurant and Bar and Nouveau Lounge for great food and a great time. We would pay a visit to Ponce City Market. I would also recommend the High Museum of Art, Trap Museum for the culture and Girl Mobb Museum. Lastly, we would probably go for a hike on Stone Mountain or on a nearby trail to see one of the nearby waterfalls.

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?
There’s lots of people that I could thank for my success in life, but I would first like to give special thanks to the almighty God for blessing me with talent and perseverance. Without his tender love and care I would not have made it this far. If I were to choose a few others to dedicate my shoutouts to it would be my baby sister Mary-Alice, my aunty Judith, and my girl tribe.

Her Crown Palace was named after my Mary-Alice who captured the title of Virgin Islands Carnival Queen in 2017. Mary is the sister I call to talk about every and anything at any time. Growing up she was my personal mannequin and still is to this day. When I began exploring business names and what I wanted my business to represent she instantly came to mind. I was so proud of her growth as she participated in the pageant and even afterward. I wanted my customers to have the same transformative experience as they wore their wigs. A crown is the epitome of royalty and is often used in the beauty industry, but for me it was different. In her honor, I call my wigs Crowns because they were meticulously assembled for queens, allowing you to feel a heightened sense of self-worth, revitalizing your beauty and accentuating the queen that you are.

Much of my success in life is owed to my aunty Judith Alfred who raised me and has been there for me every step of the way. In addition to raising her own children, she was the aunt that took in her nieces, nephews, cousins and even strangers. She is everyone’s mama, but she is my Tatie, a name I gave her at a young age because I struggled to pronounce aunty correctly. Her love and care nurtured me to be the woman I am today. Over the years, she has made miracles happen for me and everyone that she took under her wing. My goal in life is to always make her proud. Tatie when you read this, know that I love you to the moon and back and I pray every day to be as strong and as wise as you are.
Lastly, but definitely not least, an extra special thank you and shoutouts to my special set of sisters, especially Ayana, Sameca & Nyka. Thank you for being my girl tribe, my mannequins, guinea pigs, ambassadors, critics, and most of all for the unconditional love and care that you all have shown me over the years. Because of you all, I have been able to grow not just through entrepreneurship, but also as a phenomenal woman.

Website: www.hercrownpalace.com

Instagram: @hercrownpalace

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

Other: TikTok: @hercrownpalace