Trulaske entrepreneur champions safety, sustainability in beauty biz

In 2019, Ciara May made an important discovery: Many of the synthetic hair products being marketed to Black women contained petroleum and were linked to skin irritation and other health risks. The revelation was validating for May, who herself had experienced skin irritation after using synthetic hair.

May, who earned her BSBA from the University of Missouri’s Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business in 2017, decided it was time to provide consumers with a safer, healthier, more sustainable alternative. Her research led to Kenya and Ghana, where banana fibers were being used to create hair extensions. 

“They were sort of early inklings of a lot of potential, but they weren’t commercially available,” May said.

May turned that potential into a patent, and soon launched her own business: Rebundle, the first patented, banana-fiber braiding hair. Made from sustainable products, the hair comes in a variety of tones and is designed to be lightweight and itch-free. It’s also tested to ensure it’s free from heavy metals and carcinogens.

“By founding Rebundle, she translated research and advocacy into a scalable business that centers on the wellbeing of Black women, a group historically underserved by product decision‑makers,” said J. Scott Christianson, associate teaching professor emeritus at the Trulaske College of Business. “Her blend of entrepreneurship, public health awareness, and materials innovation makes her impact both culturally significant and commercially relevant.”

The business has since taken off, landing May a visit on “The Kelly Clarkson Show.” It also led to another unexpected project. While filming the supply chain, she realized there was the potential to tell a much bigger story: a mid-length documentary. May, who is now based in New York, recently stopped by Columbia for an exclusive screening of “Reclaimed: Beyond the Braid,” which took about two years to complete. Trulaske’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation served as the hosting sponsor for the event. 

“It’s energizing. When alumni like Ciara return, students witness the full arc of a Missouri education in action — from classroom frameworks to market leadership,” Christianson said. “Their stories ground theory in real outcomes, strengthen our community ties, and remind us that the Trulaske network is a living ecosystem of mentorship, collaboration, and shared purpose.”

May, who also earned a minor in entrepreneurship through Trulaske, is grateful to see the college’s commitment to fostering an entrepreneurial mindset is continuing to expand.

“They’re viewing entrepreneurship as a career path, which is what I had hoped for when I was here,” she said.

The biggest hurdle for entrepreneurs right now is a basic lack of funding, May said. For her, meeting those who have been impacted and suffered allergic reactions to synthetic hair has kept her motivated, as well as the satisfaction of having created jobs in Kenya and Uganda.

As she heads to screenings in Baltimore, Chicago and Los Angeles, May plans to continue building her momentum and raising awareness for the risks of synthetic hair through her documentary. She hopes to spark the interest of other young entrepreneurs, as well.

“Go after it, and just put yourself out there,” May advises Trulaske students. “Work on things that are truly important and impactful. I hope the film gives students some inspiration for their own ideas.”

May’s success demonstrates that success often begins with a lived problem and grows through curiosity, evidence and relentless iteration, Christianson said. 

“Ciara’s path shows how to validate a need, challenge industry norms, and build with integrity: listen to customers, partner with scientists, measure impact, and design for health and sustainability from day one,” Christianson said. “Most importantly, it demonstrates that values‑driven companies can compete and lead.”

Mizzou’s Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business prepares students for success as global citizens, business leaders, scholars, innovators and entrepreneurs by providing access to transformative technologies, offering experience-centered learning opportunities and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset.