Kameese Davis

mainstream products. Armed with her vision and a deeprooted determination, she decided to pitch for investment on Dragons’ Den, a platform known for its tough panel of seasoned entrepreneurs ready to invest in promising ventures.

Stepping onto the Den’s stage, Davis captivated the Dragons and the public with her unwavering belief in Nylah’s Naturals and its potential to revolutionise the hair industry. She presented her haircare product line with impeccable poise and infectious enthusiasm, emphasising the brand’s commitment to natural ingredients, sustainability, and inclusivity. market of the United States. Entering into the US market holds tremendous potential for the business, offering a multitude of opportunities for increased visibility, customer reach, and market penetration. With careful planning and strategic execution, Nylah’s Naturals seeks to establish a strong foothold in the US within the next five years.

Facing a panel renowned for razorsharp scrutiny, Davis skillfully navigated the challenging questions, showcasing her industry knowledge, meticulous research, and unwavering passion. Despite securing and then walking away from the £50,000 investment, Kameese’s unwavering commitment to crafting high-quality, plant-based solutions for haircare has led to her emerging as a leading force in the industry.

With her daughter as the source of inspiration behind the brand, Kameese wanted to ensure that she had access to solution-focused, non-toxic, highperformance products that would not aggravate her skin and scalp, but were also tailored specifically to the distinctive needs of black women with textured hair. Possessing the passion and dedication that drives her to create exceptional hair products, the remarkable CEO and founder is just getting started with her plans to build a global business.

Nylah’s Naturals, which launched in 2018, has won several notable business and industry-specific awards, the most notable being Best Afro Shampoo in the 2021 Women’s Health Awards Haircare category and in 2022, Kameese became the recipient of the Most Influential Business Person of the Year Award at the Multicultural Business & Community Champions (MBCC) Awards.

Tell us about your childhood/ teenage years and any experiences shaping your entrepreneurial journey.

During my formative years, I encountered numerous challenges that demanded my unwavering determination and resilience. Growing up in a single-parent household, I witnessed the harrowing realities of domestic violence, which my mother bravely endured. Compounded by the economic disadvantages prevalent in my community, statistical probabilities seemed to conspire against my prospects for success. Within this environment, I perpetually found myself viewed as an outlier - a distinct individual who deviated from the norm. I faced criticism for my manner of speech, as my mother consistently stressed the importance of articulate communication. Additionally, my unconventional interests in philosophy and astrology further set me apart from my peers in the local area, exacerbating the sense of not truly belonging.

What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced running your own business?

income streams to support and propel the brand’s expansion. While this approach has yielded some success, it has also presented its fair share of challenges. Balancing and managing these diverse revenue streams has demanded considerable effort, time, and resources, often stretching my capabilities to their limits. However, despite the inherent difficulties, I remain resolute in my commitment to navigating these obstacles and persevering in pursuing my vision for sustainable and robust growth.

What have been the highlights of your entrepreneurial journey so far?

As part of their ambitious growth strategy, Nylah’s Naturals have set their sights on expanding into the vast

The most significant hurdle I have encountered in my business journey is the lack of access to adequate working capital necessary to execute the growth strategy required to establish a substantial foothold in the market. Consequently, I have explored multiple

The pinnacle of my personal journey thus far has been the remarkable growth and development I have experienced in my professional pursuits. Through dedicated effort and a commitment to continuous improvement, I have honed diverse skills that have elevated my performance as an individual. My journey has significantly enhanced my communication abilities, enabling me to articulate ideas with clarity, persuasion, and precision. Furthermore, my strategic management skills have flourished, allowing me to analyse complex situations, devise innovative solutions, and make informed decisions that drive success. As a result, I have cultivated a strong presence in public speaking, confidently engaging audiences and effectively conveying messages. These achievements reflect my unwavering dedication to personal growth and my unwavering belief in the power of professional development to unlock new opportunities and propel me towards continued success in my chosen field.

If you could start all over again, what would you do differently?

Reflecting on my business journey, it would be to apply for working capital much earlier in the trajectory of my enterprise. Recognising the pivotal role that adequate financial resources play in fuelling growth and seizing opportunities, I now understand the significance of securing working capital at the outset. With the benefit of hindsight, I realise that earlier access to funding would have facilitated the implementation of key strategies, propelling the business forward and allowing me to capture a more substantial market share. This realisation has reinforced the importance of proactively seeking financial support and leveraging available resources to catalyse growth and maximise the potential of my business endeavours.

The Importance of Mentoring

While I have not had the opportunity to work closely with a dedicated business mentor, I have forged invaluable relationships with numerous individuals who are genuinely invested in the success of our business. These connections have served as a rich source of guidance, advice, and support, providing diverse perspectives and expertise. Recognising the need for structured guidance and strategic input, I have taken the initiative to assemble a strategic board comprising professionals from various spheres of business growth. This carefully selected team offers a wealth of knowledge and experience, contributing valuable insights and helping steer our brand’s development in the right direction. Leveraging their collective wisdom, we have been able to navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and unlock new levels of growth for our business.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to scale their business beyond six figures, what would it be?

