Topics
[00:00:00] Episode Excerpt
[00:00:29] Podcast Introduction
[00:01:05] Episode Introduction
[00:01:49] Guest Introduction
[00:02:16] How You Began Your Business
[00:07:41] Hair Epiphany
[00:13:47] Self Education
[00:16:20] COVID Happened
[00:19:27] Microaggressions at Work
[00:29:03] Find Your Village
[00:31:17] Know Who You Are
[00:36:25] Be a Contortionist
[00:39:39] Biggest Takeaway
[00:41:56] Your Name is Everything
[00:44:03] Find Monifa Online
[00:45:03] Final Question
[00:46:18] Closing
Season 1, Episode 1
In Choosing Her Hustle’s first episode of season 1, we hear from Monifa Caines, the CEO of Queen of Spades Style, which specializes in head wraps, bandanas, and athletic headbands. Monifa started her business in 2019.
After studying nursing and joining the US Air Force for 8.5 years, Monifa faced a challenge in job recruiting – her first name. Faced with this challenge of not feeling like she could be herself, she landed a job under her middle name, Claudia, and worked in corporate America. From her name to smiling at work, there were unwritten rules all around her that didn’t apply to other women.
She stopped putting straightening chemicals, like lye, in her hair. She couldn’t conform any longer and she started being her authentic self.
Her entrepreneurial spirit was waiting to come out, and her inability to find accessories for her hair at the store sparked an idea. She created headbands, clips, wraps, and combs first as a hobby. On 12/19/2019, Monifa started her business, and a March 2020 pop-up was derailed by COVID. She sought out her village of Black female entrepreneurs with shared experiences and who offer reality checks.
By changing the narrative of what is beautiful, Monifa creates products for women with textured hair, Cancer survivors, women with Alopecia, among others.
Leticia shares her story of working in the insurance industry and facing prejudice. She moved from Bermuda to England no longer willing to watch her mouth, as her granny once told her. She believes we get into entrepreneurship to rewrite our narratives. Black women struggle with asking for help, but it’s a critical factor in success in e entrepreneurship.
Monifa’s top advice: “Know as much as you can about who you are at this moment and why you are doing it.” She suggests finding yourself, educating yourself, and then finding a village. Monifa wears many hats in her business, and to that she says, “You have to be a contortionist.” The one thing she would change is from the beginning having confidence and shouting from the rooftops about her business. Your name means everything!
What’s next for Monifa Caines? She is developing a new collection and head wrapping courses. Show her your support on social media and by visiting her website. She’s also planning a trip to Senegal to see the people, be in the sun, and visit her roots.
To join the conversation, share your biggest takeaways from this podcast on Instagram. Let’s step into our power!
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