Today we’d like to introduce you to Desiree Blue
Hi Desiree , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m Desiree Blue, the CEO of Malaika Hair. My journey started with a dream—a vision of helping people embrace and manage their natural hair with confidence. But if I’m being honest, my entrepreneurial spirit was sparked long before I even knew what my business would be.
It all started in high school. I attended Tower Grove Christian School, a private school in St. Louis. My first year was covered by a local organization, but when my family decided to leave that organization, the financial support ended. If I wanted to continue attending, I had to find a way to pay for it myself. Coming from a family of nine kids, I knew my parents couldn’t afford it, so I got creative. I went door to door selling candy, showing people my grades, and explaining that I was raising money for my education. Eventually, I also got a job and secured a scholarship. That experience taught me something important—I had a natural drive for entrepreneurship. I just needed to figure out what my business would be.
When I went to college, I was still searching for my path. I had always imagined myself owning a business, but I didn’t know what kind. At the same time, I was struggling with my own hair journey. I had been getting relaxers, but my hair was breaking off badly. That’s when I started researching natural hair—using my school’s library and archives to understand how hair grows naturally without chemicals. This research sparked a deep passion in me.
While studying business administration in undergrad, I focused many of my projects on the beauty industry, particularly natural hair care. I also started doing my own hair and helping my friends with theirs. Even though I loved it, I still didn’t immediately see it as my business path.
After college, I worked in customer service and eventually as a business analyst. But something inside me kept pushing me toward my passion. That’s when I finally decided to take the leap—I started a brand of natural hair extensions designed to match different curl patterns.
Malaika Hair began as an extensions brand, but I quickly realized that something was missing. While I loved natural hair, simply selling extensions wasn’t fulfilling enough for me. So, I took my business to the St. Louis Galleria Mall and set up a kiosk. I sold my hair extensions on weekends, but they weren’t selling as well as I had hoped. That’s when I noticed something—people kept complimenting the handmade lock jewelry in my hair. So, I started crafting and selling my own lock jewelry, and it took off! Selling hair accessories helped me build my brand, but I knew I wanted to do more.
Then COVID happened. While many people saw chaos, I saw opportunity. Businesses were closing, and the world was shifting, but I asked myself: What opportunities exist that no one else is seeing? That’s when I realized there was an opening for a salon in the Galleria Mall. I had already been building a name for myself there, so it made perfect sense to take the next step. Even though it was a risky time, I trusted my vision and took the opportunity.
And that’s how Malaika Hair was born. What started as a dream turned into a brand, and that brand grew into a salon dedicated to helping people embrace the beauty of their natural hair. My journey hasn’t been easy, but every challenge has pushed me closer to my purpose. And this is just the beginning.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Building my brand has not always been a smooth road. In fact, business is never truly smooth—there will always be challenges. But the key to success is overcoming the obstacles that come your way, learning from them, and continuing to push forward.
One of my biggest challenges in the beginning was finding funding. It’s not easy to find people who believe in your vision the way you do. You have to learn how to present your dream in a way that captivates others and makes them want to be part of your movement. That wasn’t always easy for me, but with persistence and faith, the right opportunities came. I’m incredibly grateful for Charter, who saw something in me and awarded me a grant that helped grow Malaika Hair into what it is today.
Another major challenge was shifting the mindset of my clients. Many people are used to quick fixes when it comes to hair—they want a one-and-done style and don’t always think about long-term hair health. But at Malaika Hair, our focus is different. We prioritize scalp and strand health, and that starts with understanding what’s really going on with your hair. That’s why we require consultations before we start any service. It’s about education, about creating a routine that works for each individual, whether they’re in the salon or at home. Helping people understand why that matters has been a challenge, but it’s also been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey.
Another ongoing obstacle is building the right team. Finding people who share your vision, work ethic, and passion for what you do takes time. Even now, it’s something I continue to navigate, but I know that the right team will come together as the business grows.
The truth is, there will always be obstacles in business. But as an entrepreneur, you have to see beyond what’s happening in the moment. Challenges are temporary, and every problem has a solution. You have to plan, stay focused, and push forward, knowing that each step brings you closer to your vision. Success isn’t about avoiding obstacles—it’s about overcoming them. And that’s exactly what I intend to keep doing.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Malaika Hair ?
I started Malaika Hair because I wanted to inspire people to embrace their natural hair and feel confident wearing it. I went through my own journey—I used to get relaxers and perms, but over time, I decided to embrace my natural curls. At first, I relied on protective styles like sew-ins and braids, but eventually, I wanted to feel confident in my own natural hair, just as it was. That’s when I started my own natural hair extensions brand, offering different textures that matched natural hair. I loved it, but deep down, I wanted to go even further—I wanted to fully embrace my own hair, take care of it, and help others do the same. That’s when I realized I had to share this passion with others, and Malaika Hair Salon was born.
I actually started out right here in the Galleria Mall with a small kiosk, selling natural hair extensions and handmade lock jewelry. At the time, I was wearing braids with jewelry I made myself, and people kept stopping me to ask about them. They loved them so much that they literally started buying them right off my hair! That’s when I knew I had something special.
Like any business owner, I faced challenges, especially when it came to funding and finding the right mentors. I had to figure out how to properly run and grow my business, and it wasn’t always easy. But I kept pushing, studying everything I could about natural hair and taking classes. More than anything, I learned by doing—working on my own hair, working with clients, and seeing real results. I didn’t just want to focus on styling; I wanted to focus on real hair health, from the scalp to the strands.
A major turning point was joining a mentorship program called Real Beauty Bosses, which helped me organize my business and create systems to run my salon. Then, during COVID, an opportunity came up—there was an open salon space in the mall. I took a leap of faith and went for it. A lot of people didn’t realize how much of a need there was for a salon that not only styles hair but truly cares for it. That’s what makes Malaika Hair different—we don’t just focus on making your hair look good; we focus on making sure it’s healthy, strong, and thriving.
I’ve been fortunate to have amazing mentors along the way, including Real Beauty Bosses and Kaylee, who has helped me focus on making my business more profitable. Over time, Malaika Hair has grown from just a brand selling natural hair extensions to a full salon. A big moment for us was receiving a grant from Charter, which helped put us on the map in St. Louis and establish us as a go-to salon for natural hair.
Being in the Galleria Mall means so much to me because it’s a chance to spread a message that I truly believe in—natural hair is beautiful. It’s okay to take care of it, to be proud of it, and to embrace it fully. Every strand is precious, and I want to help people feel confident in their natural hair.
Looking ahead, my goal is to expand Malaika Hair to different cities and grow our team so we can help even more people on their hair journey. My advice to any entrepreneur? Go for it. If you have a talent, it will make a way for you. But you have to put in the work, stay consistent, and believe in yourself—because when you do, the opportunities will come.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
In business, taking risks isn’t optional—it’s necessary. If I had played it safe, I wouldn’t be where I am today with Malaika Hair. Every major step I’ve taken—whether it was selling my products in a kiosk, pivoting to hair accessories, or opening a salon during COVID—required me to step out on faith, even when things were uncertain.
I’ve learned that risk and opportunity go hand in hand. Of course, not every risk pays off immediately, and some come with setbacks. But the key is to make calculated decisions, trust your instincts, and be willing to adjust along the way. The biggest mistake you can make as an entrepreneur is letting fear of the unknown hold you back.
For me, I look at risks as challenges to be solved, not as roadblocks. If you’re too afraid to take a leap, you’ll always wonder what could have been. Business is about growth, and growth requires stepping outside of your comfort zone. You have to be willing to invest in yourself, even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed.
At the end of the day, risk is what separates dreamers from doers. If you truly believe in your vision, you have to be willing to take that leap—even when the path isn’t fully clear. Because sometimes, the biggest opportunities come when you’re willing to move forward despite uncertainty.
Pricing:
- Consultation first alway. Every Angel (Customer) is custom.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://MalaikaHair.com
- Instagram: @malaika_Hair
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MalaikaHairLLC
