Kam Davis, CEO and founder of afro-textured and curly haircare brand, Nylah’s Naturals, has secured funding following an appearance on BBC One’s Dragons’ Den.
Image Credit: BBC
Photographer: Grab
In our feature on Nylah’s Naturals earlier this year, Kam’s drive and determination for her business to thrive was clear to see. Back then she told us: “Since the foundation of Nylah’s Naturals, we always strive to provide the best quality products to our customers, making a promise to create all-natural, healthy, and sustainable hair care that highlights the beauty of afro-textured hair.” Now, with this injection of cash into the business, she can take her brand to the next level.
During her appearance on Dragons’ Den last night, Kam impressed one of the formidable Dragon investors, businesswoman and entrepreneur, Sara Davies.
During the episode, Sara Davies told Kam: “You don’t have a business worth a quarter of a million, but I think with me on board you could have a business worth that.”
“I am extremely excited about this opportunity.”
An astute Kam brought the facts and figures and much heart and convinced the Dragon to give her the much-needed funding to scale her business.
Kam’s success has bucked the trend when it comes to securing investment as research by Extended Ventures found that while all ethnic entrepreneurs are underfunded, Black entrepreneurs in particular experience the poorest outcomes of all with “only 38 Black entrepreneurs receiving VC funding over the past decade”.
Visibly emotional at securing the investment, Kam said:
“I am extremely excited about this opportunity. Being an entrepreneur does come with stress and uncertainty, but having your work recognised at this level brings an immense amount of joy and a real confidence boost, especially when the support is from an amazingly successful female entrepreneur. I am truly inspired by Sara Davies and her story of success, and absolutely delighted that she is my investor.
“With Sara on my side I feel reassured. I know the journey is going to be tough, but I will make a success of this. There is no other option!”
Growing up in one of Birmingham’s most deprived wards, Kam Davis is now a thriving female entrepreneur, successfully running a business alongside raising her own two children, an especially tricky balance during the UK national lockdown which sees her juggling home schooling on top of her daily household and business management.
Creating a legacy for her children and the next generation was front of mind for Kam when she decided to go on the show.
“By pitching my project to the Den, I was hoping to not just receive the investment, but create a path for other aspiring entrepreneurs who are from a similar background that are to come after me.”
“By pitching my project to the Den, I was hoping to not just receive the investment, but create a path for other aspiring entrepreneurs who are from a similar background that are to come after me. Nylah’s Naturals has always been about authenticity and diversity, and I hope to raise awareness about those groups of entrepreneurs who have been systematically underfunded.”
Kam is planning to invest heavily in her product R&D (research & development) in order to continue to grow her line of haircare products catering to all types of curls, as well as investing in her marketing strategy to spark important conversations about beauty standards and diversity.
Congratulations Kam!
Visit the Nylah’s Naturals website.
