Melisa Koral, ROOT/RITUAL
Losing my hair during chemotherapy, and later again from bleaching, was one of the hardest parts of my recovery. When nothing on the market worked, I began experimenting with my own science-based formulas. Seeing how my blend restored my hair and confidence sparked something deeper: I realized I could help others heal, too. Entrepreneurship became my way to turn pain into purpose, to use science, creativity, and compassion to fill a gap in the world that I once desperately needed filled.
Melisa Koral, Class of 2026
One of my proudest moments was when a cancer survivor who tested my product told me she cried after seeing baby hairs growing back for the first time since treatment. That moment reminded me why I started ROOT/RITUAL, not just to sell a product, but to give people hope and control over their healing journey again. It was the first time I truly felt like my experience and research had created something that could make a real difference in someone else’s recovery and confidence.
How Did You Come Up With The Idea For Your Business?
ROOT/RITUAL began as a personal experiment. I realized that most products on the market were generic, full of fillers, and not safe for sensitive, healing scalps. I studied the evidence behind botanicals like rosemary, amla, and black seed. I created my own formula, and when I saw real regrowth and scalp recovery, friends and family began asking for it, too. What started as self-care turned into a mission to help others rebuild hair and confidence through clean, science-backed healing.
ROOT/RITUAL
Industry
Clean Beauty and Wellness
Mission
ROOT/RITUAL’s mission is to empower people healing from illness or damage to restore their hair, confidence, and sense of self through clean, science-backed, and transparent care. We believe beauty should be restorative, not superficial, and that every person deserves access to products made with empathy, evidence, and integrity.
Year Founded
2022