I never truly felt like I belonged. I always had the impression that I was capable of so much more than what I was given the opportunity to do. From a young age, I was fascinated by Black American culture, particularly the hustler mentality—the ability to transform struggles into success.

Perhaps that was the birth of Sashaa, my survival instinct. Raised by a depressed mother and a working-class stepfather, I was not expected to dream big. And yet, I did.

“Why could this not be me?”

Despite everything, my mother always ensured that I lacked nothing materially. She passed down her incredible sense of style — timeless, elegant, minimalist — with subtle but powerful accessories. Looking at photos of her at my age still inspires me today.

At school, I wasn’t the model student, but my intellect allowed me to perform well with little effort. The first dream I dared to express at 15 was to become a fashion designer. But when I saw my parents’ financial struggles, I quickly realized it was unlikely. Despite my mother’s encouragement, that realization dimmed my spark.

Still, she instilled in me the importance of education — one of the greatest gifts I’ve received.

As soon as I could, I left home. From New York to Martinique, then to London — each destination was more than a place, it was a quest for identity. The most transformative moment came when I met my biological father after over 20 years. He gave me a different perspective on life. What I once saw as abandonment became a redirection. He reminded me I had the power to choose my path. I now understand that both sides of my story were necessary to shape who I am today.

I arrived in London on September 28, 2019. Just six months later, the world shut down with the pandemic. Where others saw an ending, I saw a beginning.

With the last £100 in my account, I launched my first brand, Protect But Make It Fashion. I bought a sewing machine, was gifted fabric, and started selling masks on Instagram. One day, a company placed a bulk order for 500 units — £8,000. I had no idea how I would fulfil it, but I said yes. That day, I learned success starts with courage before certainty.

At the same time, I did a big chop. A blowout gone wrong burned my curls, and I made a radical decision: I cut all my hair.

It was more than a physical change — it was liberation. I had always attached femininity to my hair. But removing it helped me shed the labels I didn’t choose. I was no longer just “the curly-haired mixed-race girl.”

When you can’t hide behind appearance, you meet your true self.

That confidence poured into my business. I decided to create The Headwrap Crown, born from a need to feel beautiful and powerful — without compromise. And so, Malka London was born.

Malka means Queen in Hebrew — a nod to my father’s roots, and a reminder of who I am. The brand is more than a business. It’s a mission: To help women reclaim their beauty and power — whether navigating alopecia, chemotherapy, or simply embracing their identity with pride.

My faith has never been perfect, but it has always been present.

God placed everything I needed on my path — my parents, my trials, my victories.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope.”

– Jeremiah 29:11

Having faith means trusting the process — knowing that every challenge is shaping the character required for your calling.

Entrepreneurship is hard. I’ve known doubt, fatigue, loneliness. But nothing compares to the joy of seeing my creations empower women around the world.

If I could tell my younger self — or any young Black girl today — one thing, it would be this:

Embrace who you are, no matter what it means.

You don’t need to fit the mold. You are your own legacy in motion.