I Paid the Cost to be The Boss!

I Paid the Cost to be The Boss!

NEWS

Here’s some exciting news about KYH and the great ways we are infusing cultural beauty traditions around the world.

I Paid the Cost to be The Boss!

I paid the cost to be the boss! B. B. King played it. James Brown sang it. I am living it.

In other words, I made many strategic investments to pivot into becoming a multi award winning author, Know Your Hairitage consultant, and celebrity stylist. The investment in myself prepared me for bigger opportunities. Let me explain.

It all started in 2020, when I made the decision to self-publish my children’s book Zara’s Wash Day. Initially, Zara’s Wash Day was set to be a one-and-done passion project.  However, the minute I finished my last edit, I knew that celebrating hairstyles of the African diaspora and Indigenous communities was a topic that had depth and could (and should) be sustainable as a series. This meant that my investment into an author profile, book editing, book design, and illustrations would expand into website design, attorney fees, paid ads, LLC establishment, and a host of other costs to start a full-fledged business.

I even paid a fee for every single book award contest I entered.  Participating in the literary award process was one of my ah ha moments.  It made me realize that, in most cases, you don’t get discovered and rewarded for being or doing something awesome.  You actually have to believe in your awesomeness, fill out an application, and pay a fee to be considered. And while placing in any contest is a great boost to an individual’s brand and confidence, the cost ranged from $60-$400 per event.

Let’s not forget about all the applications and tools needed for brand continuity such as professional versions of art applications, social media profiles, website plugins, virtual assistants, post office box, vending set up, etc. I even had to budget for wardrobe, make-up, and a photographer to level up on my personal branding.

Starting out, I remember being told countless times how to cut corners and launch cheap. I was even criticized by a book coach on the investment I made to launch my book. I began to feel defeated and questioned all my decisions.  But when my finished product came off the press and my graphics began posting online, my book essentially became my business card.  The effort and quality I put into the presentation and content allowed me to enter rooms as an authority and be paid as such. Prioritizing your spend is important but accepting that you have to spend money to make money, is a psychological shift that many of us who did not grow up with money, have to work on. In other words, being the boss will also cost you time and your comfort zone.

I invested close to $17,000 and my return on investment was monumental. I laugh now when I think about how in December of 2020, I had to decide whether to pay my mortgage or buy my first order of books after hitting the publish button.  Three years later, I have tripled my annual income and there is no cap on my earning potential.  The best part is that even though I gave up my nine-to-five corporate job to work twenty-four-seven, I get to be a happy and present mom for my daughter, Zara.  And that my friends, is priceless.

Zenda Walker is the award winning author of Zara’s Wash Day and CEO of Know Your Hairitage,LLC-a business consulting firm.  Zara’s Wash Day and her second book, Zion’s Crown will be published globally under Running Press Kids in 2024.  Visit www.knowyourhairitage.com for more information and booking inquiries.

Three Steps I took to Enhance the Hair Wash Day Experience

Three Steps I took to Enhance the Hair Wash Day Experience

NEWS

Here’s some exciting news about KYH and the great ways we are infusing cultural beauty traditions around the world.

Three Steps I took to Enhance the Hair Wash Day Experience

Textured hair, ranging from afros to curls and coils, is a crucial aspect of Black women’s identity as it links to our culture, ancestry, and social and emotional well-being. The resurgence of the natural hair movement is challenging Eurocentric beauty norms, and we are here for it! As a hair stylist and natural hair enthusiast, I enjoy seeing people fully embracing their textured hair.

And while the natural hair movement has made strides towards dismantling Eurocentric beauty standards, there is still some residual colonial sentiment that we as a community must continue to dispel. This is an inside job my friends. It starts with one of the most important beauty rituals practiced by so many people of African descent…Wash Day.

Hair Wash Day is the number of hours or days set aside to attend to the care and styling of textured hair. Curly, coily, textured hair requires additional moisture and due to the intricacies of some of our cultural hairstyles, often requires additional time and attention to detail. This makes Wash Day the best opportunity to bond with our loved-ones and speak life into each other, rather than perpetuate negative sentiments. So how can we change the narrative and continue to uphold the social and emotional health of our community? Here are the three “Ps” that changed the Wash Day routine for me and my daughter, Zara.

