Commercial Lending Spotlight – Royalty Headwear
At Robins Financial Credit Union, we are proud to offer a suite of business products designed to help any business, no matter the size. Deshun Gilchrist, co-owner of Royalty Headwear, is just one of many who have entrusted us to provide financial support to help his business thrive. Get to know Gilchrist and how choosing Robins Financial as his trusted financial partner has impacted his business.
Gilchrist and his business partner, Jabril Edmonson, didn’t set out to revolutionize hair care for curly and kinky hair textures. But a conversation between two college friends sparked an idea that soon turned into a thriving business. Today, Gilchrist and Edmonson are proud co-owners of Royalty Headwear and have one mission in mind – to bring innovative, high-quality hair care products and accessories to an underserved market.
An Unexpected Beginning
Gilchrist and Edmonson, former college students from Macon, Georgia, both expressed their frustrations with the hair products available for their needs. Their shared challenges turned into the foundation of their business.
“A regular conversation with a friend turned into an idea to see if we could create something that would better fit our needs,” Gilchrist explains. “Within a few months, we created the products, and once we realized our friends liked it too, we knew we had something worth taking to the market.”
Gilchrist and Edmonson had to learn the ropes from scratch, diving into textiles, sewing, and design to create products that were both effective and unique. This DIY spirit and determination laid the foundation for Royalty Headwear’s innovative approach.
Standing Out with Innovation and Quality
What makes Royalty Headwear unique is its commitment to quality and forward-thinking designs. The company has already developed a product with a patent and has two more products in the pipeline for patent approval.
“Our products are all about innovation,” Gilchrist shares proudly. “We try our best to take an innovative approach with our products and use the best quality materials. We want to make sure what we offer isn’t like anything else on the market.”
Their product line includes the Royalty Rag, a one-strap durag that is the only one of its kind currently on the market. They also have a compression cap designed to comfortably hold curly hair in place, whether for everyday wear or during workouts. In addition, Royalty Headwear offers tools and accessories like clipper guards and braid aids to make hair care simpler and more effective for their customers.
“We’re constantly trying to solve the problems our market faces and create solutions that aren’t available elsewhere,” Gilchrist adds.
Building a Business with Robins Financial
Gilchrist’s connection to Robins Financial Credit Union runs deep. As a native of Warner Robins with a military family background, he was already familiar with the credit union. When it came time to open an account for Royalty Headwear, choosing Robins Financial was an easy decision.
“Robins was a [credit union] I grew up with,” Gilchrist recalls. “When we needed a place to put our money for the business, it just made sense. We opened our first account at the Riverside Drive branch in Macon, and the team there was fantastic. They helped us understand what products and services would benefit us most.”
The line of credit from Robins Financial, along with checking and savings account options, has been essential to their operations, allowing them to manage finances smoothly as their business has grown. Gilchrist also appreciates the simple, yet powerful tools like Bill Pay that make daily operations straightforward and efficient.
Seeing Dreams Come to Life
For Gilchrist, one of the most rewarding aspects of starting Royalty Headwear has been the journey from concept to creation.
“Having a dream and seeing it come to life – it's a rush I can’t explain,” Gilchrist shares. “There’s nothing like talking about an idea, working through the frustrations, and finally seeing it materialize. Also, having people appreciate what you’ve created is the best feeling ever.”
From humble beginnings to patented products, Royalty Headwear has already achieved so much. But for Gilchrist and Edmonson, this is only the beginning. Their goal is for Royalty Headwear to be recognized as the leading hair care brand for curly and kinky hair textures.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Gilchrist and Edmonson’s journey hasn’t been without challenges, and they have valuable advice for anyone looking to start their own business.
“It’s important to do your research and throw yourself into whatever market you’re entering. Know your competitive advantages and leverage those strengths. Persistence is key,” Gilchrist advises. “There were times when people didn’t fully understand what we were trying to accomplish, but we kept pushing forward.”
Gilchrist encourages new entrepreneurs to surround themselves with the right support system, like Robins Financial, and keep learning along the way.
Looking Toward the Future
Royalty Headwear is continuing to grow, always staying true to its mission of providing quality, innovative hair care products for curly and kinky hair textures. With Robins Financial as a trusted partner, Gilchrist and Edmonson are set to achieve even greater heights in their business journey.
As Gilchrist puts it “our goal is to be seen as the most innovative haircare company in the market for curly and kinky hair. That’s been our vision from the beginning, and we’re excited to keep pushing forward.”
Ready to start your business? Our team is here to help! Visit our website for more information about the various business products and services we offer that can help your business get off the ground. You can also contact our Commercial Lending team for more information by calling 478-923-3773 x.2240. We look forward to helping more members like Gilchrist on their business journey.
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