Hidden Gems: Meet Kimberly Lowery of Kinks and Coils Natural Hair Care and B.A.E. Essentials Natural Hair and Skin Products

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Lowery.

Hi Kimberly, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I started my journey with an understanding of black excellence and giving your all to something you commit to. This concept was something that was instilled in me as a child. At home growing up, I saw what creativity looked like, I saw what support looked like, I saw what diversity looked like, I saw what encouragement looked like, and most importantly I saw what love looked like. All of those concepts made me who I am.

I graduated from NC State University, started doing laboratory work, and have been doing it ever since. It’s something that allows me to be technical and use my left brain. When I want to express my passion and creativity, I use that doing hair and being crafty. I’ve always been a very grateful and humble person. I like to see other people successful. I’ve gone the extra mile to support my friends and family in their own endeavors and businesses because I enjoyed seeing people around me winning.

In 2007, I started doing natural hair. It allowed me to use my creativity in a way that I never thought I would. It’s a skill that’s also rewarding, to be able to make people feel good physically and support and encourage them through conversation. I continued doing hair after starting a family and having two girls, Aubri (9) and Autumn (5). Over the years, I went on to continue to do hair but also started planning events as well. Life was great… and then the shift happened. It wasn’t until 2016, that things began to shift in my life, unfavorably. My marriage failed, I no longer had the same friendships and I left a job I was on for 13 years to pursue what I thought was my dream. It felt like rock bottom. I now know that all of those things were necessary. Without going through those things, I wouldn’t have learned as much as I have spiritually, gained the friendships I have now, or be as grateful as I am about any and all things.

I became intentional about healing. I listened to mantras in my sleep, read self-help books, watched YouTube videos on the laws of attraction, took a class on awakening your Divine Feminine. I gained new friendships with positive people who were reflections of me, I started focusing on my own desires and checking things off my bucket list. I started traveling, was a radio personality on a podcast, I found unexpected love in John, I picked up on my spirituality, and I was able to learn who Kim was.

I learned to put myself first and started enjoying what it felt like to see ME win. While going through this journey, things began falling into place. I picked up on my hair business, wrote a journal on healing, called The Rebirth with my best friend, Dionne (coming out December 2021), and started a hair product line called, B.A.E., Before Anything Else with my other besties, Jamenia and Alex.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it hasn’t been smooth at all. The hardest part was pulling myself out of the mud after my life seemed to have fallen apart. I healed myself. I knew that I wanted to feel good. I did everything it took to feel good. I knew I couldn’t stay in that dark place. It was rough and one thing I will never forget is cashing in my daughter’s coins out of her piggy bank to make ends meet. I’ll never forget that.

We’ve been impressed with Kinks and Coils Natural Hair Care and B.A.E. Essentials Natural Hair and Skin Products, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Kinks and Coils is a natural hair care home business. I specialize in loc maintenance and care. I’m most proud of myself for stepping out on my own and having faith that all things were working for my good. I want people to know that although the business LLC itself is new, I have over 13 years of experience.

B.A.E. started out as a term of endearment between my co-owners and grew to be an actual brand. We all decided that it just made sense to start. We’re all in the same industry and we already are selling products. Why not sell our own? Our products are organic and all-natural. With our combined experience, we knew what our clients were looking for and what they needed.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned along my journey is gratitude. If I have to spend a lot of money on something unexpectedly, I tell myself, “I’m so grateful I had it to spend.”

If one of my clients has to cancel their appointment, I say to myself, “I’m so grateful for the free time”. One thing I’ve learned is that all that I need, will be provided. One of my mantras is, “Everything is always working out for me.” Even when I had to cash in my daughter’s coins, it surprisingly was always just enough for whatever I needed it for.

Pricing:

• Grow Oil, 4 oz for $20
• Shine Oil, 4 is for $12 and 8 oz for $20
• Lather Shampoo, $15
• Nourish Rose Water, $15
• Condition Leave-In, $15

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.naturallybae.com
• Instagram: kinks.and.coils and __beforeanythingelse__
• Facebook: Before Anything Else

Image Credits
Gabrielle Hicks