Natural Success

Written for Fort Wayne Magazine

Chocolate Kinks & Kurls (CKK) sells natural haircare and beauty products, but that description sells the company short. According to Founder Juanita Henderson, CKK focuses on “creating an affirming space for black women while supporting the journey to self-love and acceptance of their natural kinks and curls.”

Since 2012, the company has cultivated a dedicated and global community, primarily, from its Instagram page that’s followed by over 16,000 fans. CKK doesn’t have a physical shop… anywhere. The company has a warehouse where Henderson and company mixes and ships from because she manufactures her own products; she worked with a chemist to birth the company’s wares. Her clay washes are her signature products.

And CKK is catching the attention of the world. Allure.com recently named the company their Top 13 Black-Owned Brands to Know and Huffington Post included it in their own Top 50 list. In 2018, CKK won the Editor’s Choice Award from NaturallyCurly.com and their Best of the Best Leaders in Curl Award in 2019.

“What's surprised me on this journey was the ease of transitioning from being an independent retailer,” Henderson said, “to introducing my own product line, and it immediately being well-received.” In June 2020 alone, CKK sold over 1,000 units, including sales in Australia, Canada, and London.

Humbly enough, CKK started on one aisle in the now-closed Community Care Pharmacy. Daughter She’Nayla was the impetus for Henderson’s natural hair journey. “She didn't feel confident with her kinky textured hair so [I felt] I had to be a reflection of self-love and confidence for both her and my youngest daughter, Alaira,” she said.

In August 2013, she opened the first natural hair boutique & natural hair braiding/beauty den in Fort Wayne. By 2016, CKK had transitioned solely to an e-commerce business and the founder released her own line of products. In May 2020, she secured her warehouse, necessitated by the increased demand. With another goal accomplished, Henderson is now looking for an outside manufacturer.

“Being a black-woman-owned business has allowed me to serve women here in my community and all over the world,” Henderson said. “I don't take this responsibility lightly, and I know what I'm doing with CKK will open up doors and create opportunities for other women that look like me.”