PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Black Business Month is a time to celebrate diverse entrepreneurs. Many of them created businesses focused on needs that are often overlooked. That's the case with one business owner in Manayunk whose nationally-renowned hair brand focuses on sensitive scalps.
"I'm pretty sensitive, tender-headed, so I really didn't have the best salon experience," said Ash Williams, of South Philadelphia, as she got her hair braided by natural stylist Kiara Brown. "Braids are super, super popular now," said Brown, who leads the team of stylists at Dosso Beauty's new salon and shop in Manayunk. The brand is focused on providing certified hypoallergenic braiding hair.
"It is lightweight. It is pre-stretched. It is itch-free," said Kadidja Dosso, founder and CEO of Dosso Beauty, which she created in 2018.
The 29-year-old Hampton University alumna and Philadelphia native is a self-proclaimed "West Philly girl" whose brand is now international. "We ship internationally at least 10 times a week," she said. Her niche business pays attention to the needs of customers with sensitive scalps like hers.
"I actually had an allergic reaction to braids," she said of the years before she created her company. "My scalp was purple. It was inflamed.
I had to take the braids out the next day." Dosso got on social media to see if others had the same experience. Hundreds responded saying that they'd experienced the same negative reaction to braiding hair, which is made out of synthetic mate.