Today we’d like to introduce you to India Gay
Hi India, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Synai Symone was created out of a personal journey. Growing up, I struggled with pretty bad eczema, constantly experimenting with DIY hair, skin and body concoctions to find something that wouldn’t irritate my skin. One day, a teammate tried one of my body butters and asked if I was selling them. That simple question sparked the idea at just 14 to create my own natural care brand. At the time, I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to focus on haircare or skincare, but my love and dream of being a natural hair guru ultimately guided me.
By the time I was 16, I had secured my LLC, and at 18, I launched my first five products. At 21, I expanded with a new product line of 6, and today, Synai Symone offers a full range of products, from wash day essentials to maintenance and loc care products.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My biggest struggle has been finding balance. Throughout college, I often put other things above my business, and as a result, I began neglecting it—sales slowed, social media engagement dropped, and staying motivated became tough. Living between two cities didn’t help either, as I had to travel back home to make products since my college apartment didn’t have the space for production.
Being a one-woman shop has been another challenge. I’m the social media manager, product developer, order fulfiller, accountant, and everything in between. Production days can last anywhere from 48 hours to a full week. Now that I’m out of college, I’ve been able to focus more on my brand but lost a significant portion of sales that came from campus events. I’m currently working on building my D2C sales and joining vendor networks in Atlanta to grow my reach. At the same time, I’ve started applying for grants to help acquire the resources I need to scale and expand my brand in a sustainable way.
As you know, we’re big fans of Synai Symone LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Synai Symone is a handmade haircare brand I started at just 14 years old, offering a range of products from shampoos and conditioners to oils, butters, and hair mists, all designed for kinky, curly, and coily textures. One of my proudest achievements is watching this brand evolve. I remember vividly telling myself I’d own my own business one day, and seeing it come to life at such a young age has been surreal. Now, at 21, I’m incredibly grateful for how far I’ve come.
Recently, my brand has gained recognition for its loc-friendly products, which hold special meaning to me. I created them specifically for my mother and sister, who both have locs. Since their launch, the outpouring of love from the loc community has been amazing. Many people with locs often feel overlooked in the natural haircare space, especially when it comes to finding affordable, quality products, and it’s been rewarding to fill that gap.
What truly sets Synai Symone apart is my commitment to transparency and educating my community. My brand goes beyond just selling products—I’m passionate about educating others on natural haircare. I’ve spent years researching everything from herbs and porosity to harmful ingredients. Sharing that knowledge with my audience through social media has become just as important to me as creating the products themselves. I’m currently developing a blog where I’ll dive deeper into these topics, along with providing a full list of all my ingredients and their benefits on the site.
My goal is to ensure that everyone who uses Synai Symone products feels confident, informed, and empowered in their natural hair journey.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
In the next 5-10 years, I see the haircare industry focusing on personalized products, eco-friendly and sustainable practices. I’d also expect to see more diverse products that cater to all hair types and a push for new, science-backed innovations. We’ve already begun to see big-name companies introduce lines for kinky and curly hair, and consumers are increasingly prioritizing high-quality ingredients alongside effective results.
Pricing:
- Product pricing ranges from $12.99 to $17.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://synaisymone.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/synaisymone/
- Twitter: https://x.com/synaisymone
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@indiasynai
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/indiasynai/
Image Credits
n/a
