Meet Nneka Fleming, Founder of Airfro
“We’re not just about haircare. We’re about unblocking access.”
When Nneka Fleming founded Airfro, it wasn’t just to bring a product to market—it was to solve a problem she couldn’t ignore. “I couldn’t find a swim shampoo for my curly kid’s hair,” she told us. “Something so small, but it had big consequences. I thought, if we need this, surely other families do too.”
That moment didn’t just spark a business—it sparked a movement. Airfro is now a growing brand dedicated to creating textured haircare solutions designed for active lifestyles. But more than that, it’s about freedom: freedom to swim, to move, to show up fully without sacrificing care or comfort.
The story behind the bottle
Nneka’s founding story is personal. She was looking for a simple product and ran headfirst into a familiar barrier: textured hair wasn’t considered in the design of everyday care products. “It wasn’t about lack of demand,” she explained. “It was about who gets considered—and who doesn’t.”
That disconnect led her to build something that didn’t just work, but reflected the real needs of Black and mixed-heritage families. “We’re not here to fix hair,” she said. “We’re here to reduce friction—to remove the blockers that keep people from enjoying the things they love.”
Letting go to grow
When asked about a defining moment in her founder journey, Nneka didn’t point to a product launch or viral campaign. Instead, she named something quieter—and harder.
“There have been so many moments, but the real shift came when I stopped trying to control every outcome,” she said. “I realised that letting go was actually what allowed the brand to grow. Once I gave the business space to evolve—and gave myself space too—it unlocked momentum.”
That mindset now shapes how she leads. “I’m bold, brave, and transparent. I’m focused, but fun-loving. I bring structure to the chaos, but I also bring lightness. I want my team to move with purpose, but also joy.”
What sets Airfro apart
Airfro isn’t chasing trends. It’s solving for lived experience.
“Our edge is how deep we go,” Nneka said. “We don’t assume. We test, we listen, we build with real people who’ve been left out of the mainstream haircare conversation for too long.”
From user research to product design, Airfro takes a needs-first, community-informed approach. “We’re developing products for real use cases—like our waterless shampoo for on-the-go care. It’s compact, travel-friendly, and born from actual feedback, not guesswork.”
“We’re building with, not just for.”
A brand with motion built in
Nneka is especially excited about Airfro’s newest launch: a waterless shampoo designed for active, textured hair. “It’s a product I wish I had years ago,” she said. “And it’s been shaped directly by conversations with our community. That co-creation model is everything to me.”
The fuel behind her fire
Nneka’s personal mantra is short, sharp, and powerful: “Respond with ability.”
It’s a philosophy she returns to in moments of uncertainty. “It reminds me that I always have a choice. I don’t have to know everything—I just have to respond with what I have.”
On navigating challenge
As a founder, Nneka’s biggest challenge hasn’t been the product or the pitch—it’s been giving the company permission to grow at its own pace. “There’s this pressure to do everything at once,” she said. “But I’ve learned that scaling isn’t just about speed. It’s about timing, trust, and listening to the business when it tells you what it needs.”
Advice to her earlier self
When asked what she’d tell herself at the start of this journey, she laughed. “Write it down,” she said. “Document everything. You think you’ll remember, but you won’t. And all those lessons? You’ll want them later.”
Who inspires her
Nneka finds deep inspiration in Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx. “She didn’t wait for permission. She saw a gap, trusted herself, and built with tenacity. That kind of clarity and self-trust? That’s what I try to channel.”
Staying grounded
For Nneka, staying motivated is about staying interested. “As long as I’m excited by what I’m doing, the energy follows. Curiosity is my fuel. When something starts to feel stale, I know it’s time to move or evolve.”
Her Founderland experience
Asked what being part of Founderland has meant to her, Nneka didn’t hesitate. “It’s the most active founder community I’ve ever been part of,” she said. “It’s not just a network—it’s a space where I feel seen. Where growth feels natural.”
Follow Nneka’s Journey
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