Like many, it was with a heavy heart that I learned of the passing of entrepreneurial genius, sweet and giving spirit, and inspirational motivator Titi Branch, co-creator of the Miss Jessie's line of products.
Source: NV Magazine Obituary
Titi Branch, was the co-founder of Miss Jessie's a leading company in the natural hair care industry. She created their signature Miss Jessie’s Curly Pudding® for the Brooklyn hair salon, Curve which she ran with her sister Miko.
As sales for the product skyrocketed the sisters decided to move the salon to the Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn where it was renamed after their family matriarch -- their no nonsense grandmother Miss Jessie. With the renaming of the salon in 2005 came the additions of Curly Meringue®, Curly Buttercreme® and later Baby Buttercreme®. Branch was not a chemist but a creative spirit who used her kitchen as her laboratory to create these products.
The Queens-native was a graduate of the University of Maryland with a degree in economics. She worked as a field producer for WABC-TV in New York City prior to Miss Jessie's. Her entrepreneurial career started prior to delving into the hair care industry. Titi and her sister were taught by their father to be independent and their first business together was a Kool-Aid stand as kids. They also ran a a cleaning business after graduating college.
Later Titi launched a booking agency for hair and celebrity photographers called Icon Creative Artists. This led to her reconnecting with her sister, a hairstylist, in business. After adding her to the firm's client roster and the success that followed the next step was the creation of the salon, which opened originally in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn and the launch of Miss Jessie's -- the products are now on the shelves of Target, CVS, Ricky's, Duane Reade, Walgreens, Walmart and various other national retailers.
As sales for the product skyrocketed the sisters decided to move the salon to the Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn where it was renamed after their family matriarch -- their no nonsense grandmother Miss Jessie. With the renaming of the salon in 2005 came the additions of Curly Meringue®, Curly Buttercreme® and later Baby Buttercreme®. Branch was not a chemist but a creative spirit who used her kitchen as her laboratory to create these products.
The Queens-native was a graduate of the University of Maryland with a degree in economics. She worked as a field producer for WABC-TV in New York City prior to Miss Jessie's. Her entrepreneurial career started prior to delving into the hair care industry. Titi and her sister were taught by their father to be independent and their first business together was a Kool-Aid stand as kids. They also ran a a cleaning business after graduating college.
Later Titi launched a booking agency for hair and celebrity photographers called Icon Creative Artists. This led to her reconnecting with her sister, a hairstylist, in business. After adding her to the firm's client roster and the success that followed the next step was the creation of the salon, which opened originally in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn and the launch of Miss Jessie's -- the products are now on the shelves of Target, CVS, Ricky's, Duane Reade, Walgreens, Walmart and various other national retailers.
Born June 10, 1969 Titi Cree Branch died on Dec. 4, 2014... She is survived by her parents, sister, nephew and many loving relatives. She also leaves behind her boyfriend and business partner in her last venture Maestro's Classic, a line of beard care products.
In my own words....
While I never had the chance to meet her personally, I have had the chance to chat with both Miko and Titi online. Despite working in the same competitive space, I never received anything but positivity and encouragement from either. Confident, classy, creative, and always willing to lend an inspiring word; this is the legacy Titi has left with me.
During this difficult time, my prayers are with Titi's sister, family, friends, followers, and extensive network of loved ones. Despite what many think, its not money, fame, fortune, 'likes' or 'upvotes' that make life worth living. It's the relationships we develop, the persons we love and the persons who love us. Maya Angelou once said the following:
'I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.'
Let this be another chance to consider those words. Let those you love know it. Don't assume they know! Tell them, touch them, embrace them, lift them through your words, and most importantly, ask for God's coverage of them in your prayers. Titi may be gone but she will never be forgotten. I shall consider her whenever I remind myself that 'I stand on the shoulders of giants!'
RIP my beautiful sister. May God welcome you home with these words.....
'Well done'!!!!!!! You can come on in!
Prayerfully,
Journey to My Roots
During this difficult time, my prayers are with Titi's sister, family, friends, followers, and extensive network of loved ones. Despite what many think, its not money, fame, fortune, 'likes' or 'upvotes' that make life worth living. It's the relationships we develop, the persons we love and the persons who love us. Maya Angelou once said the following:
'I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.'
Let this be another chance to consider those words. Let those you love know it. Don't assume they know! Tell them, touch them, embrace them, lift them through your words, and most importantly, ask for God's coverage of them in your prayers. Titi may be gone but she will never be forgotten. I shall consider her whenever I remind myself that 'I stand on the shoulders of giants!'
RIP my beautiful sister. May God welcome you home with these words.....
'Well done'!!!!!!! You can come on in!
Prayerfully,
Journey to My Roots
Andre Robert Lee, a friend of Titi's put together the following video montage in her memory....
Please feel free to leave condolences, experiences, etc in the comments section below.
RIP My beautiful sister. RIP!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful .... R.I.P Titi
ReplyDelete