Meet Symone Weemes | Founder and CEO of Gem Matter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Symone Weemes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Symone, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
So I actually created this product for my best friend I met in college. She wore weave 100% of the time but I never knew why. She eventually confided in me and revealed why. Alopecia ran in her family and she was not comfortable revealing her edges to the world. I made a small batch after doing research on herbal remedies for hair growth. This was the first product that actually worked for her. She told me back in 2017 that she could see my oil on the shelves in stores. It took me 2 years to finally bring this vision to life. I began my business in January of 2019 and made Gem Matter available to the public.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I believe that Gem Matter is special because of the source that it was created from. I went to school to chase my graphic design degree, because I had no idea what I truly wanted to be in life. My 3rd year in college, I discovered my love for healing. I wanted to be a surgeon, (brain or heart to be exact). With me being one year away from my bachelor’s degree, this did not seem realistic. I decided to double major in pre med, and Art which eventually crashed and failed. I had to move forward with my Art degree in order to graduate in a timely manner. What I didn’t know, was that 3 years later my product that I created myself would ultimately heal the masses. Hair is one of the most important parts of our lives. Many of us grow up knowing that our hair is our crown and it must always be presentable. When you are suffering from hair loss, bald patches, or thinning hair, your confidence is at it’s lowest. I created Gem Matter so that you can reclaim your confidence, and be who you were ultimately designed to be. This was not the easiest route and I, in fact, took 8 months off my first year because life had other plans. I was working full time as a billing specialist for a hospital, doing hair from home after work, raising a 2 year old as a single mother, while trying to run a brand new business. It was hectic, and I had to do what made the most money at the time. So I didn’t pick Gem Matter back up until February of 2020. By July of 2020 I had landed in my very first Beauty supply in Fort Wayne Indiana. By the end of July I landed in my second beauty supply. Gem Matter was flying off the shelves and the stores had a hard time keeping it in stock because of the rate of sales. By October, Gem matter reached Beauty supplies in Las Vegas. It is now sold in 12 locations including online at walmart.com

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I myself am actually new to Atlana and just recently moved her in July to expand my business. So far, I’d take my guest to Genki Noodles and sushi for lunch. Southern Classic soul food for dinner, and to the battery to enjoy the rest of the night.

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’d like to shout out Juanita Henderson – founder of Chocolate Kinks & Kurls. She is an amazing business woman, mother and creator who was my very first inspiration, that looked like me. I’ve watched youtube channels of other black women that also specialized in hair care, but I didn’t know any of them in person. I’ve watched her open her own Natural Hair Care Boutique which eventually blossomed into her creating her own hair care line. You can read all about her and her amazing products on her website chocolatekinksandkurls.com

Website: gemmatter.com

Instagram: @Gem_Matter

Twitter: @GemMatter_

Facebook: Gem Matter

Other: walmart.com