Empowering Curls: A Conversation with Renae Williams, Creator of CoCoBella Natural

Renae Williams is the powerhouse behind CoCoBella Natural, a haircare brand designed specifically for those with thirsty curls. Renae’s journey from battling illness and hair loss to becoming a beacon of empowerment in the natural hair community is nothing short of inspiring. Dubbed an “accidental influencer,” Renae’s mission goes beyond just hair products; it’s about instilling confidence and self-love in every curl.

Through her innovative 3-step QUENCH Complete Curl Care System and her candid memoir, “Keep it Simple Sis: The Journey to Healthy Hair Care and Healthy Self-Esteem,” Renae shares her story of resilience and self-discovery. We sat down with Renae to learn more about her vision and the heart behind CoCoBella Natural.

Can you tell us about your personal journey that led you to create CoCoBella Natural? What inspired you to start this venture?

I was feeling insecure about my appearance after I did the big chop in 2012, so I started a natural hair support group on Facebook looking to connect with women who also needed support on their journey to ‘returning’ natural. I unintentionally became a social media influencer within the natural hair community. Sharing my experience and knowledge of natural hair care led me to partnership opportunities with several brands to promote their hair care products.

They saw that I had gained the trust of my community, and endorsing their products produced revenue for their businesses. Recognizing my influence, coupled with the desire to create something specific for the community, I had grown and decided to launch my own hair care line, leveraging the trust I had built with my community.

How did your experience with illness and hair loss shape your perspective on hair care and influence the development of your product line?

I discovered there were chemicals in the products I was using to relax my hair that were most likely contributing to my respiratory issues and had played a major role in the fibroid tumors I developed. My hair was thinning terribly and falling out in record numbers. I had to make a choice to either continue using harsh chemicals to maintain the appearance of straight hair or get serious about attacking my health issues.

Obviously, I chose health over straight hair. I big chopped in 2012 and began to educate myself on the care of natural hair and healthy hair care ingredients. It became important for me to share with others what I had learned. I gained a loyal following and ultimately was inspired to create my own products to serve the community I had built.

Your brand focuses on catering to those with thirsty curls. Can you elaborate on what makes CoCoBella Natural unique in addressing the needs of this specific hair type?

One of my goals is to dispel the myth that naturally textured hair won’t grow past a certain length. The truth is, that genetics might play a small role in your hair growth, but the most important thing to know is that naturally textured hair needs a sufficient level of moisture and hydration to really grow and thrive.

A consistent hair care regimen using water and products that are infused with natural and organic moisture-enhancing ingredients will help your hair reach and maintain the necessary hydration to combat the dry, under-hydrated, thirsty curls that break and never allow you to reach your hair growth goals. My entire product line was created to solve that problem.

As an “accidental influencer,” how do you feel your platform has contributed to empowering women in the natural hair community?

My approach to achieving almost anything is through modeled behavior. Walking the walk, talking the talk, or being the change you want to see, if you will. It is my belief that when you show up in the world as your authentic self, doing what you do, naturally, encourages and empowers others to do the same.

I built my platform with a goal of supporting women who had made the decision to go natural, either by choice or by circumstance. I wanted to provide a safe space that was free from judgment and criticism while offering hair care education, guidance, tips, techniques, visuals, and videos.

Although my initial focus was natural hair care, the group evolved into much more. We became a place where women came for support with gaining and or regaining their confidence, self-esteem, and self-love. It is a testament that when women get together, there is nothing that we cannot accomplish.

Your 3-step QUENCH Complete Curl Care System has gained significant attention. Could you walk us through the key features of this system and how it benefits curly hair?

Some women question whether they have the patience or time to return to natural. Society has us believing that “wash-day” is an all-day process. My 3-step system was created to simplify your regimen while still providing all of the things needed to keep your hair healthy and thriving. I like to call it the Three C’s of wash day.

1. Cleanse using our Quench Moisturizing Cleanser with ACV. Refresh your curls by washing away buildup and replenishing them with hydrating moisture.

2. Condition with our game-changing Triple Threat Conditioning Treatment. This multi-purpose treatment is an extraordinary detangler, deep conditioner, and leave-in conditioner that will leave your strands silky soft, moisturized, and hydrated.

3. Create the styles that inspire you with our nourishing Intense Hydration Curl Creme. Whether you rock a twist out, braid out, or wash and go, this hydrating creme will define your whole curly world. With this system, your wash day has been simplified in three easy steps and now you can reclaim the valuable time you could be using to enjoy life.

You’ve authored an ebook titled “Keep it Simple Sis: The Journey to Healthy Hair Care and Healthy Self-Esteem.” What inspired you to share this story, and what do you hope readers will take away from it?

“Keep it Simple Sis: The Journey to Healthy Hair Care and Healthy Self-Esteem,” started as a simple FAQ to address questions and concerns from my community as it relates to hair care, but while writing, it morphed into a narration of my personal journey–sharing my experiences of rejection, judgment, discrimination, and eventually self-acceptance and love.

It became a memoir acting as a guiding light, encouraging women to navigate their unique paths, embrace their natural beauty, and cultivate a profound sense of self-esteem. I want my audience to remember that they do not need anyone’s approval to be who they are and to always walk in their authenticity, proudly and unapologetically.

How do you approach the balance between creating products that are effective and natural, considering the varying needs of your target audience?

The delicate dance between effectiveness and natural goodness, all while catering to the diverse needs of my audience is sometimes a struggle. Juggling the desires of health-conscious customers with the need for products that actually work and customers who are just looking for a quick fix can be tricky.

The truth is, my brand is committed to using quality, clean, non-toxic ingredients, period. I would love to have everyone purchase my products, but I have resolved that it is not possible. Our target audience has proven over and over again that they want quality and we deliver every single time.

In what ways do you envision expanding CoCoBella Natural in the future? Are there any upcoming products or projects you can share with us?

As the owner of CoCoBella Natural, my guiding principle is “slow and easy,” emphasizing deliberate and steady growth. While I have some ideas for expanding my product line, I am committed to taking my time and ensuring each step aligns with my values and customer needs. I aim to deepen our presence in current markets through intensified marketing efforts and fostering stronger connections with our existing customer base.

Building upon our foundation, we’ll gradually explore opportunities for product diversification. In essence, our approach to growth is rooted in quality, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. We’re committed to taking measured steps forward, ensuring each expansion reflects our dedication to providing natural, high-quality products that enhance our customers’ well-being.

What advice would you offer to individuals who are embarking on their own natural hair journey or considering starting their own business in the hair care industry?

Embarking on a new journey of any type can be both exciting and frightening. My advice, especially for a woman feeling apprehensive about starting a hair care business, is rooted in a few guiding principles. First and foremost, establish a genuine connection with the business you aspire to start. Passion and commitment are powerful drivers that will sustain you through the challenges. Be ready to roll up your sleeves and embrace the hard work involved.

Success is a gradual process, and overnight triumphs are rare. Take the time to define what success means to you, aligning your goals with your values and aspirations. Remember, “done is better than perfect.” Perfectionism can be a roadblock, so focus on progress and incremental achievements. It’s crucial to acknowledge that the path to success is a journey, and each step forward is a victory.

While seeking advice from others is valuable, always remember that your business is your dream. Build it according to your vision and preferences. Trust your instincts and be confident in your unique perspective. Additionally, don’t be afraid to seek support and mentorship from individuals who have walked a similar path. Surround yourself with a network of like-minded individuals who can offer guidance and encouragement. Believe in yourself, trust the process, and take that leap.