Naturalicious expands operations to Detroit, hires four

Canton-based beauty company Naturalicious has expanded its manufacturing operations to Ponyride, a co-working and business community in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood.

Naturalicious, featured in our April issue, is a beauty company that specializes in quick and easy natural hair care products. Last year, founder and CEO Gwen Jimmere became the first Black woman to hold a U.S. patent for a natural hair care product for her Moroccan Rhassoul 5-in-1 Clay Treatment.

With this expansion to Ponyride, Naturalicious joined the ranks of The Dirt Label and Detroit is the New Black, who also has space in the building.

“I believe that Detroit will soon be the number one city for new startups,” Jimmere says. “There’s so much idea generation, collaboration, and resources here for entrepreneurs that aren't readily accessible in other markets. I want to be a part of this great city, where entrepreneurs are working together and building iconic companies.”

Jimmere has hired four new employees to work in the space. The new hires come via Services To Enhance Potential, an organization that helps find employment for mentally and physically challenged people. The team will bottle, label and prepare the product to be shipped to the warehouse.

In April’s issue of BLAC, Jimmere discussed how before she embarked on her company, she was recently divorced and had “literally $32 in the bank” before Naturalicious took off.