I recently had the pleasure to conduct a Q & A with the amazing Tricia Scribner, Creator of Knotty Tamer. This unique hair detangler solves the problem those with long hair, no matter the texture, have been dealing with since the beginning of time – knots and tangles that just won't quit.
Knotty Tamer is not like an ordinary comb or brush which can cause breakage and even make the issue worse. Instead, it deals with knots and tangles faster, with little to no damage. After years of struggling herself, Tricia conceptualized a new idea, and after lots of dedication, hard work, and the drive to make her idea a tangible product, Knotty Tamer was born. Her hair has never looked better, and for those seeking the same, Knotty Tamer will be their solution too!
Here, Tricia answers questions about her start, her highs and lows, what it takes to make it as an inventor, and advice only someone who has "been there, done that" can offer. And learn what makes Knotty Tamer the mane solution for those pesky knots and tangles!
Tricia Scribner
Q: When did you first realize you wanted to be an entrepreneur and what was your first endeavor?
A: I think I've always known I wanted to be an entrepreneur since a very young age. If I wanted something, I figured out how to get it by raising capital. If I needed some Christmas money, I would literally work with what was around me, like make ornaments from cones on trees, glue them together, make a wreath, and go door to door, and I'd sell some. Or I would make things to put in my grandma's antique stores to sell, or mow my neighbor's lawn to earn money for a dog. I did these things since I was around 8. We charged kids a nickel or quarter to watch little plays we'd make up. I placed a value on everything.
As I got older I would come up with ideas that either solved problems, or were new ideas and I am so glad I didn't pursue them all or I would be dead broke! The key to knowing which idea to run with is knowing that it will truly be worth the money, will make money, will solve a problem, and that there is nothing like yours out there.
Q: How did the idea for Knotty Tamer come about?
A: My hair has always been quickly tangled, hard to get through, you name it. Most things on the market are just another version of the same thing already out there and still doesn't address the tangle differently. I had been working on a detangler for many years, from solutions, to different tool ideas, sketches... it just took me closely examining an actual knot/tangle and understanding how it got there and how I think I could get it out better, quickly and with less breakage.
I knew I had an idea and off to Home Depot, Michael's, and back to Home Depot and several visits and aisles later with additional online research, I was onto something. I recommend always looking outside of your industry, look at industrial websites for materials, other industries, you'd be surprised. It took a few attempts a few months apart, but I finally had my first working prototype!
Q: What has been your biggest challenge with the product/company thus far?
A: The biggest challenge has truly been finding an injection mold maker. There are a lot of them out there, but they cost a lot, and your CAD design, which you will need, can also be costly. I'm someone who likes to look you in the eyes and meet face to face to discuss my ideas, and most of the makers I had found were online, costly but quick, but in another state. I did look locally but I hadn't found one. Then my boyfriend saw the trouble I was having and came up with a few contacts for me locally and it wasn't easy, nor on the timelines I was hoping for, but we finally got there and working on full production.
My biggest lesson here was thinking I could have this done so quickly. Most entrepreneurs think big, so we have it in our heads that we will be to market selling in XYZ amount of time, and the most crucial time spent is getting your actual product done right. You must allow time for changes, communication, things out of your control, mistakes, etc. Double or triple your time if you must, and this was a hard lesson because I was ready to pounce. However, I am right where I am supposed to be currently, it all aligned up, I found the best packaging company to work with, and I couldn't imagine having my product sooner at this point, so trust the process and stay vigilant.
Q: What has been the most rewarding experience throughout the process?
A: Besides my friends loving how the Knotty Tamer functions and response to some pre-sales and stop-ins, I'd have to say the most rewarding experience was finally seeing the actual product produced from the injection mold itself. It still needed some minor tweaks, but overall, I'm thrilled! To see your idea go from your little glued-together prototype to a fully functioning live product, priceless!
Q: What is different about your invention compared to other products in its category?
A: The Knotty Tamer is unique, it's not a brush, it's not a comb, It's completely different in how it functions, is held, used... it attacks the tangle right where it's at, versus your typical product that just moves the tangle around, compacts it, and tends to break your hair in the process. The Knotty Tamer looks different, is held different, and goes through hair differently, and removes knots and tangles quickly with little to no breakage. Most people think I have extensions because my hair is in such good condition, and I see their frayed ends, and if they had my product, they could save those ends.
