Fashion helps me to express my creative energy — Funke Davies-Adeloye; Natural hair care expert

Funke Davies-Adeloye popularly known as Rc Davies is a young and creative woman of many parts, trained agriculturist, experienced university administrator, a writer, gospel artiste, wife and mother. She is the lead stylist and owner of Roots et Looks, a natural hair care lounge that specialises not only in care and maintenance of women’s and men’s hair, but also the overall look of her clients. She speaks with YEJIDE GBENGA-OGUNDARE on her journey to natural hair care and maintenance. Excerpts:

What inspired you to go into Natural Hair Care Lounge industry?

Well, I will say the discovery about my own hair spurred me into it. I was introduced into the use of relaxers at a very tender age, so I never knew what my natural hair looked like until some four years ago. Natural hair is beautiful and my discoveries about it made me want to explore it some more. Since I’m very creative, I feel anything about fashion will help me express creativity.

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At what point did you decide that you would take it as your professional work?

You can call me a craftswoman. Anything craft for me is innate and I can be very spontaneous about it. I figured like every other craft I’ve engaged in that I tend to create styles on the spur of the moment, hence I decided to take it professional when I noticed most ladies are not proud of wearing their natural hair out. It appears the definition of beautiful hair in this part of the world is wearing a weave or processed hair (relaxed/texturised); and for those who have chosen to embrace it, they are having difficulty styling it. It’s more like, there is a need to be met in what I have passion for.

What is the unique selling point of Roots et Looks natural care lounge brand?

I wish to state that I did not go through any formal training; It is self taught .Hence, I will say our first unique selling point (USP) is that we get to create more often than recreate styles for our clients. Except for when our clients insist we replicate a particular style, we like to create something typical to each client and even at such insistence; we tend to tweak it a bit.

Second, we operate on appointment only and so our clients are attended to at our agreed time. They don’t have to sit for hours to get attended to. They get optimum attention as we are not in a rush to dismiss them simply because we have other clients to attend to.  To the best of my knowledge, I think we are the only natural hair salon that caters for the overall looks of clients (hairstyling, makeup, fashion styling) and that is a plus for us.

At what stage again did you delve into overall look of your clients such as make-up and   fashion?

I have this approach to life, if something is good, it can be better, and of course best. Many ladies are beginning to embrace their natural hair, but it still amazes me that when it comes to attending some special functions, they prefer to hide it under some weaves/wigs. Natural Hair is too beautiful to be hidden. It can stand on its own and even stand out when you complement it with make-up and a matching outfit. The idea therefore is not to focus on hair only (Afromataz, our former name) but the overall looks of our clients, hence, the rebirth Roots et Looks. We are still the same people but with a different vibe.

Can you tell us how the journey has been so far?

The journey has been fun and challenging. Fun because, I personally see returning to natural hair a journey—a lifetime one at that, hence, I enjoy every stage and equally see to making it as much fun as possible. Like I said, I’m a very creative person and so fashion generally helps me express my creative energy. Challenging when it comes to some clients who fail to appreciate the differences in our hairs. Our hair comes in different textures, densities, curl patterns and responds to treatment differently and our growth rate differs. So, getting some clients to understand these differences or peculiarities can be tasking. Some don’t like to hear the word patience, they want instant result. Some want their hairs to be like mine or like a friend’s whom they started the journey together, when theirs could actually be better if they start loving it and are consistent with how they care for it.

How affordable is natural hair maintenance to imported/artificial ones?

Well, natural hair care and maintenance could be perceived as cheap or expensive. It is cheap for a DIY (Do It Yourself) individual. God has blessed us with many natural things that we can get in our surroundings and even the kitchen to nurture our hair. It will be perceived expensive for an individual using store-bought product.

What are some of the challenges you face as a creative entrepreneur in Nigeria?

I think I have mentioned some under section 5 (with reference to clients). In addition, with respect to being an entrepreneur in Nigeria, shop rents are high, electricity is poor and internet can be frustrating. Hiring an employee can be tasking, more like trying to find the diamonds in a rough especially when you need someone that shares your passion and vision.

What are some of the principles that guide you and your business?

Figure your lane and once you do, stay focused. Not everything you lose is a loss; some supposed losses are necessary for growth. Suffice to say, entrepreneurship is not for the “lazy” as it takes a lot to turn passion to pay. Thus, you have to invest time, money, energy, forgo some leisure and so on. Albeit, it can be very rewarding I must say!

You are a wife, mum and entrepreneur, how do you find balance?

My family first! It has been so since my days of white collar job and it hasn’t changed now that I am an entrepreneur. I operate on appointment only with my clients for now and this has helped a lot to maintain a balance with family and clients. My family members are duly informed of my appointments with clients and I get to make adequate arrangements for them. My clients are not kept waiting for me to attend to my family as I’m available to attend to them at our agreed time and since I operate on appointment basis, there’s rarely a clash of appointments between clients. Indeed, my family knows they occupy this front seat and they tend to understand with me for times when I have to meet some demands that may compete with their space. They support me so much, so I can succeed. God bless them for me!

Where do you see your brand in some years to come?

Become a household name in Nigeria, with several international connections. A successful brand impacting lives positively.