Piersten entered Harvard Business School with the goal of building her new salon brand. But her mother’s passing expedited Piersten’s plans.
“I realized life was so short”, she says. “Why don’t I just go after what I want right now?”
Piersten first learned about digitalundivided through Julianne Zimmerman, Managing Director of Reinventure Capital and a guest speaker at one of Piersten’s seminars at Harvard. The BIG Incubator’s main selling point was its focus on women of color—her main clientele. “If anyone was going to, it was going to be DID”, says Piersten.
For Piersten, Pressed Roots isn’t just a business—it’s a testament to the drive her mother instilled in her. But for Harvard Business School grads, who typically take consultancy jobs after graduation to pay off student loans, it’s the road less traveled. Still, many have been inspired by Piersten’s dream, and are eager to help.
Navigating the customer discovery waters and learning how to accrue funding for Pressed Roots are two challenges Piersten looked to the BIG Incubator to help her conquer. Though still in the first few weeks of the program, Piersten says being surrounded by others going through the same thing inspires her.
And she has big plans for Pressed Roots. “I want it to be a franchise in every major city in the country”, says Piersten. “I’d [also] like to partner with gyms. Working out is good for your health and your hair. But when you work out, you mess up your hair”. And then it’s back to Pressed Roots for a blowout and a cold-pressed juice!