Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine Rheinhardt.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I lost my hair very suddenly at 30 and was eventually diagnosed with alopecia. At the time, I knew nothing about wigs or hairpieces, and I found it incredibly challenging to get the attention, care, and education I needed in traditional wig shops and salons.
Over the years, I noticed that the end consumer has changed. Women of all ages want to look youthful and modern, and more women are experiencing hair loss for so many reasons — chemotherapy, hormones, alopecia like mine, and others. That shift has pushed the industry to innovate, and today wigs and toppers look far more natural with styles that actually match what real women want.
Online shopping has also grown tremendously, making alternative hair more accessible than ever. But it also comes with real challenges: color matching, figuring out what styles or fibers work best, and choosing the right size and cap construction. For someone new to hair wearing, that can feel almost impossible.
Those gaps are exactly what inspired us to build Heart + Hair. We wanted to offer the convenience of an online store so anyone could access high-quality options, but we also knew the industry was missing a personalized, private, in-person service model — especially for women in my demographic. Most of us are working, parenting, serving our communities, and juggling busy lives. When we lose our hair, we want a solution that helps us feel like ourselves again, without drawing unwanted attention.
Our answer was to create a service experience that truly meets those needs. We’ve modernized the entire process and integrated technology in ways this industry hasn’t fully embraced — and desperately needs. Our goal is simple: to make the journey easier, more supportive, and more empowering for every woman walking through it.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
With any new business, one of the biggest challenges is simply getting the word out — letting people know what you do and why you’re the right fit for them. We’ve been incredibly fortunate in that area. Our friends, family, and neighbors have supported us from the very beginning, trusting us with their own needs and referring us to the people they care about. Those clients then referred us to their networks, and that kind of organic support has been both encouraging and humbling.
We started as a true grassroots business, and our mission has always been to help one woman at a time. Every day, we’re focused on making a real difference in someone’s life, and seeing that grow through genuine connection and trust has meant everything to us.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Traditionally when a woman is looking for a wig or topper, she will either go to a wig shop, hair replacement center or shop online. One of the challenges with shopping in a retail store is product offering and inconsistency in offering full-service consultations. An end consumer will have the opportunity to try on what the retailer has in stock, which is entirely subjective to what the owner buys, often resulting in the client not getting what might not be the perfect wig or topper. Buying online creates a better product offering opportunities, but can lack the expertise a customer needs to make an informed decision. Whether it is the store not having the stock or buying online and not being able to try on something as important as hair, and/or finding the right color and size, there was a need for more a more personalized approach.
These challenges are exactly what inspired me to create Heart + Hair. Women experiencing hair loss are searching for real solutions, but their needs aren’t consistently being met. They deserve an expert who is committed to ongoing education, someone who can make recommendations based on their specific needs — not just whatever happens to be in stock. They also need a professional who understands today’s modern consumer and what she values.
Because I live with hair loss myself and wear wigs and toppers every day, I’m able to connect with clients on a much more personal level. I understand the emotions, the questions, and the desire to feel like yourself again. And I know firsthand that today’s consumer wants speed, convenience, and high-quality products that fit both their lifestyle and their level of hair loss.
Heart + Hair’s answer to these needs is simple: private, one-on-one customized consultations in the Greater San Diego area, and free virtual consultations worldwide. We combine the convenience of a modern online store with the personalized service of meeting clients on their terms — wherever they are.
When preparing for a consultation, we ask our clients questions to help us better serve them. We measure their head or area of hair loss, find out more about their hair loss journey and their lifestyle before making recommendations. The entire experience is 100% personalized to each client to ensure the experience, the products, and the care and styling instructions are all tailored to their needs and expectations. We will have a nice selection of products in our consultations, and once fine tuned we will select the best pieces for that specific client after we find out what type of hair loss our client has, in styles and colors our clients are interested in.
The feedback from clients validates that there is a huge need for this type of service. They are so grateful for my service, knowledge, and compassion. It has inspired trust and loyalty; I never fully imagined was possible. This is what fuels my passion and encourages me to continue to serve the hair loss community. The clients that I’ve met greatly appreciate the privacy and convenience. Many of them are going through chemotherapy or aren’t comfortable going to a large wig shop. Or they aren’t feeling up to going out or just don’t have the time. The clients that meet with us virtually appreciate the convenience of not having to leave their house or office. Other times they don’t have access to a local retailer. Not only do we meet with our clients to find the right product for them, but we also walk them through care and styling instructions and offer a try on consultation to make sure they have the support they need the first time they try it on. This is especially popular with our topper clients.
I am passionate about what I do, the clients I serve, and most importantly finding solutions for our clients! My mission is to help as many women as possible find the most natural looking hair loss solutions, personalize their experience, and provide them with the tools and knowledge they need to be successful in their alternative hair journey. I believe every woman deserves to feel beautiful and like themselves, even when they are experiencing hair loss. I are committed to serving my customers with integrity, love, compassion, and heart.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned in my hair loss journey is that it’s not just about losing hair — it’s about finding yourself again. Hair loss forces you to rethink your identity, your confidence, and how you move through the world. At first, it feels incredibly vulnerable, but over time you learn that vulnerability can actually become a strength.
I’ve learned that giving yourself permission to feel the emotions — the grief, the frustration, the fear of being “seen” differently — is essential. But equally important is realizing that hair loss doesn’t lessen your beauty, your femininity, or your worth. It simply asks you to redefine them on your own terms.
Another huge lesson is the power of education and support. When you understand your options, find the right resources, and connect with others who truly “get it,” the journey becomes less isolating and far more empowering.
Ultimately, hair loss taught me resilience, compassion, and confidence that isn’t tied to what’s on my head, but who I am. And that’s a lesson I try to pass on to every woman I work with.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.heartandhair.com/
- Instagram: heart_and_hair_inc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heartandhairinc
