Today we’d like to introduce you to Regina Wade.
Hi Regina, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Growing up, I was always taught I could be whatever I wanted to be. My mother and father instilled that in me. I was introduced to entrepreneurship at an early age by my father. He owned his own maintenance services.
I can remember as early as three years old I would style my Barbie Dolls’ hair and make their clothes out of old fabric from around the house. I started to possess many talents which made it hard for me to pick just one. In fifth grade at the age of 10 years old my teacher asked me “ Regina what do you want to be when you grow up?”
I answered and said a hairstylist. Once I got to high school, I had my first client at 16 years old. I did my friend’s hair for free. Once her mom picked her up she thanked me and paid me $20 dollars. From that day forward I knew my calling.
In my 11th grade year, I took up cosmetology. After high school, I went to college to study Business Administration. I did two years of undergrad at Southwest Tennessee Community College. I graduated with an Associate of Applied Science Degree with an emphasis in Business in 2013. Once I graduate instead of transferring my hours to a university I decided to pursue a trade. In 2014, I enrolled in a cosmetology program at Tennessee College of Applied Technology. During this time, I started a natural hair and skincare line made from all-natural ingredients.
I would test my products on my classmates, clients, and family members. I would receive great reviews. I launched Naturally Soul in 2015. I graduated from beauty school in November 2016. Received my License in February of 2017. I quit my 9 to 5 job and became a full-time entrepreneur. My career took off from there. In 2018, I got sick during my pregnancy. I was diagnosed with Lupus. I stopped everything. I thought it was the end for me. Through prayer and support from my loved ones. I got back out there.
In 2019, I opened up a salon suite with my sisters Alexis Wade and Amber Wade called Beauty Beyond Extensions; located in Olive Branch, Mississippi. I relaunched Naturally Soul in June of 2021. I no longer do hair due to my disease but I still work in the Beauty Industry and Naturally Soul is still doing well. God has truly been favorable over my life.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The road has not been smooth for me. Once I was diagnosed with SLE lupus in 2018 my life became an up-down roller coaster. Lupus is an inflammatory disease caused when the immune system attacks its own tissues.
In my case, it would always attack my joints and skin. One of my biggest struggles was constantly having to recuperate from downtime due to Lupus. Due to the bull in me I never let Lupus stop me from pursuing my dreams and accomplishing my goals.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Naturally, Soul is a natural hair and skin care line made of all-natural ingredients from Mother Earth. Naturally, Soul products do not include any preservatives. I started Naturally Soul because I love everything about nature, natural hair aka my “roots”, and life. I want us women of multiple colors to embrace our roots.
We are very unique from the top of our crown to the soul of our feet. We are individual souls none of us are the same. That is what makes us uniquely different. My brand is based on relating us to nature. There are so many harmful chemicals in skincare and haircare products today. My goal is for us to get back to our roots before we had chemicals we only had natural plants and herbs.
Naturally, Soul offers a variety of products. Our best seller is our “Scalp Stimulator”; it’s made of several herbs and essential oils. We also offer a scalp detox, hair/body butter, and a liquid shampoo/ face and body cleanser.
What’s next?
My plan for the future is to globalize the brand more. I plan to start doing more local and state pop-up shops and Hair Shows. I also plan to bring back apparel and accessories.
Contact Info:
- Email: naturallysoul15@gmail.com
- Website: https://naturallysoul.bigcartel.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naturallysoulco
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/reginanatural1
- Other: https://www.beautybeyondextensions.com/
Image Credits
Alexis Wade, Amber Wade, and Miami Mike
