Business of the Beat Podcast

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Keta Burke-Williams, the visionary founder of the conscious fragrance brand Ourside, shares her inspiring journey of creating a brand that celebrates diverse stories and fosters community connections. She reveals how scent became a form of escape and self-care, leading her to establish Ourside. Keta highlights the significance of community and mentorship in her entrepreneurial path and details the meticulous process behind launching a successful brand.Keta delves into the "test and learn" approach in business, discussing the balance between striving for perfection and embracing iterative improvement. She emphasizes the critical role of retail for fragrance brands, explaining her strategic partnerships with Credo Beauty and Bergdorf Goodman to position Ourside as a luxury offering.Addressing the unique challenges Black founders face in the luxury market, Keta underscores the importance of strategic partnerships and sustainable growth. She highlights the necessity of patience, readiness, and building a supportive community before pursuing rapid expansion.Keta also shares practical tips for increasing fragrance longevity and expresses her excitement for Ourside’s future, including the development of new scents and potential new product formats like candles.Follow @Ourside.NYC or visit https://ourside.nyc/. Use code BOTB for 10% off Ourside products!Tune in to learn more from Keta and Kendra!

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Kenya Carter, the visionary founder of Shapes Clothing, explores her inspiring journey from North Tulsa to the heights of fashion design. Kenya shares how a childhood love for art and fashion evolved into a dynamic career through unexpected twists and bold decisions. From running a salon with her sister to discovering fashion through a serendipitous show in Las Vegas, Kenya's story is a testament to the power of taking risks and embracing new opportunities.We delve into Kenya’s unique path, including her experience juggling family responsibilities while attending fashion school and how she leveraged her background in advertising and human relations to excel as an image consultant. Kenya’s journey highlights the importance of using one's talents to uplift others and how diverse experiences can culminate in a fulfilling career. Kenya’s reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped her career and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Visit https://www.buildintulsa.com/programs/w-e-build and stay tuned for part 2!Follow @KenyaCarter or visit https://shapesclothing.com/ Tune in to learn more from Kenya and Kendra!

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In the gripping Part Two episode with Wendy Berry and Eugenia Marshall, the visionary co-founders of ConditionHER, listeners explore the profound challenges and triumphs they’ve experienced on their entrepreneurial journey. Wendy and Eugenia dive into the emotional and psychological impacts of building a business, particularly during health crises and global disruptions.Wendy opens up about ConditionHER’s journey through the pandemic, detailing the dual-edged sword of a sales boost followed by the realization of an unsustainable trend. She candidly discusses her personal battle with breast cancer and the broader implications for women who face such struggles in silence. Wendy’s story sheds light on the often-overlooked challenges women encounter and the importance of open dialogue and self-care.Eugenia Marshall contributes to the conversation, sharing how the pandemic and Wendy’s health issues impacted their business operations. She emphasizes the critical role of Wendy’s pre-pandemic groundwork and strategic shift to a wholesale model in sustaining ConditionHER during challenging times. Eugenia highlights the value of cultivating partnerships with experts and the strength of their collaborative efforts.Wendy and Eugenia also reflect on recent developments at ConditionHER, including their successful pivot to working with aestheticians and the positive impact of industry conferences.Follow @conditionHER or visit https://conditionher.com/. Use code: Kendra for 50% conditionHER!Tune in to learn more from Wendy, Eugenia, and Kendra!ConditionHER

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In this engaging first part of our two-part series, Wendy Berry and Eugenia Marshall, the dynamic co-founders of ConditionHER, share their inspiring journey. Eugenia, Chief Human Resources Officer at NKSFB, and Wendy, who transitioned from a marketing career at Warner Brothers to full-time entrepreneurship, opened up about their unique paths and the serendipitous moments that led them to start ConditionHER.Wendy recounts her career shift from Minnesota to California and her collaborative relationship with Eugenia, which began through mutual social activities and a memorable shoe incident. The duo explains how ConditionHER was born from Wendy's personal experience and market research in 2012, despite initial skepticism. The name "ConditionHER" emerged as a symbol of empowerment, leading them to secure their URL and trademark and embark on their entrepreneurial journey.Eugenia and Wendy delve into the importance of recognizing the right people who come into our lives, and how divine timing plays a role in entrepreneurial success. Wendy reflects on the challenges of facing a market competitor and shares how Adam Grant's book "Originals" inspired them to persevere. They discuss the early days of bootstrapping their business, managing limited resources, and balancing their personal and professional lives. Stay tuned for part 2!Follow @conditionHER or visit https://conditionher.com/. Use code: Kendra for 50% conditionHER!Tune in to learn more from Wendy, Eugenia, and Kendra!ConditionHER

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Join us for an inspiring episode featuring Amanda E/J Morrison, Co-Founder & CEO of Julie Products Inc. Discover Amanda's transformative journey from a structured career in finance at Goldman Sachs to pioneering entrepreneurship in consumer-facing industries. Prior to Julie, Amanda co-founded Mented Cosmetics, a trailblazing brand addressing the beauty needs of people of color.Amanda shares deep insights into the genesis and mission of Julie Products Inc., a groundbreaking pharmaceutical company reshaping women's health education. She reflects on her entrepreneurial evolution, navigating the challenges of startup environments, and the pivotal role of embracing abundance mindsets in driving impactful decisions.Critiquing the gaps in reproductive health education, Amanda illuminates Julie's pivotal role in providing accessible information and innovative products. She passionately addresses misconceptions surrounding emergency contraception versus abortion medication, advocating for accurate education and equitable accessibility, particularly among younger demographics.Drawing from her experiences in healthcare investing, Amanda discusses her journey driven by curiosity and a dedication to fostering innovative solutions. She underscores the influence of her upbringing and commitment to continuous learning on shaping her approach to business and healthcare advocacy. Amanda emphasizes the critical importance of informed decision-making, education, and championing women's reproductive rights.Follow @Julie or visit https://juliecare.co/ Tune in to learn more from Amanda and Kendra!

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Join us for an inspiring conversation with Julee Wilson, the pioneering Beauty Editor-at-Large at Cosmopolitan and the first Black Beauty Director in the magazine's history. Julee shares her journey of breaking barriers, telling diverse stories, and supporting her community. Julee reflects on her career challenges, including overcoming self-doubt and embracing her power. Her career journey underscores the importance of recognizing one's worth, not feeling stuck in a job, and having a supportive network. Throughout the episode, Julee emphasizes the themes of support, empowerment, and resilience. She candidly talks about the struggles and vulnerability behind her achievements, advocating for openness about those struggles to foster community and understanding. Julee’s commitment to service and leadership is showcased through her involvement in various boards and mentoring.Follow @MissJulee or visit https://www.cosmopolitan.com/author/225442/julee-wilson/ Tune in to learn more from Julee and Kendra!

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Jemila Bwanhot, the visionary Founder and CEO of Alimaj Essentials, and winner of the 2024 Earth Day Beauty Award, shares her transformative journey from Nigeria to the U.S., overcoming postpartum hair shedding, and delving into the world of natural hair care. Drawing from her heritage and a passion for holistic beauty, Jemila founded Alimaj Essentials, emphasizing the science behind her award-winning formulations.Jemila discusses the importance of understanding when to seek external financing while maintaining a focus on reinvesting in her business. She introduces her flagship product, the Herbal Rejuvenating Hair Mix—a zero-waste, biodegradable powder that nourishes hair—along with her Elixir, a blend of seven botanical oils, and her scalp-focused shampoo and conditioner. With a commitment to environmental responsibility and effective hair care, Jemila's products feature mild surfactants and ingredients like green tea and peppermint for a unique sensory experience.Highlighting her philosophy that "beauty is heart deep," Jemila explores how this belief fosters customer confidence and self-perception. She shares her excitement for Alimaj Essentials' future, aiming to become a top-selling brand in major retailers, and underscores the power of community and collaboration in the beauty industry.Follow @Alimaj_Essentials or visit https://alimajessentials.com/ Tune in to learn more from Jemila and Kendra!

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Dr. Shoná Burkes-Henderson, Manager, Product Research Organization and Product Experience Center at Mary Kay Global, shares her inspiring journey from an internship at Mary Kay to a distinguished career in environmental chemistry, and her eventual return to Mary Kay in various leadership roles. Shoná delves into the significance of mentorship, community, and maintaining a work-life balance in achieving success and navigating career pivots.She highlights Mary Kay's inclusive and empowering environment, with a commitment to diversity in hiring and customer engagement. Shonáelaborates on her role, focusing on understanding consumer perceptions and needs throughout the product life cycle, and the importance of diverse perspectives in product development. She explores the industry's shift towards greater inclusivity, especially post-George Floyd, and the challenges of ensuring product efficacy across different skin types in various markets. She also shares her excitement about her recent election to the board of directors for the International Society of Biophysics and Imaging of the Skin, reflecting on her growth within the organization and revealing her favorite Mary Kay product, the Timewise 3D Age Fighting Moisturizer, highlighting its aesthetics and effectiveness. Follow @MaryKayUS or visit https://www.marykay.com/en-us/ Tune in to learn more from Shoná and Kendra!

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In part two, Ceata E. Lash, Founder of The PuffCuff LLC, discusses the intricate challenges of patent protection, particularly against international copycats and large corporations; ultimately sharing a playbook of when and how to diversify your product offering. To stay competitive, Ceata delves deep into her new diffusion collection, the Cuffet, ensuring the line did not alienate existing loyal customers. This strategic move has successfully placed her products in numerous CVS and HEB stores.Despite facing obstacles such as high marketing costs and the complexities of retail readiness, Ceata underscores the importance of strategic planning and genuine customer engagement for business sustainability and growth. She explores the nuances of entrepreneurship, focusing on the challenges of innovation and scaling a business. Ceata discusses how imitation, while flattering, underscores the superior quality of the original creator's expertise.She highlights crucial aspects of financial management and finding the right equity partners to scale her business, aimed at a broad market of curly-haired individuals. Despite setbacks, Ceata remains resilient, fueled by impactful customer stories. Looking ahead, she aspires to support future entrepreneurs by offering guidance without financial burden and emphasizes the value of connections and community support.Follow @ThePuffCuff or visit https://thepuffcuff.com/ Tune in to learn more from Ceata and Kendra!

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In this two part series, Ceata E. Lash, Founder of The PuffCuff LLC, shares her inspiring journey, which began unintentionally when she stopped chemically straightening her hair and embraced her natural curls. Facing headaches from conventional styling accessories, she envisioned a new hair tool. Leveraging her engineering connections at her community college job, she developed a prototype.Ceata recounts how her product, initially a side hustle, evolved into a full-fledged business launched on Amazon in 2014. She delves into the challenges of educating customers about her unique product and the importance of utilizing available resources, such as the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and a supportive patent lawyer.Throughout the episode, Ceata discusses the value of perseverance, recognizing signs, and the differences in business startup approaches across cultures. Her determination and strategic networking led to retail success, including partnerships with major retailers like Sally Beauty, Target, TJ Maxx, and HSN. Ceata's path to winning the President's Innovation Award from Sally Beauty and the lessons she learned along the way are also highlighted. Stay tuned next week for part 2 of this dynamic conversation.Follow @ThePuffCuff or visit https://thepuffcuff.com/ Tune in to learn more from Ceata and Kendra!

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Join us as Rhonda Daniels, Co-Founder and CEO of Natural Radiant Life, shares her inspiring journey from selling pickles as a child to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Rhonda recounts meeting her long-time business partners at Florida A&M University, launching her first beauty business in 2001, and navigating a diverse career in the skincare industry, including roles at Avon and Rodan + Fields.In 2020, Rhonda co-founded Natural Radiant Life during the pandemic, introducing clean beauty products for women of color. She highlights the importance of continuous learning, community support, and strategic financial management, discussing her financing journey, including securing an angel investor and a crucial grant.Discover Rhonda's strategies for growth, participation in Amazon's Black Business Accelerator, and her focus on customer retention and wholesale opportunities. Rhonda’s story is a testament to perseverance and data-driven decision-making.Follow @NaturalRadiantLife or visit https://naturalradiantlife.com/ Tune in to learn more from Rhonda and Kendra!

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Kene Onuorah, founder and CEO of Comme Homme, opens up about his personal journey of hair loss, sharing the emotional toll it took and his eventual embrace of baldness. He discusses how Comme Homme empowers men through their hair loss journey and emphasizes the importance of instilling confidence. Drawing from his background in venture capital and entrepreneurship education, Kene shares valuable insights into building a brand and navigating the world of venture capital. He highlights the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, stressing the need for perseverance and staying true to one's vision. Kene also shares the importance of starting his own podcast, Bald 2 Bold focused on being a safe space for men to revisit the ups and downs of their own hair loss journey as a reminder that Bald is Bold. Follow @CommeHommeCo or visit https://commehomme.com/Tune in to learn more from Kene and Kendra!

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Leona Dondi, Founder and CEO of Uzima, shares her inspiring journey from academia to entrepreneurship, fueled by a passion for solving problems and addressing the unique needs of textured hair. The discussion spans her background as a Kenyan immigrant, her academic research on implicit bias, and her unexpected entry into the cosmetics industry due to personal skincare needs. The unveiling of the story behind UZIMA, a beauty brand committed to empowering Black women and revolutionizing hair care rituals, forms a significant part of her narrative.Exploring topics such as the intersection of bias, beauty standards, and hair care, she emphasizes the importance of education in understanding scalp health and the significance of inclusive product formulations. Throughout, Leona offers invaluable insights into the entrepreneurial journey and the power of research-driven innovation, drawing from her experiences at Netflix and outlining her vision for UZIMA's future expansion.Follow @Uzima.Co or visit https://uzima.co/ Tune in to learn more from Leona and Kendra!

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Cindy Tawaih, Chief Healing Officer of Diva By Cindy, shares her remarkable journey from nursing to entrepreneurship, revealing pivotal moments that shaped her path. From a teacher's encouragement to pursue beauty products to opening her own salon, Cindy's story is one of perseverance and passion.Cindy discusses her transition from salon owner to creator of Diva By Cindy, a beauty brand focused on restoration and giving back to domestic violence survivors. Discover how Cindy's mission to serve women in need led her to bring beauty treatments and support to homeless shelters, touching the lives of hundreds of women.Despite facing setbacks, including the loss of her first airport store, Cindy's unwavering determination propelled her to launch a vending machine business for her products, further expanding her reach. This episode highlights Cindy's dedication and the transformative power of her mission including the importance of perseverance, adapting to challenges, and staying focused on making a positive impact beyond product sales.Follow @DivaByCindy or visit https://divabycindy.com/ Tune in to learn more from Cindy and Kendra!

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Mimi Johnson, Founder and CEO of The Glamatory and Grind Pretty, shares her transition from a corporate IT job to a flourishing entrepreneur in the beauty industry. Reflecting on her upbringing and passion for makeup artistry, Mimi opens up about the challenges she faced, including financial setbacks and navigating the impact of COVID-19 on her business.Despite this, Mimi's story is one of resilience and determination. She emphasizes the importance of learning from mistakes, staying adaptable, and being open to pivoting strategies to achieve success. Through insightful anecdotes, Mimi unveils her growth strategy, which involves data analysis, focusing on what works, and fostering collaborations to build her beauty empire.She also discusses the evolution of Grind for Good, her nonprofit initiative dedicated to providing resources for mental health and moms with children on the spectrum. With a personal motivation rooted in her experience as an Autism Mom, Mimi's commitment to service shines through as she strives to build a supportive community.Follow @TheGlamatory or visit https://theglamatory.com/ Tune in to learn more from Mimi and Kendra!

