Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanja Collins.
Hi Tanja, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello, I’m Tanja Collins, Founder and CEO for Striking + Strong, a woman-powered, community-minded company looking to dismantle the “either/or” narrative that choosing physical wellness or hair health is the only proposition for women with diverse hair care needs. I am also a proud advocate for the beauty + strength in self-care. After increasing my workout regimen to manage stress during the height of the pandemic, I tried it all. And in the process struggled to make sure that my hair didn’t suffer. I started to experience what I would realize was an all-too-common frustration for women with textured hair: not knowing what to do to maintain my hair’s health between daily workouts, until my next wash day.
When I went looking for ideas and support I realized I was far from alone, I wasn’t the only woman with an active lifestyle who was facing this same dilemma. I would come across many women saying, “I want to be physically active. I want to work out multiple times per week–but what am I going to do with my hair?” This was a common tension within communities of color–those same communities research showed as disproportionately affected by COVID due to pre-existing health conditions.
And it was amplifying an environment that discouraged women from actively working on their physical health because their hair routines weren’t easily tied into their day-to-day lifestyles. This both broke my heart and inspired me to do something to help the broader community and contribute to a solution. This is how Striking + Strong was born: through passion, purpose, and problem-solving. To be a source of encouragement and empowerment for women who want active and healthier lifestyles without sacrificing their hair.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
No, it has not been a smooth road, but I view many of the challenges that I’ve experienced as learning opportunities. For example, it took 8 months to find a brand name that would be easy, memorable, and trademarkable. I had no idea how difficult that part of developing the brand would be. Every time I thought we created something unique, I would find out that it wasn’t the case.
Vendor selection can also be a bit difficult. Many suppliers simply didn’t return my calls, inquiries, or emails regarding their products and/or services. When you’re a small fish in a big pond, you’ll find that not everyone wants your business. And that’s okay. You end up finding partners that believe in your mission and the work that you’re doing, which is a much better fit in the long run.
Lastly, there are times when it feels a bit lonely on this journey. I’ve spent over 20 years in corporate America in environments that were always lively. Now, it’s just me wearing a variety of different hats. I’ve had to learn to leverage my network and to pick up the phone when I need encouragement or want to bounce ideas off of people.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Striking + Strong, LLC?
Striking + Strong is a Dallas, TX-based hair care company whose ethos is rooted in problem-solving, diversity, community, and a mission to change the narrative that energetic, empowered women of color have to choose between working out and maintaining healthy-looking hair.
Our starting lineup includes two shampoos and one conditioner made with proprietary formulas that include clean ingredients and no phthalates, no harsh sulfates, no silicones, no parabens, no DEA, and no artificial dyes. What I’m most proud of and what sets up apart are related. We have been very intentional about making sure that the conversation around Striking + Strong doesn’t start and stop with hair care.
We want to encourage women of color to become more active and so you’ll find health and wellness content weaved into our communication strategy we also have a health and wellness advisory board. Representation in this space is also incredibly important. We feature real diverse women along their fitness journeys and honor that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting.
You don’t have to have all the answers. Leverage your network. People truly do want to see you succeed and are more than happy to connect with you. Celebrate your milestones. I think we tend to focus on only celebrating the big things or big wins.
Make sure to take time out to enjoy all the things. If you don’t, you’ll find yourself being so future-focused that you forget to enjoy the journey. Lastly, be flexible. You learn so many new things along the way and many times, those new insights can help shape your strategy or how you plan to execute things.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.strikingandstrong.com
- Instagram: @strikingandstronghair
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strikingandstrong
Image Credits
Laci Villarreal with Laci Villarreal Photography
