Hairouna is the native name of the West Indian country St. Vincent and The Grenadines (SVG). It is a Kalinago word that means “land of the blessed.”
Founded by Kemi S., a recently disabled Vincentian American, Hairouna en NY is the marrying of early childhood experiences in SVG and being raised in NYC through carefully crafted fragrance profiles.
We are a black owned small business offering handmade and hand crafted products in small batches here in Brooklyn, New York. ————————————————————-
I started this business this year after becoming disabled in early 2020. I was unsure of what I would do now that my life had completely changed and made me dependent on the help of family. I thought I would follow a simple path of enjoying hobbies I am still capable of while relying on disability for financial support, but as my injuries continued to worsen I learned very quickly how difficult getting disability is. I am stuck inbetween being unable to work— backed by my doctor, and being seen as an able bodied individual. So, opting out of a cycle of apply and denial, I decided to start my own business.
Starting Hairouna en NY gave me purpose again. Not only would I be creating my own source of income, I would have a reason to get up again. I had something resembling normalcy I had in my old life. I had a job again, something I could do with the new changes in my life. I did not see this path for myself, but we don’t always see what is destined for us or how we get there. This is how my journey started.
Vendor Biography
Hairouna is the native name of the West Indian country St. Vincent and The Grenadines (SVG). It is a Kalinago word that means “land of the blessed.”
Founded by Kemi S., a recently disabled Vincentian American, Hairouna en NY is the marrying of early childhood experiences in SVG and being raised in NYC through carefully crafted fragrance profiles.
We are a black owned small business offering handmade and hand crafted products in small batches here in Brooklyn, New York.
————————————————————-
I started this business this year after becoming disabled in early 2020. I was unsure of what I would do now that my life had completely changed and made me dependent on the help of family. I thought I would follow a simple path of enjoying hobbies I am still capable of while relying on disability for financial support, but as my injuries continued to worsen I learned very quickly how difficult getting disability is. I am stuck inbetween being unable to work— backed by my doctor, and being seen as an able bodied individual. So, opting out of a cycle of apply and denial, I decided to start my own business.
Starting Hairouna en NY gave me purpose again. Not only would I be creating my own source of income, I would have a reason to get up again. I had something resembling normalcy I had in my old life. I had a job again, something I could do with the new changes in my life. I did not see this path for myself, but we don’t always see what is destined for us or how we get there. This is how my journey started.