<p>In this episode of the <strong>Friends in Beauty Podcast</strong>, I’m so excited to sit down with Laverne Amara, founder of <strong>NVLX Labs</strong>, an eco-lux clean haircare brand created specifically for the loc community.</p><p>Laverne is a certified loctician and trichology analyst whose work focuses on scalp health, buildup prevention, and education in the natural hair space. In our conversation, she shares how her journey evolved from providing services behind the chair to launching her own product line, and what it really takes to bring a beauty brand to life from scratch.</p><p>We talk about the realities of product formulation, why her shampoo took about a year to perfect, and the science behind creating formulas specifically for locs versus loose natural hair. Laverne also opens up about entrepreneurship later in life, balancing multiple identities, and why slow, sustainable growth matters more than chasing viral moments.</p><p>She also shares her experience serving in the military for over two decades, how hair regulations have evolved over the years, and why representation, inclusion, and education are so important in both beauty and professional spaces.</p><p>If you’re building a brand, thinking about launching products, or simply want real insight into what it takes to grow something meaningful from the ground up, this episode is for you.</p><p>💡 Key Takeaways</p><ul><li><p>Why loc haircare requires different formulations than traditional products</p></li><li><p>How long it realistically take to develop a beauty product from scratch</p></li><li><p>Why slow growth can be more sustainable than viral success</p></li><li><p>The importance of scalp health in loc maintenance</p></li><li><p>How volunteering, networking, and relationships open doors in business</p></li><li><p>Why starting a business later in life can be an advantage</p></li></ul><p>🌐 <strong>Connect with Laverne</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>Instagram: </strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/nvlxlabs/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/nvlxlabs/</a></p></li><li><p><strong>Website: </strong><a href="https://nvlxlabs.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://nvlxlabs.com/</a></p></li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Leave us a 5 star review and share this episode with a friend or 2 or 3.</strong></p><p><a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong>[email protected]</strong></a></p><p><strong>GET A PEEK INSIDE OF BEAUTYPRO FUNNELS HERE</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.getbeautyprofunnels.com/friends" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong>https://www.getbeautyprofunnels.com/friends</strong></a></p><p><strong>SHOP MENTED COSMETICS:</strong><a href="https://www.mentedcosmetics.com/akua-robinson" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"> https://www.mentedcosmetics.com/akua-robinson</a></p><p>🤎USE CODE <strong>&quot;670FED67397&quot;</strong> for 15% off of your first purchase.</p><p><strong>🚀 FREE GUIDE → 13 WAYS TO GROW YOUR CLIENTELE </strong><a href="https://friendsinbeauty.com/grow-your-clientele-7590" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong>https://friendsinbeauty.com/grow-your-clientele-7590</strong></a></p><p><strong>JOIN US INSIDE OF THE TRAILBLAZERS CLUB</strong></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/FIBTrailblazersClubb" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong>https://bit.ly/FIBTrailblazersClubb</strong></a></p><p><strong>GET BOOKKEEPING &amp; ACCOUNTING SERVICES - Tell Them Friends in Beauty Sent You</strong></p><p><a href="https://kickstartaccountinginc.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong>https://kickstartaccountinginc.com</strong></a></p><p><strong>LEARN HOW TO RECORD + EDIT A PODCAST IN 7 DAYS OR LESS:  </strong><a href="http://bit.ly/DIYPodcasterCourse" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong>https://bit.ly/DIYPodcasterCourse</strong></a></p><p><strong>FRIENDS IN BEAUTY FACEBOOK COMMUNITY</strong></p><p><a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/friendsinbeauty" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong>https://www.facebook.com/groups/friendsinbeauty</strong></a></p><p><strong>MUST HAVE BEAUTY, PODCASTING, CONTENT CREATION TOOLS, AND BOOKS</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/shop/akuarobinson" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.amazon.com/shop/akuarobinson</a></p><p><strong>Social Media Info:</strong></p><p>Friends in Beauty (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) - <a href="http://www.instagram.com/friendsinbeauty" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">@friendsinbeauty</a></p><p>Friends in Beauty (YouTube) - <a href="http://bit.ly/FIBTube" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Friends in Beauty</a> </p><p>Akua Robinson (Instagram,Twitter) - <a href="http://www.instagram.com/akuarobinson" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">@akuarobinson</a></p><p>AkuaRobinson (Facebook) - <a href="http://www.facebook.com/AkuaRobinsonMUA" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Akua Robinson MUA</a></p><p>Akua Robinson (Website) - <a href="http://www.akuarobinson.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">www.akuarobinson.com</a></p><p>NOTE: I am a Brand Ambassador and affiliate for certain businesses, products and services that I believe in. I may have referenced these and included links in this video, description or someplace else at this site. I hope you find the resources helpful.</p><p>Copyright, Liability Waiver and Disclaimers. All rights reserved.</p><p>No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act, and/or without the prior express written permission of Friends in Beauty, LLC, Akua Robinson Artistry, LLC and/or Akua Robinson.</p>