Coiff Dew may have started as a personal solution for Holland Strong’s natural hair maintenance, but it quickly evolved into a brand that redefines what it means to care for kinky, coily, and curly textures with intention and ease. In this candid interview, Holland opens up about the inspiration behind Coiff Dew Natural Hair Care, her unexpected plunge into the beauty industry, and how she’s building a wellness-focused haircare brand rooted in health, versatility, and empowerment. From product development to pop-up shops, Holland’s journey is one of resilience, creativity, and community impact. Let’s get into it.
Fancy: Your products, Coiff Dew Natural Hair Care, were inspired by your desire for less maintenance on your natural hair, but what made you offer your products to others?
Holland: Others were experiencing similar needs with respect to natural hair maintenance. After sampling with a few folks, the feedback was very good, so I entered the market. I found that most (women) didn’t want to spend a lot of money/time on natural haircare; they wanted products they could use at home, and they wanted the process to be relatively quick and easy with less toxic ingredients. Lastly, they wanted versatility in styling options – not just a focus on a specific type of style. Coiff Dew Natural Hair Care offers this to the natural hair care market.
It is a challenge, but I admit that I’m up for it!
Fancy: What has your journey in the beauty industry been like?
Holland: It is probably what it has been for most who don’t have exposure to the beauty industry. The product development process is cool because it is almost formulaic. Once you discover the steps in the development process, you can just follow them. The branding/ marketing part—not so much. That part of the process is so dependent on money and relationships—I have neither with respect to the beauty industry.
There is so much to learn. Fortunately, I like to learn new things, so it’s okay with me.
It’s kind of a mixed bag. Unless you have a background in product development, this is new territory for most folk.
It is exactly that. I had some general awareness about the cost of packaging and the market size of the beauty industry but no specific experience in beauty product development. I was clueless to the enormity of the task of bringing a product to market.
Fortunately, there are many resources that provide the information you need. Also, you start to build a community of persons and organizations that provide what you need to establish and grow your business. It can be done if you are willing to learn and work hard. Patience is an important trait to have in this game because it takes a certain amount of time to scale, but it is possible.
Fancy: Do you grow the spices that you use in Coiff Dew products?
Holland: No, I can’t grow anything, lol. I use various suppliers. If you plan to mass-market your product, it wouldn’t be best to try to use something you grow on your own unless you have all of the required approvals and certifications per the country.
Fancy: We know Coiff Dew products are for natural hair, but are they for a certain alphanumeric hair type?
Holland: No, I wouldn’t say so. People with all hair types (3/4C, curly, kinky, etc.) and styles (Twists, Braids, Locs, etc.) have used and enjoyed the products’ outcomes. I actually market the products for all ethnic groups/all hair types/ all family members. Still, they’re specifically designed to work very well on kinky, curly, coily hair because I developed them, and I have that texture of hair.
For some, the “natural” hair market focuses on natural and/or non-toxic ingredients. The Coiff Dew brand is also strongly focused on natural/non-toxic ingredients. The idea is that the quality and natural/non-toxic nature of the ingredients I use can enhance the outcome on the hair/skin/scalp of all who use them. That will resonate with many consumers regardless of their hair type.
I want to leave the “What” and “Why” to use the brand up to the consumer. I want to focus on making the kind of product that is a less toxic, less time-consuming, less costly, and less complex. Coiff Dew Natural Hair Care is a solution across all sectors of the marketplace.
Fancy: Why are you so passionate about the idea that younger people should spend less time worrying about their hair and more time worrying about other life activities?
Holland: I’m so passionate about health and fitness (mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional) because those kinds of life activities have enriched my life and actually helped me on several occasions.
Your hair is a significant part of how you present to the world. It is important, but it should be a balanced part of your overall health and wellness program. Each person will decide how to prioritize spending their resources (time, money, etc). I’m just happy to see so many options for those with various hair types on the market. It wasn’t always that way. I’m also glad that there are more conversations about “whole health”(a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity).
I prioritize whole health and integrate all activities to highlight that. Everyone may not feel that way, but that is why I’m so focused on spending less time on things that don’t promote health.
“Health is Beauty—Beauty is Health,” per the late Andrea Leon Tally. I want to be among marketers who shift the paradigm to this focus, especially in black and brown communities, where the health problems are greater than in majority communities.
The attacks from potentially toxic or harmful products, food, water, or air are cumulative. You can’t be your best self if your body is being diminished by harmful chemicals. It’s all about knowledge: reading labels and knowing what goes into and on your body from your practices and the environment.
With so much current focus on toxic hair relaxers, extensions, etc., I want Coiff Dew Natural Hair Care to be seen as a positive alternative to other choices in the marketplace. I don’t want to contribute to the problems; I want to be one of the positive solution(s).
Fancy: We know you live a busy lifestyle. What does a typical day look like for you?
Holland: I pray/meditate, workout and/or stretch, and refer to my to-do list of things I have to accomplish on any given day. I’m always focused on my business and ways I can gain more exposure and spread more awareness. The weekends are the busiest in the Spring and summer as outdoor festivals and pop-up opportunities open up for small businesses.
I spend my evening hours working on the brand and all that goes into growing it to the next level.
Fancy: What do you find most rewarding about being an entrepreneur?
Holland: The absence of all the negatives you get when you work with folk who don’t have your best interest in mind. My soul does poorly when I’m in environments where conflict and competition is the basis of operations, and rewards are based on being a member of a certain clique. Entrepreneurs deal with those same types of business folks ,but you have more latitude to engage and/or disengage from some of the most distasteful relationships. It’s a creative refuge, as I like the “creative” part of entrepreneurship as opposed to the business part of it.
Fancy: How would you describe your swagher? What makes Holland, Holland?
Holland: My swagher is Intestinal fortitude – roughly translates into being “gutsy,” having courage and determination, being unrelenting in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. All of that wrapped in humility, gratitude, and appreciation for all my blessings.
Fancy: Where can our readers connect with you?
Holland: Connect with me on Instagram @coiffdew. Website – www.coiffdew.com. Thank you!
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