Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacey Brown.
Hi Stacey, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey has been anything but traditional. I became a teenage mother and left high school, but I was determined to create a different future for myself and my family. I earned my GED, became a registered nurse, and spent more than 35 years in healthcare, eventually serving in leadership for one of the nation’s largest healthcare organizations. Throughout my nursing career, I learned the importance of evidence-based care, education, and helping people improve their quality of life.
Long before Kanuni Brown® existed, I was inspired by my grandmother, Emma, who owned her own salon that was built onto the back of the family’s home by my grandfather. Her salon wasn’t just a place where people came to have their hair done—it was a place of community, conversation, confidence, and care. Knowing that she served others planted a seed that stayed with me for years, even as I built my nursing career.
During the pandemic, when salons were closed and many people, including myself, struggled with damaged, dry, and neglected hair, I saw an opportunity to combine my healthcare background with my passion for natural ingredients and healthy hair. I enrolled in cosmetic formulation school and began developing products that blended plant-based ingredients with science-backed formulations. That passion became Kanuni Brown®, a clean beauty hair care brand rooted in the belief that healthy hair starts with healthy ingredients.
The name “Kanuni,” meaning “principles” in Swahili, reflects the values my business was built on: integrity, education, quality, and service. Every product is carefully selected with ingredients designed to rescue and protect hair from dryness, damage, and breakage while empowering consumers to make informed choices about what they put on their bodies.
Since launching, Kanuni Brown® has grown beyond anything I imagined. Our products have earned international recognition, including a first-place Clean Beauty Award in the Hair Treatment category, featured in several clean beauty articles and on WDIV “Live in the D” news segment. Additionally, I’ve been honored to become a WBENC-certified business owner, a finalist in the national WePitch competition, a member of the Great Lakes Women’s Business Council WBE Forum as well as a Volunteer of the Year recipient through the Great Lakes Women’s Business Council. Today, I’m also honored to serve on the Southfield Area Chamber of Commerce, where I have the opportunity to collaborate with fellow business leaders, support local economic growth, and continue advocating for entrepreneurship within our community.
While those accomplishments mean a great deal, what also fulfills me is seeing the positive impact our company has on the community. We proudly sponsor local community events so families can attend at little or no cost, and we donate a portion of our proceeds to support local food, clothing, and toy drives. Giving back has always been part of our mission because I believe a successful business should strengthen the community it serves.
Today, my mission extends beyond selling hair care. I’m passionate about educating consumers, mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs, and showing others that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself. My story is proof that setbacks don’t define us—our willingness to keep learning, serving, and pursuing purpose does. I hope that when people hear my story, they don’t just see an entrepreneur or a nurse—they see someone who believes that compassion, perseverance, and service can transform lives, one person at a time.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but every challenge has helped shape both me and my business.
One of the biggest transitions was leaving the security of a successful healthcare leadership career to pursue entrepreneurship. In the corporate world, there are departments and teams to support different functions. As a small business owner, especially in the beginning, I quickly realized that I was every department. I became the product formulator, manufacturer, marketer, photographer, website designer, customer service representative, shipping department, accountant, and CEO—all while learning an entirely new industry.
Another challenge has been educating consumers about clean beauty. Many people don’t realize that not all hair care products are created equal or understand the long-term effects certain ingredients can have on their hair and scalp. Building trust takes time, and I’ve learned that education is just as important as creating a great product. Helping people understand why ingredients matter has become a central part of our mission.
Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve also faced financial challenges. Growing a business requires significant investment, and there were times when I had to make difficult decisions about where to allocate limited resources. Instead of taking shortcuts or compromising on product quality, I chose to grow more slowly while staying true to my values. Looking back, I’m grateful I made that choice because it allowed me to build a brand based on integrity rather than convenience.
Perhaps the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that success rarely happens overnight. It comes from consistently showing up, continuing to learn, adapting when things don’t go as planned, and refusing to give up. Every obstacle has strengthened my resilience and reinforced why I started this journey in the first place—to create products that genuinely help people while building a business rooted in purpose, service, and community.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Kanuni Brown® is more than a hair care company—it’s a nurse-created clean beauty brand built on the belief that people shouldn’t have to choose between products that perform and products they can feel good about using. As a registered nurse, I’ve spent my career helping people heal and protecting their well-being. Today, I bring that same wellness-focused mindset to hair care. I consider myself a first responder for hair because my mission is to help rescue hair from the hidden risks that silently contribute to dryness, breakage, and long-term damage. Every formula is intentionally created by blending science, thoughtfully selected ingredients, and real-world performance to rescue, restore, strengthen, and protect healthy hair.
We specialize in nurse-created hair care designed to deliver real results without compromising on quality, safety, or integrity. Every ingredient is chosen with purpose because it serves a meaningful role in the health and performance of the finished product. Whether someone has textured, curly, straight, color-treated, or aging hair, our goal is to provide effective solutions that support healthier, more resilient hair for the entire family.
What also sets Kanuni Brown® apart is our commitment to education. I believe consumers deserve to understand not only what they’re putting on their hair, but why those ingredients matter. That’s why we spend time educating our community – about clean beauty, types of ingredients to avoid, and dispelling common myths. Importantly, I don’t create products based on fear or marketing trends—I create them based on science, safety, performance, and the needs of the people who trust my products. I want every customer to feel confident making informed decisions about their hair care and overall well-being.
I’m especially proud that Kanuni Brown® has earned international recognition – we are locally made and internationally recognized – while remaining true to the principles the company was founded on. We’ve never compromised our standards in pursuit of growth. Every decision we make is guided by quality, transparency, education, and a genuine desire to help people feel confident in their own hair.
Beyond our products, we’re committed to making a positive impact in the communities we serve. We proudly support local events that bring families together and donate a portion of our proceeds to local food, clothing, and toy drives because we believe business should be a force for good.
Above all, I want readers to know that when they choose Kanuni Brown®, they’re not just purchasing a bottle of shampoo or conditioner—they’re supporting a mission rooted in tradition, powered by nature, proven by science, and driven by a sincere desire to improve lives through healthier hair, education, and community. My hope is that every person who experiences Kanuni Brown® feels empowered, informed, and confident knowing their hair care is guided by integrity, backed by science, and created by someone – a true nurse, caregiver, first responder – who genuinely cares about helping them, and the community, thrive.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I’m a firm believer that learning never stops, especially in an industry that’s constantly evolving. As a registered nurse and entrepreneur, I make it a priority to stay informed through scientific research, industry publications, and professional development.
I regularly follow CleanCert (Clean Beauty Awards) articles, Personal Care Magazine, and other cosmetic science resources to stay current on formulation trends, ingredient safety, and clean beauty innovations. Rather than chasing trends, I’m interested in understanding the science behind them so I can make informed decisions for both my products and my customers.
I’m also intentional about investing in my own growth as a business leader. Attending Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business Executive Education program, “Building a Successful Business”, was a particularly meaningful experience. I’ve also benefited greatly from organizations like the Great Lakes Women’s Business Council, WBENC, and the Southfield Area Chamber of Commerce, which have provided invaluable opportunities for leadership development, networking, and collaboration with other entrepreneurs.
Perhaps my greatest resource, though, is my customers. Their questions, experiences, and feedback continually inspire me to learn more, improve our products, and create educational content that helps people make healthier, more informed choices about their hair care. For me, learning isn’t just about growing a business—it’s about becoming better equipped to serve others.
For fun, I enjoy reading personal develop books, and history about monarchies, different cultures, and faraway travel destinations.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kanunibrown.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanunibrown/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceybrownrn/
