( ENSPIRE She Did That ) Luxury Hair Care Brand Shedavi Provides Natural, Botanically-Based Holistic Hair, Skin And Nail Products Globally
ENSPIRE Contributor: Re’Dreyona Walker
Chicago native Elizabeth Davis has created a haircare brand that will no longer have women roaming through the aisles in Target in search of the right product that will help them achieve their hair goals. Shedavi, which was founded in 2016, was created as the result of Davis’s passion for mixing natural elixirs made with herbs, essential oils, and Ayurveda products for her own hair. After testing out her recipes on herself and friends and realizing it actually created healthy hair growth, she then went on to develop her passion into a profitable business, earning around $1 million in revenue only a year after the brand’s official launch.
“Shedavi has effortlessly built a lifestyle-conscious brand that caters to full health, wellness and beauty, giving life and longevity to our customers,” Davis said in an interview with Authority Magazine. To date, Davis also has been featured in Forbes, CNBC, MadameNoire, Black Enterprise and The Oprah Magazine.
Davis, now 35, is a former engineer who graduated from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Construction Engineering Technology. She made her mark in the construction industry by managing multi-million dollar projects for large corporations, such as the construction of Porsche’s North American headquarters in Hapeville, Georgia, and the MGM Casino at the National Harbor in Washington, D.C.
But after her side business took off, she began the career of her dreams and proceeded to take the beauty, health, and wellness industry by storm. She developed Shedavi to help customers create a wellness lifestyle that inspires simplicity, consistency, and transformation from the inside out.
The unique thing about Shedavi is that no other hair care brands offer products of this specialty. The brand has successfully distinguished itself from other products in the competitive beauty industry by offering natural, vegan products such as the Hair & Scalp Growth Elixir, Hair Growth Vitamins, Crowned Moisturizing Shampoo, and Conditioner, as well as the Transitioning Naturals Bundle and more.
Davis has truly changed the natural hair care game with her brand Shedavi. Not only has she created a profitable business, but she has become a role model for many aspiring women entrepreneurs of color. Davis recently spoke with ENSPIRE Magazine about Shedavi’s success, her inspiration behind the brand, and how aspiring businesswomen of color can become leaders in their chosen fields.
What moment inspired you to start Shedavi? How did you create the name?
Elizabeth: Looking back into my college years I began to notice that my hair was bouncy and healthy after receiving press wraps and styles but would not grow past my shoulders. I immediately looked for a solution for my personal problem not realizing I would eventually be birthing my business Shedavi.
Why did you want to specialize in natural, holistic vegan products?
Elizabeth: Ensuring that the products I sold were natural, holistic vegan was for the health benefits. I wanted to be able to provide my customers with beauty benefits that they would not have to sacrifice their health for.
How did you learn to create your products?
Elizabeth: My previous passion for having healthy long hair combined with research skills lead me to exploring various forms and online publications and books regarding hair and herbal remedies and how they can be applied to the hair to produce results. By using my resources I was able to treat my products and build a life around something that I enjoy to do.
Since launching Shedavi in 2016, how do you think the success of your business has impacted your life?
Elizabeth: The success of my business has impacted my life in so many different ways. First it gave me the ability to learn faith and patience. It also gave me the opportunity to quit my full time job as a construction engineer and become self employed working full time in the industry I first fell in love with as a young girl.
Would you ever go back to working in construction engineering?
Elizabeth: I would love to go back to construction engineering. But preferably if I did go back I will be the owner of the project. Creating the building fireman is still a passion of mine and I really enjoy being able to problem solve and will doubt the vision of individuals who get to enjoy the energy effort in the planning that goes into each and every project. It brings me joy Seeing projects to completion and its functionality and how it has the effect on Someone’s mood and productivity and overall well-being.
For the past year, the pandemic has greatly affected businesses nationwide. What has kept you and your team motivated during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Elizabeth: By sticking to our goals and focusing on building Shedavi.
What advice do you have for women who want to become entrepreneurs and start an eCommerce business from home? Especially during this difficult time?
Elizabeth: The advice I will give to other women is to know who you want to serve and be sure to cater everything you do around that.
Do you think of yourself as a strong leading woman of color in business? How are you leading in your perspective field? And how can future businesswomen rise to lead in their chosen field?
Elizabeth: I am a successful black woman who walked into self realization providing me the life of my own crafting. but To truthfully answer that question of whether I am a strong leading woman in business—both yes and no. I am a strong woman in business, I am a strong black woman in business and I am a strong person in business and a strong human regardless of sex, race or class. I have made success in various ecosystems and have been able to converse with any age race sex or class because I am a strong individual.
As for other women to lead in their chosen fields, I would suggest defining the intrinsic value in what you do. Allow your work to be the reward itself.
And there you have it. Keep up with Elizabeth Davis via Instagram, and visit the Shedavi website to view some of her amazing products.