PREPARATION. Studies show that structured activities for children can create a sense of security and predictability. This can lead to better emotional regulation for both you and the child. Once I started to include Zara in the planning of Wash Day, she stopped rebelling and exhibiting signs of irritability. I even started to build excitement leading to our bi-monthly appointment by letting her know that I look forward to that time with her and letting her choose the hairstyle. It also helps to have the products you need on hand to create the end result and make sure you create buffer time to complete the appointment. You may also want to consider picking out a movie or music that can keep the child entertained throughout the appointment. This way, wash day is happening with the child and not to the child. 

PATIENCE. As the leader of this 4C household, I know first-hand that the detangling process can present challenges, especially on a tender head. Some of my earliest memories of Wash Day was muscling through the pain of a heavy-handed auntie who had no issue silencing my cries and strongly suggesting that I “toughen up.” As an adult, I sarcastically joke with my girlfriends about this shared experience, but I admit that this iteration of “being seen and not heard” and suffering in silence was traumatic. I had to find a way to break the cycle for me and Zara. Today I recommend acknowledging the child’s discomfort and using detangling techniques/tools to minimize discomfort. For instance, gently finger detangling and misting the hair with a leave in conditioner can prep the hair prior to detangling with a comb or flexible detangling brush. Also, using wide-tooth comb to gently rake through small sections from the ends to the root can minimize damage and tugging. Lastly, bundling the detangled hair into loosely braided or two-strand twisted sections (6-8 depending on density), and shampooing and conditioning one section at a time to keep the strands detangled.

POSITIVITY. Speak life into the child and practice using affirming language, even in times of frustration. For example, our hair is not “difficult, tough, or hard to deal with.” The coils, curls, twists, and zig-zag strands have personality. Our hair is linked to our powerful ancestry. Then try showing children pictures of great Black leaders who have hair like them. This foundational information builds confidence which can transform how children and adults approach the world and see themselves. I noticed a huge difference in Zara’s self-esteem once I took this approach. Our collective transformation inspired the book Zara’s Wash Day.

We have the power to dismantle hundreds of years of negative attitudes towards our aesthetic. It will not happen overnight. But let’s hold hands because it takes a village.

 

 

 

Zenda Walker is the award winning author of Zara’s Wash Day and CEO of Know Your Hairitage,LLC-a business consulting firm. Zara’s Wash Day and her second book, Zion’s Crown will be published globally under Running Press Kids in 2024. Visit www.knowyourhairitage.com for more information and booking inquiries.

Five Steps I took to Grow My Author Brand

Five Steps I took to Grow My Author Brand

NEWS

Here’s some exciting news about KYH and the great ways we are infusing cultural beauty traditions around the world.

Five Steps I took to Grow My Author Brand

If you have been following me on social media, you will know that I have been on quite a journey since self-publishing Zara’s Wash Day in December of 2020. I will never downplay the steps it took to level up as an entrepreneur. I worked hard. I am a divorced mom, who at the time, worked a demanding nine-to-five job, homeschooled my daughter during a global pandemic, juggled a side hustle hair styling business, and struggled to find a glimpse of time to write my first book. However, the path to securing a trade deal with a top five publisher began with five attainable steps.

First, BE INTENTIONAL. I was intentional about my goal of becoming a full-time author and workplace diversity and inclusion consultant. I knew that once I wrote Zara’s Wash Day, I had to commit to investing in the process, becoming a public figure, marketing my book daily, and potentially leaving my full-time job.

Second, CREATE A QUALITY PRODUCT. I wrote a good book. What constitutes a “good book?” Well, I made sure that I took time to research my topic from credible sources. I invested in a developmental editor. The meat of my book was great, but it needed to be refined. Truth be told, my manuscript was full of corrections and feedback notes from my developmental editor. Seeing all those “track changes” initially had me in my feelings. But her feedback made Zara’s Wash Day what it is today. She made sure the versus actually rhymed and had a fun cadence for readers. She also advised me to shorten the book which meant I had to cut out an entire section that I had grown attached to. Additionally I invested in an illustrator, Princess Karibo, and book designer, Anthony Foronda. I sought an illustrator who could respect the beauty of the Black aesthetic and honor the movement of textured hair. I wanted a designer who could put the book together in a way that would stand out on shelf, in print, and online. This team understood the assignment and trusting their expertise freed me up to concentrate on my strength…writing.

