Business is booming for entrepreneurial Leeds teenager who creates hair accessories from Armley home

Erika Jean-Guy, 19, runs Erika's Meaningful Commodities from her home in Armley.

She sells hair bonnets, satin hair ties and scarves - all created by hand using a sewing machine gifted by her mum.

Business is booming for the teenager and she has recently launched a website, delivering her products across the UK.

Erika told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “The idea came when I started taking more care of my own hair, but when I was putting in oils and moisture and using a bonnet it was falling out all over my pillow.

“My mum had just bought me a sewing machine after I made a dress by hand, so I found fabric and watched YouTube videos and started making my own hair accessories.

“My sister thought they were amazing and encouraged me to set up the business.

“I was skeptical at first as I knew it would be a lot of work, but I realised there might be people going through the same thing as me who needed something to help them.”

Erika initially juggled her A Levels with running the business, but her hard work has paid off and it's now her full-time job.

She hopes her products will inspire other women who may struggle with taking care of their natural hair.

“It’s more than just a hair bonnet," Erika added.

“The blue colour is inspired by blue skies and beaches, when the British weather is bad it brings freshness and lifts them up.

“The gold colour represents royalty, it’s precious and expensive. I hope I can help little girls with their hair, knowing the texture and their skin colour is precious and rich."

You visit Erika's website here.

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