Kayla Kim Kay- a rising business queen

More than just a hair brand owner, Kayla Kim Kay is ready to build an empire. Her eyes are focused on the business ball. She is ready to empower, serve, and be a mirror to the ones who are looking for that light.

By Temo Mpodi

Tell us about yourself as an influencer and an upcoming woman making waves in business?

I’m Kayla Kim AKA Kaylakimkay on social media. Now, although social media is a great marketing tool, my history is more than just content. I have studied fashion design and worked in the corporate space as a fashion buyer for 6 years. I’ve acquired sufficient knowledge both in university and the corporate space to equip me to run my current business. I’ve always wanted to be an entrepreneur, and hair products have always taken up space in my heart as it was a personal journey for me.

How did you start the business and what was the drive behind it?

I founded Afrocurl following my enthusiasm for natural hair. I wanted to create a range that is not only organic and vegan but one that is affordable and accessible to curly girls. Afrocurl is environmentally friendly, vegan, cruelty-free as well as paraben-free. In saying that the brand is designed for curls and coils and can certainly be used by all. We aim to keep both gents and ladies, boys’ and girls’ crowns happy. We hope that this stirs up the bold character within them, to be proud of their natural hair. “Your crown is in good hands”.

Growing up, I was bullied for the texture of my hair and for the fact that I didn’t conform to the trend of constantly straightening it. When I went natural in 2009, there were no products suitable for me in the market. This was when the Afrocurl idea came up. But it was only towards 2017 that I started planning my goals for this business. Social media and content creation has been part of that strategy. Allthough COVID-19 put a halt to so many things, that period was perfect for me to start creating and building a community online. The drive behind the brand is to empower young girls and boys to embrace and love their natural hair. The range helps take care of their natural hair and nurture it well.

How has your personal journey evolved over the past few years?

I have had many ups and down, many sleepless nights. I went through a period of self-doubt, but also so much faith that God would see this project through. I am proud to say that within a span of a year and 8 months, we have moved warehouses three times because of the growth and support. I think more than anything, having a community of people who support your journey is something that has caused me to strive for the better. I always say there are very few coloured women in this space, and growing up I never had that role model. It’s so vital to see a reflection of yourself as you grow up and I would like to think that this is part of my purpose. I am a mirror to the young ones growing up and still finding their feet. Afrocurl is bigger than me and the journey is for all.

What strategies are you using to scale Afrocurl both locally and internationally?

To continue to be myself and share my journey on social media. Afrocurl ships internationally and we are grateful to be of service to the world. One of the strategies I can gladly share is that even though we are growing on social media, we are still in control of our pace. I appreciate the growth, however we all have to equip ourselves for growth as well.  When we are ready at Afrocurl, we will expand and open up brick and mortar stores, however I do not want to bite more than I can chew at this very moment. Right now, our online store is doing well, and it’s preparing the entire team to learn, grow and equip us for the expansion.

Are there any new technologies or trends you are excited to incorporate into Afrocurl?

Regarding social media, we incorporate trends daily to grow both the brand and create product knowledge around it. This is something that I am learning everyday, even regarding the machines that make and package Afrocurl.

What are the core values and principles you apply to your daily life that helps you and your business grow?

I am a spiritual person. God is at the centre of my business. Afrocurl is more than just hair care. One of the core values is that this brand is for the people. I am here to empower everyone to be bold, dream big and do greater things.  This brand is about breaking generational curses, societal norms and stereotypes of people of colour.

When did influencer marketing become more than just a hobby and turn into a real career for you?

As soon as I started. Having come from a business background few months before starting, I made sure I monetised this, and created a community I call “My Hunays”. Fashion was something that did well on my platform and was the testing ground to understand the support and influence of social media. As soon as my platform grew, I took the leap of faith and left my corporate job to fulfill content creation and entrepreneurship.

What are some of the downsides of being a well-known influencer that people might not realise?

That public figures are human too, and we make mistakes. It just so happens that many of those mistakes are publicised. Cancel culture is so real in this space and can affect both your brand and your social image. There’s so much learning to be done as someone who consumes content from social media and uses it to build a brand.

You are such an authentic soul online. How did you navigate that without allowing societal pressure to overwhelm you?

This part was so hard at first. I would get bullied for this online. I still do. I filter out many words that may trigger me or other people. It’s so much easier said than done to take certain comments with a pinch of salt. However, I always remind myself what my purpose was for starting this, and I redirect my energy to what is positive as opposed to that one negative comment that tries to get to me. I have always been one to stand out, but on social media I needed to understand that I do not need to conform to anything. Being spiritual has also helped me so much with my journey. I rely on God and prayer to intervene when I feel at my lowest.

What’s the best advice you have for upcoming women entrepreneurs?

The biggest tip from me is to start by doing the research. My idea was formulated in 2009, and I only took action with it in 2022. After realising that the market was saturated, I needed to understand the core values of what sets Afrocurl apart from others. This is my journey, and I am set apart for it, no one can take that from me. We always worry about capital, but I used my last salary to build my brand. Your dreams should scare you and mine certainly did. The biggest thing is that I have faith that my brand will grow. I believe in myself. Failing is part of that journey. Start with what you have and build. IB