By Matt Felts
She returned home from middle school in tears more times than she can remember after being teased and bullied about her hair, her weight and her height.
One day in middle school, freshman Maya Criss cut off her hair and started dressing the way she wanted.
“I figured I was going to get bullied anyway, so why not be happy with myself?” Maya said.
To style her new short, natural haircut, Maya needed hair care products. After researching alternatives, she created her own products with all natural ingredients.
That is when Maya developed her brand name BaNue (short for the beauty in you). She uses natural ingredients in all of BaNue’s products.
Sophomore Mehgan Brown said she uses Banue hair products in her hair.
“Personally, Maya’s hair product is better than any product I have bought from the store,” Mehgan said.
Maya has expanded her business to include scarves, purses and lunch bags made from recycled materials. She estimates her annual profit to be approximately $1,000.
To help other teens, Maya has shared her bullying experiences through appearances on “Virginia This Morning,” her Facebook page and November appearances in Dinwiddie County and at Collegiate High School.
Sophomore Morgan Brown said that Maya works hard for others but does not ask anything in return.
“She inspires me to be a better person and work harder because of the success she has,” Morgan said.
Maya’s success is not surprising to her communications and English 9 teacher Kim Hodges.
“She has a unique sense of style and creativity that speak to her ability to conceive and execute a business,” Mrs. Hodges said.
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