The story of Nadine Ramos, Lasio & Blessed Bananas is not just about an unexpected beauty pioneer and a self-made, 8-figure female founder. It’s a testament to the power of hope, big dreams, and even bigger leaps of faith when they manifest in the real world.  

The themes of Nadine’s journey from public housing on Manhattan's Lower East Side to becoming the trailblazing beauty entrepreneur are resilience, innovation, and giving back. 

Her upbringing, though marked by significant challenges such as her mother’s severe drug addiction, time in foster care, and the responsibilities she faced taking care of her younger sister, is a testament to her unwavering determination and visionary spirit that led her to create something extraordinary.

A CHANCE HAIR APPOINTMENT CHANGES EVERYTHING…

At just 20 years old, a lucky and (at the time) experimental Keratin hair straightening appointment in a friend’s basement changed Nadine’s life. 

With a strong gut feeling but without any business experience or professional funding, Nadine found scientists to help her create her own version of the treatment and founded Lasio Professional Hair Care. 

By successfully introducing her Brazilian hair straightening products to the U.S., she transformed her fledgling brand into a multi-million dollar enterprise cherished by salon professionals nationwide.

A NEW HAIR INNOVATION + A NEW BUSINESS IS BORN…

Driven by her love for ingredients, innovation, the science of good hair and hearing her customers' call for cleaner ingredients, Nadine once again leaned into a new idea in hair care, launching Blessed Bananas Hair Care in October 2023. This clean, sustainable line features the power of pure banana oil's rich, healing properties, extracted from Florida bananas near where Nadine now lives and works. 

Nadine’s latest venture, rapidly gaining popularity, is on a mission to transform scalps and hair, underscoring her commitment to innovative and effective hair care solutions.

A FULL CIRCLE STORY…

Nadine’s story has come full circle as she dedicates her success to uplifting others. She actively mentors young Latina entrepreneurs from similar backgrounds, provides career and beauty days in partnership with foster care groups, and actively supports the church that was once her refuge. Her efforts and story are already inspiring the next generation of dreamers and achievers, showing them that with perseverance and passion, anything is possible.