Today we’d like to introduce you to Adassa Ramirez.
Adassa, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
MicMas ReMiX started from a conversation with friends about no longer putting relaxers in our hair to straighten it. I started trimming my hair little by little as the relaxer grew out and began using only natural oils in my hair such as olive oil, coconut oil, etc. From putting chemicals in my hair, there was this vicious cycle of growth and breakage. Once I stopped chemically processing my hair, I began using only natural ingredients as my hair care.
I noticed how much healthier my hair was and better it was growing. My family and friends also noticed the results and wanted me to start making hair oil formulations for their hair, too. This is how I began my small natural hair care business. For the name, I took both of my son’s names, Michael and Mason, and combined it for MicMas ReMiX. This started my journey as an entrepreneur.
First, I started selling on Etsy and soon after on Amazon. Once I established a steady clientele, I created a website to begin selling on my own platform. Through trial and error, I had to figure out marketing my brand which is challenging in a saturated market. I carved my niche as a Puerto Rican shutting down the pelo malo mentality by helping to spread the message that “todo pelo es pelo bueno” and that the texture of hair doesn’t determine whether it’s good or bad.
Has it been a smooth road?
It hasn’t been a smooth road and as I mentioned before there were trials and errors. I spent a lot of money on advertising not fully understanding that it’s not a one size fits all option in terms of what platforms best serve your purpose with the type of audience reached. Not to mention, I had to learn (and still am learning) how to properly utilize social media to market my brand.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the MicMas ReMiX story. Tell us more about the business.
MicMas ReMiX is a handcrafted organic and natural hair care brand. Specializing in properly moisturizing kinky curly, coarse, coily and dreadlocked hair. My brand is known for natural organic oil for hair care while spreading the message that hair textured doesn’t determine whether it is good or bad, “todo pelo es pelo bueno”. In addition, apparel and accessories are sold celebrating natural hair.
What I am most proud of as a company is the opportunity to pay it forward. Through proceeds from sales, it has provided me the opportunity to participate in empowering functions such as UC Santa Barbara’s Redefining Beauty event. In addition, I have been able to give back to the community in Puerto Rico through Operation Backpack; donations and supplies for Hurricane Maria relief and supplies for people affected by the earthquakes in Puerto Rico; supplies for Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas; and raising funds, as well as contributing, towards the Earthship community center being built in Puerto Rico. MicMas ReMiX is a conscientiousness company that sets my small hair care business apart from others.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The hair care industry is forever evolving. Now more than ever, women are dismantling the mentality of “bad hair” in regards to kinky curly, coarse and coily textured hair. It’s not just among the African American community. You are also seeing it with Hispanic/Latinx communities too. There is this push back of women no longer conforming to the European standards of beauty. I don’t see it as a trend, I see it as awareness. I believe the hair care industry will continue to gravitate towards spotlighting natural textured hair and providing more options of products with greater presence.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.micmasremix.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/micmasremix
Image Credit:
Isabella Picicci of BMP Photography and University of California, Santa Barbara
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