Sponsored Post // Anna Baltruschat is the founder and CEO of Afrolocke, the first brand who produces and sells organic-certified natural hair products in Germany for curly and wavy hair. Afrolocke offers high quality natural cosmetic hair care series for afro and frizzy curls.
My dream was to create a natural product that suits my hair and finally ends the search.
At the beginning of 2016 Anna found it nearly impossible to find the right products for her frizzy hair in drugstores. Even in Afroshops the search for natural cosmetics for afro hair was tedious. Additionally, nearly all products in the Afroshops are imported from foreign countries which made them too expensive. After one year, Anna developed her own natural hair products.
I had the chance to talk to Anna about her biggest challenge, her proudest moment and her latest adventure: the Start-Up contest hosted by dm and Start-Next. Meet the female entrepreneur with a hair care business that’s changing lives.
A little trivia about Anna Baltruschat
Born & raised: Born in Filderstadt, grown up in Stuttgart
Currently reading: Götz Werner, Womit ich nie gerechnet habe
Currently listening to: Worship all Day long – I go to the church every Sunday
Favorite dish to order for delivery: Summer Roles are my favorite dish, I love them
Hidden talent: Hobby Journalist
If you could live in any city in the world, which one would you choose: Zurich, I love that it is surrounded by nature, the mountains are in sight and it has a beautiful lake. The city has a creative wipe as well.
Afrolocke, The Brand For Natural Hair Products In Germany
Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your brand „Afrolocke“.
Hi I am Anna from Stuttgart. Since one year I am happily married with Johannes. My roots can be found in Ghana and Germany. Our brand Afrolocke is my heart’s desire. Afrolocke is the first certified natural cosmetic – hair series out of Germany for all curly hair types.
What inspired you to start Afrolocke and why now?
I have been on a long and exhaustive journey of finding the right product for my afro hairs in the nearby drugstore. Since I was a child I have been envied my friends with straight hairs not having any problems in finding products for their hair. My dream was to create a natural product that suits my hair and finally ends the search.
What is your production process like, from concept to finished product?
The most intensive part was the development of the recipe and research to find the right ingredients. Johannes and myself have been researching for months until we came up with the final recipe and found a suitable partner for the production of our products. It is very important to us that all of our products are certified natural cosmetics, but this also comes with its additional restrictions and requirements. It starts with the ingredients and ends with the color mixture that is used in our labels.
What has been your biggest challenge so far?
One of our biggest challenges was and still is to convince the retail business and find partners. A lot of the retailers are struggling to add a niche product like Afrolocke to their line of goods. They simple don’t realize the chance of a product like ours. I am absolutely convinced that Natural Hair belongs to our society and more products should therefor be found in drugstores and in the line of product of retailers.
Was there ever a point when you wanted to give up?
Yeah sure thing, such thoughts and doubts come up now and then. But the great and happy moments are exceeding the bad ones, otherwise we could not put all this effort into the project. We are a small team and we are all burning for the same vision and believing in our brand Afrolocke. And of course, as a Start-Up financing is always a topic that comes up every now and then.
To see our products in the first retail store, Kaufhaus Mitte in Stuttgart, in the shelf was amazing!
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started?
At the beginning of Afrolocke, Johannes and myself, were convinced that we could do everything on our own. But it turned out that this is just not possible. Johannes parents are supporting us with logistics, Aida is taking care of our Social Media presence and we have Matt who greatly supports us with a lot of passion and conviction about our vision with sales topics. Without all these great people it would just not be possible.
What has been the proudest moment since you have launched your products?
To see our products in the first retail store, Kaufhaus Mitte in Stuttgart, in the shelf was amazing and I was very thankful for the trust. We are also very happy about our general development over the past year. Our products can be found in various retail stores all over Germany and the online business is continuously growing as well. I am so grateful for every great feedback of our customers.
Afrolocke in your dm? How great would that be!
Why do you think it’s important for our generation in particular to be more aware of black owned businesses?
I think it is really important that we support each other within the community and pushing other projects. There are so many creative ideas and sustainable projects in our community that are worth supporting. We are always very open for cooperations and events where we can grow together.
You are participating in a crowdfunding competition which is held by DM a drug store chain. Can you please tell us more about it and how we can support you.
Sure! We are currently participating at a Start-Up contest hosted by dm and Start-Next. The three winners have the chance to get listed and their products might be found in the shelves of dm in the near future. Supporting us is very simple. On the start-next homepage you can find our project, by purchasing one of our products you automatically support us. We have great offers, it ranges from a Hair-Workshop to a beautiful set of our products. Afrolocke in your dm? How great would that be!
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Let’s support Afrolocke!
When: 20. Juli 18 – 14. Sept 2018
Website: https://www.startnext.com/afrolocke-naturkosmetik
What: dm Crowdfunding Contest and Startnext
AFROLOCKE is more than just a brand who sells natural hair products in Germany. It is a brand which encourages women to celebrate themselves while building their confidence. I am sure that this brand will change the natural hair game in Germany. Have you seen the ingredients list? AFROLOCKE with its natural hair products is definitely one to keep an eye on. Check them out. #herbizness
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If you have any questions just comment below. Please share this interview to support a black-owned company. Let us inspire other people.
Afrolocke – Develops Natural Hair Products In Germany:
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Image credits: Afrolocke.de
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