Today we’d like to introduce you to Nina Pinidi.
Hi Nina, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I served in the US Navy on active duty for 17 years. I was medically retired in San Diego (majority of my career was on the east coast). Since my career ended sooner than planned, I had to provide for myself. Health challenges made it difficult to look for a job and go into the hiring process. My career ended because of rheumatoid arthritis and 8 months later, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I decided to start my own business and created Solime Royal Hair. During my time on active duty, it was difficult to find haircare products suitable for my hair type. I also experienced hair loss for several years and saw multiple dermatologists.
I wanted to make life a little easier for people still serving (adhering to military grooming standards and maintaining healthy hair is challenging, the products available on base are not for every hair texture).
Because of my past health issues, I am intentional in selecting products free of harmful chemicals. I wanted to make the products available to individuals and families shopping on base.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The number one challenge was health. I started doing pop ups while actively undergoing chemotherapy. I wanted to do as many pop ups as possible my first year to establish a relationship with customers and have them buy online.
I found that people prefer an in-person experience, which I prefer as well, I have the opportunity to listen to their hair concerns and make recommendations that make sense to them.
Finance has been an obstacle. I have been bootstrapping my business and did not expect to sell out as fast as I have so restocking my inventory is challenging. I keep the overhead low for the moment doing pop-ups, but I want customers to access the products consistently in a physical store and other avenues.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am proud to be a Navy Veteran (Navy Seabee) however, before joining the military, my professional experience was in retail, healthcare and hospitality. Today, I get to implement a mix of all those experiences by running my own startup. What sets me apart from others is that I can relate to my customers. I understand the military lifestyle.
How do you think about happiness?
Great weather! This is why I love being in San Diego. I grew up in France, in a metropolitan area. San Diego has a unique vibe. Living here feels like I am on vacation most of the time.
Spending time with family, especially my nieces and nephews. They make me laugh and I learn a lot from them.
Simple things make me happy, because life in the military can be complex.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://solimeroyalhair.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/solimeroyalhair/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nina-pinidi/
Image Credits
Nandi Nefertiti Mooney for the personal photo.
