Founder: Tequia Williams
From Idea to Product Development
- Jagid by Jexsii is a tight curl detangling brush with over 10 different features and built-in options, enabling customization to the specific tight curl needs.
Cabarrus Center Resources Utilized
- Retail Lab | Spring 2023
- Awarded $2,500 Flywheel Foundation Grant
- Participated in 1 Million Cups | Flywheel Concord
- Start-up Resources and Workshops | Small Business Center
Entrepreneurial Journey
- After moving to the area from Chicago a decade ago, Tequia had been working as a nurse at a local hospital. While getting ready for work one day, she came up with an idea for a detangling tool like a flexible comb, but dismissed the idea because she didn’t have the money.
- She began writing out the vision for how the product would look and that it would combine all the most effective tools that she was using for her hair type, a self-proclaimed “complex” hair type with very tight curls.
- Tequia began pursuing knowledge to learn how to develop her own hair styling tools.
Tapping Into Local Resources
- The workshops and resources provided by the Small Business Center and resources offered through the Women’s Business of Charlotte taught Tequia the basics of business and how to navigate the entrepreneurial landscape.
- Tequia applied and was accepted into the Retail Lab Spring 2023 cohort. The Retail Lab played a pivotal role in her journey by deepening her understanding of social media marketing, branding, and selling online. This expertise became vital as she honed her marketing strategy, allowing her to connect with her target audience effectively.
Funding Her Venture
- In 2022, Tequia entered the regional 53 Ideas Pitch Competition for a chance to receive a $10,000 grant for her business. Jexsii placed 4th in the competition.
- In 2023, Tequia tried again and entered the 53 Ideas Pitch Competition.
- “Jagid by Jexsii” won the competition, securing a $10,000 grant for Tequia’s product. The win injected much-needed resources into Tequia’s venture, propelling her closer to the launch of her product.
In the News
- ‘Nothing you can’t do’: Annual competition helps business dreams become a reality (Spectrum News, 10-13-2023)
- Resilience, Innovation, and Empowerment: A Story of Determination in Small Business (Small Business Center at RCCC, 9-5-2023)
- Jagid by Jexsii is the 53 Ideas pitch winner (WCNC Charlotte, 8-8-2023)
- The Cabarrus Center Retail Lab graduates 14 local entrepreneurs, awards 5 grants (Cabarrus Center, 5-22-2023)
