NMSU Chemical & Materials Engineering (ChME) is helping a New Mexico Small Business Owner solve a problem. Through the support of the NMSBA, NMSU ChME is helping Kena Wrap improve the material in their bonnets and head wraps so they do not slip off the user’s head.
For years, the owner and inventor of the Kena Wrap, Ms. Juperi Johnson, experimented with different styles and materials of bonnets and wraps to create a head garment that not only improved hair health but also stayed in place overnight and during activities.
Kena Wrap is a woman-owned, minority-owned, and multi-generational small business founded in New Mexico by Ms. Johnson in 2021. Through tireless brainstorming and design efforts, Ms. Johnson transformed her hand-drawn sketches into a fully patented product recognized by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. She involves her daughters in all aspects of her business, working closely with them to foster a collaborative family enterprise.
Ms. Johnson sought assistance from our local Arrowhead Center through the New Mexico Small Business Assistance (NMSBA) Program. Established in 2000, the NMSBA Program aims to support small businesses by leveraging the expertise of scientists and engineers from across the state to address economic development challenges. As a contractor for Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and Sandia National Laboratories, the Arrowhead Center utilizes the unique resources of New Mexico State University, including faculty and staff, to provide solutions for a variety of technical and business challenges. These resources are dedicated to working hand-in-hand with small business owners to foster an entrepreneurial culture and advocate for their growth.
The Arrowhead Center is expanding market access for Kena Wrap, working closely with Ms. Johnson to create a business start-up guide and assisting with several aspects of small business ownership. In addition, they have come to ChME at NMSU for technical help.
Samantha Lucero, a Master’s student in Chemical and Materials Engineering, double majoring in Business, will lead this research initiative with the support of the Arrowhead Center. She will devote her time to product research and testing, which will benefit both Kena Wrap and its customers. Additionally, Samantha will enhance her skills by becoming familiar with various testing parameters, enabling Ms. Johnson to make informed claims about her product in the future. Through rigorous technical testing, data will be produced that can withstand scrutiny and review. Samantha will be supervised by Professor of Practice Eliseo De León in her endeavors to showcase the creative component of what scientists “do.” The CHME department will provide consistent data through a 6 to 8-week project.
Utilizing competitor products, the Kena Wrap will be subjected to cycling experiments with other products on the market, aiming to display its genuine craftsmanship and quality materials. As engineers, the CHME department wants to highlight the human impact of their research and its effects on human life. This is evident in Ms. Johnson’s work as well, as her product is currently being used at the Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C. to aid children undergoing chemotherapy/radiation treatments and other various traumas.
This collaboration is not only advantageous for NMSU and Ms. Johnson's clientele but also opens up opportunities for other small businesses to work with our campus experts. Samantha’s involvement showcases the exceptional technical capabilities of the CHME department and the remarkable talents of our students. ChME Department Head, Dr. Joseph Holles notes that “while many of our research projects require multiple years of effort, we also like to help at other state programs, like NMSBA when we have the tools to do so.” Arrowhead NMSBA Program Manager, Milica Tenic, also states “Arrowhead programming aims to provide holistic support for startups across the state regardless of their development stage. Through the NMSBA program we help startups overcome financial barriers and create opportunities for continued product development.” Through both avenues, NMSU is proud to be involved.
https://www.instagram.com/kenawrap/
