The space has been transformed into an inclusive place called Naza -- where there is no cutting, no color services but just protective styling and a callback to black hair history where guests gather, talk about the day's news, linger and feel like they belong.
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"We specialize in coil-y, kinky Afro-textured hair. We are re-imagining the end-to-end beauty experiencing for black and brown women," said Natanya Montgomery, CEO and co-founder of Naza.
Montgomery spent her career creating "extraordinary experiences" for students, companies and others and wanted to create a special experience for black women who want to get their hair styled.
Operations lead at Naza, Nykol Rudd, says the need for a business like this is tremendous.
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"I've been in situations where I'm charged extra because of the texture of my hair," Rudd said. "It's great to finally have a place where I can go and know I'm take care of no questions asked."
The styling chairs inside the space are all 24-inches wide and can hold 500 to 800-pounds so everyone feels welcome.
Something else remarkable about Naza is Montgomery herself.
She's one of only a handful of black women founders to receive an investment of a million dollars.
One of those investors is Initialized Capital which is co-founded by Reddit co-founder and husband to Serena Williams, Alexis Ohanian and Garry Tan. Ohanian sent us a video message praising Natanya for tacking an industry "that's been overlooked far too long
NAZA also couldn't have come at a more opportune time when discussions about women's hair are happening everywhere -- from the Oscars with Hair Love winning Best Animated Short to California's law known as the Crown Act, which bans discrimination against black people wearing their natural hairstyles.
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"For me it was very much a stigma to have braids, especially thinking about promotions," said a stylist at Naza. "I'm very happy about the Crown Act. A little late, but we're moving forward."
The stylist was found servicing a client with a silk press technique which straightens black hair without the damage of using relaxers.
Montgomery hopes to expand the business nationwide and eventually roll out a line of products catered to black women.
Naza is located at 985 Valencia Street in San Francisco and will launch a soft opening Feb. 22.