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Roger Dupé, the founder and CEO of Melyon, recounts his extraordinary journey from aspiring soccer player to accomplished model and entrepreneur. In this insightful conversation, Roger delves into his background as a Swedish-born individual of West African descent, shedding light on his experiences in the fashion industry. As a recipient of the Beauty Matter Next 2023 grant, Roger shares the challenges he faced as a black model and his observations regarding the lack of inclusivity in skincare and beauty products.Discover Roger's driving force behind the creation of Melyon, a skincare line that specifically addresses the unique conditions often associated with darker complexions, yet it remains adaptable for various skin types. Despite obstacles in finding suitable packaging and formulators, Roger remains steadfast in his commitment to simplicity, natural ingredients, and high-end aesthetics in product design. Roger discusses navigating industry standards while staying true to his unique vision. Through his perseverance and dedication, Roger exemplifies the resilience required to succeed in the competitive beauty landscape.Follow @OfficialMelyon or visit https://www.melyon.co/ Tune in to learn more from Roger and Kendra!

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Aja Frierson, Founder of Habit Cosmetic, shares her inspiring journey into the realm of clean beauty and the genesis of founding her brand in 2013. Aja's passion for sustainability shines through as she discusses her unwavering commitment to eco-friendly practices and her quest to discover innovative, sustainable materials like bamboo. Throughout the conversation, Aja delves into the intricacies of building an ethical beauty brand, touching on the challenges and trade-offs involved in creating products that are both environmentally sustainable and aesthetically pleasing. Aja offers valuable insights into her manufacturing process and her relentless pursuit of creating products that align with her values of beauty and ethics. Aja further explores the importance of representation in entrepreneurship and the role of community in driving business success. Aja's dedication to giving back to the community through her brand's initiatives is truly commendable, echoing her ethos of transparency and service.Follow @HabitCosmetics or visit https://www.habitcosmetics.com/ Tune in to learn more from Aja and Kendra!

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Part two of Orlena Nwokah Blanchard's empowering journey explores the link between gut health, skincare, and the powerful benefits of moringa, a superfood indigenous to Africa.Highlighting the benefits of each WonderTree Skin product, Orlena underscores the brand’s mission to provide effective skincare solutions rooted in natural resources like Moringa, while incorporating safe synthetics. Orlena's passion for creating products that nourish the skin and offer a holistic sensory experience shines through as she unveils the inspiration behind WonderTree's signature mango citrus fragrance, deeply rooted in her cultural heritage.Through her brand and the Moringa Health Equity Initiative, Orlena aims to empower Black women to embrace longer, healthier, and more beautiful lives while reclaiming their beauty on their terms.Follow @WonderTreeSkin or visit https://wondertreeskin.com/ Tune in to learn more from Orlena and Kendra! #WonderTreeSkin #BlackDontCrack #MoringaHealthEquityInitiative #SelfLove #Bodycare #InclusiveBeauty #EmpoweringSkincare

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The two-part series delves into the story of visionary entrepreneur, Orlena Nwonkah Blanchard, founder and CEO of Wondertree Skin, who continues to shape the industry and make an impact as a disruptor in the skincare industry. Orlena reflects on her journey from engineering to marketing, sharing pivotal moments like her inspiration from a Gap ad and her experience in Black media, where she was able to nurture her deep connection to her culture. But Orlena's story doesn't stop there. From her role in creating the Crown Act to launching her firm, Seven Elements Group, Orlena has been at the forefront of groundbreaking initiatives. She discusses the importance of inclusivity in narratives and content creation, drawing on her expertise as a marketing strategist. The conversation takes a personal turn as Orlena shares her health challenges and how they inspired her to create Wonder Tree Skin, a skincare line infused with the beneficial properties of moringa. Through her experiences and her personal wellness journey, Orlena found inspiration to develop a product that promotes both health and beauty for marginalized communities creating change and impact in our community. Stay tuned for part 2!Follow @WonderTreeSkin or visit https://wondertreeskin.com/ Tune in to learn more from Orlena and Kendra!

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Join Melissa Hibbert, President of BrainTrust Founders Studio, in a captivating episode as she reflects on the evolution of her entrepreneurial journey and being at the top of her game. Melissa first appeared in season one episode 12, "Power To Change Perception," which aired on February 27, 2021. Looking forward, Melissa shares compelling insights from her transition from the beauty and film industries to launching Glam Agency and Shyft Beauty Consultancy , including her collaborations with industry icons like Dr. Dre and contributions to Cécred, Beyonce's haircare collection.In a candid conversation, Kendra and Melissa explore the vital importance of partnership and alignment in entrepreneurship. They share their experiences of recognizing strengths and weaknesses, highlighting the transformative power of collaboration and a shared vision. Through a blend of personal anecdotes and professional wisdom, they uncover the essential keys to success in navigating the ever-evolving landscape of entrepreneurship.Melissa's unwavering passion for supporting founders and shaping the future of the industry shines through as she discusses pivotal decision-making moments and the pursuit of abundance. This episode truly celebrates Melissa’s new role as President of BrainTrust Founders Studio and offers invaluable insights and inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals alike. Melissa’s word of 2024: Abundance Follow @MelissaHibbert or visit @btfoundersstudioTune in to learn more from Melissa and Kendra!

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In this special episode, “The Beauty of Success Books + Bubbles” book tour makes a stop at Kendra Scott in Alpharetta, Georgia, where Amanda Young, Marketing and Philanthropic Manager for Kendra Scott Southeast area, takes center stage. In a collaborative effort to champion entrepreneurship and foster community empowerment, Kendra Scott through their respective program - Kendra Gives Back - has teamed up with Kendra, to support the launch of her first book, The Beauty of Success, Start, Grow and Accelerate Your Brand. Proceeds from book tour events held in Kendra Scott stores will be donated to BrainTrust Founders Studio to underwrite resources for founders in the community.During the conversation, Amanda underscores the pivotal role of community involvement in shaping individual success stories. Drawing from her own remarkable journey, Amanda shares insights gained from her start in retail stores to her current leadership position. Throughout the conversation, she illuminates Kendra Scott's steadfast commitment to philanthropy and community engagement, showcasing the brand's innovative approaches and unwavering dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) initiatives. Together, Amanda and Kendra explore the core values of service, connection, and entrepreneurship, providing listeners with a captivating glimpse into their shared vision for the future. Additionally, they offer a sneak peek into exciting upcoming brand launches and discuss strategies for reaching new audiences. Follow @KendraScott or visit https://www.kendrascott.com/ Tune in to learn more from Amanda and Kendra!

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Dionne Phillips, Founder and CEO of D’Lashes by Dionne Phillips, returns to Business of the Beat for Part 2 of the Where Are They Now Series. Dionne first joined in Season One of Business of the Beat and is featured in Kendra’s new book, The Beauty of Success: Start, Grow and Accelerate Your Brand. Dionne shares her remarkable story of battling cancer while navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship. Despite facing setbacks and legal issues, Dionne's unwavering positivity and resilience shine through as she discusses her experience over the last two years and the support she received from her community, including celebrity clients. Listen in as Kendra and Dionne delve into topics such as managing stress, health insurance issues, and the importance of financial protections for entrepreneurs. Discover how Dionne's journey has shaped her perspective on life, business, and the power of relationships. Throughout the episode, Dionne offers valuable advice for prioritizing health and pursuing goals in the face of adversity.Follow @DLashes or visit https://www.dlashes.com/ Tune in to learn more from Dionne and Kendra! #DLashes #SurvivingAndThriving #CommunitySupport #FinancialProtection #HealthPriorities

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This week Arlan Hamilton, trailblazing investor, author, and founder at Backstage Capital and HireRunner.co joins Business of the Beat. Arlan reflects on her past struggles and triumphs while sharing the importance of self-care, particularly for black women navigating the demanding world of entrepreneurship. Both Kendra and Arlan candidly share their experiences, emphasizing the need for balance and healthy habits to sustain their high-performance levels in the entrepreneurial arena. They explore the concept of being "Olympic-level entrepreneurs" and their responsibility of paving the way for others in the industry. They discuss Arlan’s groundbreaking book, Your First Million: Why You Don’t Have To Be Born Into A Legacy Of Wealth To Leave One Behind, and its accessibility and practical advice, offering aspiring entrepreneurs invaluable guidance on their path to success. Arlan emphasizes the importance of sharing knowledge and resources to uplift others in their entrepreneurial journey. Join Arlan's upcoming event, Your First Million Live, happening in Los Angeles, CA April 9-12th, where current and future millionaires will converge to gain practical insights and tools for financial success.Follow @ArlanWasHere or visit https://www.yourfirstmillion.live/ to get your tickets.Tune in to learn more from Arlan and Kendra!

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Join us for an inspiring conversation with Brianna Arps, the visionary founder and CEO of MOODEAUX, a fragrance label that's disrupting the industry with its authenticity and innovation. Made for the unapologetically outspoken rebel inside us all, MOODEAUX is grounded in the belief that self-expression is the best self-care. Ditching tradition and introducing a new standard of longer-lasting, skin-nurturing, earth-friendly scents, MOODEAUX is redefining the fragrance experience. In this episode, Brianna shares her remarkable journey from beauty editor to entrepreneur, revealing how a job loss sparked her entrepreneurial spirit and led to the creation of MOODEAUX. Delving into her deep fascination with fragrance and the scientific intricacies that drive her passion, Brianna reflects on the challenges of entrepreneurship, including the importance of self-belief and continuous learning.Together, they explore the significance of black representation in the fragrance industry and Brianna's role in founding Black in Fragrance, a support network for black perfumers. Brianna also discusses her recent accomplishment of being one of Beauty Matter Next 2023 grant recipients, highlighting her commitment to driving innovation and diversity in the beauty industry. Get ready to be inspired by Brianna's unwavering determination, creativity, and commitment to building a brand that celebrates diversity and authenticity in the world of beauty and fragrance.Follow @MOODEAUXOfficial or visit https://moodeaux.com/ Tune in to learn more from Brianna and Kendra! #BlackInFragrence, #MOODEAUX, #FragranceInnovation, #UnapologeticRebel, #BeautyEntrepreneur

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Camille Bell, the visionary Co-Founder and CEO of Pound Cake, a multi-award-winning pro-Black, pro-fat, and pro-queer cosmetics company, takes us through the captivating journey of building this revolutionary beauty brand. Camille sheds light on the challenges she faced, addressing issues of representation and racism within the industry. Delving into Pound Cake's product development, she shares experiences with labs and the deliberate choices made to foster inclusivity. Camille discusses short-term plans, unveils upcoming product launches, and shares long-term aspirations of global expansion. Notable achievements include being a two-time Allure 'Best Of Beauty' winner and securing a remarkable $1 million grant from Pharrell Williams' Black Ambition competition in 2022. Join in this illuminating conversation as Pound Cake Cosmetics redefines beauty standards and paves the way for inclusivity.Follow @PoundCake or visit https://poundcakecosmetics.com Tune in to learn more from Camille and Kendra!

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Amadou Doumbia, the visionary founder of Wuli Grooming, embarked on a transformative journey of self-discovery, drawing inspiration from his rich multicultural background spanning West Africa, New York City, Asia, and Sydney, Australia. Confronted with the challenges of 2020 and furloughed from his hospitality job, he transcended the belief in individual success, opting for collaboration and seeking expertise beyond his own capabilities. Wuli Grooming, specializes in crafting natural, non-synthetic hair care solutions catering to diverse hair types. The brand's astute go-to-market strategy involved direct engagement with customers, initially targeting smaller markets and gradually ascending to premium events. Amadou's nerve-wracking decision to participate in Shark Tank showcased his confidence, grounded in a background in marketing and communications. Following the show's success, Wuli Grooming has flourished in the realm of direct-to-consumer sales. With ambitious plans for international expansion, the brand remains dedicated to embracing diverse hair textures and aspiring to inspire others in the dynamic beauty industry. The episode delves into Wuli Grooming's fascinating journey, accentuating collaborative efforts, triumphs over challenges, and the significance of celebrating small victories. It also highlights Amadou's confident rejection of a partnership offer on Shark Tank as a pivotal moment in the brand's trajectory and his recent accomplishment of being one of Beauty Matter Next 2023 grant recipients.Follow @WuliGrooming or visit https://www.wuligrooming.com Tune in to learn more from Amadou and Kendra!

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Kyera Keenne, Founder of KyeraBrand - Makers of Look, Don’t Touch shares her journey from an executive assistant to embracing her love for music, overcoming discouragement about her singing voice, and discovering her passion for composing and songwriting. The episode details Kyera's personal hair journey, from societal pressures to embracing her natural texture and creating the "Look, Don't Touch" hair care line. The conversation also covers the development of her product and her book, Hair Symphony: The Step-By-Step Guide to Mastering Your Hair Type, emphasizing a holistic approach to hair care, mental health, and confidence. Kyera envisions a worldwide presence and expresses her purpose as an artist creating positive aesthetics. The overall theme revolves around empowerment through self-love, education, and alternative perspectives.Follow @LookDontTouch_Hair or visit https://kyera.world/ Tune in to learn more from Kyera and Kendra!#LookDontTouch

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Leslie Roberson, Founder and CEO of the Black Beauty Collective, a beauty retailer that features exclusively black-owned brands, shares her diverse journey, including experiences as a veteran, HR manager, and model. The episode highlights Leslie's resilience in transitioning from the military to modeling and explores her entrepreneurial spirit inherited from her father. Addressing the lack of representation for black women founders in the beauty industry. Leslie emphasizes the importance of diversity and parallels her corporate advocacy in this space. The conversation covers challenges faced by Black entrepreneurs, especially in accessing capital, and Leslie shares her vision for supporting Black women founders in particular through the Black Beauty Collective, providing retail space, coaching and a path to scalability. Follow @blkbeautycollective or visit https://blkbeautycollective.com/ Tune in to learn more from Leslie and Kendra!

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Cyndi Ramirez-Fulton, the founder, CEO and mastermind of Chillhouse, a groundbreaking wellness spa, products and accessories. Whether visiting their flagship in SoHo or replicating spa-like experiences in your home, Chillhouse provides a modern-day affordable alternative to indulging in your own wellness.During this episode, Cyndi dives deep into her entrepreneurial journey as she draws inspiration from her upbringing in the spa industry, thanks to her mother's role as an esthetician, and identifies a crucial niche for an affordable and contemporary spa experience. Cyndi unveils the treasure trove of services offered at Chillhouse while underscoring the pivotal role of community and membership in weaving self-care seamlessly into people's lives. Cyndi illuminates the ever-evolving growth of Chillhouse's journey through the lens of community and membership, where her vision transcends traditional salon services, ultimately crafting an inclusive haven. Cyndi shares valuable insight and lessons into venturing into retail and their longstanding partnership with Target. Chillhouse is truly an enterprise that prioritizes community and the holistic spa experience above all else.Follow @ChillHouse or visit https://chillhouse.com/ Tune in to learn more from Cyndi and Kendra!

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This week Ceci Kurzman, Founder of OurX, a personalized program for total hair and scalp wellness, discusses her global upbringing, passion for music, and journey into the entertainment industry where she worked with iconic artists - such as Michael Jackson, Alicia Keys, and Sade. Ceci takes us through the birth of OurX emphasizing innovation, personalization, sustainability and above all else customer’s needs. She further shares her goal for OurX including breaking down systemic barriers, promoting diversity, and empowering Black-owned brands. Follow @OurXHair or visit https://www.ourx.co/ Tune in to learn more from Ceci and Kendra!

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This week, Annagjid "Kee" Taylor, a celebrity hair stylist, salon owner, , and author of the children's book All Hair Is Good Hair, goes deep into her evolution from a young girl passionate about styling dolls' hair to a successful entrepreneur. Pivotal moments are reflected upon, including an act of kindness at a Beyonce concert that went viral, and the inspiration behind her children's book, which promotes self-love and natural hair acceptance. The conversation delves into Kee's entrepreneurial challenges and her surrender to divine guidance. She emphasizes the importance of supporting others and shares insights on perseverance, prayer, and dedication for business success. Follow @Deeper.Than.Hair or visit https://deeperthanhair.com/ Tune in to learn more from Annagjid and Kendra!

