It started with my hair.

I’ve always loved making things. As a kid, I was constantly creating—mud pies, sewing projects, crochet experiments, and photography. I’ve always had a builder’s mindset. I didn’t expect that mindset would one day lead me to build a better hat.

My hair journey has had a lot of twists. I got a relaxer at 12 without even knowing what it was. It took me more than a decade to realize what that decision had done. When I finally decided to go natural, it wasn’t easy. It wasn’t popular either. I didn’t know how to care for my curls. I didn’t even know what my natural texture really was. Stylists often told me it was “too much.” But I kept going.

The struggle got real when I started traveling internationally. On my first trip to Germany in the middle of winter, I went looking for a hat. What I found looked good but gave me a headache. It was just too tight. That same story played out again and again in different locations with the same result. It finally hit me. Hats weren’t made for hair like mine. Eventually, I decided to make my own hats..

Why I Built TAJI

TAJI means crown in Swahili. These hats are made for women with voluminous, textured hair. They’re lined with real silk. They’re designed to fit. And they’re built to celebrate what makes our hair unique.

I bring more than 20 years of product development experience from the consumer goods industry. I’m also an engineer and an MBA. I’ve spent five years learning hat-making techniques, sourcing materials, and building what didn’t exist. Most importantly, I’ve lived the problem I’m solving.

What Drives Me

Too often, embracing natural hair means giving things up, especially in fashion. Fedora lovers with voluminous curls are told to either straighten their hair or go without. TAJI exists to change that.

You shouldn’t have to change your hair to wear a hat.