January 16, 2024
April Showers Breaks Barriers, First Black Woman-Owned Brand To Secure Licensing With Retail Powerhouse
With the recent launch of haircare line, Afro Unicorn Magical Tresses, founder April Showers is taking over.
With the recent launch of haircare line Afro Unicorn Magical Tresses, founder April Showers is taking over retailers and defying the odds one product at a time.
In the dynamic world of entrepreneurship, few stories capture the essence of resilience, representation, and empowerment as vividly as that of April Showers, the visionary founder and CEO of Afro Unicorn. Celebrated as a children’s lifestyle brand created to remind children of color how unique, divine, and magical they truly are, Afro Unicorn and April showers continue to break barriers, but this is only the beginning.
Renowned for her keen eye in identifying gaps in retail representation, Showers founded Afro Unicorn to ensure Black girls and women feel unique, divine, and magical. Embarking on her entrepreneurial journey at the tender age of 19, Showers was driven by a specific vision for herself and a determination to dream big. She shares, “I’ve always known I was going to live an extraordinary life.”
Navigating the challenges of single motherhood, April’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to establish multiple businesses, two of which are still up and running today.
The idea for Afro Unicorn was born out of April’s desire to provide representation for children of color through a symbol of magic, uniqueness, and empowerment. What began as a simple compliment from a friend, blossomed into a viral TikTok video featuring a 6-year-old girl proudly flaunting her afro. The video catapulted Afro Unicorn into the spotlight, transforming it into a household brand with a loyal customer base nationwide.
April’s story has resonated not only with consumers but with influential figures such as Oprah Winfrey, Alicia Keys, and Tiffany Haddish. Afro Unicorn stands at the forefront of positive change, embodying resilience, representation, and empowerment.
The brand proudly shares shelf space with iconic brands like Marvel and Disney princesses. It is now available in over 3,500 stores nationwide, including Walmart and CVS. Today, April is the first Black woman to own a licensed character in a major retail store.
In 2023, April took Afro Unicorn to new heights by venturing into the haircare category with the launch of Afro Unicorn Magical Tresses. Partnering with Magical Beauty, its first black-owned global licensing partner, Magical Tresses offers a unique haircare experience that celebrates all textures and tresses.
Born out of love and respect for every hair texture out there, the haircare brand recognized the need for haircare that was both inclusive and magical.
Cruelty-free and free from harsh ingredients, the six-product line features Never a Knot Detangling Shampoo; 1-2-3 Wishes Silky Conditioner; Freezie Free & Shine Curl Refresher; Sparkle Bright Edges & More; Bye Bye Dry Scalp Serum; and Swirls & Twirls Curl Cream. All boast a delightful, fruity fragrance that appeals to the entire family. The brand began with a simple mission: to create a line of products that would make every curl, kink, wave, and strand feel loved and build confidence with girls everywhere.
The clean formulations of Afro Unicorn Magical Tresses are kid-friendly, mother-approved, and feature rainbow superfruit-infused ingredients.
Building on the brand’s momentum, Afro Unicorn will entering Target in 2024, a significant milestone for April Showers as Afro Unicorn continues to join the ranks of retail giants.
April Showers and Afro Unicorn have crafted a remarkable narrative of triumph over adversity, entrepreneurial success, and a commitment to positive change. The expansion into the haircare category and Target in 2024 solidifies Afro Unicorn’s place as a trailblazer in the industry.
As April continues to inspire with her vision and Afro Unicorn’s empowering message, the brand’s journey remains a beacon of hope and representation for generations to come.
To stay up to date with Showers and Afro Unicorn, follow them on Instagram @gotaprilshowers and @afrounicorn_hair.