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Ashunta Sheriff-Kendricks, the Founder of Ashunta Sheriff Beauty, continues her journey from makeup artist to business executive in a special part two episode. Ashunta dives into the importance of mentorship – mentoring new artists and the role of having mentors as the foundation for expanded success. She shares how high-profile clients, like Rihanna, remind her of the importance of patience, trust, and professionalism in the makeup industry. Ashunta underscores the significance of relationships and kindness as key pillars for building Ashunta Sheriff Beauty including the mishaps and relaunching her namesake brand. Ashunta remains firmly grounded in supporting women-founded brands, collaboration over competition, and the need for more Black-owned products in the market.Follow @AshuntaSheriff or visit https://ashuntabeauty.com/ Tune in to learn more from Ashunta and Kendra!

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This week, Ashunta Sheriff-Kendricks, Founder of Ashunta Sheriff Beauty, takes us through a two-part series of her journey. Ashunta shares about her career rooted in artistry that goes beyond the palette to a diversified portfolio of products and services. She discusses pivotal experiences at MAC, emphasizing its role as a vital training ground for makeup artists and the moments that led to new opportunities and expansion as an artist and entrepreneur.Follow @AshuntaSheriff or visit https://ashuntabeauty.com/ Tune in to learn more from Ashunta and Kendra and don’t miss part two!

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This week Sir John Barnett, Creative Director, Executive, and Global Makeup Artist joins us to kick off Season 4 of Business of the Beat. On this special 151st episode, Sir John discusses his journey, highlighting the shift from being a highly sought after celebrity makeup artist to a beauty industry leading executive as Kilian Paris' first makeup Creative Director. He is an advocate for inclusivity and representation in the beauty industry, emphasizing the importance of making people feel good inside and out through his belief that “beauty is a feeling”. Sir John is inspiring the next generation to celebrate individuality while challenging the beauty industry to look beyond the surface and all of its intersections.He also candidly shares his challenges, including the impact of social media and the need for balance. The episode wraps up with Sir John providing a sneak peak into his vision for bringing new innovative products to the market and encouraging listeners to reflect on their own personal well-being. A true visionary, Sir John is pushing boundaries and igniting a new era of beauty exploration.Follow @SirJohn or visit https://www.sirjohnofficial.com/ Tune in to learn more from Sir John and Kendra and don’t forget to order Kendra’s first book, The Beauty of Success: Start, Grow and Accelerate Your Brand to read Sir John’s forward.

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This week Business of the Beat celebrates 150 episodes. In this special 150th episode, we hear from five amazing past guests, Nyakio Greico, founder of , Thirteen Lune, and Relevant: Your Skin Seen, Tai Beauchamp, founder of Brown Girl Jane and Morning Mindset, Angel Cornelius, founder and CEO of Maison 276, Ron Robinson, founder of BeautyStat Cosmetics, and Youmie Francois, founder and CEO of Flex-n-Fly. Each guest shares their expansive journey from when they were first on the podcast in seasons 1-2 to where they are now. For more stories from these guests and 12 other past podcast guests make sure to order Kendra’s new book, The Beauty of Success: Start, Grow and Accelerate Your Brand available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target and more. Follow @ThirteenLune, @ItsBrownGirlJane, @Maison276, @BeautyStat, and @FlexNFlyOfficial or visit https://thirteenlune.com/, https://browngirljane.com/, https://maison276.com/, https://beautystat.com/, and https://flexnfly.com/ Tune in to learn more from Nyakio, Tai, Angel, Ron, Youmie, and Kendra!

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This week on Business of the Beat we are joined by Aishetu Fatima Dozie, founder and CEO of Bossy Cosmetics. Aishetu shares her background, born to Nigerian immigrant parents in Boston, and traces her academic and professional journey in finance, including roles at Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Lehman Brothers. Aishetu discusses her burnout and transformative period of self-reflection, leading to her Aishetu 2.0 phase, where she redirected her focus toward passion and purpose. Aishetu shares her entrepreneurial journey with Bossy Cosmetics, emphasizing the intersection of beauty and ambition and the positive aspects of capitalism aligned with passion. Bossy Cosmetics, through its powerful product names to challenging stereotypes reminds listeners the the importance of language, reclaiming words, and challenging gender norms. Follow @BossyBeauty or visit https://bossybeauty.com/ Tune in to learn more from Aishetu and Kendra!

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Welcome back to the second part of our episode with BrainTrust Founders Studio members Dianne Austin, Co-Founder & CEO, and Pamela Shaddock, Co-Founder and COO of Coils to Locs, as part three of our series on remarkable founders from the Build in Tulsa Ecosystem. In this episode, Dianne and Pamela discuss the multifaceted challenges faced by Black entrepreneurs in the beauty industry, while underscoring that there are positive shifts in awareness, community support, and institutional outreach. Pamela recounts a biased encounter in the hospital retail space, shedding light on persistent misunderstandings and biases they encounter while striving to educate and challenge stereotypes. The conversation touches on the founders' dedication to education in hair care, dispelling myths, and ongoing initiatives like workshops for cancer patients. Stay for the end for a glimpse on their international expansion and their defining moments.Follow @CoilsToLocsWigs or visit https://coilstolocsstore.com/Tune in to learn more from Dianne, Pamela, and Kendra!

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In this episode, we feature BrainTrust Founders Studio members Dianne Austin, Co-Founder & CEO, and Pamela Shaddock, Co-Founder and COO of Coils to Locs, as part three of our series on remarkable founders from the Build in Tulsa Ecosystem. They also participated in the “Spotlight on Tulsa: Roots of a Self-care Economy” survey that focused on 33 beauty and wellness entrepreneurs who are part of the Tulsa ecosystem. Dianne's journey into entrepreneurship was prompted by her experience as a breast cancer patient struggling to find suitable wigs, leading her to transition from a career in human resources to address the need for culturally resonant wigs in the medical hair loss industry. Pamela, an actress who had a unique experience with wigs that were not suited for her hair type while on set, played a pivotal role in helping Dianne navigate the process of finding and customizing appropriate wigs. The episode delves into the challenges they faced in medical spaces, emphasizing the lack of understanding from distributors and cancer center retailers. The sisters recognized a market gap for textured hair wigs and a lack of understanding of Black hair culture. The episode concludes by underscoring the need for awareness, education, and inclusivity in the wig industry, particularly within medical settings. Stay tuned for part two of this insightful conversation with Dianne and Pamela!Follow @CoilsToLocsWigs or visit https://coilstolocsstore.com/ Tune in to learn more from Dianne, Pamela, and Kendra!

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This week we dive into part two of our three-part series featuring remarkable founders from the Build in Tulsa Ecosystem. Episode two features TaNesha Rushing, Founder of Mi Tea Lounge. TaNesha is a multifaceted entrepreneur with a background in music and artistry. She started My Tea Lounge in February 2020, initially focusing on creating a cozy space for local artists with live music and tea. TaNesha’s personal journey toward health consciousness, influenced by her father's battle with pancreatic cancer and exposure to Dr. Sebi's teachings led her to incorporate health products like sea moss, bladderwrack, and black seed oils into her offerings, emphasizing their various health benefits. TaNesha also discusses her nonprofit, Traveling Little Tea Party, supporting up-and-coming artists in expressing themselves and monetizing their art. Each of the founders featured in this series were part of our “Spotlight on Tulsa: Roots of a Self-care Economy” survey that focused on 33 beauty and wellness entrepreneurs who are part of the Tulsa ecosystem.Follow @MiTeaLounge or visit www.mitealounge.com Tune in to learn more from TaNesha and Kendra!

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This week marks the beginning of our enlightening three-part series featuring remarkable founders from the Build in Tulsa Ecosystem. Each of the founders featured in this series were part of our “Spotlight on Tulsa: Roots of a Self-care Economy” survey that focused on 33 beauty and wellness entrepreneurs who are part of the Tulsa ecosystem. Episode one features TJ Woodberry, Founder of Poppi’s Spa + Lounge. TJ's journey is nothing short of extraordinary, as she's navigated a diverse career path that includes forays into the car business, professional poker, and venturing into import-export trade before embarking on the inspiring journey of launching Poppy's Spa + Lounge. Throughout the conversation, TJ illuminates her role as a creator and shares her strategic vision for the continued growth of her business. Furthermore, she passionately underscores her commitment to fostering opportunities and enhancing visibility, particularly for women, in her role as a Black business owner. Her enthusiasm for aiding her team in achieving financial stability shines through, reflecting her unwavering dedication to making a positive impact within her community. Follow @TulsaPoppi or visit https://tulsapoppi.com Tune in to learn more from TJ and Kendra!

