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- Ciara Imani May launched Rebundle, a sustainable synthetic braiding hair startup, in 2019.
- The business closed a $2.1 million pre-seed round in December, which included investors like Colin Kaepernick.
- Here's how she structures her day, starting at 4:30 a.m. and ending at 10 p.m.
When Ciara Imani May was growing out her hair in 2019, she sought a comfortable and sustainable way to keep her hair braided. When searching for extensions, she couldn't find an option that met her standards.
Through her research, she realized that the majority of synthetic braiding hair is terrible for the planet, as it's often made of harmful toxins and nonreusable plastics.
"It was contributing to pollution in a way that I hadn't accounted for," May said. "I needed a solution that would be better for me and my body, but also be better for the environment."
Later that year, May launched Rebundle, which sells plant-based synthetic braiding hair with an "end-of-life plan," meaning that after the hair is used, it doesn't end up in a dumpster adding to the world's already insurmountable plastic-waste problem. May left her fintech job in March 2020 to pursue Rebundle full time.
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The brand's first product, Braid Better — lightweight, comfortable, itch-free, and biodegradable hair extensions — launched its limited product line in January 2021. Since then, Rebundle relaunched as a direct-to-consumer brand, raised a $2.1 million pre-seed round, acquired hundreds of repeat customers, and scaled to a seven-person team. The extensions, which are sold on the company's website, cost $45 per bundle.
As she builds her brand, May told Insider what a day in her life looks like, from meeting with investors to planning social-media campaigns.
courtesy of May
Stress often wakes May up throughout the night, but most mornings she will get up between 4:30 a.m. and 6 a.m.
When May is up, she checks her email, messages, and Twitter to stay up to date.
She also reads between 20 and 30 pages of a novel or nonfiction business book every morning. Her most recent favorites include "The Color Purple" and "The Vanishing Half" for entertainment and "Shoe Dog" and "Radical Candor" for business guidance.
"All founders struggle with some mental-health challenges," May said. "I make sure that I have an appropriate amount of time away from the business, and reading fiction can help me to create that separation."
courtesy of May
Before getting ready for work, May takes her dog, Nevs, for a 10- or 20-minute walk, then she hops in the shower. She said this combo helps her to fully wake up and get her body moving.
Breakfast is also an important part of May's routine. "I eat breakfast every day without missing a beat," she said, adding that her favorite meal is oatmeal, fruit, and sometimes toast.
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May prefers to work from home, though she and her team also have a St. Louis-based office to use when needed.
The team meets three times a week to discuss business growth, copy and marketing strategy, products and supply chain, and any other concerns that need to be addressed.
In terms of building a team, May said a shared vision is of the utmost importance to fostering a productive workplace.
"We're cultivating an environment that feels mature but also has a shared vision," she said. Additionally, as a founder, May is responsible for setting a clear vision, communicating in a way so others understand the goals, and encouraging staff to ask for help when necessary.
courtesy of Rebundle
May meets with Rebundle's lead investor every other week and with other investors once a month. To prepare for meeting investors, May spent the past couple years learning how to approach the venture-capital space — spending time as a fellow at Venture for America, a startup training program, and participating in Future Founders' four-month-long boot camp in 2020.
In December, May closed a $2.1 million pre-seed round that included investors like NBA star Chris Paul and former NFL player Colin Kaepernick. The funding will be used for marketing and product, May said.
Beyond pitch competitions and practice rounds, May turns to the internet for more tips on how to land and work with investors.
"There's a lot of good information in newsletters for founders and entrepreneurs," May said. Her favorites include "Digital Undivided" and "New Voices Foundation."
May also said Twitter is a helpful platform for those looking to enter or get in touch with the venture-capital community.
"There's a different vibe of people who are on Twitter versus on Instagram," she said. "There's a lot of value in creating community where conversations are always taking place."
courtesy of May
It's important to set boundaries as a founder, May said. For her, wearing her hair in different styles is one way she separates herself from Rebundle.
"I don't always have to have my hair braided and represent the product," she said. "It's also a part of making sure I'm taking care of myself and not feeling like I'm at work all day, every day, literally from head to toe."
Additionally, she takes a break around 12 p.m. to walk her dog, eat lunch, and take a nap — a habit she picked up from time she spent in Spain.
"All great leaders need a siesta," said May, adding that because she wakes up so early, a midday nap is crucial to her productivity and well-being.
courtesy of May
When May finishes work for the day, she spends time with her dog, friends, and family.
She eats dinner around 6 p.m. and usually makes ramen or air-fried orange chicken, or she goes out to eat.
It's also very important for her to check in with friends and family each night, May said. She does so by scrolling through social media, FaceTiming, and celebrating special occasions with them.
She celebrated her mom's 51st birthday recently by throwing an 1980s-themed party.
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Like her midday nap, it's also important to relax at night, May said. She watches an episode of a drama show and a sitcom each night before bed to her get her mind off work.
"I don't know why I do this, but I enjoy the perfect balance of comedy and crime," she said.
May heads to bed between 10 p.m. and midnight, which is why those naps are so important on the days she wakes up at 4:30 a.m., she said.