– How did you get the name “Queen of Kank” and what made you start KinkyCurlyYaki?

My name is Vivian Kaye and I am the founder and CEO of KinkyCurlyYaki.

I have always been proud of my natural hair. I love the way it feels after a wash-n-go, how my curls look when I’ve given them the attention they deserve and how many different ways I can wear it.  But I also love experimenting with protective styles such as weaves, wigs and braids and love to switch up my look on a whim
based on my mood.
In 2010, after watching tons of videos of women unintentionally damaging their own natural hair in an attempt to blend in with exotic textures like “Brazilian”, “Peruvian” & “Malaysian”, I began searching for textures that looked more like my own. I was so ready to say goodbye to that whole “African in the front, Indian in the back” thing. But my search came up empty.

I found that most hair extension companies carried mostly straight or synthetic curl textures that were not versatile or easy to maintain; not to mention the available textures weren’t so cute either.

So I decided to create a company that not only sold high quality, kinky, curly and natural-looking textured hair extensions but one that also celebrates the women who wear it. From there, KinkyCurlyYaki was born. 

What’s your favorite look to rock from Kinky Curly Yaki? “My favorite look is the Afro Kinky Curly wig…”

–  The industry of natural hair has really grown over the years, and my favorite TV Show right now, that’s giving me life, with Black, Bold and Natural hairstyles is Insecure. If you could give Molly’s character a new look from Kinky Curly Yaki, which look would it be and why?

– What legacy do you want to be remembered for?

This is great question and my full answer seems to change as time goes on, however, there are a few things that stay the same: I want myself and KinkyCurlyYaki to be remembered as a brand that unapologetically stands for and with Black women from all around the world.

I created this company because I wanted to celebrate and uplift Black women and provide them with products that were authentic and made them feel beautiful. I also want people to see or hear my story and know that I am a woman who isn’t perfect and doesn’t know it all but will always, always, always go after my dreams no matter what obstacles are standing in my way. It hasn’t been the easiest road building this company, but I want people to know and remember that I persisted and I hope knowing that will inspire them to dust off their own goals and go for whatever it is that they want out of life.