Q: How were you able to finance the development and launch of the company?
A: I finally created Knotty Tamer while I was already self-employed and went with it, I don't advise that, but you never know when you'll invent something. I have had to utilize many sources of income from my other business, credit cards, savings, family, friends, garage sales, loans, you name it! Of course, planning and preparing is essential and practical, but much of entrepreneurship is risk, and you have to learn the highs and lows and quite honestly embrace it.
Q: Where can people purchase your product?
A: For now it can be purchased on knottytamer.com but will soon be in select beauty retailers, salons, suppliers, etc. Truly, it's limitless where we will be, in the hands of people with knots and tangles is the best spot!
Q: Where do you see the company going in the future?
A: I definitely have more products to add to the line and I am excited about that. I want to make sure we are continually solving a problem for people because I understand the frustration, and unfortunately there is no one-size-fits-all product, but I want to help as many people as I can to get ready faster and have healthy hair.
I do see opportunities for private labeling, licensing agreements, growing and selling the brand - that's what pretty much everyone wants!
Q: What advice would you give a budding entrepreneur seeking to launch a new product or service?
A: This whole interview could have been based on this one question, I have so much advice! I truly feel anyone can invent something, just figure out how to solve a problem that is viable, but from that point on is where I think it's tricky, not everyone is cut out to see it through, you have to know your skill sets and be willing to learn new ones. That can be hard sometimes, it's uncomfortable. I've taught myself a lot because I am naturally curious so I learned trademark laws, patent laws, how to seek out packaging and create it, create logos, etc. I have an excellent graphic guy who understands me, I would have been a great graphic artist but I am not about to take classes at this point, so I have a great guy. I paid way too much for my first website for another business, and a boyfriend told me to use a different platform so I could be in charge. I was hesitant at first, but then I went for it and learned so much about the design. I am now in control and it's great.
Don't buy into the lies of overnight online success! While timing is important, it's more important to know how to grow your business sustainably. There is a right time to know when to pull the trigger on paying for online ads, and the more you can do in the beginning yourself the better so you learn it! You can create beautiful ads with sites like Canva.com, write your own content, etc.
Learn to run as lean as you can for as long as you can, use your garage, spare room, don't even think about office space until you have truly outgrown your current situation. Cook or learn to cook before Top Ramen becomes a food group! This is not a time to be prideful, you may need a business loan or to raise capital, borrow from family or friends, or keep your job until you can truly self-fund your business. This can be the most exciting time of your life and truly the most frightening, I prayed a lot and believe in prayer, lots of prayer!
Q: How many people work for the company at this time?
A: It is still just me. I will operate alone as long as possible with hiring on a contract basis, commission, people willing to help me with their time in the early stage, and make sure that when I do need to pay or hire that it truly brings an ROI. Again, running lean as long as possible or sustainable!
Q: Sum up your company philosophy (or your own personal "mantra") in 3 words:
A: For me personally, "Make It Happen." I try to live by that.
Q: What about your personality makes you a successful entrepreneur?
A: I'm still finding my way through success, but I believe what makes me think I can be successful is that I don't give up. I see the big picture and I'm extremely resourceful. My optimism can also cause some of my biggest issues, but I always find a way. With social media, you have to truly self-promote and this is something I am not comfortable with, but learning to be. I like to stay private, although most think I am extroverted, I'm probably more of an introverted extrovert. I need downtime to create and think up these ideas. So, I am learning to be out there more and open to promote my brand. I've spent my entire career in sales, so now it's my turn!
Q: Anything else you'd like to share?
Yes, so much more to share, but I will keep it simple. Be careful who you get advice or opinions from, because it can throw you off. Advice from people close to you, experts, people who have been there is great. Don't stress yourself out with the competition, be aware, but focus on your journey and how to get there, you can do this! Be willing to do what others won't, this isn't for everyone. Have someone close to confide in as you will most likely be spending a lot of time alone in the beginning while you start up. There are many ways to make money, find your niche and God Bless!
Knotty Tamer will change the way people with long hair (even extensions) detangle. Quick, easy, pain-free, and less damaging, this new product is the future of hair care!