Third,THINK BIGGER. I was in this for the long game. I built out a full brand with my book being the tool that established credibility and awareness. Initially, Zara’s Wash Day was going to be a one-and-done project. But by the time I finished the manuscript, I realized that the message was bigger than just one book. I realized that most ethnic communities have a hairitage- hair customs, traditions, beliefs and practices passed down by an ancestor or predessessor. So, I asked myself, ” How can I be more inclusive and set the business up for longevity?” The next step was to change the book title to something that I knew would resonate with my community- Zara’s Wash Day.Then I named the series, Know Your Hairitage.

Fourth, BE PREPARED…TO TALK ABOUT YOURSELF. I mastered my elevator speech. I left my corporate job but held onto the knowledge and relationships I gained as a corporate leader in marketing, communications, sales, and education. I operated in my strengths and applied what I learned from larger corporations. The breakthrough happened when I fully understood the mission of my books and business. Then I poured my creativity and swag into each strategy execution. As a smaller start-up (or shall I say, as a one-woman-show), I experimented with my audience and adjusted with speed and agility. This also meant that every day I was talking about myself and my product. That was difficult because I had to step outside of this notion that being humble and grateful would work better for me as a Black, woman entrepreneur. In fact, being less humble was the fuel I needed to light the fire. Even when I did not want to,  I posted, created content, carried my books everywhere, and networked-I lived a breathed my brand. Every time I left my house or got ready for a call, I had this phrase playing in my head, “Prepare right now to be sick of me!”

And lastly, DO IT SCARED. I was terrified when I uploaded my final book files and hit the go button on the IngramSpark self-publishing website. The fear of regret prevailed. I had to get comfortable with the idea that fear can exist in the same space as courage. I took action (and pause when necessary) while allowing myself to feel all the feels.

I hope that this formula for leveling up will help someone out in the world who is ready to take the leap into entrepreneurship, or who is struggle to breakthrough.

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Zenda Walker is CEO of Know Your Hairitage-a business consulting firm.  She is the award-winning author of Zara’s Wash Day, the first book in the Know Your Hairitage series.  Both Zara’s Wash Day and her second book, Zion’s Crown, will globally launch under Running Press Kids in 2024.

Reclaiming Our Time: Embracing Shrinkage

Reclaiming Our Time: Embracing Shrinkage

People of African descent all over the world are embracing their natural hair texture. There is an influx of social media videos showcasing the versatility of afro-textured hair and we are here for all of it! The celebration of the African aesthetic is a welcomed evolution of the 1960s Black Power movement and the much-needed healing we need from the ongoing policing of coily, curly, strands and protective styles. I went natural in 1997 and quickly learned about the dedication required to keep my hair moisturized, hydrated, and styled. In fact, the upkeep of my natural hair required more product, time, and effort than the chemical relaxer I wore for a brief period in high school. While I did use some of the methods that are popular to define curls today, I often rocked my afro in all its shrunken glory. Today, I am noticing a curl manipulation trend, particularly in highly textured hair, that can be interpreted different ways. First, I acknowledge that the stretching, reshaping, shingling, twisting-out, braiding-out, recoiling, and fluffing is our way of experimenting and discovering all texture possibilities especially now that there are so many curl-specific products in the market. However, I can’t help but notice the lengths (pun intended) that we are going through to make textured hair more palatable for mainstream audiences. I believe that the over-manipulation of our hair is the manifestation of the lingering psychological effects of colonization. For example, let’s examine attitudes towards shrinkage. Shrinkage occurs when the water moisture that expands and lengthens the hair during a wash evaporates and the curl contracts or reduces in length when dry. It is a sign of healthy hair and acts as a barometer for moisture retention. Shrinkage is what our true natural hair texture looks like. Unfortunately, raw texture presented as shrinkage is often judged as unkempt, undone and undesirable. It is common to see influencers pose with shrinkage in disappointment, hopelessness, and disgust before revealing the joyous transition of being “rescued” by anti-shrinkage products. I get it. The frustration is likely linked to the feel and look of dryness. But we are not simply re-misting, adding additional moisture, and allowing the curl to spring back freely. We are willing to add hours or even days to our wash day routines by using techniques that involve blow-drying the hair completely straight-just to re-wet the hair and manipulate sections into another protective style that stretches and smoothes the curl pattern when dry. I’ve learned in my research of this topic that the preference for loosening curl pattern so it is closer in proximity to Euro-centric beauty standards is known as texturism. Texturism also involves the discrimination of people within the same race who have tighter curl patterns. Could the hundreds of years of policing and degrading Black hair, have caused a deeply engrained and subconscious rejection of our raw beauty? At the end of the day, we have to do what makes us feel beautiful and confident. Maybe the time we are dedicating to defining and altering our curls is all about self-care, self-discovery, and self-love. If that is the case, then let’s continue to explore! But if the weight and pressure of Euro-centric beauty standards is continuing to influence what “type” of curl we deem acceptable, it’s time to shift. I’m with Auntie Maxine (Representative Maxine Waters D-CA) and her viral quote from the 2017 House Financial Services Committee meeting on the importance of “reclaiming my time.” The true freedom of just letting my hair be is priceless. I challenge the natural hair community to unlearn attitudes toward shrinkage and begin to peel back the layers holding us hostage from basking in the glory of our authentic curl patterns-shrinkage and all! **** Zenda Walker is the Executive Director of Know Your Hairitage, LLC-a DEI consulting business. She is the author of Zara’s Wash Day– a children’s book that celebrates hairstyles of the African Diaspora. Know Your Hairitage offers in-person and virtual vocational hairitage demonstrations, corporate DEI training, and author visits for K-12 school districts. For inquiries, contact info@knowyourhairitage.com.Visit www.knowyourhairitage.com for more information.
KYH & The C.R.O.W.N. Act

