Gillian Nelson, founder of Sunny In Denbigh, is a trailblazer in the natural hair and skincare industry. What began as a personal mission to help her daughters embrace their natural beauty has grown into a thriving brand celebrated for its transformative products and message of self-love. With innovative solutions for common issues like eczema, alopecia, and moisture retention, Sunny In Denbigh stands as a resource for anyone seeking effective, natural care. Beyond products, Gillian’s journey inspires others to pursue their passions, embrace authenticity, and empower future generations to feel confident in their own skin.
Reflecting on your journey, what has been the most unexpected lesson you’ve learned from starting Sunny In Denbigh?
The most unexpected lesson I have learned since starting Sunny In Denbigh is that people will continue to support your brand year after year if you have a good product, offer good customer service and continue to develop new product lines that meet the customers needs.
Your journey started with a desire to help your daughters love their natural hair. How do you think self-love and hair care are connected, especially for young Black girls?
I believe there is a huge correlation between self-love and a woman’s hair. As women we feel most confident when our hair is done and we feel good in our own skin. Having hair that reflects this is very important and can make all the difference in a woman’s confidence and how she shows up in the world. I saw how my daughters having shorter hair affected their self-esteem even as little girls. I also remember being a little girl myself and not feeling confident because my hair was short and my mom didn’t know how to do cool protective styles.
You’ve turned a personal challenge into a thriving business. How do you continue to stay inspired to innovate and create new products?
My inspiration to create is one that comes naturally to me. I need to create to feel fulfilled, it feeds my soul. I’m always thinking of new products or product lines that can help our Sunflowers, it’s like fuel for me. I almost try to get in the minds of the consumer to anticipate what they would want me to create next. I love creating. I am a creator at heart, so the process of creativity is very easy and actually fun for me!
As a working mom who built this business from scratch, what is your secret to balancing family, self-care, and entrepreneurship?
I don’t think balance exists. At least not in my life, there is no balance. You focus your energy on what’s most important at that particular moment. You try to put that fire out and then you focus on the next urgent matter. The important thing though is to realize that you have to put on your oxygen mask first. you have to take care of yourself. Make sure you’re eating well, sleeping well, taking care of your mental health so that you can be everything you need to be for everything and everyone else.
If you could go back to the early days of Sunny In Denbigh, what would you tell yourself when you were just starting out?
If I could go back to the early days of Sunny Denbigh, I would’ve told myself to enjoy the process more. I think there were days when I was so worried about any and everything that I missed some of the most important moments, just being caught up in my head. So, I would definitely tell myself to enjoy the journey, lean into whatever that looks like at the current moment and reassure myself that everything is going to be OK and it will all work out the way it is suppose to!
Sunny In Denbigh isn’t just about hair and skincare products — it’s a testament to embracing natural beauty. How do you hope your brand impacts the way people see themselves?
I started this brand for my daughters when they were younger with the primary goal of wanting them to become more confident with their hair and skin. Having two daughters made me realize how important it is to love yourself and be confident in your own skin. I want women to be able to look in the mirror and feel good about their hair. Feel good about their skin. A confident woman can conquer the world and using our hair and skin care products can definitely help her show up as the queen she is!
Follow on Instagram @sunnyindenbigh
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