SCORE Helps Headwrap Founder Scale from Idea to International Business

Juperi Johnson’s three daughters were the inspiration for her headwrap business, so it’s only fitting that they accompany the entrepreneur in all of her business-related ventures.

“I believe economic empowerment starts at home,” said Johnson, of Albuquerque. “My daughters do everything with me.”

While trying – unsuccessfully – to wrap her twin daughters’ hair at night, Johnson realized that since there was nothing on the market that worked for taming her daughters’ hair while sleeping, she had to create it. It took a dozen prototypes over a two-year period to arrive at the Kena Wrap, which combines satin, nylon, and spandex in each handmade wrap.

“I knew that we had a product that can solve a need,” she said. “I was testing this with all my family and friends. It solved my need for helping others. That’s what made me determined to keep going.”

Soon after launching her business in 2021 Johnson began working with a certified SCORE small business mentor. SCORE is a national nonprofit organization that supports small businesses through free mentoring. She worked for two years with SCORE Albuquerque mentor Dar Johnson, who helped her scale what began as an idea to an international product.

“Nothing comes easy with business,” she said. “When I say working with SCORE is easy and efficient, I mean that.”

When Dar did not know the answer to something, he looped in other mentors to provide insight and connected Juperi with seamstresses.

Juperi works with freelance seamstresses – many of whom are single moms who were laid off during COVID or come from low-income communities – to handmake each wrap. Although it costs more to source her production locally, Juperi believed it was critical for brand consistency and quality.

“That’s probably one of the best things that we did,” she said. “It was important to keep this product here in the United States.”

Kena Wrap LLC generated $67,000 in the last two years, a sign that Juperi’s night-time hair fix for her daughters is proving beneficial for others as well. In an effort to take the brand before a larger audience, Juperi participated in SCORE’s 60th Anniversary Pitch Competition. She was one of 45 finalists. More than 2,200 small businesses applied to compete in five pitch events. Contestants were pared down to 60 contenders. Participants were matched with SCORE mentors to refine their pitches, strengthen their presentations, and hone their business plans. Juperi teamed with SCORE Greater Seattle mentor Jeanne Parrent, who provided tips for her video and slides.

“I was pleasantly surprised that they were very good, buttoned up,” Parrent said.

For Juperi, the experience was a learning opportunity not only for her, but also her then 5-year-old daughter, who accompanied her onstage.

“It allowed me to share that experience with my daughter,” she said. “It just gave me the motivation I needed to keep going.”

After finding success in the beauty industry, Juperi is pivoting to transition the Kena Wrap to the healthcare/wellness industry. Fabrics will be switched from satiny material to one made of collagen to help those who are losing their hair as a result of cancer or alopecia.

“It’s a billion-dollar industry,” Juperi said, adding that she took some to Children’s National Hospital in Washington D.C. and the doctors, and social workers “absolutely loved them.” “Hopefully we’re going to be in hospitals.”

To learn more about SCORE, request a mentor, or volunteer to be one, visit score.org.

About SCORE

Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 17 million entrepreneurs start, grow, or successfully exit a business. SCORE’s 10,000 volunteers provide free, expert mentoring, resources, and education in all 50 U.S. states and territories. Visit score.org.