We sit down and chat with Nancy Tanikye-Buah, Founder of The Empress Parlour, a Black-owned Afro & Curly stockist that offers haircare products and accessories at affordable prices with free delivery. Black-owned? And free delivery? Can someone say amen! We discuss with Nancy the hardships of being a Black woman in the hair space, why it’s important to buy Black and what got her into haircare in the first place.
1. How are you, really?
Well, I am very good, thank you. Feeling optimistic about the future and have a lot of plans to bring to fruition. All exciting stuff!
2. What’s a typical day in the life of Nancy Tanikye-Buah?
I wake up around 6:15 am, do approximately 10-15 minutes of meditation and skim clean the kitchen.
Usually, the day is filled with tackling emails, answering customer queries, fulfilling orders, webinars and/or meetings, administration, stock checking and business development. All in different orders, depending on the day.
Then a cup of peppermint tea with honey to end the day.
3. How important is hair to you?
Like a lot of women in our community, hair is very important to me. We’ve been raised to perceive it as a massive part of our beauty. It’s our crown. And our business is based on it.
You can do your make-up and contour to the highest degree, you can slay in your best outfits, but if your hair isn’t done (well), it can let the whole look down!
4. What was the inspiration behind The Empress Parlour and what makes it unique?
It’s from going to traditional high street hair shops and not really seeing many Black-owned brands, especially British Black-owned brands. Their customer service is not always as good as it should be too. The shop owners do not use the products – neither do their wives or daughters – so are unable to genuinely tell you about the ingredients, what they do and whether it is the right type of product for your hair, etc.
Although there are marketplaces for a very wide range of Black-owned products (which is a brilliant concept), none really specialise in hair care and accessories. And the online hair stores I did find charge delivery fees that are almost as much as a single product or accessory.
So I created The Empress Parlour which has the best elements of each. We’re accessible via email, Whatsapp, Instagram, and the chat facility on our website. We have over 230 different products in our store and counting. We also provide free delivery when you sign up with us and purchase three items in your order.
That’s what makes us unique.
5. As a Black woman, do you face hurdles in the Black hair business, which is ironically dominated by South Asian men?
Unfortunately, yes. Whilst in an ideal world, we would all act in a manner that is professional and treat each other as equals, I have sadly had to face obstacles. Ultimately, I think it is fear-based.
On reflection, it is somewhat understandable in a way and actually applaudable the extent to which some will go in order to protect their livelihood. However, on some days, it can be hard to take when you’re treated differently, especially when you’re trying to run a business buying products specifically for our hair type.
The main thing is not to dwell on these things. One of my favourite mottos is ‘where there’s a will there’s a way’. So instead of sitting on the negative feelings, I get creative and find other ways around them. I see it as an exciting challenge to overcome.
6. How important is it to you to ‘buy Black’?
I believe it’s very important to buy Black. Concepts like this are easily misconstrued and taken in a negative light. It’s important to note that it’s primarily a movement that isn’t meant to exclude or discriminate but to assist the Black community to think about progressing economically. It’s not a campaign not to buy from other communities. Living in a multi-cultural community, it is impossible to do so.
There are other communities that do the same and reap the economic benefits of such. It’s just that it is not announced and therefore they don’t have a specific name or a banner for it.
7. What are some top haircare brands you work with?
Mielle, Flora Curl, Nguvu, Shea Moisture, Keracare, Mane Choice, to name a few. We’re continuously adding more to our lines and in regular talks with new haircare brands.
8. What three tips would you give to a natural hair girl?
1) Love your natural hair type as it naturally is
I currently work with a trichologist, Jacky Van Dreil, and a hair coach, Asha Downs, and recently watched one of their videos together whereby they were discussing the concept of accepting your natural hair type(s). This is something often not talked about and is actually down to your mentality and your personal perception of your own afro/curly hair. It’s that battle some of us have of what our hair should look like as opposed to what it is and what it really looks/feels like.
When you reach the point where you unconditionally love and really get to know your hair (not when its manipulated to look like another ‘hair type’ but as it naturally is), you will not only better diagnose your real hair issues, but you’ll able to make better decisions with your overall regime and product choices in order to get to your goals.
2) Keep your hair moisturised as much as humanly possible
3) Natural hair is so versatile. So experiment with different styles and have fun with it
9. What’s your go-to hairstyle?
I’m a fan of changing up my styles on the daily but if I had to choose, it would be twist outs – especially jumbo ones. I love the big curls!
My favourite protective styles are Goddess Twists, Goddess Braids or African threading under a headscarf.
10. What is one hair care product you can’t live without?
I have so many but if I had to choose it would be Bourn Beautiful Naturals Deep Conditioner. It works so well, makes my hair uber soft (I have 4C hair) as well as smells gorgeous – like sweets! I am also loving Nguvu Shea & Mint Shampoo right now. It’s the first shampoo I’ve tried that is super cleansing but has minimal ingredients in it. It only has three ingredients and smells really refreshing! Absolutely amazing!
YES GURL has partnered with The Empress Parlour to offer you guys a giveaway! Enter for your chance to win and choose your favourite haircare products. To take part, click here. The competition runs from Wednesday 13th to Wednesday 27th April.
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Fantastic read! Go Nancy!