When Houston entrepreneur Hallie Cooper decided to turn her passion into a business, she was continuing a family legacy of beauty and care that began with her grandmother.
“My grandmother is a hairstylist, and I grew up helping in my great-grandmother’s shop. Some of their clients needed hair pieces, and since my grandparents were older and didn’t want to handle that part, I began providing the pieces myself.”
— Hallie Cooper, 4Her Crown
That early experience sparked a passion that evolved into 4Her Crown, a Texas-based online business specializing in custom-designed wigs and bundles. The brand caters to women experiencing hair loss or thinning, offering a range of high-quality options including HD lace, glueless construction, hand-plucked hairlines, natural scalp illusion techniques, and custom coloring or texture blending.
“For many women, hair loss can be emotional,” Cooper said. “Being able to help them feel like themselves again means a lot. It’s powerful to see their confidence come back.”
Before launching her company, Hallie had already built a strong local following, serving around 10 stylists out of her grandmother’s salon. But transforming that loyal client base into a full-fledged e-commerce brand required capital — and guidance.
That’s where she turned to Communities Unlimited (CU).
Through Economic Development Loan Officer Candence Brooks, Hallie secured a CU loan funded by the Sachs Foundation. The funds provided the foundation she needed to take 4Her Crown from concept to business reality.
“Before, I could only do pre-orders,” Cooper said. “Now, with 175 wigs in stock, customers can see and buy units immediately. It’s made a huge difference.”
The loan also allowed her to hire a marketing agency, purchase packaging and shipping supplies, and begin developing her e-commerce website to reach more customers directly. By launching online, Hallie can keep overhead costs low while maintaining her full-time job as she builds her brand.
Cooper commended CU and especially the work of Brooks.
“I love Candence so much. She’s amazing at her job. It felt like she was the perfect advocate for me. She helped me understand things I didn’t know and made sure I wasn’t blind in any area. She really supported my business and guided me through everything.”
— Hallie Cooper
Today, Hallie is focused on growth — expanding her online presence, scaling her inventory, and planning for the day when she can hire employees and open a dedicated space.
“It was a great experience overall — very smooth and very supportive,” she said. “I’m grateful for the help and guidance. Now that I have inventory, things are moving.”
Thanks to her determination — and CU’s mission-driven lending — 4Her Crown is thriving as a symbol of beauty, resilience, and community empowerment.
