Today we’d like to introduce you to Carmelita Barrymore.
Carmelita, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Well where do I start? I’ll try to make it as short and sweet as possible lol. I’m originally from New Orleans, LA and relocated to Dallas, TX a few years after Hurricane Katrina. Those that know me personally and from childhood can vouch for the fact that I’ve always had a certain hustle and drive about myself. In elementary school and middle school, I would sell candy to my peers, make lotions, shampoos, and even do nails in school to be my own boss in a sense lol. I would say that my core values came from having the opportunity to serve the city of New Orleans through public speaking and competing in speaking competitions. This experience taught me networking early on and how to consistently work to be my best self and perfect my craft. However, after Hurricane Katrina happened, I really lost my sense of direction and the world that I knew literally came crashing down all in a matter of days. We lived about five blocks away from where the levees broke in the lower 9th ward so we lost every. After Katrina I stayed in Houston, TX for one year and then moved to Poplarville, MS which was a huge transition.
To make a long story short, I found myself lost in a sense because everything I knew was gone, the life I envisioned, everything was just gone. It really started to hit me when the question would come up about college and what career I wanted to pursue. To be honest, that never really crossed my mind because I wanted to be an actress and continue my speaking career, but God had other plans. I found myself tapping into my creative skills and learning new things but still looking for my sense of direction again. After being dual enrolled in college my senior year, I finished high school in Mississippi and randomly decided to move with my grandmother in Dallas to get a fresh start. I attended college for a few semesters and came to the realization that it just wasn’t for me. I commend those who do go to school and have that discipline, but I knew in my heart I wanted to be my own boss. Fast forward a few years later, I met my husband in 2012, we got married in 2017, and welcomed our baby boy Cameron February of 2019.
This is where things took a turn, and for the better. If you asked me if I would be in the hair industry a few years ago, I probably would have looked at you crazy because it was nowhere on my radar. After giving birth to my son, I experienced a tremendous amount of postpartum hair loss…and I mean my edges were balding and patches of hair just falling out! I’ve been natural since 2012 and my hair was very healthy prior to giving birth. I was at a loss and nothing was working for me, so at that point, I started my journey to finding my own resolution and LulaMi Hair Essentials was born. I always say that my son is my saving grace because he came at what seemed to be the worst possible time to get pregnant. I was in between temp jobs and had been out of work for two years after being fired. It tested my faith but having him was everything I needed to get me to this point. I may have given birth to him, but he birthed something inside of me like never before and I found myself getting my drive and desire back to be the woman I know I was called to be.
When all else failed on the shelves, I went back to my Filipino roots and used things that my Lula did to grow my hair as a child and came up with my own formula. My brand is inspired by both of my grandmothers, Carmelita Mendoza (Lula) and Carol Ann (Mimi), I’m also named after both of my grandmothers (Carmelita Ann), so it runs a little deeper than you know. My grandmothers have been my biggest inspiration behind my brand, hence the name LulaMi. I took a before picture of my hair and didn’t think much of it…after one week of using my hair growth oil, I started seeing little specks of hair coming back in but I just thought I was going crazy or hyping myself up. It wasn’t until my husband brought it to my attention that my hair was growing back fast so I took another picture. The comparison between the two pictures and the results were crazy! I was still in disbelief though, so I took to my Facebook page to get another opinion and the rest was history!
Everyone wanted to know what I was using and when I told them that I made my own hair growth oil, they wanted to know how they could get some. I made a big batch to pre-sale and went from there, when my customers came back sharing their feedback and how quickly my oil was working for them, I knew I had something! I thrive most when I’m able to be creative, so this was right up my alley and took me back to something that I’ve always enjoyed doing as a child. The feedback has been nothing but positive since I’ve put it out there and we officially launched on February 21, 2020 which was the estimated due date of my son’s birth. This date held a lot of sentimental value because it’s the day I really birthed my company and the day my son was due. I may have given birth to my son, but he literally birthed a new me and something truly amazing…had it not been for him, I would’ve never lost my hair to come up with such an amazing product. I feel like I’ve found my purpose and my passion, and I can’t wait to see what God has in store for my brand, family, company, and my life. Our #1 selling hair growth oil is now available online at www.lulamihairessentials.
Has it been a smooth road?
It hasn’t been a smooth ride by far. I’ve experienced personal losses, financial losses, failed businesses, and things that have tested my faith tremendously. But I kept going. I always said to myself, “ask a millionaire how many losses they’ve had to take before getting that big win.” It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve failed, or how many things didn’t go as planned, what matters is how you stand through adversity and have the courage to pick yourself back up and try again regardless of how you may be perceived or viewed. That stands so true in my life because at first I was afraid to admit that I’ve failed but it was all necessary. My mind had to be conditioned, my faith had to be tested, and I had to learn to lean on God when I felt that all hope was lost. I’ve literally experienced it all and I know now that I’m exactly where I need to be.
Tell us about your company. What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of as a company? What sets you apart from others?
My company LulaMi Hair Essentials holds a special place in my heart. Like I’ve mentioned earlier my brand is inspired by both of my grandmothers (Lula and Mimi), hence the name. My company specializes in hair growth and the promotion of healthy hair. Hair doesn’t discriminate, so our products can be used among all races, ethnicity, ages, and genders. Our brand is cultivated from heritage, tradition, culture and sacrifice and I believe that sets us apart from other companies. I’m proud of the results that my company produces, proud of the fact that I’ve found a solution for a known problem, and how it makes my customers feel. That alone is so rewarding and keeps me going and wanting to be that much better! I’m most proud of the story behind my brand; it runs so deep and much deeper than most know. My Lula is originally from Manila Philippines, she came to this country with nothing and turned her circumstances around and made herself a boss. I think my Lula had the biggest influence over my life and wanting to be an entrepreneur, she had the spirit of a true go getter. She was a sea merchant in New Orleans, which was a male dominated industry, but she broke into it and came out on top and dominated it in her own right. As a child, she would take me on the ships with her and I would watch her negotiate, close out big deals, and we would always celebrate by going to dinner and going to the store to pick out my favorite toy afterwards. She always taught me that I could do and be anything I put my mind to and that if she could do it, so could I. I’ve seen her still persevere after so many losses in her life, she lost both of her children and I was her one and only grandchild. My father passed away when I was only two weeks old and her youngest son died when he was only 14, I’m all she had left so I’m making it my goal to carry on the legacy she created.
My Mimi worked hard all of her life to provide for my mother and uncle, whom she had at a very young age. She worked so hard to make sure that her children had the best in life dispute her age. Although she didn’t finish highschool or had the chance to go to college, she made it her duty to see that my mom went to the best schools and put her through college, she was the first in our family to graduate from college. Despite all the odds that were against her as a teenage mother, she still persevered. I was the first of her two grandchildren and she always went above and beyond to make sure I had everything I wanted and needed. I watched her work hard as a child as a housekeeper for the wealthy of New Orleans and I would even go with her to her second job after school helping her to clean banks throughout the city. That experience humbled me early on and I knew I wanted to change the trajectory of the generations that would come after me. I’m forever inspired and thankful for all of their sacrifices and I just hope to make them both proud.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I definitely feel that Dallas is the place to be if you’re looking to start a business. There are so many opportunities here; it’s diverse and always changing. If someone was starting out and looking to start in Dallas, I say go for it! This city is so inspiring and welcomes entrepreneurship, whether you’re young or older. There’s enough room here for everyone to win.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lulamihairessentials.com
- Email: customerservice@lulamihairessentials.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lulamihairessentials
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lulamihairessentials
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