MEET CHRISTINE MIA
The Interview
H
i, I’m Christine, also known as DJ Divine Authority! I also host the Master in Action podcast and I’m the founder and CEO of UX by Mia. I wear many hats! I’m Haitian-Canadian, born and raised in Canada to Haitian parents. And I started my career in finance but moved toward something more creative, which led me to found one of my companies, Braided Rainbow.
MEET CHRISTINE MIA
The Interview
H
i, I’m Christine, also known as DJ Divine Authority! I also host the Master in Action podcast and I’m the founder and CEO of UX by Mia. I wear many hats! I’m Haitian-Canadian, born and raised in Canada to Haitian parents. And I started my career in finance but moved toward something more creative, which led me to found one of my companies, Braided Rainbow.
YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL AFRO. I’D LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR HAIR JOURNEY, WHAT INTERESTS YOU ABOUT AFRO HAIR, AND MAYBE SHARE A LITTLE ABOUT A MAJOR PROJECT YOU CREATED AROUND IT.
I love that question! My journey with my natural hair began when I was working in finance. I felt a lot of pressure to constantly have straight hair, so I transitioned to braiding before finally deciding to wear my natural curls at work. I didn’t know what to expect, but people were incredibly supportive. They’d say, “Your hair is beautiful, you should wear it like this more often!” That surprised me because the feedback at home was so different. My mom would say my hair needed to be straight because that’s how she was raised…
Actually, I ended up helping my mom transition to natural hair and stop relaxing. It’s wild to think my generation did that work! But I definitely wasn’t comfortable wearing my hair natural at first, but then, committed to the transition and did my big chop in 2014.
THAT’S SO INTERESTING. OUR GENERATION IS RETURNING TO OUR ROOTS IN A WAY OUR PARENTS OFTEN FELT THEY HAD TO HIDE!
Exactly! So, I moved to London in 2017 and was amazed by the diversity of beauty there. It felt like there was no single standard, so many people wore their natural hair or braids and I found a lot of inspiration in that.
This actually inspired me to start Braided Rainbow! It began with me buying colorful hair online: I’d wear blue, green, yellow, any color. The compliments were so encouraging that I thought, “Why not sell this?” I wanted every woman to feel beautiful wearing any color, in any environment. I was working in a corporate setting with blue hair, and it was all about confidence. Even my coworkers loved it!
I brought that idea back to Canada… In North America, colored hair can sometimes be perceived negatively, so I wanted to show it could be professional, a celebration of hair so I started the business to break the stereotype that colorful braids are “ratchet.” I was in investment meetings with pink hair, challenging that notion every day!
I LOVE THAT! TELL ME MORE ABOUT STARTING BRAIDED RAINBOW.
When I returned to Montreal, I saw a market opportunity, and started an online shop specializing in colorful braiding hair, offering a curated palette. I was my own model, showcasing the styles. The challenge was that getting my hair done in London was expensive, so I learned to braid my own hair to create more content. That was an interesting journey.
LONDON DEFINITELY HAD A BIG IMPACT ON YOUR HAIR JOURNEY! HOW WAS YOUR OVERALL EXPERIENCE LIVING IN LONDON?
It was challenging but amazing. I worked for a tech startup there that provided courses in digital fields like data analytics and UX design. I managed admissions for the UX program and helped run pilot projects in London, Paris, and Riyadh. That experience taught me about UX, which I brought back to Canada. I started freelancing as a UX designer, which grew into a business an now, I’m celebrating five years with my web agency.
My hair journey and the confidence from building Braided Rainbow made it easier to pivot into UX design. Now, I share what I’ve learned through my podcast, Master in Action.
ANOTHER HAT! TELL US MORE! WHAT’S THE FORMAT OF YOUR PODCAST MASTER IN ACTION? WHO DO YOU INTERVIEW?
I focus on entrepreneurs in tech, but I define “tech” broadly. For example, I’ve interviewed a DJ because I consider that a tech-adjacent field, the tools and user experience involved are very relevant. We should give them their flowers, too.
IT’S GREAT HOW YOU’VE WOVEN YOUR EXPERIENCES TOGETHER, I’M KIND OF DOING THE SAME!
SINCE YOU KNOW I FOUNDED SWAYED, A PLATFORM FOR BOOKING HAIRSTYLISTS, HOW DO YOU THINK IT CAN HELP THE CANADIAN AFRO HAIR LANDSCAPE?
I think SWAYED will be really beneficial. Not everyone is comfortable with or has the resources for social media marketing. For hairstylists who just want to focus on their craft, a dedicated platform is invaluable.
I also wonder how it will balance visibility for new stylists versus established ones who’ve invested years in building their presence.
