Being an entrepreneur is all about solving problems, and sometimes, those problems are deeply personal. That’s exactly how AQUA Waterproof Headwear was born—out of my own struggle to keep my hair dry while snorkeling on vacation. Fast forward to today, and that frustration has turned into a patented product, a growing business, and a $20,000 prize on the Amazon Prime show "Buy It Now." 🎉

I recently had the opportunity to share my journey on the "This is Small Business" Podcast, where I talked about the challenges, setbacks, and victories that have shaped AQUA into what it is today. You can listen to the full episode here.

How AQUA Waterproof Headwear Started

It all began with a simple problem—trying to protect my hair extensions from getting wet on vacation. I searched for a solution but found that hats weren’t waterproof, shower caps weren’t stylish, and swim caps were too tight and unflattering. I knew there had to be a better way, so I set out to create it myself.

The Struggles Behind the Success

Bringing AQUA to life wasn’t easy. On the podcast, I shared some of the major challenges I faced along the way:
✔️ Finding the perfect waterproof fabric—which took years of research and prototypes.
✔️ Overcoming manufacturing setbacks—including losing money when my first manufacturer went bankrupt.
✔️ Market research and validation—making sure the product was something people actually needed and wanted.
✔️ Perfecting my pitch—practicing tirelessly to ensure I delivered a winning presentation on "Buy It Now."

Winning $20K on "Buy It Now"

Taking AQUA Waterproof Headwear to national television was a dream come true. Competing on Amazon Prime’s "Buy It Now" was nerve-wracking, but all of the hard work paid off when I won the $20,000 prize! That funding helped me restock inventory, expand my product line, and invest in marketing to reach even more customers.

Oh, and the best part? The judges—including Gwyneth Paltrow and Jamie Siminoff, the inventor of Ring Doorbell—were intrigued by my product and its potential. To see their reactions, watch my episode, "The Panel Gets Confused—And They Like It" on Amazon Prime here.

Lessons & Takeaways

On the "This is Small Business" Podcast, I also shared some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned on this journey:
💡 Resilience is everything. When my manufacturer went bankrupt, I could’ve quit. Instead, I used the setback to find a better solution.
💡 Your network matters. A chance reconnection with Lele, a seamstress who designed my prom dress, helped me refine my prototypes and source materials.
💡 Preparation is key. I practiced my pitch with flashcards, recorded myself, and refined my delivery until it was ready for primetime.

Listen to My Story 🎧

I’m so grateful for the opportunity to share my journey on "This is Small Business" and hope my story inspires others to push through obstacles and chase their dreams. Listen to the full episode here and don’t forget to watch AQUA Waterproof Headwear’s big moment on "Buy It Now" on Amazon Prime here!

#AQUAReady #ThisIsSmallBusiness #AmazonPrime #BuyItNow #BlackWomenInBusiness #EntrepreneurLife 💙💦