Meet 103 Collection CEO Melinda Herron: “Don’t Take No for an Answer, Even When It Seems Impossible”

103 Collection Vegan Luxury Hair Bundle

Melinda Herron made a name for herself in the ‘90s as a master stylist, entrepreneur, and business consultant. As the current CEO of 103 Collection, a company that focuses on vegan and plant-based beauty products for sensitive skin, she has made her mark in the beauty industry as a bold and pragmatic leader.

We sat down with Melinda to learn about her insights from three decades in the beauty and grooming industries. During our conversation, she shared her take on work-life balance, her product development and marketing tactics, and how she rose to the top in a male-dominated field.

Here are highlights from our fireside chat:

How has being an alpha woman helped you navigate the beauty industry?

My ambition calls for me to walk into a room and be confident about who I am and what this means to women in an industry dominated by men. I’m not intimidated by being the only woman in the men’s grooming industry. It actually empowers me when I think about it. Women can do anything if they just believe in themselves. I don’t take no for an answer, even when it seems impossible. I find the best way to get my foot in the door and use every opportunity to take my brand to the next level. I never put limits on myself. Just because it hasn’t been done, doesn’t mean it can’t be done. I will always give myself grace and understand that you must empower yourself to achieve greatness.

When you’re not growing your business, how do you practice self-care and nurturing yourself?

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I believe we should all practice self-care in whatever way makes us feel refreshed or recharged. My personal preference is to either spend the day with my family and friends, travel, eat good food, indulge in a good spa day, experience new things, and learn new cultures. My business practices for self-care can be listening to a podcast, reading a book, or watching a documentary. I love learning about how a successful business got started and why it started.

Why do so many people gravitate towards 103 Collection?

Consumers are focused on affordable products that are healthy and socially conscious. 103 Collection provides transparency with a full ingredient list. We also tell our customers if we replace any of our ingredients with more sustainable options.
Consumers are tired of big marketing ploys that share product benefits, only to learn that they’re loaded with toxic chemicals that can lead to health issues.
We’re also very careful about who we choose as influencers because we want authentic reviews that enable potential customers to feel the real energy behind our products.

What “keys to success” can you share with other women who want to enter male-dominated industries?

The best advice I can give anyone is to do your research and be prepared for your opportunity. Don’t wait until opportunity comes knocking. Create your own and don’t try to reinvent the wheel.

Another important tip is to see what your competitors’ top-selling products are and to look for the worst reviews. Try and develop a product that solves their problems and use it as your marketing strategy.

Don’t forget to connect with industry leaders and don’t be afraid to ask for assistance. You’ll be surprised by how well your quest for knowledge will be received.

Melinda Herron: A Story of Guts, Perseverance, and Hard Work

In a few short years, Melinda has helped transform the company into an up-and-coming brand that’s known for offering high-quality and clean beauty products like beard wash and beard oil.
Aside from its online shop, 103 Collection products are now available in major department stores Target and Meijer. It also has a loyal online following on major social media sites including Facebook , Twitter, or Instagram