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Draft:Kelly Massol

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Kelly Massol, born on October 31, 1983, in Gonesse, Val-d'Oise, is a French entrepreneur and speaker[1]. She is the founder of the hair care brand Les Secrets de Loly, recognized for her commitment to natural products for textured hair and her dedication to promoting women's entrepreneurship.

Portrait de Kelly Massol au Parlement Bruxellois en 2022.
Kelly Massol in 2022 at the Brussels Parliament.

Early Life

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Born to a Martinican father and a Guadeloupean mother, Kelly Massol grew up in modest conditions. Her mother abandoned her at six months old, and she was raised by her grandmother, Dorothée Ravel-Vingot, a trailblazer as one of the first Black mathematics professors at the Sorbonne University. After her grandmother's death when she was eleven, Kelly Massol experienced a challenging adolescence marked by placements in boarding schools and foster care. Despite these hardships, she remained optimistic and aspired to become a literary critic or lawyer.[2]

Early Experiences

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After beginning law studies, she discontinued her education at age 21 due to financial constraints. She worked in mobile telephony and later as a customer service representative at Social Security. Passionate about natural hair care, she launched an online forum called "Boucles et Cotons" to discuss curly and frizzy hair. The forum quickly gained traction, amassing 15,000 members. This experience highlighted an untapped market for natural hair care products for textured hair.[3]

Founding Les Secrets de Loly

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In 2009, at the age of 25 and with an initial capital of only €1,500, Kelly Massol founded Les Secrets de Loly[4].The brand's name honors her uncle, who affectionately called her "Loly." She handcrafted shampoos and conditioners in her kitchen using natural ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil, and mango[5]. She taught herself chemistry through reading and experimentation. Her daily routine was grueling: making products at night, working at Social Security in the morning, and managing her store in the afternoon.

Growth and Challenges

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In 2014, to meet growing demand, Kelly Massol outsourced production to a factory in Belgium. Her business gradually expanded, securing partnerships with major retailers like Monoprix, Marionnaud, and La Boutique du Coiffeur[6]. In 2019, the company faced an internal crisis due to employee conflicts, which nearly derailed the business. However, Kelly Massol managed to turn things around.

By 2022, Les Secrets de Loly achieved €17 million in revenue, employed 25 people, and distributed its products in 56 countries, with around 4,000 sales locations. The company also set its sights on the U.S. market, a longstanding dream of its founder.[7]

Television

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In 2023, Kelly Massol joined the panel of the TV show "Qui veut être mon associé?" on M6, alongside Tony Parker, Anthony Bourbon, Jean-Pierre Nadir, and Marc Simoncini[8]. This role allowed her to share her expertise and mentor aspiring entrepreneurs.[9]

Advocacy

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In November 2024, Kelly Massol was appointed president of the association Les Premières, which supports women entrepreneurs. This position reinforces her commitment to diversity and inclusion in the business world.[10]

References

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  1. ^ Marie-Noëlle Vekemans, « Kelly Massol fondatrice de Les Secrets de Loly [archive] », on ELLE.be, published on July 3, 2023 (accessed December 20, 2024).
  2. ^ « Kelly Massol : "Quand on a grandi dans un 15 m² sans eau chaude, on a envie de vivre dans un château" », on la1ere.francetvinfo.fr, published on June 6, 2023 (accessed December 20, 2024).
  3. ^ « Qui veut être mon associé ? sur M6 : de la Sécu à la fortune, le conte de fées de Kelly Massol », on Le Parisien.fr, published on January 24, 2024 (accessed December 20, 2024).
  4. ^ « Kelly Massol [Les Secrets de Loly], "créer son entreprise avec seulement 1 500 euros en poche, c'est possible" [archive] », on ladepeche.fr, published on February 4, 2023 (accessed December 20, 2024)
  5. ^ Inès Bennacer, « Kelly Massol et ses "Secrets de Loly" : la nouvelle papesse du cheveu bouclé [archive] », on Forbes France, February 10, 2024 (accessed December 20, 2024).
  6. ^ « Comment Kelly Massol disrupte le marché des produits capillaires avec Les Secrets de Loly », on challenges.fr, published March 24, 2023 (accessed December 20, 2024).
  7. ^ « Les Secrets de Loly veut devenir une marque capillaire mondiale », on challenges.fr, published December 21, 2024 (accessed December 20, 2024).
  8. ^ "Qui veut être mon associé" : qui est Kelly Massol, investisseuse et créatrice d'une marque bien connue de produits capillaires ? [archive] », on Femme Actuelle, February 22, 2024 (accessed December 20, 2024).
  9. ^ « Kelly Massol (« Qui veut être mon associé ? ») : « J'ai l'air d'un bonbon rose, mais je suis un vrai leader » [archive] », on parismatch.com, January 21, 2024 (accessed December 20, 2024).
  10. ^ « Kelly Massol à Courbevoie : son histoire, de ses débuts à Les Secrets de Loly », on developpementeconomie.courbevoie.fr, published on November 20, 2024 (accessed December 20, 2024).