Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kristian Franklin. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Kristian, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
I’ve always had a passion for helping people. As the youngest of five, I found ways to stand out, and it always included helping others. I enjoy seeing people happy, and if I can be a positive person in someone’s life, that makes me happy.
So, why hair? Hair can make or break your day. Have you ever had a bad hair day? Have you ever had a great hair day? If you answered “yes,” then you know where I’m headed with this. Our hair is our crown, and when we look good, we feel good.
Growing up, I struggled with self-confidence because I didn’t fully know/understand my identity. My hair was the catalyst of my identity crisis. My flat iron didn’t go a day without coming into contact with my hair. Like most 90s babies, I was addicted to perms/relaxers. I obsessed over straight, shiny hair. If I saw one kink or bend in my hair, I immediately felt an intense urge to fix it.
I learned to take care of my natural hair in college after I did the big chop. The big chop allowed me to understand my hair the only way I knew how…trial and error. I tried many products on the market to keep my hair moisturized, but nothing worked. If something worked, it only lasted for a short while, and my hair was dry and frizzy again. That’s why I became a Natural Curl Strategist. If I was that confused going natural, I know plenty of people are going through the same situation.
So, I did the research, took the classes, and did the experiments. Now, you don’t have to. I am helping people all over the world achieve healthy hair. Nothing makes me prouder than giving back to my community, helping people feel confident about their hair, and equipping people with the tools and techniques they can pass down for generations.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
For those who don’t know me, my name is Kristian Franklin. I am incredibly passionate about helping others and helping my community.
I found myself in hair care because I struggled with my hair my entire childhood. I did not want to accept my curls. I used harsh chemicals in relaxers (now connected with cancer) to permanently straighten my hair. And even still, I used a flat iron daily to straighten any waves that might’ve happened while I slept. My hair was so damaged, and I had extremely low self-esteem. This narrative is very common within the curly/afro-textured community. Many of us were told our natural hair was not acceptable. So many of us had troubled relationships with our identities because the world around us told us we were not good enough. I sought to change that. I don’t want another person growing up feeling bad about themselves because of their hair.
I created a hair care line specific for curly/coily hair. I use entirely natural plant-based ingredients that target the main challenges within curly hair. I know when you look good, you feel good. That’s why it’s essential to have SAFE hair care products that WORK! And Angelic Organics does just that.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
A huge lesson I had to learn is that I am worthy. I grew up in extreme poverty. I am the youngest of five children. We were all raised by one parent with one paycheck. You can imagine how difficult that was. So for years, I thought I had to prove I was worthy of happiness. I needed to work hard to prove I deserved the job. I went above and beyond for friends to prove I was a good friend. I went above and beyond for my family to prove I was a good daughter and sister. In all aspects of my life, I needed to prove that I deserved to be treated with respect. That is not the case. If you only get one thing from this article, please know this, you are worthy because you are YOU! There is no one else on this earth that can be you. It’s just you. You are special, and the world needs you to believe that daily. And as the great prophet Rihanna once said when asked, “what do you do on those days you don’t feel that confident or powerful,” “Pretend!” We are all worthy and deserving.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
The time I had to pivot in business is when I realized there would be no perfect job for me. I job hopped from one industry to the next. I would switch roles as soon as the “new-ness” of a job wore off. I simply was not satisfied with how companies are being ran. So, I created the perfect job! I hope to soon be able to hire more people to join my team and support our mission of inclusion. Please feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn if you want to stay connected.
