A London-based freelance writer and journalist who struggled to find natural gel that worked for her hair has launched her own eco products after a successful crowdfunding campaign.
Maxine Harrison came up with the idea for her business, Laid Locs, in February 2021 and used crowdfunding platform Crowdfunder to raise £2,000 from 44 supporters.
The money raised was used to put her Flaxseed Hair Gel through stability testing - and make sure the preservatives used in the products, which are now sold on Etsy, are all naturally derived. She also hired a cosmetic scientist using funds of her own to help create the formula for the gel.
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The biggest challenge she has had since launching, said Ms Harrison, is finding time to market her products.
“It requires planning and strategy which can be tricky to keep up with, especially with social media algorithms,” she explained.
Ms Harrison, who is currently only selling within the 海角视频, has ambitious plans to ship internationally next year and become established in street store stockists - including hair shops and hairdressers - rather than just online.
“My long-term dream for Laid Locs is for it to be an established company recognised for focusing on both natural and sustainable solutions, for those with thicker hair textures in particular,” she said.
The biggest lesson she has learnt on her journey? That setting up a limited business requires more paperwork than being just a sole trader.
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She added: “Aside from Laid Locs, I am a freelancer registered as a sole trader and I've noticed there is a lot more admin required when signing up as a limited business. But I believe it was the best decision for the type of business that Laid Locs is.”
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