It's Southwest Companion Pass Season. Here's Why It's The Best Flight Deal on the Market
Southwest Companion Pass
There’s all this talk about solo travel. And for good reason — no wasting precious time waiting for others to get their act together, take the plans out of the group chat and actually buy the tickets. Going solo, you can be spontaneous. You can plan your trips according to your precise tastes. You can hop on any flight and fly awayyyyyy.
But what if each time you flew you’d get a free ticket? That’s what you get with the Southwest Companion Pass.
Award status, upgrades, lounge access — there are many perks in the frequent flier game. But one of the coveted holy grails is the Southwest Companion Pass.
What is the Southwest Companion Pass?
The Companion Pass is part of Southwest’s Rapid Rewards program. You get to choose one person to be your “companion,” and they fly with you for free (plus some taxes and fees) on every flight. That’s right. Two for the price of one. That’s half off each ticket if you split it! Whether you’re flying with a partner, family member, friend, or anyone else, they can tag along for free.
And it gets better: once you earn the pass, you can reap the rewards for that full calendar year … AND the next. That’s why people go mad trying to earn a companion pass during the early months of the year. The sooner you qualify, the longer you can use it.
There are also no blackout dates. There are no limits. And if you didn’t purchase the ticket (think: work travel, your companion, or a generous benefactor), there are no restrictions! As long as you’re the one on the plane, your companion can also … be on the plane.
You can also switch out your designated companion 3x a year. So, no need to stay in a relationship simply to get the most out of your companion pass! Ghost and fly away — with a whole new companion!
If this sounds too good to be true — it’s not. But there is one small catch. It’s kinda tough to earn this mega reward.
How to qualify for the Southwest Companion Pass?
You can qualify for the pass in one of two ways:
- Fly 100 qualifying one-way flights
- Earn 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year.
Clearly, this is no small feat — especially if you’re trying to qualify ASAP.
So how do you actually earn the Southwest Companion Pass?
Don’t worry, there’s a path to earning this amazing reward without climbing on 100 flights or spending an exorbitant amount of money.
Earning 135K reward points may seem completely impossible, but it’s easier than it sounds. Simply sign up for a Southwest Credit Card and turn those spending habits into a rapid rewards account. Through the Rewards Priority Credit Card, earn points when using local transit and commuting, plus score major points and miles whenever you spend.
Stay with me here. This is not some scheme to get you into credit card debt. Many airline cards come with potential savings, giantic rewards, awarding you points, and cashback with every purchase you make that can be redeemed for travel. And often they can come with passive sign-up bonuses. If you spend a specific amount of money within a certain timeframe of opening the card, you can be in for a windfall of points.
Now that’s where the companion pass comes in:
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card
- Southwest Priority Credit Card
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
- Southwest Performance Business Credit Card
Southwest has three personal cards and a business card. Each of these cards offers rewards between 30K-80K points. In the past, people could open two cards and get a bonus that granted enough points to almost meet the minimum. However, with new restrictions on personal cards, you can only get one bonus every 24 months. Boo!
However, this doesn’t apply to business cards. If you’re eligible, have good credit, and not likely to spiral into insane credit card debt, you can open a business card and a personal card, and accrue 100K+ points. The Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card will get you points after you spend money in no time.
Now to earn the rest of them.
The secret to gaining these credit card points is to plan your card sign-ups around big purchases. Just before a recent move, I opened a card . . . and the rewards came rolling in — a small balm to ease the pain of how exorbitant moving can be.
Put everyday spend — especially big purchases or bulk items — on your Southwest credit card and watch your award points quickly add up. Typically, you earn 1 point per $1 spent on your Southwest card and 2 points per $1 on actual Southwest purchases.
But there are other ways to earn points, including:
- Flying Southwest: Booking travel on Southwest earns more points. The cost of this travel will be worth it with your companion pass
- Shopping from Rapid Rewards Partners: Purchases with Southwest’s “Home & Lifestyle” and “Shop and Dine” Partners also earn Companion Pass qualifying points. While you shouldn’t make gratuitous purchases, browse Southwest’s partners to see if you could earn extra points for items you'd be purchasing anyway. All this, simply from enrolling in their Dining Program and shopping with their partners.
So there you have it! And since it’s almost Spring, get to earning and soon you’ll be flying two for the price of one!
Oh, how far we’ve come!
Women’s History Month is here. What a pertinent reminder of how far women have come in society — but this far is far from far enough. From the pay gap to daily microaggressions, it’s still obvious that women are treated as lesser-than in society. This is especially clear when you look at how few female-founded businesses there are.
According to Rolling Stone, it’s crucial to support female-owned businesses. They report: “While it is true that the different experiences and backgrounds that women and men have undoubtedly affect business approaches, this is actually a good thing. A business with diverse perspectives is an innovative business that can actually push the boundaries of industries.” Like with any other social justice cause, uplifting marginalized folks is good for everyone involved. We all benefit from the increased, diverse worldviews brought about by representation.
The article continues: “Having a gender-diverse business yields better consumer insight, and in turn, a more profitable business. Back in 2015, McKinsey & Company found businesses that were more gender-diverse were likely to outperform approximately 15 percent above the industry median. Years later in 2020, they found that the percentage had increased to 25 percent.”
Therefore, even if we aren’t focused on all the social and political reasons to uplift female entrepreneurs, it’s better for everyone’s bottom line if we do.
Yet, despite this oft-proven reality, archaic stereotypes and oppressive systems stand in the way of progress in every sector. An article in Business News Daily outlines some of the obstacles women face as entrepreneurs. The number one hurdle they face? Social expectations.
The article advises that in order to beat this imposter syndrome, female founders should stick to their guns rather than trying to conform. “Women may feel as though they need to adopt a stereotypically "male" attitude toward business: competitive, aggressive, and sometimes harsh. But successful female CEOs believe that remaining true to yourself and finding your own voice are the keys to rising above preconceived expectations.”
But often, women are told their lack of professional advancement is their fault. You’re too shy. You’re not assertive enough. You need to ask for what you want. Otherwise, how do you expect to get it?
However, despite this refrain, it’s actually not their own fault. This scapegoating convinces ambitious women that if their careers are stifled, it’s their fault. This causes imposter syndrome, lack of representation, and real industry consequences.
According to BND, “Raising capital is even more difficult for women-owned businesses. A 2014 Babson College report found that less than 3% of companies with venture capital funding had female CEOs … venture capitalists tend to invest in startups run by people of their own ‘tribe.’”
Other things that get in the way of women climbing the ladder to success include: struggling to be taken seriously, owning their accomplishments, building a support network, balancing business and family life, and coping with the fear of failure.
These are real, tangible barriers that most female entrepreneurs face. The women who have succeeded should be celebrated — and this month is the perfect one to do so. Luckily for us, we can vote with our dollars, supporting the businesses we love so that there can be more like-minded companies out there in the world.
Here are some of my favorite female-owned brands to shop during Women’s History Month:
Bee’s Wrap
Sustainable brands are on the rise and women are leading the charge. Bee’s Wrap is a savvy alternative to disposable food covers like tin foil and cling film. It’s also much cuter and easy to use and reuse over and over again.
Southern Elegance Candle Co - Sweet Tea
A divine self-care day — or rather, night — isn’t complete without candles. This female-owned Southern Elegance Candle Co is backed by Dianne Furstenburg. Their candles blend luxury and comfort with the down-home scent of sweet tea. Their signature scents will fill your home with relaxing aromas that will remind you to stop the insanity and slow down.
The Chai Box - The Ultimate Chai Lover's Gift Set
There’s nothing like curling up at night with a cozy, warm drink. This Chai Set gives you the opportunity to make your chai anyway you like it with the most high-quality spices you can buy.
Bossy Cosmetics Style, Meet Substance Eyeshadow Palette
This brand keeps natural shades of make-up from being boring. Earth tones and metallic shades combine to create a palette that’s bright without being garish. Plus, it's not just woman-owned, it’s Black-owned, and also vegan.
Pura Terra Complexion Clay
Clay masks may be effective at detoxing your pores of excess sebum and clearing pimples. But they can strip your skin of some of the good oils it needs to thrive. This complexion clay is the best of both worlds, making it tough enough to work and gentle enough not to demolish your moisture barrier.
