Have you heard of Mixed Chicks? It's a hair products firm that caters to multicultural women. The firm appears to be doing phenomenally well, so well in fact, that it was recently covered in Inc. Magazine (see 2/12 edition). The founders, Kim Etherede and Wendi Levy, were caught off guard in 2/11 when they learned that Sally Beauty Supply was selling an alarmingly similar product on its shelves. Sally's version, Mixed Silk, also catered to multiethnic women. According to Inc. Magazine, the bottle shape, package design, colors and fonts were also the same as those used by Mixed Chicks. Hmmm? What to do? Can a $5MM company face a multi-billion dollar juggernaut? You BET! I'm so proud that these ladies went with their gut and sued in 3/11. This is no cakewalk and who knows how the suit will turn out. However, I applaud the ladies for standing up for their convictions.
Here's an email that I sent to them via their website on 1/23/12:
Hi there, I'm not mixed but I heard about your products because I'm a professor who blogs on hair and identity. I just learned about your suit against Sally Beauty Supply in Inc. Magazine (2/12). I am so proud of you all for not succumbing to such bullying. Congratulations no matter what the outcome (but I'm praying that you all win!!!).
Thanks,
Tina Opie
If you're a blogger, vlogger, manufacturer, CEO in the natural hair care industry (or any industry for that matter), it's important to protect your brand. Tips on how to do that? I'm on a hunt and will share when I find some good ideas!
Image found at: http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&safe=active&biw=1440&bih=809&tbm=isch&tbnid=PpIDkfrJZXGjuM:&imgrefurl=http://fashiondailymag.com/tame-the-curly-mane/&docid=nigVX7U-XzdgfM&imgurl=http://fashiondailymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/MIXED-CHICKS-curly-hair-products-on-FashionDailyMag.jpg&w=594&h=400&ei=RQMeT5bnF8nngge35YyRDw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=959&vpy=426&dur=95&hovh=184&hovw=274&tx=144&ty=123&sig=111245176624317175719&page=1&tbnh=142&tbnw=198&start=0&ndsp=23&ved=1t:429,r:13,s:0
Mixed Chicks Founders, Wendi Levy (left) and Kim Etheredge
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