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Email Interview:
What is your name and where do you
live?
Maya
Smith. I’m a Los Angeles, CA native, currently living in Germany.
What is the name of your company?
The
DOUX
What inspired you to create the
product?
As
a licensed professional in the hair care industry for 18 years, I’ve been
notorious for creating the relaxed look on natural hair without the damage of
chemical treatments. A few years ago, when I opened my salon, The HoneyComb, I
found myself bouncing between product lines in two categories:
straight/relaxed, and kinky/curly. There didn’t seem to be one brand that
supported my philosophy: Natural is about freedom. True freedom is about
versatility. Chicks with real hair should be able to use one range to create
any look that they desire, regardless of their style preference. Curly to
straight, then back again from one day to the next without chemicals. It wasn’t
about being natural. It was about being smart.
The
result was The DOUX, a name derived from the French word for smooth, mild, or sweet.
Inspired by my European experience, and my love for hip-hop, I created The DOUX
to give real chicks permission to transform their obsession over their hair
into creativity and self-expression, and to inspire them to explore the full
spectrum of what it means to be relaxer-free.
How do you feel about the natural
hair verses relaxed hair movement?
I
think that in order to call this a movement, you must have two things:
unity and progress. For me, the verdict
is still out...
What’s
DOPE: The beautiful thing about this season in our history is the positive
dialogue that has begun to opened up amongst women of color concerning
self-awareness, health, and quality of life. We have become more informed
consumers, with greater understanding of our buying power, which continues to
influence the products and services that are being offered to us in the
marketplace. You can stand in any ethnic hair care isle in America, and have an
warm exchange with someone that shares your experience and supports your decision.
In many ways, I feel like its healing us on some level.
On
the other hand, the “movement” has begun to stir up an energy that I believe is
the exact opposite of what was intended. I meet women every day who went
natural to get free, only to find that they are not accepted by “the community”
because they choose to rock a blowout, or use products that aren’t organic,
have silicones, etc. After months of internet research, and hundreds of dollars
in product purchases, many of us find still find ourselves under the scrutiny
of “The YouTube Alumni”, telling us what we should/should do to our hair, and
wether or not we are natural enough. Natural vs. Relaxed has in many ways
turned into an Us vs. Them. That’s WACK. We are smart
chicks with real hair, not Crips & Bloods.
Do you feel defined by your hair as
a woman of color?
Not
at all. I refuse to be that wrapped up into anything that can be gone tomorrow.
I wake up every day with the realization that everything, including my hair is
a gift. If you’ve ever had a friend or family member who’s battled cancer, your
know that you are fortunate. Being a woman of color might define my curl
pattern, but my hair is only one of the things that make me interesting. I
would be twice as awesome if I were bald.
I
keep it simple. Old school. Silk scarf. (you know the one that you’ve had since
high school that you refuse to part with?) When I wear it straight, I pin-curl
it at night, because once it’s been straightened, I don’t use heat on my hair
again until the next time I wash it. When I wear it curly, I hydrate it with
BONITA AFRO BALM and tie it up with a scarf or bonnet.
Where do you hope to see your
company in 5 years?
I
see The DOUX as a global lifestyle brand that inspires creativity and supports
and serves community. It is important to me that the people who use my products
benefit directly from its growth, and that their communities see and feel the
impact of my brand’s presence. I hope to expand my brand to create jobs and
training, and mentorship for young hair care professionals, chemists, artists,
and entrepreneurs.
Please answer questions below if you are a mother:
How many children do you have?
5.
All boys, ages 2-10.
What is your favorite thing about
being a mother?
Tax Returns!
(just kidding)
My life is a
24-hour Harlem Shake. I love it. Every night is a sleepover, and every day is a
comedy show. It’s one thing to have kids that you love, it’s another thing to
be rearing people that you like. It’s
a lot of hard work, but I’m surrounded by 5 little men (and one big one) who
adore me. These are the people that will grow up to be gentlemen who’s company
I enjoy.
How has your child inspired you to
follow your dreams?
My eldest son was diagnosed with autism at age 2. For the
past 10 years, I’ve watched a child who was not even supposed to be able to
speak live a full life, make friends, attend a typical school, and make the
honor roll. Living with someone who
daily defies those kinds of challenges shuts down every excuse I’ve ever had
for not being my personal best.
Out of all the valuable lessons in
life, what is the one thing you would tell your child when picking a career?
Whatever you do well when you’re waisting time is probably
what you should be doing with your life. People will tell you to be a doctor,
lawyer, or engineer, but if those things don’t come naturally to you, you are
withholding the thing that was placed in you to bring to the world. We have enough
highly educated people who hate their jobs, and even more people who love their
jobs, but are ineffective in their communities.
Significance and service are what makes you truly
successful. Study your craft, and the money will come. Practicing in what I
love to do has not only created the most fulfillment and financial stability in
my life, but has touched and inspired people around me.
Closing words or information about your website/product/ or
self that you would like to include.
I think I’ve already said a mouth full...
Also include any links and or stores that you can find your
product.
TheDOUX.com
You can find us on Facebook.com/lovethedoux, and instagram
@ilovethdoux. We plan to be
available in several select Salons and upscale resellers all over the US within
the next few months. Right now, The DOUX is only available at
TheDOUX.com and in our sister salon, Hi Texture Hair in Lawrenceville, GA
(hitexturehair.com). If you’re in the Metro Atlanta Area, check them out.