This Week's Spotlight~Laquita Thomas-Banks-"A Natural Born Leader"

At the age of 13, Laquita Thomas-Banks started an in-home braiding business, styling hair for her family and friends. She's been styling hair - doing everything from natural hair styles, braids and weaves for over 25 years.  Laquita also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism. Throughout her writing career she's written and edited for both print and online media. Over the past few years, she has been combining her writing skills with her love of natural hair and had the opportunity to write for several online and print magazines and hair sites. She loves sharing the knowledge that she's gained throughout her natural hair journey - i.e., hair care and maintenance techniques, DIY recipes and hairstyles. Laquita has written for Clutch magazine and its sister site Coco and Cream, She writes for the Examiner.com as the DC Natural Hair Examiner. She also writes natural hair articles for Pumpsicle, AfroGlitz, Living No Lye, Sanata International print magazine, and a guest blogger on Kinnks. Laquita also has her own blog and YouTube channel All Naptural. She's also a member of eBraiding/eNaturals Advisory Board, where she assist with the eBraiding/eNaturals’ mission of helping uplift the hair braiding and natural hair care industry into a healthy environment, and promoting unity within both hair care communities. She works as one of the Press, Advertising and PR board members, providing guidance and input to the organization’s executive team.

My Greatest Accomplishment to Date Has Been:

Along with sharing the knowledge that I have gained throughout my natural hair journey, I started my own natural hair products business. Bobeam (bo-bee-um) Natural Hair Products.  Bobeam’s specialty is shampoo bars made with all natural ingredients and they can be used on all hair types. 

Through Bobeam I have been able to donate proceeds to various organizations including 1 in 8 Foundation.org - supporting the fight against cancer through early detection, and S.E.L.F. Image Awards Foundation, a non-profit organization that aids families affected by domestic violence.

The Most Challenging Thing I Ever Experienced:

I would have to say the most challenging, but still rewarding thing that I have experienced is creating products that will work for all types of hair. This is a challenge because what works for some may not necessarily work for others. In turn it’s rewarding when, through research, I come across natural ingredients that are beneficial to all types of hair.

Most Valuable Lesson(s): 

The most valuable lesson that I have learned so far is to make my passion my business. My mother always told my brother and I to work for ourselves, turn what we like doing - things we are passionate about - into our business.  It took me years to realize that in doing so - waking up every morning doing something that I love, writing, creating my own products, giving back to others - is the key to a happy, stress-free life, and I encourage others to do the same. It’s never too late.

Final Remarks: 

I would like to thank BOND Inc. for giving me the opportunity to be profiled along with all the other African American women who have been spotlighted. I feel that recognizing African American women who are doing extraordinary things personally and/or professionally, and sharing their accomplishments is a great way to encourage and inspire others.

For More Information Visit:

All Naptural Natural Hair Blog http://allnaptural.blogspot.com/
Examiner.com Natural Hair Articles http://www.examiner.com/natural-hair-in-washington-dc/laquita-thomas-banks
Bobeam Natural Hair Products http://www.etsy.com/shop/Laquita33
eBraiding/eNaturals http://www.ebraiding.net/

BOND Inc Spotlight features ordinary African American women from all over who are doing extra-ordinary things.  If you or anyone you know would like to be featured, send your requests for more information to iambondinc@gmail.com.