Meet Jenny: Civil Engineer, Entrepreneur, and Creator of The Afro Scrunchie

To truly capture Jenny’s career, I’d need to write three or four articles. She really is every woman—creator of the Afro Scrunchie, entrepreneur, civil engineer, and future hypnotherapist. For this article, I chose to focus on the inventor and the entrepreneur, because that’s how I first came to know her. I purchased her Afro Scrunchie years ago on Etsy (and I still wear it today). I loved it—pure perfection—exactly what I’d been looking for.

But after speaking with her, I discovered she does so much more than just the Afro Scrunchie (which is impressive on its own). What I learned from her—and what I hope you take away, too—is that you don’t have to stay in one lane. You can change lanes and own the entire interstate.

Name: Jenny

Occupation: Civil Engineer, Inventor, Entrepreneur, future Hypnotherapist

Background

Jenny is a full-time engineer, lifelong learner, and the founder of The Afro Scrunchie, a line of textured hair scrunchies that blend seamlessly with natural hair. Based in the U.S. but originally from just outside Madrid, Spain, Jenny created her product to solve a very specific problem: she needed a stylish, natural-looking bun while growing out her short hair. That moment of frustration turned into a creative business.

How She Started Learning Her Craft

The Afro Scrunchie began with experimentation. After cutting her hair short and finding herself in that awkward “in-between” stage, Jenny discovered a “messy bun” hairpiece online—but it only came in straight textures. She ordered it, studied how it was made, and thought, “I can do this for curly hair.” With elastic from a craft store and hair that matched her texture, she made a prototype. Her sister in Spain saw it and wanted one. Then her sister’s friend asked for one too. Soon, Jenny had her first Etsy shop.

Her process is part engineering, part artistry: “I visualize it first. I see it in my head and then I figure out how to make it work.”

What She Loves About Her Job

“The best part is knowing that something I created solves a real problem,” Jenny shared. “It started as an idea, and now it’s a physical product I can touch and ship to people who need it.” For Jenny, entrepreneurship blends creativity with purpose—and complements her analytical day job in engineering.

Biggest Challenge

Surprisingly, The Afro Scrunchie business runs smoothly. From sourcing curly hair textures from manufacturers in China to inspecting every product for quality before shipping, Jenny has built a process that works. “Of all my projects,” she said, “this one gives me the fewest headaches.”

Typical Day/Week

Jenny handles everything herself—from inventory to shipping—and balances it all with her day job and other projects. Because she keeps scrunchies in stock, she’s able to ship quickly, often within days. Quality control is non-negotiable: “I have to check every product before it ships. That’s why I don’t drop-ship. I want customers to receive something I stand behind.”

Advice to Other Entrepreneurs

“Start by solving a problem,” Jenny says. “That’s the heart of any business. If you solve a problem for yourself, chances are others need that solution too.” She encourages women to trust their ideas and not let fear or perfectionism get in the way.

Future Goals

Jenny is now pursuing certification in hypnotherapy, specifically Rapid Transformational Therapy. After struggling with shyness, she used the method to help herself step out of the shadows—and it worked. “Turning 50 made me realize I didn’t want to be limited by a career I chose at 18. There’s more to learn and more ways to grow.”

Fun Fact

Jenny dances in the water—literally. Whether at the YMCA pool or on beaches around the world, she moves to her own rhythm. “It’s how I recharge,” she said. “It’s energizing and fun. My goal is to dance in as many beaches as possible.”

You can find Jenny’s Afro Scrunchie on Etsy:

The Afro Scrunchie Shop