Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Miko Branch.
📝 Summary of the Interview
Miko Branch shares the inspiring journey of building Miss Jessie’s, a premium hair care brand for curly hair, alongside her late sister Titi Branch. The brand was born at their kitchen table in Brooklyn and named after their paternal grandmother, Jessie Mae Branch. Miko discusses the importance of authenticity, education, and innovation in product development, and how Miss Jessie’s became a trusted name in the textured hair care industry. The conversation highlights the brand’s commitment to empowering individuals to embrace their natural hair and the evolving trends in beauty and self-expression.
🎯 Purpose of the Interview
- To showcase the entrepreneurial journey behind Miss Jessie’s.
- To highlight the importance of authenticity, education, and innovation in building a brand.
- To discuss the impact of natural hair acceptance and evolving beauty standards.
- To inspire listeners with a story of resilience, creativity, and cultural pride.
🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Authentic Beginnings
- Miss Jessie’s was founded in a Brooklyn brownstone at the kitchen table.
- Inspired by their grandmother Jessie Mae Branch, who was the first female CEO they ever saw.
- Quote: “She ran her family from her kitchen table.”
2. Product Innovation
- First product: Curly Pudding—a game-changer for curly hair.
- Products are designed for all textured hair types: wavy, curly, kinky, transitional, and multicultural.
- Quote: “We just try to come up with a solution to be helpful.”
3. Education is Key
- Miss Jessie’s provides detailed information on hair types and how to use products.
- The website includes guides for identifying hair texture and selecting the right products.
- Quote: “Information and communication is key to success.”
4. Social Media & Word of Mouth
- Early growth came from chat forums and word-of-mouth before social media existed.
- Social media is now an additional platform to connect and educate customers.
- Quote: “Way before social media, women were chatting and spreading the word.”
5. Inclusivity & Representation
- Products are for everyone—men, women, children, and all ethnicities.
- Focus on embracing natural beauty and rejecting outdated beauty ideals.
- Quote: “Hair has no color… we’re all looking for solutions.”
6. Salon as R&D Hub
- Their salon served as a testing ground for product development and customer feedback.
- Quote: “We built our business in the salon… it became our R&D and testing ground.”
7. Natural Hair Movement
- Natural hair is no longer a trend—it’s a cultural shift.
- Seen on public figures like Oprah and Michelle Obama.
- Quote: “Natural hair is preferred… it’s how people want to express themselves.”
💬 Notable Quotes
- “We started our business in our brownstone at our kitchen table.”
- “We didn’t go to business school—we went to Jessie Mae Branch’s kitchen.”
- “Curly Pudding did everything it said it was going to do.”
- “We realized our work was not finished—we had to educate.”
- “Natural hair is not a trend—it’s here to stay.”
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
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