This is an awesome idea — forwarded to a few friends.
Launch HN: Tress (YC W17) – Online community for black women's hairstyles
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Re: Launch HN: Tress (YC W17) – Online community for black women's hairstyles
#52This is so cool. Also what convinced you to go Android-first? Any discoveries that were especially surprising there?
We initially tested Tress in Ghana and Nigeria and android devices are more predominant because they are more affordable and not as restrictive.
Re: Launch HN: Tress (YC W17) – Online community for black women's hairstyles
#53This is an awesome idea — forwarded to a few friends.
Thanks, we'll love to hear their feedback. Our email is info@tressapp.co
Re: Launch HN: Tress (YC W17) – Online community for black women's hairstyles
#54Interesting topic and I can see how this is a daily issue for some, but I don't get the startup angle. What's the eventual monetization angle? Referrals for hair stylists? Paid membership to get new lists of or customized styles? Which of the pictures of the girl (linked to the dropbox share) is closest to her natural hair? The styles are so varied it's impossible to tell! On the aesthetic front (obviously IMHO) it's…
Here is a UK chain catering to black hair. Their page of products related to chemical relaxing (straightening) of hair alone has more than hundred products (sidebar on right): http://www.pakcosmetics.com/hair-care/relaxer-n-texturizer/h... And that's just one category of types of hair products that are rarely used on white hair. That should give a slight idea of the referral opportunities..
That's true. Immense referral opportunities for both for major/mainstream brands and the growing ones.And many brands have a host of products targeting black women's hair.
Re: Launch HN: Tress (YC W17) – Online community for black women's hairstyles
#55A way for hairstylist to market their work and a way for black women to find hairstylist is a problem. Especially when "sistas" relocate to a new area.
Funny story: Rachel Dolezal is apparently one of the few women in Spokane, WA who knows how to style black hair, and she's been able to keep herself afloat by doing black girls' hair.
Re: Launch HN: Tress (YC W17) – Online community for black women's hairstyles
#56The "Address" you listed on your website is very interesting how does it work? Their address by the way: Banana Street, Off American House, East Legon, Accra, Ghana
I used to live in Ghana. Addresses are landmark-based as nobody knows street names. In this case the landmark is "American house". So it is a proper address in Ghanaian terms.
Re: Launch HN: Tress (YC W17) – Online community for black women's hairstyles
#57Is there a plan to expand to a larger/more heterogeneous demographic?
I would imagine it's valuable because it's not heterogeneous. It's the fact that you know precisely what you're going to get on it that makes it valuable.
Re: Launch HN: Tress (YC W17) – Online community for black women's hairstyles
#58The "Address" you listed on your website is very interesting how does it work? Their address by the way: Banana Street, Off American House, East Legon, Accra, Ghana
I used to live in Ghana. Addresses are landmark-based as nobody knows street names. In this case the landmark is "American house". So it is a proper address in Ghanaian terms.
India is another place where this is fairly common. Addresses in the US are ridiculously simple and easy compared to many other countries.
Re: Launch HN: Tress (YC W17) – Online community for black women's hairstyles
#59I'm a little skeptical in terms of whether this will be a scaleable business, but I love that you're targeting a demographic that SV doesn't usually pay attention to. You should totally work with black beauty YouTubers like Jackie Aina and Alissa Ashley!
>you're targeting a demographic that SV doesn't usually pay attention to.
Bullshit. Silicon Valley neither targets black women nor ignores black women. Silicon Valley targets everyone.
Re: Launch HN: Tress (YC W17) – Online community for black women's hairstyles
#60Couldn't someone just do a hashtag search on Instagram? Why not just go big and do a social network for hairstyling in general? I think the social commerce angle could be great for revenue, esp now Instagram are starting to launch it.
Could you download and check out the app? There are a lot of nuances and specificity that can not be achieved via a hashtag on Instagram. On why not a social network for hair styling in general; same reason - nuances and specificity of our hair textures.
Just taken a look. I see what you mean, lots of nuances. Nice product!