KYH & The C.R.O.W.N. Act

NEWS

Here's some exciting news & information about KYH and the great ways we are infusing cultural beauty traditions around the world.

KYH & The C.R.O.W.N. Act

We were only about six years old. He was the class clown. His race never mattered. He made everyone laugh and so I crushed on him. He liked me too.

We passed notes back and forth in class. He asked if I liked him. I checked the yes box. I asked him the same thing. He checked yes. The mutual feeling had me on cloud nine. Then he asked if I was black or white. I knew I was black but I hesitated. I didn’t understand how in that very moment an anxiety came over me and stomach began to turn. I couldn’t shake the feeling that if I checked black, there was a possibility that he would like me anymore. I held my breath and checked white.
He asked , “So what’s wrong with your hair?”

From that early childhood memory until now, I continue to receive messages about how the world views my textured hair. This is why I wrote Zara’s Wash Day and continue to get involved in legislation that protects our cultural hairstyles.

Although I grew up in a home that affirmed my natural hair texture, I was also influenced by the world around me.  The messages that I received from peers in school, teachers, co-workers and employers was that my hair was different- but not necessarily in a positive way. My hair was always described as weird, untidy, ugly, offensive and unprofessional. It was always confusing growing up because my natural hair texture was my state of being and I never felt like it was ok to just be.

I experienced potential employers taking pictures of me in job interviews and touching my hair without permission.  I even wonder if my natural hair has been a deterrent or created a barrier for my personal and professional growth. The challenge for so many is that our natural hair texture, hair traditions and customs are a part of who we are. Our coily, curly, textured strands, locks, braids and afros are linked to our African ancestry and is one of the most important traditions we manage to still celebrate hundreds of years after the horrors of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade.  Afro-centric “hairitage” is one way that we hold onto our heritage and is also one of the ways we seek true freedom of expression.

I want my daughter to grow up in a world where she is not judged by her hair, but by the content of her character.  I want her to grow up being proud of her natural beauty and being confident about celebrating our hair traditions.  No person should be forced to hide who they truly are and employers should be focused on the competencies of the job and the importance of creating work environments that foster a sense of belonging.

On November 23, 2021 I testified as Founder and Executive Director of Know Your Hairitage, in front of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary in support of H.1907-The C.R.O.W.N Act MA. CROWN stands for Create a Respectful and Open World with No Racism. This legislation was spearheaded by CA Senator Holly J. Mitchell and is supported by The DOVE Coalition. To get involved please visit the following link and sign the petition.

SIGN THE PETITION

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