Heba Maksad’s Vollie Is Redefining At-Home Haircare

Please share a brief introduction and your business:

I’m Heba Maksad, founder of Vollie, a prestige haircare brand created to bring the salon experience home and make dream hair achievable through high-performance formulas and intentional routines. With a background in beauty, I built the brand to help people invest in both immediate results and long-term hair health.

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

Not in a traditional sense. I’ve always known I wanted to build something meaningful and have a hand in shaping it, but I didn’t set out with the goal of being an entrepreneur. Working in beauty, both behind the chair and on the product side, showed me there was an opportunity to create something better. Vollie grew out of that curiosity and conviction rather than a long-term plan to start a business.

Do you have a co-founder?

I don’t have a co-founder. I’ve built the business independently while surrounding myself with trusted partners and collaborators who support different areas of the brand. For me, the key has been being clear about the vision, communicating openly, and working with people who are aligned and invested in doing things thoughtfully.

Are you a mamaprenista?

Yes, I am. I’m a mom to two boys. There are times when my family needs more of me and others when the business does, and I don’t try to force perfect balance. Staying focused on the long-term vision and giving myself permission to adjust has made it possible to build the business while still caring for my family in a way that feels sustainable.

Take us back to when you launched? What was your marketing strategy?

As a new brand in our first year, our launch strategy centered on organic growth through founder storytelling, social content, and product experience rather than paid marketing. That slower, more intentional approach helped us build credibility, learn quickly, and set a strong foundation for growth.

What accomplishments are you the most proud of to date in your business?

What I’m most proud of is building a product line that truly delivers on what it promises from the very beginning. Seeing customers experience real results and trust Vollie with their hair, especially so early in the brand’s journey, has been incredibly meaningful. It validates the decision to build thoughtfully and stay focused on long-term hair health rather than quick trends.

What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

We’re still early, but one thing I wish I had fully anticipated is how many ups and downs come with building a brand. There are a lot of no’s along the way. I’m comfortable with that because I’m clear on our long-term vision, but I think it’s important for anyone new to the journey to expect that resistance and not take it personally.

When hiring, what is your go-to interview question?

I pay close attention to work ethic and resilience. I like to understand how someone approaches challenges and keeps moving forward when things aren’t easy.

What did you go before starting your own business?

Before launching Vollie, I built my career across beauty and business at the same time. I worked as a licensed hairdresser while also working in fragrance and beauty development and marketing, where I was exposed to safety and regulatory standards and learned a great deal about ingredients and raw materials. That experience directly shaped how I approached formulating and building Vollie.

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

I saw a clear gap between what people experience in the salon and how they care for their hair at home. As a hairdresser, I watched clients leave with beautiful results and then struggle to maintain them on their own. I wanted to build something that made professional-level care feel accessible and intentional, and the belief that dream hair is achievable with the right approach is what ultimately pushed me to take the leap.

Do you have any recent wins?

One of our biggest wins this year has been the customer response to the products. Seeing real results, repeat purchases, and trust so early has been incredibly validating. That strong customer experience has also helped lead to early press recognition, which has been an encouraging signal as we continue to grow intentionally.

What's one app on your phone that you cannot live without?

Google Calendar. It’s how I keep track of work, life, and my kids’ activities without forgetting something.

Who are your customers?

Our customers are intentional beauty consumers who treat haircare as an investment and seek salon-quality results with long-term hair health in mind.

What's your top productivity tip?

I protect my focus by being intentional with my time. I’ve learned that saying no and prioritizing what truly moves the brand forward has made the biggest difference in how productive I am.

What's your favorite business tool?

Klaviyo. It’s simple to use and gives us a direct way to connect with customers beyond social media.

What's your approach to work-life balance?

Vollie is a big part of my life, and my family sees it that way too. It’s my passion, not just a job. As a mom, there are times when my kids and home life come first, and I’m comfortable with that. I’m focused on building Vollie for the long term, not racing to a finish line, and that perspective allows me to move through different seasons with intention.

How do you avoid burn-out?

I avoid burnout by paying attention to my energy and reminding myself of our long-term vision. This isn’t a race. Stepping away, spending time with my family, or taking time for myself helps me stay grounded and focused. We’re building this brand with the same patience and intention our clients bring to investing in their hair.

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

Be patient with yourself and with the process. Building something meaningful takes time, and there will be a lot of no’s along the way. Stay clear on your long-term vision, be intentional about where you put your energy, and don’t let outside noise rush you into decisions that aren’t aligned.

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