Finding Purpose Through Pain: Khamia Montgomery’s Journey with Vasculitis and Entrepreneurship

At just 27 years old, Khamia Montgomery is blazing trails as a spirited entrepreneur with a powerful mission. Based in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, she’s the founder of Brwn In A Box, a natural hair care subscription service created specifically for those with textured hair—especially individuals navigating chronic illness. But behind this African American woman’s vibrant energy and passion for business lies a personal story of resilience and discovery.

Khamia’s health journey began in early 2018. “I first noticed symptoms in February,” she recalled, “but didn’t seek medical attention until March.” It started with light sensitivity and vision changes that gradually worsened. By the time joint pain and fluid in her lungs appeared, she knew something was seriously wrong.

Initially, Khamia turned to her primary care physician, who suspected allergies or that even makeup was the culprit.

“My PCP thought it was something simple,” she said. “But nothing was helping.” A visit to an optometrist provided no clarity either. Eventually, she was referred to rheumatologist Rula Hajj-Ali, MD, at the Cleveland Clinic. After multiple appointments, blood tests, and health questionnaires, Khamia received a diagnosis in May of 2018: granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), a rare and potentially serious autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of blood vessels.

“It took about three and a half months to get a diagnosis,” Khamia said. “There were no misdiagnoses, but definitely a lot of unknowns. My mom and I had so many questions that just didn’t have answers at the time.”

Living with Vasculitis

From 2018 to 2023, Khamia was in active treatment, undergoing regular infusions—first every six months, and later once a year. Today, she’s no longer receiving infusions but remains under close monitoring. Over those years, she also took a mix of medications including methotrexate, prednisone, rituximab, Bactrim and Bactroban. The side effects weren’t easy. “Methotrexate made me nauseous immediately,” she recalled. “And with prednisone, I had the classic moon face.”

GPA has made its mark on Khamia’s daily life. Beyond fatigue and light sensitivity, GPA has subtly reshaped her daily routines. Even now, navigating social gatherings requires careful consideration.

“When I go to concerts or large spaces, the day after, I get a 24-hour cold,” she said. “I learned that unless I wear a mask, I can’t go into large crowds without feeling the after effects the next day.”

This awareness has led to new habits, like the essential practice of nasal rinsing.

“Rinsing my nose every morning is just like brushing my teeth. It’s mandatory!”

One major turning point came when Dr. Hajj-Ali recommended a wellness doctor. That led Khamia to embrace the Mediterranean diet, mindfulness, and breathing exercises—all of which have helped improve her fatigue and overall wellness.

“My fatigue went from severe to mild-to-moderate,” she said. That was a huge win.  “The fluid in my lungs hasn’t affected me as badly as I thought,”

One of her initial concerns has also resolved. “My vision has returned to normal, and Dr. Hajj-Ali said there was no scarring or signs of any inflammation.”

A New Normal

The GPA diagnosis brought a mix of emotions for Khamia – a sense of sadness coupled with a determined resolve to face the challenge, though she initially underestimated its long-term impact. The realities of treatment, including hair loss and emotional changes, were challenging. During this time, she found invaluable support from her family and church community.

Throughout her health journey, Khamia never stopped dreaming. In 2020, while doing her hair at home during the pandemic, she had a revelation: “Why aren’t there natural hair care subscription boxes for those with textured hair?”

That simple question sparked something powerful. Launched in 2025, Brwn In A Box was designed to serve people like her—those who want safe, effective, and natural hair care products, especially during treatment and remission. It’s more than a box—it’s a resource, a community, and a gesture of love.

Living with a chronic illness also has influenced how Khamia approaches her entrepreneurial endeavors.

“I’m learning to work backwards,” she explained. “If I have a task or a goal I want to accomplish, I look at it from a bird’s-eye view, then see how I can take the right steps to execute things. Writing down my responsibilities has helped me more than ever and having accountability partners is a great resource, too.”

This strategic approach is crucial when managing a business with unpredictable energy levels.

“One of the specific challenges of running a business with a chronic illness is making sure I plan accordingly,” she said. “If I’m tired, I can’t get any work done.” This necessitates prioritizing self-care to avoid flare-ups. “I prioritize resetting my nervous system by resting, going for walks, and staying grounded in my faith.”

Careful planning extends to all aspects of her business.

“I make sure to plan my social media content, emails, and meetings accordingly. I check my calendar and ensure I have everything noted in there.”

Building Connections

Living with GPA has been an ongoing journey of adjustment.

“At first, I used to feel like it was a difficulty I had to learn around. I felt like it was a chore. I felt responsible for every single day and there were days when I did not take care of myself,” Khamia admitted. “I could talk about the positivity right now but between 2020 and 2023, I honestly didn’t take care of myself as best as I should. I had to learn how to recover from the damage that was done to my body. I feel like it’s just a constant reminder. I have to be easy on myself and to be more accountable.”

Being deeply rooted in her faith has tremendously helped Khamia navigate the challenges of launching her business. “I used to take on other people’s problems, but I don’t do that anymore, which has also helped me avoid flare-ups.” 

To maintain her energy, Khamia starts her day with nutritious choices like protein-rich smoothies with fruits and chia seeds added to her water. “I rest when I need it. I have to listen to my body.”

Khamia also finds strength in connecting with others through the Vasculitis Foundation’s Young Adult Support Group, which is for those aged 18-30 who have been diagnosed with vasculitis. Members share tips, ask questions, voice frustrations, celebrate victories, and support each other in the journey through monthly online meetings. Khamia also has a professional network within the business community.

She envisions a future where Brwn In A Box becomes a widely recognized and valued hair care brand. Looking ahead, Khamia is passionate about using Brwn In A Box as a platform for education and awareness.

“I would also love for Brwn In A Box to be given as corporate gifts and as a thoughtful gesture to loved ones experiencing challenges with their hair care needs,” she said. “This year, I want to build more brand visibility by reminding people that they are not alone. I believe more people are experiencing autoimmune disorders than we realize, and being a resource for healthy hair care is extremely important. It can help boost confidence and provide comfort to those who are struggling.”

Khamia’s vision extends beyond just hair care products.

“Ultimately, my future goal for Brwn In A Box is to connect hair care professionals with those who quietly seek their expertise. Some people feel ashamed—I was once like that, too.”

For others living with vasculitis or chronic conditions who dream of starting a business, Khamia offers this heartfelt advice: “Give yourself grace. Don’t burn yourself out—it will cause a flare-up. Be patient with yourself. I thought for years about launching my business before I ever made the leap. And now, I know I was ready all along.”

Relying on Faith

Throughout her journey, Khamia’s faith has been a constant source of strength.

“My faith has helped me because it’s a mindset thing. If you believe you will be okay, you will start to see the resources that support your well-being. Being diagnosed with GPA taught me that this is just a part of me—it’s not my whole life. While I am reminded of it every day, I no longer let it consume me as I once did.”

This faith also fuels Khamia’s entrepreneurial spirit.

“My faith has also played a major role in my business. It’s like a source of comfort and strength. Yes, I still have to do the work, but there’s something greater pushing me—driving me to become an entrepreneur, build my own business, share my story, and encourage others to support small brands that create products that help rather than harm us,” she noted.

Faith-driven, community-oriented, and innovative, Khamia is a living reminder that strength often comes through struggle. And through Brwn in A Box, she’s turning that strength into something beautiful—for herself and for others.