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This week, Keya Neal, the founder of the Kolour Kulture and Texture VS Race. opens up about her personal transformation, recounting her journey from being a conventional Black stylist to embracing the versatility of working with all hair types.She emphasizes that professionals in the beauty industry aren't just performers but thinkers and creators, highlighting the value of their intellectual contributions. Both Kolour Kulture and Texture VS Race are dedicated to educating and empowering stylists to excel in their craft, particularly when it comes to working with diverse hair textures. Keya discusses the intricate relationship between texture and race within salon environments, which served as the catalyst for her groundbreaking "Texture Vs Race" movement. She emphasizes that salons should be safe havens for communities and advocates for an industry that's open to embracing change. Keya tirelessly champions the cause of addressing issues related to texture and race in the salon industry while championing diversity and inclusivity as its cornerstones.Follow @thekolourkulture or visit http://kolourkulture.com/ Tune in to learn more from Keya and Kendra!

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This week, Yasmin Zeinab, the extraordinary founder behind Abi Amé shares her inspiring journey, transitioning from a career as a lawyer to the launch of her groundbreaking skincare brand. In her quest to develop Abi Amé, Yasmin embarked on a remarkable endeavor, engaging in 1,000 conversations with women worldwide during the pandemic. Through these conversations, she unveiled a common concern: the scarcity of effective bodycare products, especially in combating stickiness and chalkiness during hot weather. Abi Amé stands out by crafting body care products with the same precision and quality as those designed for the face, offering a clean, vegan, and cruelty-free product line meticulously made in France. Yasmin also provides insights into the brand's future and underscores her unwavering commitment to a strong community connection as Abi Amé continues to flourish. Yasmin's journey is a testament to the power of innovation and community collaboration.Follow @AbiAme or visit https://abi-ame.com/ Tune in to learn more from Yasmin and Kendra!

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This week, Dawn Myers, the visionary founder behind Ritualist, provides a glimpse into the promising future of her company. Dawn created Ritualist because she wanted all women to be able to work out, travel, and manage our families and careers without having to sacrifice basic hygiene or confidence in our appearance. Their signature product, The Mint, will bring your wash day into the 21st century. Dawn hints at thrilling developments and ongoing discussions with industry giants. Her strategic focus lies in nurturing product partnerships with renowned brands, gaining a deep understanding of their specific requirements, and actively seeking funding for Ritualist's next phase. While Dawn excels in product development and technical domains, she candidly reveals her marketing challenges and innovative solutions. Throughout this episode, we gain insight into Dawn's unwavering commitment to her community and her passionate advocacy for Black women in the world of business, underscoring the unique perspective they bring as pioneering founders.Follow @getrichualist or visit www.richualist.comTune in to learn more from Dawn and Kendra!

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This week, we are joined by Nikki Porcher, the visionary Founder of Buy From A Black Woman, as she delves into her inspiring journey from the Air Force to becoming the visionary behind this transformative organization. Nikki shares her perspectives on the term 'Black Girl Magic' and sheds light on the formidable challenges that confront Black female business owners, underscoring the pressing need for a strong support system. Buy From A Black Woman has made a remarkable impact, channeling over $3 million in revenue to empower Black female founders. The organization offers a wide array of resources, including grants, scholarships, educational tracks, expert consultations, and a comprehensive directory dedicated to Black women-owned businesses. Nikki takes pride in the remarkable progress achieved in supporting Black women in business, leaving a profound generational impact that promises a brighter future.Follow @a.black.woman or visit https://www.buyfromablackwoman.org/ Tune in to learn more from Nikki and Kendra!

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This week I had the chance to speak with Felicia Leatherwood, celebrity hairstylist and inventor of the Felicia Leatherwood Detangler Brush. Felicia discussed hair care challenges faced by young black girls while sharing her personal experiences. She discussed the evolution of inclusivity in dolls like Barbie, and the importance of self-confidence and hair care. Felicia delves into her career as a founder and entrepreneur, covering the creation of her detangler brush, business challenges, collaborative efforts, trust in business relationships, and reflections on the roles of being CEO and Owner. Overall, Felicia emphasizes the importance of self-love, creativity, adaptability, and unity within the beauty industry and entrepreneurship while highlighting the challenges and complexities involved in product manufacturing and business operationsFollow @BrushWithTheBest or visit http://www.felicialeatherwood.com/Tune in to learn more from Felicia and Kendra!

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This week we are diving into the final episode of a special four-part series, with our partners at Famous Amos to support their grant program, “Ingredients For Success”, with guest Brittany Tillman, Founder of Health Neurotics. Brittany discusses her journey as a Founder and the creation of her bestselling product Grandma G’s Herbal Tea and where the inspiration comes from. Her educational background in pre-med chemistry equipped her with the knowledge to formulate the tea’s ingredients. Brittany’s commitment to creating a healthy product free from undesirable ingredients reflects her dedication to health and wellness, especially in communities disproportionately affected by chronic illnesses. She emphasizes the importance of using natural ingredients and understanding their effects on the body. Brittany's dedication to integrity in her product and her identity as a business owner is a central theme. She refuses to compromise on product quality, aiming to create a paradigm shift in the industry. Brittany encourages individuals to make positive changes in their lives, emphasizing the intrinsic motivation needed for a healthier lifestyle.Follow @HealthNeurotics or visit http://www.healthneurotics.com/ Tune in to learn more from Kendra and Brittany!!

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This week on part three of a special four-part series with our partners at Famous Amos to support their grant program, “Ingredients for Success”, Tracy Vontélle Green and Nancey Harris, Co-Founders of Vontélle Eyewear share how celebrating every win has lead them to growth and success for their business. Tracy and Nancey met in college and their bond of friendship has blossomed through life’s challenges. Driven by the frustration of ill-fitting glasses and a lack of diversity in the eyewear industry, they set off to start their own eyewear company with an innovative approach to designing glasses that catered to diverse face structures and cultures. Their story serves as an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs, highlighting the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and embracing opportunities. Their journey to success involved proactive networking, persistent outreach, and effective PR efforts. They emphasized the power of asking for what they want and loving the entrepreneurial process. Tracy and Nancey share their key ingredients for success as well as what is on the horizon for Vontélle Eyewear!Follow @vontelleeyewear or visit https://www.vontelle.com/Tune in to learn more from Kendra, Tracy, and Nancey!!

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This week, we are jumping into our second episode of a special four-part series with our partners at Famous Amos to support their grant program, “Ingredients For Success” with guests LaToya Stirrup, LaTasha Stirrup, and LaTrice Stirrup, Co-Founders of Kazmaleje! The Stirrup Sisters provide a heartfelt glimpse into their family dynamics and the profound sisterly bond that defines their journey. Within their entrepreneurial endeavor, each sister's role is carved out with care and purpose. Their mission to elevate the hair care experience, particularly for women and children, resonates as they redefine the market landscape through brand identity and retail success. Their defining moments highlight the unwavering commitment that fuels their brand, Kazmaleje, while their dedication to sustainability underscores their conscientious approach to business. Ultimately, their journey epitomizes dedication, passion, and a shared vision that propels their brand forward.Follow: @famousamosus or visit https://famousamos.nationalbcc.org/ Follow @kazmaleje or visit https://www.kazmaleje.com/ Tune in to learn more from Kendra and the Stirrup Sisters!

