Today we’d like to introduce you to Nkonye.
Hi Nkonye, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started New Village Braid after recognizing a gap in the market while searching for higher-quality braiding hair options. With experience in retail product development—I had the background to understand both the product and the supply chain. As I researched more, I realized that most synthetic braiding hair is made with PVC and harsh chemicals, and there was no real solution for the waste created after use.
I decided to bring a better option to market myself. I launched New Village Braid as a non-toxic, PVC-free alternative, and over time expanded into a recycling program to address the end-of-life issue. Since then, I’ve grown the business organically—reaching customers across the U.S. and internationally, building relationships with salons and stockists, and establishing early traction.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. As a bootstrapped founder, one of the biggest challenges has been balancing limited resources while trying to scale inventory, marketing, and operations at the same time. There’s also been the challenge of educating the market—many customers don’t initially realize that braiding hair can be toxic, so building awareness takes time and consistent effort.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
New Village Braid is a clean beauty brand redefining synthetic braiding hair through safety, comfort, and circularity. We specialize in creating non-toxic, PVC-free, lab-tested braiding hair that eliminates the itching, irritation, and chemical exposure many protective-style wearers have come to expect from traditional products. What truly sets us apart is combining this safer product with a recycling program, giving synthetic braiding hair a path toward a circular, end-of-life solution in an industry that has historically had none.
What makes New Village Braid different is that we are not just improving the product—we are rethinking the entire system. Most brands focus on price or aesthetics, but we focus on health, transparency, and long-term environmental impact, while still keeping the product accessible.
What I’m most proud of is building real traction and trust as a solo, bootstrapped founder—growing a global customer base, partnering with salons and retailers, and creating a brand that resonates deeply with the community it serves.
I want readers to know that New Village Braid is about more than hair—it’s about raising the standard in an overlooked category, protecting our health, and building a more responsible future for protective styling.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I want readers to understand that this work is about shifting what we accept as normal. For decades, discomfort and chemical exposure have been part of the braiding experience, and most people didn’t realize there was another option. New Village Braid exists to change that.
I am also building this with intention—not just to create a better product, but to create something that reflects care for our health, our culture, and our environment. Every step forward, from product development to recycling, is about raising the standard in a meaningful way.
And finally, I want people to know that support matters. Whether it’s trying the product, sharing the brand, or even engaging on social media—likes, follows, saves, and comments—it all helps move this category and our community forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://newvillagebraid.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newvillagebraid
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newvillagebraid
- Twitter: https://x.com/newvillagebraid
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/newvillagebraid
