08 Jun HERStory: Sherrel Sampson
Sherrel Sampson: Trailblazing Black Businesswoman, founder of Canviiy.
Meet Sherrel Sampson – an amazing businesswoman who is making big strides and proving that all is possible. Born and raised in the Bahamas, Sherrel and her family moved to the U.S. while she was in high school. Fast forward to today, Sherrel created an international business where her products are not only helping women and sold in stores everywhere, but they are also helping cancer patients and other people in need.
During an interview with KNOW, Sherrel says “We launched in November 2015, and it’s just been a great journey. We started out in doing small local festivals, [we] also did some farmer’s markets. Now [we have] distribution in Target, over 200 stores.”
We spoke with Sherrel and she says, “This entrepreneurial journey began when I left the salon after having hair extensions sewn in. When I arrived home, my scalp was on fire, I grabbed a bobby pin in an attempt to scratch my scalp, but that provided no relief. After being frustrated for hours, I called my hairstylist and asked if there were any products that could help. She meekly said, ‘You can wash your hair or purchase some type of hair oil.”
“Leveraging my experience, I sought to tackle this unmet need. Therefore, I partnered with an organic chemist, and it took us approximately 14 to 16 months to research and develop our organic-based itch-calming serum. It was important to craft a high-performing formula. However, it was equally important to offer innovative application systems that delivered the serum with unparalleled precision. We launched Canviiy in November 2015, and we’ve been humbled by the customer response and loyalty!”
Eight years later, Canviiy is most notable for its award-winning scalp care collection, ScalpBliss™, which consists of seven product SKUs. Sherrel’s retail footprint has expanded to more than 3,000 doors in CVS, Sally Beauty, Walmart and JCPenney and Target.
In addition, her company is dedicated to improving the scalp health of cancer patients through leading cancer center partnerships, including Moffitt, Harvard and City of Hope.
Sherrel’s company has official partnerships with Tampa & Orlando International Airports and has been featured by renowned media outlets, including Forbes, Allure, Vogue, BET, ESSENCE, Black Enterprise & Aspire TV. Canviiy was also included in Beyoncé’s directory of Black-owned business directory.
In an interview with Forbes, Sherrel says, “From the earliest days of the brand, I viewed entrepreneurship as a form of freedom. Running a start-up has the advantages of forgoing lengthy approval processes, bypassing internal politics, and innovating at a swift pace. During these years, we’ve been fortunate to create our own timelines, drive customer retention & advocacy, while validating profitable revenue channels to propel smart growth. Developing a sustainable business model took precedence over seeking investment. Nonetheless, as we scale growth, we are cognizant and prepared to adjust the company’s capital structure to meet market demands.”
Sherrel’s success is a testament to the power of entrepreneurship fueled by personal experience, passion, and innovation.
Her advice to women is to embrace their innate talents to truly unleash their greatness. She says: “Oftentimes, we’re focused on our weaknesses or fears, but when we lean into our talents, opportunities are revealed.”
To learn more, visit canviiy.com.
No Comments