From a high jump champion to a rising artist to the co-founder of one of Egypt’s boldest beauty brands, Hana Ghoneim’s journey is proof that setbacks can spark reinvention, and authenticity can change everything.
From High Jumps to Higher Dreams
As a teenager, Hana was a national high jump champion, with her eyes firmly set on the Olympics. But when a severe injury forced her to stop competing, her world felt like it had collapsed. “I was devastated,” she recalls. “My dream was gone overnight.”
What seemed like an ending, however, became the very beginning of her transformation. With her athletic career behind her, Hana turned to music, a talent that had always been in the background of her life. Soon she was soloing in choirs, performing in musicals, and discovering a new kind of stage to call home. The setback that once broke her heart became the turning point that defined her.
Finding Her Voice
Through music and storytelling, Hana learned not just how to perform, but how to connect. Her background in psychology gave her an edge in understanding people’s emotions, and her artistry resonated with audiences who found authenticity in her voice. What began as a way to heal grew into a career as a singer, actress, content creator, and, eventually, someone whose influence extended far beyond the stage.
The Birth of Locken
By 2021, Hana had already built a strong community online, fans who admired her not just for her art, but for her big, curly hair, which had become part of her identity. Then came COVID. Store shelves were bare, international products had vanished, and local alternatives didn’t measure up. Hana and her partners, Amr El Kaissy and Mayar Soliman, saw an opportunity to fill the gap.
Together, they launched Locken, a haircare brand made in Egypt but built to compete globally. “We wanted Locken to be more than products, it had to be a movement,” Hana explains. With Gen Z- centric marketing, bold design, and a community-first approach, Locken quickly sparked conversations in the beauty world.
Turning Struggles Into Strength
Starting a business during a global crisis wasn’t easy. Hana had no formal education or training in anything business-related, yet she dove in headfirst, learning everything on the go. “I wore every hat in the beginning,” she laughs. “Founder, marketer, product tester, even chemist, I studied every ingredient and researched every chemical because I wanted to know exactly what was going into our products. Conscious, clean beauty was non-negotiable for me.”
What could have been overwhelming turned into one of her proudest achievements. Against all odds, Locken became a brand that young people loved and related to, proof that passion and perseverance can overcome inexperience and uncertainty.
Living Authentically
If there’s one word that defines Hana, it’s authenticity. Growing up, her parents always encouraged her to embrace her natural self, even when curly hair was seen as “messy” or “unfeminine.” That upbringing instilled in her a confidence that has carried into both her art and her business.
Authenticity has also been the secret behind her early success as a content creator. Back in 2017, Hana hosted OVERDOSED, a YouTube show by Bingecircle that went viral. At first, she was criticized for being too loud, too raw, too natural, she laughed openly, joked with her guests, and simply enjoyed herself. But soon, audiences realized that was exactly what made her stand out. She broke the taboo of the “quiet, compliant” Egyptian girl, showing that being yourself –3ala tabe3tek– was not only okay, but powerful. That unapologetic authenticity transformed critics into loyal fans and became the foundation of her personal brand.
Today, Hana wants to be remembered as someone who inspired younger generations to live authentically, to stay natural, and to embrace who they are without fear. “If I can be remembered for being real, then I’ve done my job,” she says.
Building a Legacy
Today, Hana continues to expand Locken alongside her partners Amr and Mayar, with new launches and collaborations that keep the brand fresh and exciting. The latest collaboration, Locken x Saints, brought together two Gen Z loved brands. The partnership introduced three Locken lip oil flavors inspired by Saints’ new gelato, flavors made to match, combining beauty and indulgence in a way that resonated perfectly with their audiences.
For Hana, these collaborations are about more than products, they’re about building bridges between communities, blending creativity, and showing what modern Egyptian entrepreneurship looks like.
Lessons Learned Along the Way
Hana’s biggest lesson has been resilience. “Failure isn’t the end, it’s often just redirection,” she reflects. From the track to the stage to the beauty industry, each setback pushed her to reinvent herself. “Patience, adaptability, and the courage to keep moving, that’s what carries you forward.”
Advice to Her Younger Self
If she could speak to the girl who once stood heartbroken on the track field, Hana would say: “Patience is key. Keep pushing every day. Trust the journey, even when it feels impossible. What feels like failure may actually be guiding you somewhere far greater.”
More Than a Brand, More Than a Voice
Hana’s journey, from high jump champion to artist to entrepreneur, isn’t about giving one dream up for another. It’s about daring to reinvent yourself, trusting your resilience, and embracing authenticity no matter what. Through Locken and her art, she continues to prove that true power lies in turning challenges into opportunities, and inspiring others to do the same.
For Hana, the journey is far from over. As an artist and entrepreneur, she continues to break barriers, inspire a generation, and prove that authenticity isn’t just her brand, it’s her legacy!
Conclusion
Hana Ghoneim’s journey from national high jump champion to artist and entrepreneur is a story of resilience, courage, and self-discovery. She has transformed challenges into opportunities and built a platform that empowers others to do the same.
Through Locken, she has created a community that celebrates individuality, and through her music, she connects deeply with her audience. Her story reminds us that setbacks are not the end of the road they are often the first step toward new, unimagined possibilities. Hana’s dedication to authenticity, creativity, and empowerment continues to inspire, proving that with resilience and vision, anyone can redefine their path and leave a lasting impact.
Do follow her on Instagram
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