Our mission is to help women embrace their natural beauty with confidence.
Vtessia make sustainable plant-based products for women with dry, thinning and damaged hair.
How did it all begin?
Vtessia was born in March 2020, when I developed postpartum alopecia after having my baby in 2019. Losing my hair affected my confidence in ways I cannot describe. Everything I tried didn’t work, so as a cry for help, I started blending my own formulations until I found the perfect solution to regrow my hair. This solution was then turned into a brand, because I wanted to help other women like me to avoid the demoralising experience of hair loss.
What sets your business apart?
We also only use sustainable plant-based ingredients and packaging for our products. We also offer every customer a unique experience, with personalised messages, along with a free gift.
What is the concept behind your business or the problem you’re solving?
Vtessia produce and manufacture products for women with dry, thinning and damaged hair.
Where to next/What is your brand vision?
We aim to be selling in the retail sector, such as Boots or John Lewis by 2023. We want our products to be accessible to all women, with all hair types. We also aim to help more charity organisations globally.
Vicktesha Cunningham
Founder of
Vtessia Cosmetics
What do you feel passionate about/what drives you?
I don’t want anyone to experience low confidence or diminished self worth due to hair loss.
Hearing feedback from the women who have used our products, regrown their hair and had the confidence boost that comes with that really drives us to want to help more and more women.
Share an example of early life that has shaped you?
Growing up in Jamaica, most Saturdays I would accompany my grandparents to the markets to sell fruit and vegetables. This experience helped build and nourish the woman I am today. In addition, selling in markets also inspired my entrepreneurial spirit and taught me about business.
Highlights of your business journey so far?
Since we launched, we have received recognition from several magazines and publications, such as GlamAfrica and Black Beauty hair, which is a wonderful endorsement for our products and their effectiveness.
Key lessons you have learned along the way?
It’s never too late to try. It is also really important to journal and celebrate each win.
Best piece of advice you have received?
You’re more influential than you think.
Advice to an aspiring entrepreneur or woman just starting her career?
Research your market. Add value to each step of the customer journey and remember customers are not avatars – really connect with your target audience. Lastly, when the going gets tough, never give up. You really have got this!
What funding route have you chosen for your business and why?
Friends and family. At the moment this is the best option for us, but this could change in the future as we continue to grow.
Some of the challenges you have faced and how you overcame them?
Making sales online and engaging with my customers on social media. I overcame these by outsourcing those tasks to experts.
Why is it important to support women-led business?
It is important that women come together to support one another and their respective businesses. Being a part of a community helps strengthens our voices, but also gives us more autonomy.
60
Seconds
with
Vicktesha Cunningham
My inspiration is...
To be a billionaire at 40.
My greatest fear is...
To not fulfil my dreams.
The most courageous thing I’ve ever done is...
Travelled solo twice.
Guilty pleasure?
Chocolates.
Mantra you live by?
I was born to be great.
Female role model?
Lisa Nichols.
Women-led brand you love?
Afrocentrix & Nessa Organics.
Top productivity tool?
Setting daily goals.
