For this issue, Ashleigh and I had the opportunity of speaking with Wendi Levy, one half of MixedChicks . MixedChicks is a hair care line for women with naturally curly hair. Their mission statement states that "whether you're Black, White, Asian, Latin, Mediterranean, or any glorious combination of the above, you'll love the way these non-sticky, lightweight, products leave your hair inviting to touch as they define and lock moisture into every curl." As a black woman with natural hair that grows into tightly coiled curls, I wasn't sure that a product called MixedChicks would be for me. However, after just one use I knew that it was a product that controlled ALL kinds of curls, and decided to immediately contact the women to gain light and perspective on this genius merge of female entrepreneurs, Black and White love, and curl control products for women all over the world.

The Coup Magazine: First, what inspires you?

My inspiration was my own hair and constantly mixing and matching products. It's crazy to have to find 6 different products to blend, and then one would get discontinued and it was a real challenge. Let's just say that I was inspired by my own frizz. I'd look into the mirror and say 'Oh Nooooo'. After mixing products for a while I began to also mix for other friends with hair like mine. My parents weren't business people and had never thought of the possibility of starting from scratch. One of my friends Kim that I would mix products for suggested we go to a lab and mix and package a product to sell. She inspires me also.

How did the two of you meet?

I worked with Kim's sister at a branch of Virgin Records. She was also biracial and knew that I use to mix products. I ended up meeting Kim and I think they saw me one day at a pool without the product in my hair and they were like ohhhhhh.

Do you find your ability to identify with more than one race/culture an advantage, or has it sometimes proven more of an obstacle?

I grew up in New Jersey, and there it was a lot more segregated. My mother has black parents and she went to beauty school, so I learned how to control course to curly hair from her. But I was always on a quest to find something for myself. I guess because of the segregation, I never knew that there were so many other biracial women with the same problem. In Jersey I knew many Jewish and Israeli girls that had similar hair, but it wasn't until I moved to California that everywhere I looked I saw and met women that would relate to the problems that I was having. So I never looked at my situation as either an advantage or obstacle. It just was what it was.

What inspired the name of your brand? And considering the assumed political incorrectness of "mixed" as a racial category, did you receive any negative feedback when you branded your product with that name?

People say all kinds of things. People would say 'Mixed Chick? Aren't you more than that?' Kim and I brainstormed about different names and mixed, to us, was the most inclusive. It was catchy and fun, and neither of us was offended by it. Mixed is inclusive because we're saying that it's not just for biracial women, it's for people who have curls. I was raised by a black mother who checked me regularly, and mixed really describes most of us, black people here in the US and other multi-racial people. I received several emails from African-American women initially, but I am ready to defend myself with anyone who thinks I am trying to distinguish myself.

Considering the financial and emotional burden of beginning your own company, why did you choose to make your own hair products? Why not pitch the idea of hair products for bi-racial people to already-established black (or white) hair lines?

You know, I never even considered that. Once you pitch something to a major company something gets lost. They test the products on manican heads most of the time. We are testing the products on ourselves and women like us. At a major hair line, me or Kim, or my cousins and friends wouldn’t be testing the products, so it just wouldn’t be the same.

What are some social obstacles you have faced (if any) as female entrepreneurs? Black entrepreneurs? Bi-racial entrepreneurs?

I don’t see any obstacles. I don’t see my gender as being an obstacle. The problems that we may face are normal. That’s the way the world works. Like some of the mainstream salons were unsure about carrying a product called MixedChicks, but that’s an issue when it comes to all ethnic products.

How does your product compare to curl enhancement and anti-frizz products of companies like Pantene Pro-V Relaxed and Natural, Carol’s Daughter, Garnier, etc.?

You know I hadn’t tried major ethnic brands when I started conceiving the line. Jada had just bought Carol’s Daughter and there was talk about it, but I’ve never personally tried them. However, from what I hear from our customers, our product is a little lighter on the hair and more affordable.

You mentioned on your site that your product does extremely well with White women that have bi-racial children. I am Black, have natural hair, and the product works wonderfully for my tight curls. However, I wasn’t sure what the result would be when I first heard of the product, and likely, many black women with natural hair may not think that it is for their hair. Do you have any plans to reach out to black women, specifically?

I would like to reach out but I would have to expand, and right now we have only two employees. I need somebody here working with me everyday with that hair texture, going to the lab with me. My mother is coming our here, and I’m actually having a baby in a couple of months and want to try some things on her hair. I would love to expand and provide products for many different textures. We have shine serum and setting lotion, but as far as making the spectrum, I don’t want to make something that I hope works. I want to make sure. Maybe with my mother’s help and hair then we can come up with something. Maybe my daughter will and that will inspire me.

Throughout your life, what has been a misconception (if any) about you as a bi-racial woman?

The misconception would be that I am not proud or aware of being black, or that I think that there is something special or better about me because I’m mixed. I understand the history, I understand the struggle and how I feel in my heart. That doesn’t mean that every day that I woke up, I wouldn’t acknowledge that I have a white, loving father.

Where do you see your company in ten years?

I don’t usually look that far ahead. I’m so busy with day in anda day our and with opportunities that are right in front of me. I would love to expand and include products for the whole spectrum as black people and black hair. That would be great.

What is your advice for The Coup reader?

Always be on your toes, always be your best so that you’re prepared for any opportunity that comes your way. Be aware so that when an opportunity comes, you’re not weak. Make sure you’re always reading a book, make sure you’re always hungry for knowledge.

by Wayetu Moore and Ashleigh Rae Staton