Check Out Natalie Andre’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Andre.

Hi Natalie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Natalie Andre’ originally from St. Elizabeth, Jamaica but grew up in Brooklyn, NY. Growing up in New York City aka The Big Apple “where dreams are made of”, you understand from a young age what hustle and being a boss means. I was the only child and being the only child everyone expected that I was spoiled or received anything I wanted. That assumption was not all the way true at all! In a Caribbean household, you knew what work is and understood the principle of earning something. Anything I ever wanted in life, I worked extremely hard to receive it. Lastly, I never wanted things to be given to me. I wanted to prove I was worthy enough to receive what I am requesting. But what can I say? I was giving life from a strong, black queen named Monica! There is a quote by Puffy before he changed his name always stayed with me “Put me in the jungle, I’ll come out with a with a chinchilla coat”. That alone stated to me no matter how hard life gets through any storms, I will come out better then I started.

When I graduated High School in Brooklyn, NY, I attend the most underrated, the most historical of all times, and the school that should be in ALL history books; Virginia Union University. I am a die-hard panther and love MY VUU! Virginia Union University was founded the same year slavery ended in 1865. We may be a small school but have been the hub of change and making a difference in the city of Richmond. Being the person I am attending VUU was just right. However, my journey entering the school did not start happy like every other student, upon entering my freshmen semester on August 22, 2012. I decided to drive back to Brooklyn, NY, after unloading my things in my new room. Things changed in the middle of the night while driving. Our car was hit by what I call it a truck in transformers. They found my body between the car and a tree which should have killed me. A couple of days later, I was awake in the hospital where I have seen a lady about to pull my life support and two male cops with no emotion telling me my mother is dead and walked away. From that point on, life for me changed completely and I always stated, “Before she closed her eyes she open mine”. My queen fought hard for her life to make sure I was given another chance.

With understanding that backdrop of me gives you an idea what came next. I went to school and beat the odds. I graduated and understood my next journey. Since my car accident, I became natural and just wanted to live life. However, the natural hair journey was a hot mess. Every product I came across stated they were organic, correction “100% organic” but yet they have separate hair care lines for Men and Children. That’s when I created Melodies Naturals LLC.

Melodies Naaturals™️ is certified 100% vegan. Creating products with integrity while fostering and uplifting our community. We commit ourselves to the highest standard in performance and ingredients – only using 100% naturals and certified organic ingredients to make products that nourish the hair.

Melodies Naturals is changing the narrative and setting a new standard. We are the Music To Your Hair. Family approved, starting at the age of two, creating product formulation that not only smells amazing but to achieve what no other hair brand has done before. You and I should not, nor deserve to compromise anymore. Since I have launch, I have been selling out of products and all I can say is thank you, Queen for Production geben me and guiding me.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting a business is never easy. I am a perfectionist and I try get things done right the first time around. However, I understand things does not work that way. Due to me going into the beauty industry, I already set myself up with a time frame on how or where I should be. Studying the market and finding what separates me from my other competitors was not a bumpy road. The problems I faced were more on finding the right private label to produce massive amounts of products for me. I had a budget and it wasn’t the highest, but I told myself this has to work. I will say I was scared of the feedback and delay my launch date because I didn’t want to fail then I realize who I was. It is okay to fail because you’re learning the lesson for the next time around.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Surprisingly, I am working for Virginia Union University; as the Coordinator of Community and Government Relations. Not in a million years did I think I work for the school I attended. But that changed and I am very please with my position. The work I do is already in my heart to do even if I didn’t work there. Working there just made it a bonus.

Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory is the summer vacation trips with my mother. It was never a dull summer!!! Every summer my mother made sure that we traveled and get lost in the world. I have been to so many locations picking a favorite is impossible. Longs I was with her that’s all I cared about. I never forget on time our flight to settle, I believe or layover was stuck in Arizona. So the airline put us is a nice hotel and we end up just exploring and making the best of things. We was taking pictures by the Organe tree and my mom say fake act like you picking oranges and that went left quick. I started really picking it and I had no shame. All we could do is laugh by the time I was done picking. I end up having ten oranges. They were big and juicy. After I left my mom taste one, I guess she wasn’t to much upset. Which means I did a good deed lol.

Pricing:

• Intense Peppermint Shampoo $14
• Intense Peppermint Conditioner $14
• Peppermint Scalp Treatment $9
• 20|20 Herb Oil $12

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.melodiesnaturals.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/melodiesnaturals?igshid=nhx2995knwfu
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/melodiesnaturals