Confessions of a Female Founder with Meghan: Building Your Brand Brick by Brick with Highbrow Hippie’s Kadi Lee

Hosted by Lemonada Media | Released on April 22, 2025

Introduction

In the latest episode of Confessions of a Female Founder, host Megan engages in an inspiring conversation with Kadi Lee, the co-owner of Highbrow Hippie, a thriving hair salon based in Venice, California. This episode delves deep into Kadi’s entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the challenges, triumphs, and the meticulous process of building a brand from the ground up.

Early Beginnings and Education

Kadi Lee’s path to entrepreneurship began with her passion for hair care, nurtured from a young age. Growing up in Connecticut as one of the few Black children in her school system, Kadi taught herself to manage her hair texture, experimenting with various styles long before the advent of the World Wide Web provided easy access to tutorials.

• [20:56] Katie Lee: "I've always been very self-sufficient, handling and figuring things out on my own."

Her educational journey took her to Spelman College, a pivotal experience that fostered her confidence and provided a supportive environment among intelligent, beautiful Black women. This foundation was critical in shaping her entrepreneurial spirit.

• [18:59] Katie Lee: "Spelman was a really special, safe space for me because I'd never been around so many smart, beautiful black women before."

Launching Highbrow Hippie

After completing her studies, Kadi moved to New York City to attend beauty school at Aveda. Her talent and dedication quickly propelled her to work with industry leaders like Serge Normont and Frederick Fauci. However, a desire for a more serene and personalized salon experience motivated Kadi to transition to California.

• [24:15] Katie Lee: "I love art, and it always felt like, okay, this is a canvas. It felt really freeing to me."

In collaboration with her long-time friend and business partner, Micah, Kadi founded Highbrow Hippie. The salon was conceived as a tranquil space that diverged from the typical loud and bustling salon environment, prioritizing peace and a regulated atmosphere.

• [28:16] Katie Lee: "We wanted to create a physical space that feels good when you're in it, that actually regulates your nervous system."

Navigating the Pandemic and Building Community

The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges for Highbrow Hippie, forcing the salon to close temporarily. During this period, Kadi and Micah adapted by offering home color kits, which not only sustained the business financially but also strengthened their relationship with clients.

• [09:12] Katie Lee: "We did enough sales in just a few months to pay our rent on time and make sure our team had some sort of money coming towards them."

Understanding the heightened social tensions during the pandemic, Kadi initiated Patio Chats, open discussions on race, feminism, and intersectionality. These conversations fostered a sense of community and positioned Highbrow Hippie as more than just a salon, but a hub for meaningful dialogue.

• [13:12] Katie Lee: "We wanted to really dive into how things affect you if they don't directly affect you."

Expansion into Product Lines

Recognizing a gap in the market for hair health and wellness products, especially those created by salon experts, Kadi and Micah expanded Highbrow Hippie into product development. Their focus shifted to creating products that promote hair health, responding to a growing trend of stress-related hair issues exacerbated by the pandemic.

• [35:27] Katie Lee: "We knew that if we were going to launch a product, it just became really clear that it had to be about hair health and wellness."

Their dedication paid off when their product line, including a hair supplement and hair serum, received acclaim, with the serum being named Best Hair Serum by Oprah Daily.

Securing Funding and Growth

Despite the notorious challenges Black women face in securing venture capital, Kadi proactively sought education and support through accelerator programs like Dream Ventures. Her relentless pursuit of knowledge and strategic planning culminated in winning top honors in her accelerator program, providing the necessary funding to scale her product line.

• [37:07] Katie Lee: "I knew it might be an uphill battle, so I needed to have the knowledge to execute this."

This achievement not only validated her business model but also highlighted the importance of community support and fiscal responsibility in entrepreneurial success.

Maintaining Values and Future Aspirations

Central to Highbrow Hippie’s success is its unwavering commitment to excellence and a strong value system. Kadi emphasizes the importance of building a brand brick by brick, staying true to core morals, and fostering a supportive team environment.

• [03:12] Katie Lee: "This was all brick by brick. But we always just stuck to our vision of excellence."

Looking ahead, Kadi envisions expanding her horizons beyond Highbrow Hippie, aspiring to return to her English major roots, possibly writing, and exploring life in different countries. Her forward-thinking approach ensures that Highbrow Hippie remains a dynamic and evolving brand.

• [43:17] Katie Lee: "I want to kind of go back to my English major roots. I want to get some writing done."

Key Takeaways and Insights

• Community Building: Kadi’s approach to fostering a strong community through open dialogues and personalized services underscores the importance of authentic connections in business.

• Adaptability: Navigating the pandemic by pivoting to home color kits and launching product lines demonstrates resilience and adaptability in the face of unforeseen challenges.

• Commitment to Excellence: Maintaining high standards and a strong value system has been pivotal in Highbrow Hippie’s growth and reputation.

• Strategic Growth: Kadi’s proactive engagement in accelerator programs and strategic funding approaches highlight the importance of continuous learning and smart financial planning.

• Future Vision: Balancing current success with future aspirations ensures sustained growth and personal fulfillment.

Conclusion

Kadi Lee’s journey with Highbrow Hippie is a testament to the power of perseverance, community, and unwavering commitment to one’s vision. Her story serves as an inspiration to aspiring female entrepreneurs, showcasing that building a brand brick by brick leads to remarkable success and meaningful impact.

Note: This summary excludes advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to focus solely on the substantive discussions and insights shared during the episode.