GREAT POINT! THAT’S SOMETHING WE’VE ADDRESSED. STYLISTS CAN IDENTIFY AS SELF-TAUGHT, CERTIFIED, OR SALON-BASED. CERTIFIED OR SALON STYLISTS CAN OFFER ALL SERVICES, WHILE SELF-TAUGHT STYLISTS HAVE SOME LIMITATIONS TO RESPECT THOSE WITH FORMAL TRAINING. THE GOAL ISN’T COMPETITION, BUT A HUB FOR ALL NEEDS.
FOR ESTABLISHED STYLISTS, SWAYED CAN BE THEIR BOOKING SYSTEM, A DIRECT REPLACEMENT FOR A BOOKING LINK. IT MANAGES PAYMENTS, SENDS REMINDERS, AND HANDLES DEPOSITS. FUNDS ARE RELEASED AFTER THE APPOINTMENT, AND THE REVIEW SYSTEM PROTECTS EVERYONE. IT’S AN ALL-IN-ONE TOOL WITH ADDED SECURITY.
That makes sense. As a self-taught stylist myself, I appreciate having options. Clients should be able to choose based on experience and comfort.
EXACTLY. EVERY STYLIST HAS A PORTFOLIO AND A DESCRIPTION TO SHARE THEIR STORY — LIKE BEING SELF-TAUGHT BUT WITH 35 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE. IT’S ABOUT BUILDING A COMMUNITY.
LAST QUESTION: YOUR HAIR IS GORGEOUS. CAN YOU SHARE YOUR MAINTENANCE ROUTINE?
Thank you! I recently cut it because I had split ends. I hadn’t cared for it well during winter, so I started fresh!
I hydrate my hair every two days. I wet it and use a conditioner in the shower. I used to follow the LOC method but found that sealing with oil locks moisture in too tightly for my low-porosity hair. The moisture would evaporate, and I couldn’t rehydrate properly. Now, I only use oil if I’m washing my hair the next day. Otherwise, I focus on leave-in conditioner and keep it hydrated.
CAN YOU SHARE WITH US WHAT PRODUCTS YOU USE?
I love Camille Rose, though it was recently bought by L’Oréal and I’ve noticed some changes. The Almond Milk line still works for me. I also use Mielle, which isn’t Black-owned, I believe. Beyond that, I use natural ingredients from my kitchen: eggs, bananas, aloe vera, and flaxseed gel. I like shea butter but use it sparingly. Right now, I’m more focused on natural products, but Camille Rose and Mielle are brands I enjoy.
Thank you so much for your time, this was a wonderful conversation. The first of many more!
You can find Christine on Instagram at :
https://www.instagram.com/uxbymia?igsh=b3p0eDNneTdmemNp
Her podcast, Master in Action, is on YouTube on her UX by Mia channel. :
YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL AFRO. I’D LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR HAIR JOURNEY.
WHAT INTERESTS YOU ABOUT AFRO HAIR?
SHARE WITH US A MAJOR PROJECT YOU CREATED AROUND IT.
I love that question! My journey with my natural hair began when I was working in finance. I felt a lot of pressure to constantly have straight hair, so I transitioned to braiding before finally deciding to wear my natural curls at work.
I didn’t know what to expect, but people were incredibly supportive. They’d say, “Your hair is beautiful, you should wear it like this more often!” That surprised me because the feedback at home was so different. My mom would say my hair needed to be straight because that’s how she was raised…
Actually, I ended up helping my mom transition to natural hair and stop relaxing. It’s wild to think my generation did that work! But I definitely wasn’t comfortable wearing my hair natural at first, but then, committed to the transition and did my big chop in 2014.
THAT’S SO INTERESTING.
OUR GENERATION IS RETURNING TO OUR ROOTS IN A WAY OUR PARENTS OFTEN FELT THEY HAD TO HIDE!
Exactly! So, I moved to London in 2017 and was amazed by the diversity of beauty there. It felt like there was no single standard, so many people wore their natural hair or braids and I found a lot of inspiration in that.
This actually inspired me to start Braided Rainbow! It began with me buying colorful hair online: I’d wear blue, green, yellow, any color. The compliments were so encouraging that I thought, “Why not sell this?” I wanted every woman to feel beautiful wearing any color, in any environment. I was working in a corporate setting with blue hair, and it was all about confidence. Even my coworkers loved it!
I brought that idea back to Canada… In North America, colored hair can sometimes be perceived negatively, so I wanted to show it could be professional, a celebration of hair so I started the business to break the stereotype that colorful braids are “ratchet.” I was in investment meetings with pink hair, challenging that notion every day!
I LOVE THAT! TELL ME MORE ABOUT STARTING BRAIDED RAINBOW.
When I returned to Montreal, I saw a market opportunity, and started an online shop specializing in colorful braiding hair, offering a curated palette. I was my own model, showcasing the styles. The challenge was that getting my hair done in London was expensive, so I learned to braid my own hair to create more content. That was an interesting journey.
