| Ngozi Opara has always had an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for beauty. Even as an undergraduate, she remembers telling one of her advisors that she’d write a book about how her business idea would one day make her a millionaire.
Opara was recently named one of the 2014 Top 30 Under 30 by WKYS 93.9 FM, a popular urban radio station in the Washington, D. C. area. The list also named four Aggies – all young and upcoming professionals – Nickia Alli, Paige Lewter, Sydney Stinson and Nicole Williams.
The former Miss A&T stands at the helm of N-ZO Hair Studios, a D.C. based hair salon specializing in natural hair care and protective styling and as a driving force of the Heat-Free Hair Movement.
“Heat-Free Hair is something that came to (me) one day while I was doing hair,” she recalled.
While at her studio, she noticed a trend among clients who had naturally kinky, curly or coily hair textures. Many wanted to wear weaves with textures much different from theirs, which required her to use damaging heat tactics or chemicals to satisfy her client’s desired look, she said.
This led Opara to think outside of the box. As an advocate for healthy hair, she wanted to create protective styling or weave options that would allow women to embrace and protect their natural hair. Heat-Free Hair was the solution.
Although Opara went to hair school, she never considered doing hair full-time, not to mention becoming the distributor of a well-known hair product.
“I knew I was going to do something big, but I didn’t know what it would be,” she admitted.
She is thankful for her experiences and opportunities she received from her alma mater. “A&T definitely propelled me into this entrepreneurial spirit,” she said.
Now as a business owner and advocate, Opara has been able to tap into her long-time passion for transforming and empowering women.
“In everything that I do, I want to make sure I’m uplifting another woman,” she said.
“As a hair stylist you’re constantly empowering women. We understand (as women) that how we look plays a huge role in how we feel about ourselves. Being able to provide people with great services and great products ultimately empowers them to feel better about their natural self,” she added.
But her work took on another meaning last year when she organized a breast cancer campaign through the Heat-Free Hair online community.
In October, with the support of more than 90 thousand followers and subscribers on her social media platforms, like Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, Opara’s was able to donate free handmade wigs to five chemotherapy patients that were nominated by the online community. The campaign also raised more than $5,000, for the Tigerlily Foundation, a D.C. based breast cancer awareness and support organization.
In the future Opara looks forward to growing as an entrepreneur, expanding her brand and supporting causes that are dear to her heart.
“It’s all about your mentality. It’s all in your mindset. If you continue to project positive thoughts, work on your visions and dreams and believe that you can have these things, you’ll have them,” Opara said.
By: Courtney J. Jackson
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