I’m still trying to figure that out myself!

Advice to Start-Ups

If I were to offer advice to someone embarking on their own business journey, it would be to strike a balance between strategic thinking and avoiding overthinking. Begin by focusing on creating a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that addresses a specific need or problem in the market. Rather than striving for perfection from the start, prioritise launching and gathering feedback from early customers. Simultaneously, place great emphasis on fostering growth and cultivating a tribe—a loyal community of customers who passionately advocate for your brand. Nurture these relationships, engage with your audience, and build a strong sense of community around your business. By embracing this approach, you can iterate and improve based on customer feedback while building a dedicated following that will champion your brand’s success.

My favourite holiday destination I visited Mexico in 2022, one word, unforgettable!!

Black-Owned Business I Love Inspire a doll

Favourite Thing to Do for Self-Care

Read www.nylahsnaturals.com

What are you currently reading/listening to or watching?

Currently reading The Big Leap by Guy Hendricks.

Wade Lyn’s journey from Jamaica to the United Kingdom at seven began a remarkable entrepreneurial career. After graduating in 1986 with a BA in Education specialising in Craft, Design & Technology, Wade embarked on his professional journey in the catering industry in Wolverhampton. In 1989, he took a bold step and established Cleone Foods Ltd in Birmingham, which has since flourished into the largest Jamaican patty manufacturer in the UK.

Island Delight Patties was born. These delectable Jamaicanstyle patties are a flavorful blend of savoury fillings wrapped in golden, flaky pastry. This culinary delight has won many accolades and can be found in all the major supermarkets. The company employs over 70 local staff, turning over £5m annually. The company aims to double its turnover within five years and remain a household name. In 2012, they won the BITC Small Business Award and maintained this over the next few years. Cleone Foods holds a BRC AA award, an internationally recognised accreditation which means they maintain the highest standards in food manufacturing. Since 2009 the company have been operating a zero-waste-to-landfill and full recycling scheme, demonstrating our commitment to sustainability. to the

Wade’s contributions have been instrumental in introducing Caribbean cuisine to the mainstream, showcasing the rich flavours and vibrant culture to a wider audience. His generosity in sharing his expertise has led him to mentor aspiring entrepreneurs and support the growth of emerging businesses. Recognising his immense dedication and impact, in November 2013, the Government of Jamaica appointed Wade as the Honorary Consul for Jamaica for the North—an important role given Birmingham’s status as home to the largest Jamaican community in the UK outside London.

Throughout his career, Wade has held influential positions in the West Midlands, including Director of Greets Green Partnership, Regional Director of Business in the Community, Chairman of the 12/8 Group, and Board member of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP. Wade’s exceptional contributions have earned him numerous prestigious accolades, including being awarded a CBE in 2013 and the Commander in the Office of Distinction by the Government of Jamaica in 2020.

“Growing up in the Caribbean, patties were a staple for the family. We would eat patties as a snack at lunchtime or as a main meal in the evening.

When Wade left university, he started making patties at a local company in Wolverhampton. Their patties were unwrapped, and he saw that they needed a brand identity and wanted to set up his own business with my USP of selling wrapped and branded patties to the general public.

Tell us about your childhood/ teenage years and any experiences shaping your entrepreneurial journey.

Growing up in the early 70s, my parents had a petrol station which exposed me to the business world at a young age. During my uni years, I started a DJ hire business; we did Discos in the dorms and house parties around the local area.

What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced running your own business?

When first starting up, it’s trying to do every job possible and learning every aspect of running a business that’s the biggest challenge - finance, transport, production, transport & sales. You can’t just develop a good idea; you must learn about everything.

What have been the highlights of your entrepreneurial journey so far?

On my entrepreneurial journey, my company and I have been recognised and honoured many times; a highlight for me was receiving my CBE in 2013. One of my personal PR highlights has been being featured in the Lloyds Above The Line activity (billboards, tv, radio) for the climate change conference COP22. Seeing my business up on a billboard alongside Lloyds Bank was just brilliant.

If you could start all over again, what would you do differently?

If I had to do it differently, I would look for a mentor who was already successful in taking me under their wing. There’s nothing like wisdom from someone who has already achieved your goal that has already achieved what you’re aiming for!

The Importance of Mentoring

My friend Jimmy that worked for Sandwell Council has always been good at bouncing advice off. I started the 12/8 group - over 20 years ago - they’re a peer-to-peer mentoring group we meet regularly to hash out business issues.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to scale their business beyond six figures, what would it be?

Talk to other people that scaled up, and find out what they did and how they did it!

Advice to Start-Ups

Talk to like-minded people; you will all go through business start-up growing pains - If you can’t find the help you need - start a group up yourself!

My Favourite Holiday Destination

Back Home - Jamaica

Black-Owned Business I Love

The Black Farmer

Favourite Thing to Do for Self-Care

Swimming www.island-delight.co.uk

What are you currently reading/listening to or watching?

I like to keep up with current affairs - so anything news based! I enjoy ‘Race Across The World’ too - great challenges there.