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Hosted by 3x founder and award winning industry thought leader Kendra Bracken-Ferguson, the Business of the Beat podcast focuses on the business of beauty through the experiences of BIPOC founders, executives, influencers, and operators who are in the pro

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As part of a two part series, Alicia Williams, the first Senior Director Anti-Racism & Racial Equity at the haircare products company DevaCurl, shares her intrapreneurial role to lead strategy and ensure anti-racism touches all aspects of the brand. This year, Alicia led an initiative with The Professional Beauty Association (PBA), the largest and most inclusive national trade organization representing the professional beauty industry, and other partners, to launch the Texture Education Collective (TEC), an alliance of professional hair industry leaders with a shared goal of encouraging cosmetology state board licensing requirements and curriculums nationwide to be inclusive of all hair types and textures. Prior to this role, Alicia spent over a decade in nonprofits with underserved youth further sharing her start as a teacher at an alternative school as a labor of love that truly sparked her passion and calling. Alicia shared that “when something is your calling, or something is meant for you, you won’t be able to stop thinking about it or wanting to do it.” She dives into her continued passion for DEI work, her passion “for creating spaces for Black and Brown folks to succeed in Corporate America” and her desire “to move people forward, to advocate for people”.

Bio: Alicia Williams (she/her) is the first Senior Director Anti-Racism & Racial Equity at the haircare products company DevaCurl, where she leads strategy and ensures anti-racism touches all aspects of the brand. Externally, she is working to eradicate racism in the hair industry. Her passion for DEI began while working in education. Alicia spent a decade in nonprofit roles that allowed her to share her passion for helping students and promoting change. After transitioning to the corporate sector, she found her niche at Converse HQ. As founder and Co-Chair of the Converse Diversity Network, she helped create its DEI framework while building company culture. Leaving an imprint on one of the world's most iconic brands, she sought further leadership roles to directly improve employees' work experiences and give them a sense of belonging. Since then, Alicia has held DEl roles in health care and the food industry. Her philosophy about DEl work and leveling the playing field can be summed up in three words: intentionality, exposure and opportunity. When these are at the core of DEl strategy, organizations can meet employees where they are, provide them with tools to reach their full potential and create a culture that supports everyone.

Follow @lady_allie and visit https://www.devacurl.com/us.

Quote: “I had this realization that we talk about all the opportunities that exist but don’t talk about the challenges and hurdles that also exist alongside opportunities that seem to be available to everyone.”

Tune in to learn more from Alicia and Kendra and don’t miss part two next week.

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Follow @lady_allie and visit https://www.devacurl.com/us.

Tune in to learn more from Alicia and Kendra and don’t miss part two next week.

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This week, Joy M. Hutton, founder of on the go GLAM and Joy of Consulting VERB OPTIONS joins me for a conversation. We dive into Joy’s inclusion on the Inc. Magazine’s Female Founders 100 list and the importance of representation and staying the course as entrepreneurs. And of course On the Go Glam.

More on Joy: As a corporate trainer, HR Leader, Business Strategist, renowned speaker, podcast host, TV star, techpreneur, and founder of two companies, Joy M. Hutton is the definition of a multi-hyphenate. Last year, she was named to Inc. Magazine’s Female Founder 100 List. Beyond being a business visionary, Joy loves traveling, her black yorkiepoo named Gigi, wine, and anything with black truffle oil in it.

Join in on the conversation now!

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This week, Dana Hill-Robinson, Founder of Cocotique, a beauty and self care subscription box and marketplace shares the dynamic career journey that took her from fashion to Vogue Magazine to hip hop to founding one of the most curated beauty must have businesses. Dana discusses the importance of embracing your age and resilience as the foundation of growth personally and professionally. She proclaims “ Entrust in yourself" and credits her natural curiosity for opening doors and guiding her path that ultimately led her to being part of the history of not just the fashion and music industries but also shaping culture. Dana dives into her love for beauty products yet not seeing anything in the market curated for Black and brown women that ultimately led her to creating Cocotique.

Bio: Dana Hill-Robinson is an author and founder with two companies under her belt. She began her career in the fashion and entertainment industry over 25 years ago. Before launching COCOTIQUE in 2013, she founded Divine Marketing Group, a boutique PR agency specializing in fashion, jewelry, beauty and lifestyle brands. She’s honored to have been included on the list of Hello Beautiful’s "15 Black Women Changing the Beauty Industry" and Refinery29’s list of "8 Entrepreneurs Who Are Diversifying the Beauty Biz. A consummate beauty product and health/wellness junkie, Dana’s obsessed with discovering the best beauty products for women of color that not only suit their specific needs, but also have healthy ingredients.

Follow @cocotique or visit https://www.cocotique.com/.

“I felt a little left out [in the beauty industry] that the products weren't being curated for us. They just weren't being. curated for black and brown women. And that's when a light bulb went off in my head and I saw this opportunity to enter the beauty industry without having to work for anyone and be able to fill this space and do what I love. Like, what could be better than just trying new beauty products? That's what I do now anyway, so why not?” - Dana

Dana’s word for 2023: Faith

Tune in to learn more from Dana and Kendra!

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This week, as the last episode in our mini-series featuring the founders of Parfait, Co-Founder and CMO, Simone Kendle dives into the importance of understanding the customer experience and the product development process. She also discusses the decision to rebrand the company from “Hair Intelligence” to “Parfait” saying “And we really decided that at that point, we wanted to redefine a word for ourselves. And that's where Parfait comes in, right? The word literally has AI in it.”

Simone also emphasizes her appreciation for having co-founders, Isoken Igbinedion and Ifueko Igbinedion, who have complementary skill sets and how they all fit together to shape the direction of the company. As an operations manager by trade turned stylist and founder of two hair businesses prior to launching Parfait, Simone credits community support and the commitment to her entrepreneurial passion as the guiding principles of the brand’s success.

Follow @simonekendle, @my.parfait or visit https://myparfait.com/!

In the spring of 2021, Simone was approached by Iso to join Parfait. At the time, Simone had just finished her MBA program at Wharton Business school and was set to return to her previous employer, Capital One, with no intention of looking elsewhere. As the school year ended, Kendle realized she needed to take a leap of faith toward her entrepreneurial dreams and set aside the security of working in corporate America. This meant fully committing to the entrepreneurial community, but in what capacity was still unclear. Serendipitously, just weeks later, Iso and Simone met for happy hour, where Iso convinced Simone to join the growing team.

Simone graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in operations management. She interned at Capital One throughout college and built a career across operations, process management, and customer insights strategy roles. During her college years, she started two hair businesses, one while in school and her second business once she graduated, which she ran for five years alongside building her career at Capital One. To finally bring her two career paths together, she decided to return to school and get her MBA at Wharton Business School.

With a deep knowledge of the wig industry’s product and customer experiences, coupled with formal customer insights strategy experience gained from Capital One and elite business skill building from Wharton, joining Parfait was a no-brainer for Simone.

In her spare time, Simone watches after her daughter Kaia and takes her to dance classes where she is on a local majorette competition team⁠—Simone is slowly becoming a dance mom. When the workday is over, you can catch her snuggled up with Kaia watching Disney’s latest release or jamming out to some old-school R&B.

Influencer & Brand Shout-Out: @swellabeauty

“I can accomplish anything I put my mind to. If it's aligned to what God has called me to do and he told me, then I'm doing it.”

Simone’s Word of 2023: Parfait

Tune in to learn more from Kendra and Simone!

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For part two of our mini-series featuring Parfait, Co-Founder and CTO, Ifueko Igbinedion dives into the importance of incorporating the human experience into artificial intelligence and being a good steward of technology. She details her experiences as a Black woman in computer science currently pursuing her Ph.D. at MIT focusing on processing signals, image processing, audio processing, and Artificial Intelligence. Ifueko also highlights her goals for technological advancement: "I want to use AI to build robots for disaster relief, for marginalized communities."

Despite institutional obstacles and the lack of diversity in her field, she shares her excitement for the future of AI and her work to expand this technology to develop Parfait. By leaning in and leveraging the benefits of connecting beauty and technology, Ifueko and her co-founders are creating a pathway toward beauty innovation that we have not seen before.

"I really feel empowered to do everything. And I think Parfait has been a huge part of it, but also just my growth as an academic and going through all the trials and tribulations of building a business because it's not easy. But being in 2023 and we're still standing after the past years that we've had, I think that has really changed my perspective. And now I really feel that it's mind over matter and I can truly do anything with this technology."

