A young inventor built a tool to make braiding hair quicker
StartupsFrom: TechCrunch · rewritten for kids by Osmo
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Aisata Diallo, 24, calls herself a lifelong braider. While studying at Northeastern University in Boston, she found it hard to find braiders and textured-hair specialists, so she started a small braiding business herself. Working closely with clients showed her the pain points of the job: braiding is done by hand, and one style can take eight hours. She turned those frustrations into a startup, Tressfecta, which builds products for textured hair. Its first tool, Plait Pilot, helps braiders with the first step of separating hair from packs before braiding begins.
Big word
startup: A brand-new company built around a new idea or product.
Quiz time: circle the right answer
1. How long can one braided hairstyle take?ATen minutesBAbout eight hoursCThree days
2. What is the name of Aisata's company?ATressfectaBPlait PilotCBraid Rockets
3. What does Plait Pilot help braiders do?ASeparate hair before braidingBWash hairCCut hair
Your turn
Think of a job that takes a long time. Draw an invention that could make it quicker, and give your company a name.
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