Monica Thornton, a former human rights lawyer, and Lisa Richards, a former corporate marketing executive, came from very different backgrounds, but when they met in NYC through their children, they realized they had one thing in common—they were both frustrated with the world of
hair
extensions. So, they set out to change the way people applied extensions, as well as upgrade the actual quality of the extensions. And with that mission, their salon
RPZL
was born. Their story will not only inspire you to finally start that business you've been dreaming of, but you'll pick up some awesome hair care tips along the way. Check it out below!
StyleWatch:
Why did you two want to start your company? How did the idea come up?
MT: My hair did not come back the way that I had wanted it to after having my second child. I have a lot of actors in my family and they were like 'go get extensions.' Then I quickly learned that it's a very difficult process and wanted to find a solution!
LR: There wasn't anywhere in the world to get same day hair extensions. In addition, hair extensions were expensive, the quality of hair was subpar, it was damaging to your hair and it took upwards of 5 hours after waiting weeks to return from your initial appointment (consultation and color match service) where you had to pre-pay for your hair. We were determined to find a way to save both time and money on extensions.
How quickly did it go from being just an idea to an actual company? What was the process like?
LR: Monica presented the idea to me over dinner one night and within a week we came up with the name (RPZL), filed for an LLC and secured the website url (from China) and all social media handles. The next 9 months we finalized our operating agreement, found a prime location in the trendy flatiron district, completed a gut renovation, raised over $1 million dollars, and created all the branding, logos, names and marketing materials. We also created a website, perfected the RPZL hair extensions line (including clip ins, ponytails, tape extensions and ultrasound keratin extensions), hired employees and trained them for both extensions and blowouts and secured an exclusive with the
NYTimes
style section for a major feature, followed by major and extensive TV, print and online coverage. We were fully booked on our first opening day.
Krista Njapa
What is something surprising you would want people to know about what it's like to start your own company?
MT: It is both the hardest and most fulfilling thing you will ever do. On a daily basis, you are faced with both unthinkable challenges (think pipes breaking the morning of your
NYTimes
interview and exclusive photo shoot) and incredibly rewarding experiences (think girls literally crying because they feel even more gorgeous and confident). You need to be in love with the entrepreneurial life and its dramatic highs, lows and frantic pace.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own business?
LR: Select the best business partner(s) that compliment your skill set and have the same risk tolerance, decision making skills and work ethic. It all comes down to trust, hard work, determination and execution.
Krista Njapa
What's your day-to-day life like now?
MT: Between us, we literally work around the clock. Fortunately, I like to stay up very late and Lisa wakes up at 4:45am so one of us is always available to manage requests, challenges and last minute opportunities. We are a global company, and therefore, dealing with a multitude of time zones so our continuous availability is critical. We are focused on our new business plan (a good entrepreneur needs to have the ability to pivot from an original plan(s) when new opportunities present themselves), by taking a modern-day concept and deploying it with an old-school business approach as have other successful beauty product lines (quickly scalable, increased revenue, higher profit and margins). As a first-to-market leader in 2015, product demand and brand was successfully established. Next, RPZL's tri-fold business model will expand and quickly grow to include other hair extension applications, hair extension care products and accessories.
What's your go-to hairstyle? What products do you each use in your hair, how do you take care of it?
LR: Beachy waves or a good pony! I wear one running, to a meeting or even to a big event. I love our RPZL Pony clip-ins. For my beachy waves, I love R+Co's Salt Spray. My absolute go to!
MT: Loose, romantic waves. I love
Rene Furterer's Karité
line to deep condition my ends and strengthen them! I also love the
Rene Furterer Volumea Volumizing Foam
for more volume. I am also a huge advocate of the
Complexe 5
treatment. A must try. It is addicting.
Krista Njapa
What is a big rule of hair care you are dying to tell the world?
MT: Hair extensions are not damaging if you take care of them properly and get the right type of extension to match both your hair and lifestyle. Our headmasters at RPZL are trained to ask you all sorts of hair and lifestyle questions to help determine which extension is the best fit to both enhance your look and complement your everyday life.
What's a mistake someone can make when getting them? What should they look out for?
LR: Always make sure that the hair is 100% Virgin Remy hair. This means that the hair's cuticles are properly aligned in relation to its neighboring hairs. With 100% Virgin Remy hair, the strands remain softer and silkier, and there is minimal shedding, creating a natural look. Also, with 100% Virgin Remy hair, you can color, cut, curl or even use a flatiron. Extensions that are not made with 100% Virgin Remy Hair are not only prone to shed and cannot withstand heat tools like your normal hair, but also do not retain the style. Nor do they last as long as 100% Virgin Remy Hair extensions.
Last question, how often do you each wash your hair?
MT: 3 times a week.
LR: Five times a week because of my workout schedule!
Krista Njapa
Related:
Seven Dazzling Ways To Add Some Flair To Your Hair