Meet Megan V Green | Hair Activist, Artist and Educator.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Megan V Green and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Megan V, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I was afraid to start my business, I did not think I had what it took to be an entrepreneur. This is a constant battle for me even today, it is not easy or natural to me. We were all taught to seek comfort, stability and work for people. Gradually, over the years, I became more confident and open to the idea that I could do it and I was ready for this long journey of entrepreneurship. After working in the aerospace industry in the beginning of my career, I realized that if I started my business and began to make the hair products people were requesting from me, it would allow me to do the real work I wanted to see in the world, more aligned with impact and humanitarian activities. In high school, I envisioned program where people could focus on self confidence, personal development, shifting your mindset and crown care so I worked towards this vision from the beginning.Therefore, with a few pivots from selling hair products to creating wellness and confidence hair experiences, I was able actualize this vision via my brand, Crownworkshop.

I donated everything I owned in LA and relocated to Africa within 48 hours during a pandemic (March of 2020) to make my vision a reality. I wanted to continue my work on the continent. So I am not risk averse, I know it is necessary. You have to believe in yourself and in your vision and bet on it with sweat equity and navigating the discomfort that comes with it. When I started my business, there were many risks. Launching the Crownworkshop in Brooklyn in 2019, then LA and eventually in CapeTown South Africa in November of 2019 was a big risk for me. I was afraid, I kept hearing the whisper of doubt, imposter syndrome and decided that even with fear, I would move forward. I feel like risk is necessary, calculated risk and not risking your livelihood and mental health is my position now, in hindsight, of course. I do not regret the risks taken due the lessons learned, experiences and contacts.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

Well, I am Megan V Green, founder of Crownworkshop. I am a communication leader, hair artist, educator and activist that facilitates powerful dialogue and experiences globally. I use innovative programming and experiences as the vehicle to educate audiences on social issues, confidence, wellness and personal growth. I’ve led cultural and service oriented programming with universities and non profits throughout the U.S.

I am most proud that I have been able to create an innovative creative intervention, Crownworkshop. It is an experience that many young girls and communities will benefit from. It is based on confidence, wellness and access. It is important that the communities that will benefit most from this work, regardless of your financial status, will have access to it. So far, I have hosted many Crownworkshop experiences, in Brooklyn, LA, Cape Town, South Africa and Accra, Ghana. Crownworkshop is an educational experience around wellness, mental health, personal development, grooming via for individuals, communities and corporations.

I graduated from Villanova University with a bachelor’s degree in Cross Cultural Psychology and Organizational Communication and a master’s degree from the University of Southern California: Annenberg School of Communication in Communication Management. With over 15 years experience in communication training and 9+ year background in aerospace, diversity and inclusion, organizational communication, facilitation, leadership development training, marketing, and public speaking. I also built a side hairstyling business for 15+ years serving clients and celebrities across the U. S. with features in online editorial platforms, magazines such as Teen Vogue, BET, Refinery 29, CRWN Mag, InStyle, GQ Arabia and television, HBO’s “Euphoria”.

It has not been easy but I am grateful for the journey. Growing up in many environments and interacting with people from all walks of life, coupled with my experience in communication, psychology and relocating often, I’ve learned how to effectively build strong authentic relationships naturally, relationships that were key to me hosting these experiences abroad. Further, my experience working to heal from childhood trauma,  personal mental health journey and behavioral issues as a kid has given me a unique perspective and vantage point to create effective wellness solutions for individuals, schools and corporations.

My career highlights span from a wide variety of experiences that have been fueled by curiosity and being open to new experiences and challenges. I worked in the aerospace industry, for Precision Castpart Corps for six years in Sales, Production Control, Human Resources and attended and co-facilitated a Dale Carnegie Professional Development Training for managers in Portland OR. I managed a company scholarship program for college students and led and planned a mission based international trip to El Salvador for Villanova University. I was the first employee hired to build a critical skills training non profit and apprenticeship program for veterans and underserved communities in Los Angeles. Securing significant funding and signing aerospace clients like Precision Castparts, SpaceX and JPL NASA  etc was the most challenging yet fulfilling experience. This experience made me fall in love with California.

Throughout it all, I have learned that risks are necessary, kindness is important and regardless of where you are and what language is spoken, love is a gesture and energy that is understood and allows people to be more receptive to your message.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My Staples are coffee at “Bohemian House of Chai” or “Bloom and Plume”, lunch at Sage Vegan Restaurant in Echo Park, Grand Central Market or Wild Living Food (DTLA), a Hot 8 Yoga Class in Pasadena or Koreatown, a hike in Malibu and a half day trip to the Self Actualization Center in Pacific Palisades. I also love Perch DTLA,The Ace Hotel and the Bourgeous Pig for a late night sober working moment. I also love the Dime for a chill low key bar and good bop on Melrose.

I am from Philadelphia, South Philadelphia and North,  I grew up close to downtown which was a melting pot. Growing up, I interacted with people from all walks of life, from crackheads to priests and learned to treat everyone with the same dignity. Philadelphia is a “saucy” or (well dressed) blue collar, hard working rough around the edges environment so it takes a lot to dare to be or want to be different and not be hardened by experiences and the lack of safety. One thing about Philly is that when people love you, they really love you hard. I love that warmth and from early childhood, I have been adopted into many families and loved on. Now, I want to share the love given to me via my work. This upbringing has informed all of my work. Most of my life, I wanted to leave Philadelphia to see the world. Looking back, I am grateful for Philly,I now appreciate the authenticity of experiences and people, the rawness, the conversations you get to have with strangers and what it has taught me. Growing up here has developed my personality and allowed me to connect with people around the world in an authentic way. As a hair artist, I am grateful to have grown up in a place that is creative and very serious when it comes to hair and fashion.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

For Crownworkshop, it was created due to me after experiencing a deep depression and I wanted to channel what I was feeling into something productively so it was born with love for women and girls like me. It was what I needed as a kid in schools and I believe many communities will continue to benefit from these experiences. The goal has always been to focus on confidence, wellness and mental health specifically as this has always been a struggle for me to navigate. Each session seeks to empower, educate and impact one’s life for many moments after your first Crownworkshop experience.

I would dedicate this to my family, my brother Mel, Iv, my Uncle Rick, my Aunt Jawana, my sister Lauren, Ms Mila, Darnell Valentine, Chose, @thechillingtherapist, my cousin Tay, Boisie, my excellent friends/ soul sisters and my boxing coaches (Gift Davis) that always make me feel strong and supported and my tribe around the world that constantly encourage me. I dont always feel my best. There are so many people who have poured in me from a child until today and I am grateful for this love and sacrifice even when my decisions do not make sense to others.

Books like Evolve your Brain, Psycho-Cybernetics, Born a Crime, What I Know For Sure, Seven Laws of Spiritual Success, and The Year of Yes have inspired me to keep moving, keep going, build confidence, be bold, take the risk and go to new places.

Website: https://linktr.ee/mvgnaturals

Instagram: @motivatevibegrow @crownworkshop

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganvgreen/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC–jacRkefvvcIMfDSRJnFg/

Other: https://calendly.com/meganvgreen