Last Updated on February 28, 2024 by David Thomas
I have been fascinated by the power of plants, which led me to adopt a plant-based diet six years ago. Since then, I have embarked on a journey to discover the beauty of nature’s ingredients while striving to be the best version of myself. It was only natural that I incorporated this passion into my craft, inspiring me to create TEN Hair Care – a brand emphasizing simplicity, transparency, cleanliness, and organic ingredients.
My Moment of Realization
Throughout my 15 years of experience in the hair industry, I have observed a recurring problem among men. Many lack the knowledge to make informed decisions about their hair, often resorting to generic products like 2-in-1 shampoo or bar soap. In contrast, women have access to an array of resources and tools to manage their hair. Men either do not prioritize their hair or are overwhelmed by the vast range of hair products available. With the increasing use of synthetic ingredients and chemicals in hair care products, there had to be a better solution. That is when I dug deep into researching plant-based hair care solutions, realizing that we do not always need harsh chemicals to achieve healthy hair.
Mother Nature: The Original Hair Stylist
Nature has always fascinated me. When I became vegan, the plant-based world showed me a new side of living that I’d never experienced. The true power of plants helped transform me into the best version of myself. I feel like you can find all the answers you need from nature; its been here longer than us and will continue to be here when we’re long gone. The answers have already been here – from aloe’s hydrating essence to coconut’s deep nourishment.
When trying to solve the problem of men’s terrible hair care routines, I spent days, weeks, and months digging deep into nature’s basket, trying to create the all-in-one solution to the problem. That’s how YEAR 1 and 2 were born. But as I got deeper into my wellness and hair care journeys, I realized it was much deeper than adding another product to someone’s routine. Before adding ANY products into your routine, YOU MUST Understand your Hair Type and Condition in order to make the best decision possible.
Why “TEN”?
It was my 10th Year in the hair industry when everything changed for me. Mindset, Health, Family & Business.
When I created TEN, I aimed for perfection and completeness in every product. I wanted to include only nature’s best, providing nourishment and style in a simple way everyone can understand. To me, TEN is more than just a haircare line. The number 10 represents discipline and wholeness, two things that I now live by. Although it has been challenging, the process of creating TEN has taught me so much about myself, life, and business and has made me a better person.
TEN Launch
For me, TEN is much bigger than the products. For many years, I’ve let fear take over my life – fear of failure, fear of judgment, fear of the unknown. I had a dream of being a professional football player, but my lack of discipline prevented me from doing the work in the classroom. I also dreamed of being a music producer but was always too scared to show people my work. So I ran.
2014 I created a haircut and attempted to teach it across England. I’d like to say I had a small part in the crossover from American fades mixed with European scissor cuts. I had a vision of being a hair instructor, teaching what I knew all over the world. But every time I got in the spotlight, I froze up. Fear had me sweating, stuttering, and blanking out. I felt like it would never get better. So I ran.
Releasing TEN was pretty tough. Still tough. There were plenty of moments where I felt like throwing in the towel and calling it quits. But I stuck with it and faced all the challenges head-on. I believe that you can only grow by doing things that scare and challenge you. My past experiences overcoming alcoholism, depression, and being overweight have taught me how to enjoy the problems because I now know that on the other side is growth. Therefore, I remain.
If you take away anything from this, I hope it’s that you should go after whatever it is in life you want to do, even if it gets challenging or scary. The worst thing that could happen is you learn something. The late, great Kobe Bryant said, “We all have self-doubt. You don’t deny it, but you also don’t capitulate(surrender) to it. You embrace it.”
Not Just Products, A Commitment
I’ve always been curious about environmentalism and what it entails. While creating a plant-based hair care line was a step in the right direction, I wanted to do more. From sustainable packaging to organizing community initiatives like our TENxCLAYTONE beach cleanup, I ensure that TEN Haircare is committed to not only individual beauty but also the beauty of our planet. All ingredients are made with renewable resources, and packaging is made from sustainable materials. To limit our plastic waste, we use amber glass bottles to preserve freshness; every product is made to order. We don’t want products sitting on the shelves if they don’t have to be. If there’s no demand, we don’t make it.
What’s next for TEN Hair Care?
The Barber Stylist in me cares more about the people, giving resources and value to the people rather than just selling a product. Be on the lookout for more blogs, videos, events, guides and more. At TEN, we aim to demonstrate love and consideration for oneself and the environment through plant-based haircare and wellness. If you’ve made it this far, I’m sure you’ve been supporting for a while, and I appreciate you taking the time to read. Thank you for your continued support.
& If you’re new here, Welcome to TEN.
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Peace
