Daring, creating, and helping others – the journey of a woman entrepreneur at HEC Paris
Born in Montpellier to a Senegalese mother who moved to France alone, Yaye Fatou Sourang grew up with an unshakable belief – that education is the key to opening all doors. Now a graduate of the Master of Science X - HEC Entrepreneurs program, Fatou is preparing to launch VARL Hair, an AI-powered haircare app designed specifically for afro-textured hair. A project at the crossroads of technology, beauty, and inclusion, it reflects her deeper ambition - to help others live life to the full, succeed, and be free.
HEC Paris – a springboard for moving forwards
Before joining HEC Paris, Fatou already had a strong academic background: a science-focused high school diploma, a Master’s in Digital Business and UX Marketing, and a second Master’s in Applied Economics, Data, and Business Strategy. She had also taken her first steps into entrepreneurship by acquiring France’s student-entrepreneur status. But that experience proved frustrating. “They kept telling me my project wouldn’t work,” she recalls, “but no one ever explained why or how I could improve it. I felt that I wasn’t being taken seriously.”
That’s what led her to apply for the Master of Science X - HEC Entrepreneurs program - she was looking for a more supportive environment, one that would believe in ambition rather than stifling it. What she found far exceeded her expectations. “This program doesn’t just give you knowledge. It pushes you to learn by doing, to experiment and to take risks. And above all, it gives you access to an incredible network.”
A unique ecosystem and the power of community
What sets HEC Paris apart, for Fatou, is the strength and accessibility of its network. “It’s more than just a list of contacts - it’s a living, supportive, and responsive ecosystem.”
She speaks warmly of professors who are always available for a coffee or a call, of alumni who respond to messages and connect her with the right people, of classmates who generously share advice, feedback, and encouragement. Beyond occasional help, there’s a true culture of continuous support. “You can ask a question at midnight by email, and the next morning get a reply from the CEO of a major company. This had never happened to me before.”
This network of engaged individuals fosters a climate of trust - one where entrepreneurs feel safe to take risks, test ideas, fail, and try again, without the fear of being judged. “In entrepreneurship, as in life, it’s really the people around you who lift you up.” she affirms.
A life-changing experience that goes far beyond the classroom
Fatou admits that she was surprised by just how much she learned - and how transformational the experience turned out to be. “I thought I already knew what entrepreneurship was, and that I would mainly gain the necessary hands-on experience to move my project forward. But I discovered a whole new world of codes, languages and practices that I hadn't mastered, especially in the realm of investors and financing.”
But her most memorable experience was the study trip to San Francisco with her classmates - a pivotal moment, and a true source of inspiration. “Over there, they teach you to move fast - to prototype, test, and validate in 72 hours! It pushed me to automate and integrate AI into all my processes.”
This trip enabled her to turn her ambitious vision into concrete action. "I'd always been told I was dreaming too big. At HEC Paris, I was told that my dreams were legitimate. And in San Francisco they said - these aren't dreams, this is just reality. All you need to do now is act.”
VARL Hair – a solution born from both a personal and universal need
The VARL Hair project was born from Fatou’s own experience as a Black woman struggling to find suitable haircare products to meet her specific needs. “I couldn’t find effective or truly adapted products. And as I started looking for solutions, I realized I wasn’t alone.”
So, she decided to create a solution that didn't yet exist - an AI-driven mobile app that provides personalized haircare diagnostics, a marketplace for afro haircare products, and an engaged community.
“In French VARL stands for Vivre, Aider, Réussir, Être libre (Live, Help, Succeed, Be free). The “Hair” pillar is just the beginning, but it already encapsulates my vision for the project as a whole."
Building with patience and purpose
Two key forces drive Fatou forward every day. Firstly, her deep desire to help others. “In high school, for instance, I would naturally go toward classmates who were struggling with homework to explain things. Helping others - that’s how I learn and grow.”
Secondly, her passion for creation. “I’ve always been a bit of an artist. For me, entrepreneurship is essentially about creating. It’s about giving shape to an idea, like you would with a work of art.”
Today, she’s refining VARL Hair’s smart diagnostic tool with professional hairdressers to ensure accurate recommendations and trustworthy advice. In the short term, her goal is clear – to get the word out, collect user feedback, and improve the product. In the medium term, she aims to make VARL Hair the go-to platform for afro haircare. And in the long run? Build the full VARL ecosystem, with new branches dedicated to wellness and personal development.
A validated ambition and a bold vision
Yaye Fatou Sourang embodies a new generation of women entrepreneurs - ambitious, resilient, creative, and determined to make a positive impact. Her time at HEC Paris has marked a turning point in her journey - she has found the necessary tools, an ecosystem, but above all validation. Validation of her ambition, her vision, and her potential.
With VARL Hair, she's not just launching an application. She's creating a space of confidence, care and pride for thousands of women of African descent. And that's just the beginning.
Find out more about the Master of Science X - HEC Entrepreneurs