Meet Katera Brown | Owner of Brown Elegancee

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

Hi Katera, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
There were many times I asked myself how can I give my hair the love it needs without all the chemicals that will damage my hair over time. It was a difficult process for me to find exactly what my hair needed. I began researching and testing many ingredients and taking note of which ones really made a difference on my hair. Throughout my journey I had a lot of learning and unlearning to do. During this time, I had a moment and asked myself two questions: “Okay how can I use what I’ve learned to help others struggling to find good natural hair products that worked for them” and “How can I share my experience in an amazing way that will reach people”. It was during that moment that I decided I wanted to start my own hair care line. I didn’t know how or where to start but I knew the ingredients I wanted to incorporate. My hair care line has been in the works since 2019 and it has taken me until now to fully grasp all I wanted to know and get everything I needed to finally start my business. The process was definitely challenging and eye opening. There were bumps in the road, COVID for one.. where it seemed like everything was over before it even started. The journey was definitely not easy, but I can say it was well worth it. To be able to do something I truly love and be able to share it with others and watch them love it brings me happiness I can’t put into words. I know this is just the beginning and everyday will not be great, but I am excited to continue my journey. My goal is for people to feel how I do on wash days which is relieved, joyful, and looking forward to the next one; not stressed about washing and taking care of their natural hair. Before I started my business, I was one of those people who dreaded wash days. Now, I enjoy it and more importantly love how the products are making my hair feels while also keeping it healthy. Brown Elegancee has been such a blessing and to hear positive reviews truly brings me joy, because it was all once just a thought.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Yes I’d love to! My work and career all actually tie together very well.. it’s all creativity in some way. As you know, I’m the owner of Brown Elegancee natural haircare, but I’ve also been a model for 3 years and counting now, and I’m a graphic design major. It has all allowed me to find new things about myself and unlock new doors for me to walk through. I’m not the same person i once was before getting serious about modeling, entrepreneurship, or graphic design. It all has shifted the way i think, the way i view things, just my overall mindset. I’m more patient, I’m more understanding, I’m more attentive, i find joy in the little things, I’ve found peace, I love what i do and i do what i love! it brings me joy beyond words could ever explain. I love learning new ways to make what i do better. I love learning lessons because they’re blessings to me and now i know what not to do or what to do differently next time. Everyday isn’t all sunny but i will always pack my umbrella on rainy days. I didn’t come this far to just come this far and i constantly remind myself of that.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love when friends come to visit! There’s so much to do in Miami, the list can go on forever. To narrow it down.. We’d definitely visit a few fun museums, have a beach day and possibly go jet skiing or even get on a yacht. We’d also go to great restaurants, and of course we have to go shopping at the mall.

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?
Most definitely my friends and family. The way they encourage, motivate, support, and just overall pour love and positivity into me keeps me going. It allow me to always know i have an amazing support system and whenever i get frustrated, i know who i can call. They believe in me way beyond words and always want to help me even if it’s in the littlest ways. They bring so much joy into my life and always make me feel like anything is possible.

Website: Www.brownelegancee.com

Instagram: Www.Instagram.com/brownelegancee

Twitter: Www.Twitter.com/Katerashaneice

Image Credits
Photographer: @Purelifekd on Instagram