Seventeen-year-old Gia Tejeda and her mother Trelles Delandro are the co-creators of Pretty Hair Posse – a brand that empowers young women to be girl bosses by providing hair care products and organizing hair shows, fashion shows and teen empowerment events including ACT and SAT prep.
I had the pleasure of meeting these two NOLA Girls turned Georgia peaches at last year’s Black Girls with Purpose Conference and my interaction with them taught me that sometimes powerful women come in pretty pink packages.
We invited Gia and Trelles into our guest chair to talk about what it’s like to work together, keys to a healthy relationship and some of their best tips for running a business.
BGWP: Gia, tell us a little bit about how Pretty Hair Posse got started.
About two years ago I wanted to get a job because all my friends were getting jobs and I asked my mom if I could get a job at Subway. She asked me “How much do you think you’re going to make?” I hadn’t done my research, but I said something around $8 an hour. Then she asked me “Would you rather make $8 an hour or $800 an hour?” and “Would you rather work for yourself or somebody else?” Of course, I would rather make $800/hour and work for myself.
From there we discussed what I liked to do. I was already into beauty, hair and everything glam. My mom is in the finance industry, so we tied in what she was doing and decided to provide hair care products and also create opportunities for students to raise their own funding for college, become entrepreneurs and be their own bosses.
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BGWP: In your opinion, what are the three major keys to having a great mom and daughter relationship?
Gia: I have more than three. I would say – trust, communication, support and honesty. Those are important for any relationship. Communication, trust and honesty are the major three because communication is key.
Trelles: I would say, trust, honesty and for me as a mom being a praying mother. Also balancing being a mother and friend. It’s important not just to be a disciplinarian. When you create trust, you show your kids they can talk to you about anything.
BGWP: How has being in business together impacted your mother daughter dynamic?
Gia: It has definitely brought us closer. We sit down and plan events for hours at a time. We’ve learned how to compromise and make sure we’re both happy. Now, I talk to my mom about everything.
Trelles: Us being together in business has had a very positive impact in our relationship and it’s created a very strong bond. Pretty Hair Posse is about being fun, being beautiful and embracing who you are so as a parent and a mother it’s allowed me to allow [Gia] to be who she is. Sometimes I do have to find balance between letting her be a kid and pushing her to be a CEO. We have a lot of fun together but I’m still no nonsense.
BGWP: What would the two of you say to young women who have ever wanted to start a business or have started a business and quit?
Trelles: Follow your passion. Don’t be afraid of failure. Do your due diligence with research and do not expect to get rich overnight. If you do something you are passionate about it won’t feel like work. You’ll just wake up one day and wonder “how did I get here?” Understand the experts didn’t become experts overnight. Be okay with being a beginner.
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Gia: Embrace your failures and setbacks because without them you wouldn’t learn what you can do differently. Walk confidently in your business, no one else is going to represent your business or advocate for your business the way you do. Also, don’t be mad when everyone doesn’t support you.
BGWP: What’s the most memorable experience you’ve shared in your business?
Gia: My sweet 16 and the Pretty Hair Posse launch party because they were combined. Both planning it and experiencing it were probably the best thing we’ve ever done so far.
Trelles: I would agree with Gia. That has been the most memorable thing we’ve done. It was like a dream come true on a personal level and a business level. I said if we were going to do this thing we needed to come out with a bang. It was everything we dreamed of and more.
BGWP: What’s been one of your favorite trips you’ve taken?
Trelles: My favorite trip was last year’s teen empowerment tour during Essence Fest. We rented out the lobby at the Hilton Inn near the Convention Center and we had four teenagers who participated. Gia sold her Girl Boss shirts, we had two makeup artists and one young woman with her own hair moisture product. The young ladies were really empowered at the event.
BGWP: What are some of the surprising things you have in common?
Gia: We think exactly alike. We will either have the same reaction, facial expression and even outfit.
Trelles: We are really connected. Our thoughts are almost the same. *laughs* It’s scary.
BGWP: What does it mean to you to be a black girl with purpose?
Gia: [Being a black girl with purpose means] serving God through your passions and everything you love doing. It also means inspiring others to be their authentic and best selves. You have to make sure you’re your best self, so you can elevate as well.
Trelles: To be a black girl with purpose means to rise above all the things that we as black women face – oppression, being minorities. It means staying true, striving with excellence, overcoming the curveballs that society throws at us. It means being champions.
BGWP: What scripture do you live by when you need encouragement?
Gia and Trelles: Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
BGWP: What is the hardest part about walking in your purpose?
Gia: Staying true to your purpose and not stretching yourself too thin because once you start stretching yourself too thin you lose focus of what it is that you’re supposed to do.
Trelles: Understanding what the destination is. You can start out on one road and then start taking different roads and it gets jumbled and you forget what you should be doing. If you don’t stay true to the course, you won’t reach your destination.
BGWP: What is one piece of advice you would like to leave everyone who is a part of the Black Girls with Purpose community?
Gia: Never give on yourself or your dreams. Be unapologetically you. Put yourself in the best position possible and never be hard on yourself because as long as you put your best foot forward, no one can ever say you didn’t try.
Trelles: Keep God first. Never be afraid of failure. Believe in yourself even when others don’t. Be a leader in a world full of followers. It’s important to understand that you are the author of your own story therefore you have the power to rewrite your ending. Lastly, you only get one chance so live your best life!
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Be the first to get information on Pretty Hair Posse’s Teen Empowerment Summit this summer by following them on Instagram @prettyhairposse or visiting their website at prettyhairposse.com. Also, be on the lookout for news about the Girl Boss Brunch and Gia’s book launch!
Get more mother daughter gems when you attend our Beloved Brunch, Sunday, May 20 at The Chair Boutique. Purchase tickets.