OBIA Naturals Babassu Oil Deep Conditioner
Restore your hair’s natural moisture levels with this rich, nourishing conditioner. It’s enriched with babassu oil, an oft-overlooked oil that pumps your strands full of goodness without leaving a residue. Combined with avocado oil, and pro-Vitamin B5, you’ll have your healthiest hair yet.
Why You Need Cometeer Coffee: Coffee You Can Take on the Go
There’s an internet trend that says that everyone has three drinks: one for energy, one for hydration, and one for fun.
Hydration drinks are usually seltzer, a sports drink, or good old-fashioned water. Fun drinks can be anything from boba to kombucha to a refreshing fountain sprite. But the drink you choose for energy says the most about you. Are you a chill tea drinker? An alternative yerba mate devotee? A matcha-obsessed TikTok That Girl wannabe? A chaotic Red Bull chugger? Or are you a lover of the classics, a person after my own heart, who just loves a good cuppa joe?
Coffee can come in many forms. Straight black, concentrated like cold brew for a heartier flavor, or a milky, sugary, frothy treat for a blend of energy and fun.
But the dreaded coffee descriptor: downright bad.
We’ve all been there — free hotel coffee, questionable diner coffee, disappointing overpriced coffee shop coffee. Pour one out for the cups we left unfinished due to sheer revulsion.
In those moments — taking a sip of bitter, bad bean juice and worrying that someone might know if we slyly spit it back into the offending cup — I start to wonder if the “make your coffee at home” brigade is right.
It’s a common point of contention in the personal finance community — but also in the world at large. Is it really such a monumental waste of money to buy coffee instead of making it at home?
If you go by the dollar, of course, it’s cheaper to brew a cup at home. Plus, you’ll always know what you’re getting. It’s not exciting, but it’s not disappointing either. You'll never risk a truly awful cup unless you never learned how to use that French press of yours.
But what about the emotional cost? Especially during the height of the pandemic, going out for a little coffee and a walk was one of the few indulgences we were allowed. Plus, there’s a reason coffee shops are always bustling and busy. They’re a place of communion. Of community. To gather intentionally, to bump into the same 9:47 a.m. crowd every morning on your commute, or to stumble into delight.
And, while the money you save making every single cup of coffee at home could compound into hundreds of dollars over your lifetime…is it worth it?
If your coffee habit is integral to your happiness — for so many of us, it is — don’t give it up. Add it to your budget alongside other delights that align with your values like your Apple Music premium subscription or your travel fund.
Maybe reduce other expenses like that accompanying pastry, disposable cups, or larger sizes over smaller ones. You can also find a middle ground. Save your coffee walks for a special occasion or reduce to a few times a week. A few times a week, why not splurge on an at-home coffee brand you truly adore to make yourself more likely to brew at home. Better yet: one you can take on-the-go. Never stoop to subpar coffee again!
Enter: Cometeer Coffee.
Cometeer is the latest coffee innovation: flash-frozen coffee pods. They developed a proprietary extraction system that optimizes all the variables that lead to spectacular coffee. This is achieved with high-quality coffee beans, flash freeze them, and deliver the pods right to your door. Simply melt and enjoy.
26 grams of coffee go into each capsule, brewed with a process that’s carefully calibrated to extract as much flavor as possible from the beans — which are sourced from an array of the country’s best roasters. As soon as it’s brewed, it’s frozen at a chilly -321 degrees to lock in its flavor. The result? The perfect icy puck of the most complex coffee you’ve ever tasted.
And with a travel set to ramp up, having easy coffee pods on hand will be a game-changer. Everyone’s traveling — but travel better by packing Cometeer pods.
Based on research from the travel guidance firm The Vacationer, more than 42% of Americans are expected to travel this summer than last, while only 12% will travel less. (The 42% is a notable jump from the 25% who said they would travel more in 2021's survey.)
It’s the summer of revenge travel, promising lots of trips … which means endless nights, early mornings, and long airport lines. Get through them with coffee, but don’t settle for less than the best.
Cometeer's hyper-flavorful top-tier beans come from the world’s best roasters, ground and brewed with incredible precision, flash-frozen at peak flavor, and ready to be melted by you.
Making great coffee is hard, but melting great coffee is easy. Peel back the lid and drop it in a mug. Add hot water, enjoy. The end.