LONDON DEFINITELY HAD A BIG IMPACT ON YOUR HAIR JOURNEY!
HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE LIVING IN LONDON?
It was challenging but amazing. I worked for a tech startup there that provided courses in digital fields like data analytics and UX design. I managed admissions for the UX program and helped run pilot projects in London, Paris, and Riyadh. That experience taught me about UX, which I brought back to Canada. I started freelancing as a UX designer, which grew into a business an now, I’m celebrating five years with my web agency.
My hair journey and the confidence from building Braided Rainbow made it easier to pivot into UX design. Now, I share what I’ve learned through my podcast, Master in Action.
ANOTHER HAT! TELL US MORE!
WHAT IS THE FORMAT OF YOUR PODCAST MASTER IN ACTION AND WHO DO YOU INTERVIEW?
I focus on entrepreneurs in tech, but I define “tech” broadly. For example, I’ve interviewed a DJ because I consider that a tech-adjacent field, the tools and user experience involved are very relevant. We should give them their flowers, too.
IT’S GREAT HOW YOU’VE WOVEN YOUR EXPERIENCES TOGETHER, I’M KIND OF DOING THE SAME!
AS YOU KNOW, I FOUNDED SWAYED, A PLATFORM WHERE CLIENT CAN BOOK WITH HAIRSTYLISTS,
HOW DO YOU THINK IT CAN HELP THE CANADIAN AFRO HAIR LANDSCAPE?
I think SWAYED will be very beneficial. You know, not everyone is comfortable or has the resources for social media marketing.
For hairstylists who just want to focus on their craft, a dedicated platform is invaluable.
I also wonder how it will balance visibility for new stylists versus established ones. For exemple, those who’ve invested years in building their presence.
GREAT POINT! THAT’S SOMETHING WE’VE ADDRESSED. STYLISTS CAN IDENTIFY AS SELF-TAUGHT, CERTIFIED, OR SALON-BASED. CERTIFIED OR SALON STYLISTS CAN OFFER ALL SERVICES, WHILE SELF-TAUGHT STYLISTS HAVE SOME LIMITATIONS TO RESPECT THOSE WITH FORMAL TRAINING.
THE GOAL ISN’T COMPETITION, BUT A HUB FOR ALL NEEDS.
FOR ESTABLISHED STYLISTS, SWAYED CAN BE THEIR BOOKING SYSTEM, A DIRECT REPLACEMENT FOR A BOOKING LINK.
IT MANAGES PAYMENTS, SENDS REMINDERS, AND HANDLES DEPOSITS. FUNDS ARE RELEASED AFTER THE APPOINTMENT, AND THE REVIEW SYSTEM PROTECTS EVERYONE.
IT’S AN ALL-IN-ONE TOOL WITH ADDED SECURITY.
That makes sense. As a self-taught stylist myself, I appreciate having options. Clients should be able to choose based on experience and comfort.
EXACTLY. EVERY STYLIST HAS A PORTFOLIO AND A DESCRIPTION TO SHARE THEIR STORY—LIKE BEING SELF-TAUGHT BUT WITH 35 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE. IT’S ABOUT BUILDING A COMMUNITY.
THIS IS THE LAST QUESTION : YOUR HAIR IS GORGEOUS. CAN YOU SHARE YOUR MAINTENANCE ROUTINE?
Thank you! I recently cut it because I had split ends. I hadn’t cared for it well during winter, so I started fresh!
I hydrate my hair every two days. I wet it and use a conditioner in the shower. I used to follow the LOC method but found that sealing with oil locks moisture in too tightly for my low-porosity hair. The moisture would evaporate, and I couldn’t rehydrate properly.
Now, I only use oil if I’m washing my hair the next day. Otherwise, I focus on leave-in conditioner and keep it hydrated.
CAN YOU SHARE WITH US WHAT PRODUCTS YOU USE?
I love Camille Rose, though it was recently bought by L’Oréal and I’ve noticed some changes. The Almond Milk line still works for me. I also use Mielle, which isn’t Black-owned, I believe.
Beyond that, I use natural ingredients from my kitchen: eggs, bananas, aloe vera, and flaxseed gel. I like shea butter but use it sparingly. Right now, I’m more focused on natural products, but Camille Rose and Mielle are brands I enjoy.
Thank you so much Mia for your time, this was a wonderful conversation. The first of many more!
You can find Christine on Instagram at : https://www.instagram.com/uxbymia?igsh=b3p0eDNneTdmemNp
Her podcast, Master in Action, is on YouTube on her UX by Mia channel. : https://youtube.com/@uxbymia?si=dcNMQg3q8fn5hoSl
