J&J invests in textured hair brand Sunday II Sunday
Ignite Venture Studio also participated in the funding round; and that firm’s Founder, Josh Ghaim, explains how Sunday II Sunday fits their objective to grow challenger brands, saying “Sunday II Sunday is a strong example of a brand that is driving exciting innovation at the intersection of health and beauty.”
And he adds, in the recent press release about the seed funding round, “These innovations are addressing truly unmet consumer needs and have the potential to play a meaningful role in the future of self-care and the beauty industry as a whole.”
Sunday II Sunday knows why beauty and wellness don’t always co-exist
Sunday II Sunday is a brand developed by the new consumer good startup Infinite Looks Inc. That startup is focused on D2C textured hair products. Sunday II Sunday is focused on products that make it easier for women with textured hair who work out to clean, care for, and style their hair between weekly washes.
To put that mission in context, the brand shares this statistic: “Upwards of 40% of Black women are not working out because of their hair.” And the team at Sunday II Sunday hopes to change that as much by example as though their collection of products.
This Saturday for instance, the brand’s R&D Head, Dr. Jen Alexander, is speaking on a panel about hair and health as part of a virtual dance fitness party event, benefiting Pretty Girls Sweat and sponsored by Sunday II Sunday.
“Sunday II Sunday represents the combination of two causes that are extremely important to me. One being to provide a solution for the women in my life who live full, active lives and deal with challenges with their hair care,” says Keenan Beasley, Founder and CEO of Infinite Looks, in his remarks to the press.
Which is why the brand’s current portfolio includes products like Soothe Me Daily Scalp Serum, Edge Flourish Daily Nourishing Serum, Revive Me Daily Moisturizing Spray, and Root Refresh Micellar Rinse.
“The other [cause],” says Beasley, “is the massive disparity at which Black entrepreneurs receive funding for their businesses. Through this example, and our work at the non-profit, Venture Noire, I hope to be an example and a lifeline for other Black entrepreneurs.”
Sunday II Sunday founder supports Black entrepreneurs with Venture Noire
Like Infinite Looks Inc., Beasley founded Venture Noire in 2019. The non-profit “was formed to propel under-represented founders [with] three resource pillars – curriculum, community, and access to capital – [that] support the development and growth of founders of color, women, and military veterans,” according to the organization’s site. “Ultimately, our goal is to fuel the wealth-generating engine for historically disadvantaged communities.”
With Venture Noire, Beasley joins numerous business leaders, founders, and corporations that are stepping up to close the opportunity gap and make it possible for more families and communities to build generational wealth.
And Beasley is hopeful that the recent funding from Johnson & Johnson Innovation (or JJDC, Inc.) and Ignite Venture Studio will act as a case study for the value and importance of supporting Black entrepreneurs.