Daily Inspiration: Meet Taylor Powell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Powell.

Hi Taylor, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
In 2020, the start of the Pandemic caused me to question a lot about my life and where it was headed like I’m sure it did for a lot of people. At the time I was working a part-time job, and very uncertain with what I wanted to do with my life. The possibility of an airborne virus having an unknown impact on my quality of life caused me to assess what I really wanted in my life. It helped me to realize that life is short and it’s important to work to fulfill your dreams, not just to work to have a paycheck. In July of 2020, I found EbonieEssentials, a company designed to create products that cater to Black People and add a level of luxury to products that we don’t realize we need. Initially, the company was created to debut my natural hair care product to clean your edges however, life had other plans!

In January of 2021, I began my TikTok page (@thecindynoir) with a goal of gaining 1,000 followers by June to sell my haircare product to. A week after creating my page, I exceeded that goal. My TikTok page quickly developed into a platform where I uplift, motivate, and challenge people to be their best selves. And I do all of this while wearing what’s comfortable to me, a Bonnet and Hoodie Blanket.

In June of 2021, after becoming known on TikTok for my words and my bonnets, followers reached out to me personally suggesting that I start my own Bonnet line. After careful consideration and preparation, I did a soft launch of my bonnet line in September, and it sold out in one hour. That overwhelming response in sales birthed The Ebonette Bonnet Collection.

In a year’s time, I grew my TikTok platform to over Half a million followers, and EbonieEssentials became known as the Company you go to purchase Double-Lined Quality Satin Bonnets with hair ties attached! In April of this year, a mutual of mine on TikTok (@JeauxP) mentioned my bonnet in her TikTok video and the video went viral! As a result of the video’s virality, I witnessed my largest preorder of over 1,700 orders!

I have a lot of big things planned with my brand and my business including finally dropping my natural haircare product! I am excited to see everything unfold, and I’m very grateful that I took a chance on myself to follow my dreams.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like any entrepreneur will tell you, there is nothing easy about running a business. Things can go wrong at the drop of a hat, and there are constant curveballs being thrown your way. However, I like to see it as an obstacle more than a struggle. I view entrepreneurship as a game, and you have to defeat the obstacles to get to the next level. Every obstacle I come across, I learn from it and find a way to overcome it successfully. I’ve experienced running out of Bonnets prematurely, and from that, I learned that preorders are more effective for me. I’ve run out of packaging supplies and from that I learned that ordering in bulk is more effective! I’ve been blessed that regardless of the obstacles I face, my brand and my business still prevail.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m Cindy Noir and I am a Motivational Speaker on Social Media, and also the owner of EbonieEssentials! On social media, I discuss topics such as Self-Confidence, Women’s Empowerment, the healing journey and Celibacy. I consider my content to be unique because I make it a point to show up in my videos authentically. By wearing a bonnet, no makeup, and comfortable clothing, my audience feels comfortable to also showing up as their authentic selves and receiving my messages! My corner of social media is very warm, welcoming and a place to explore your own thoughts and beliefs and I am proud that I have cultivated a space for people to do so. Social media can be a very hostile and cruel place, so I’m grateful that my social media presence can provide a break from the norm.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
In the next 5-10 years, I foresee EbonieEssentials being one of the leading Brands in the Black Luxury Haircare experience. I plan to have multiple stores throughout the United States selling my products and providing haircare services! I also plan to continue collaborating with other Black-owned businesses to show representation and strengthen our community.

Contact Info:

• Email: shop@ebonieessentials.com
• Website: https://ebonieessentials.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecindynoir/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPTfa6ZFYpetKmTlSRuI4Bg
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecindynoir

Image Credits:
@visionforwardmedia for the picture of me in black!