Follow @fancyfueko, @my.parfait or visit https://myparfait.com/!

Ifueko Igbinedion was approached by her sister, Iso, about the difficulties of buying a wig that makes people look and feel great. They were motivated to find an easier way that involved Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Given Ifueko's background in Machine Learning and Computer Vision, she knew that there were capabilities out there to use tech to enhance the beauty industry, but most of those capabilities were only being leveraged to edit Instagram photos. Armed with this knowledge, Ifueko joined her sister in solving the problems that black women go through with their hair.

Ifueko graduated from Stanford with a degree in Computer Science and a Master's in Electrical Engineering. She's completed multiple internships at IBM and Google along the way. During that time, Ifueko learned that she didn't want to spend her life building technology for other companies. This led her to a Ph.D. program at MIT, focusing on processing signals, image processing, audio processing, and Artificial Intelligence.

In her spare time, Ifueko participates in serving as the community service chair for a student association on campus. She also focuses on outreach programs in middle and high schools, teaching intro courses to high school seniors, and volunteering on weekends. You can catch her snacking on some cotton candy watching Wheel of Time on Amazon Prime or catching up on all the latest reality TV.

Influencer & Brand Shout-Out: @anima.iris

“And so all the algorithms that I work on at MIT are really focused on that lens. But it's also quite parallel to what we do at Parfait, trying to build machine learning algorithms that see people, that work with people to help build amazing products and experiences.”

Ifueko’s Word of 2023: Power

Tune in to learn more from Kendra and Ifueko!

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This week, we kick off a three-part mini-series about a company where beauty meets technology: Parfait, the first and only AI-powered company for tailor-made human hair wigs. Isoken Igbinedion—Co-Founder and CEO of Parfait—discusses her experiences with bias in the workplace and the defining moment that shifted the trajectory of her career. She decided to become an entrepreneur and use her technical and operational experience to make an impact in areas that she is passionate about, including innovation and technology. lso highlights Parfait's commitment to creating products that are truly for anyone, regardless of skin tone, hair texture, or usage of the product.

Follow @isokenigbinedion, @my.parfait or visit https://myparfait.com/!

Like most women, Isoken Igbinedion wanted to find protective styles to help manage and grow her natural hair. As she discovered, finding a product that fit her head, matched her skin tone, and styled the way she liked was challenging. Iso was sick of how difficult it was to find a ready-to-wear wig that didn't require any additional work upon purchase. So she created Parfait.

Iso's goal is to create a visionary company that brings a marginalized community into the future. She believes that beauty should be accessible to everyone and that's why Parfait prioritizes quality and service in every unit we ship.

Iso graduated from Wharton Business School with a Master of Business Administration in 2021. Prior to her MBA, she started her operations career at Target, focusing on omi channel distribution strategies. She later joined Amazon and became one of the first 10 team members to design Amazon Prime Now and build the infrastructure for their Whole Foods acquisition. Igbinedion moved into a project manager role within the Whole Foods operation integration and focused on scaling the new delivery market while leading product strategy, order fulfillment, and workforce management staff applications.

Iso is passionate about being an MLT career coach prep in her spare time. She cherishes having the opportunity to mentor younger professionals and give them the guidance that she was missing during her own career assent. You can catch her at a local Sweetgreen munching on a healthy meal with goat cheese or catching up on the latest episodes of The Real Housewives of Dubai.

Influencer & Brand Shout-Out: @hearthdisplay

“Despite these differences, we have the ability to create one common solution that creates an equitable experience for this product, for all people in the category."

Isoken’s Word of 2023: Experimentation

Tune in to learn more from Kendra and Isoken!

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This week, I interviewed BrainTrust Founders Studio member Dr. Omonye Phillips: doctor, mother of three, wife, Divisional Vice President at Rite Aid Pharmacy, head designer at Omonista, founder of My Dream BIG Club, and founder of Omosilk. Omonye dove into the importance of balancing personal and professional life through channeling her inner purpose and the role of travel in shaping her identity and business thesis. Omonye additionally emphasized the importance of investing in herself and constantly building on her skills and relationships.

Key takeaways from Omonye:

“I'm very intentional in building at work, building my team, constantly developing my team, making sure that they are also becoming the best selves.”
"I'm building my family. I'm really trying to nurture the things that my kids are really good at and building them to become great citizens of the world."
"I'm comfortable with knowing that I may walk into a space, and it’s okay that I don't know what to expect because I know I can adapt."

Follow @wearomosilk and @omonista!

Dr. Omonye Phillips, is a wife, mother to three, and an executive in a Fortune 500 company as a Divisional Vice President (DVP) at Rite Aid Pharmacy, the 3rd largest retail pharmacy in the country. Dr. Phillips is known as a dynamic servant leader in the industry, overseeing the operations of 160+ stores and managing a budget in excess of $2B.

Dr. Phillips has dedicated countless hours to other business, service, and philanthropy efforts all focused on improving the lives of others. One business initiative that is near and dear to her heart focuses on providing a hub of support for young professionals that want to network and brainstorm with like-minded individuals on growth opportunities and support one another in stretching beyond their comfort zone. That initiative is My Dream BIG Club (MyDBC) and in the span of three years, it has witnessed a global expansion with meetings being held in North America, Africa and Europe.

Dr. Phillips is also the founder of Omosilk, which is a healthy hair and skin brand that uses 100% hypoallergenic and natural silk to mitigate hair loss and soothe sensitive skin issues like eczema. Having three children that all suffered from hair loss and eczema, Dr. Phillips quickly learned about the benefits of using pure silk fabric on her kids but couldn’t find any viable options on the market. Being the serial solution seeker that she is, she decided to solve her own problem by making silk accessories for newborns and beyond.

Omonye comes from a diverse academic background having studied in three different continents including Africa, Europe and North America. She is a graduate from the University of Michigan and holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Omonye enjoys reading, engaging in transformative discussions, spending time with loved ones, running, playing table tennis, sleeping, traveling and anything fashion related. She sits on the Alumni Board of Governors at the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy. She is also an active member in her church and the community through philanthropy and volunteer efforts.

Influencer & Brand Shout-Out: @btfoundersstudio @sknmuse

Omonye’s Word of 2023: Build

"I'm constantly building on myself. I'm investing in myself more because I want to keep morphing into the best version of myself."

Tune in to hear more from Kendra and Omonye!

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This week, Johnny Wright —HOTUS (Hairstylist of The United States), textured hair specialist, and author of Natural & Curly Hair For Dummies—discusses his career, those moments of extraordinary opportunities that impacted his identity, trajectory and confidence in himself and his craft. Johnny advises aspiring hairstylists and artists to let go of ego, stay open-minded, and keep going despite uncertainty.

Johnny also discusses how the release of his book prompted him to launch the Naturally You Tour—a national multi-city traveling event series that provides a safe, informative and celebratory space to share, connect and heal from the ingrained traumas perpetuated by misinformation about natural and curly hair. https://www.naturallyyoutour.com/

Key takeaways from Johnny:

The importance of passion and living in the present moment.
Self-awareness and valuing one's own worth
Healing from the societal “isms” that affect us all
“When you embrace your natural look, you can inspire and you can feel confident.”

Follow @johnnywright220!

Johnny Wright is a celebrity hairstylist with nearly 25 years of experience. From watching his grandmother do press and curls on the front porch as a child to becoming Michelle Obama's personal hairstylist during the Obama Administration, Johnny's journey is nothing short of remarkable. We can’t wait to talk about his work with Tamron Hall, his recent co-starring role in "To Catch a Beautician" with Tamar Braxton, and his impressive list of celebrity clients.

Influencer & Brand Shout-Out: @myavanahaircare @ourxhair

Johnny’s Word of 2023: Trust

“Uncertainty is a part of life, but the goal is to keep going no matter what it's like. Allow yourself to be human and doubt to pop in. But regardless of what that is, you have to have the trust in yourself to know exactly how you want it is going to happen.”

Tune in to hear more from Kendra and Johnny!

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This week, Elaine Choi —Founding President and COO of Crown Affair, a haircare brand reimagining how people care for their hair and their relationship to it through clean, effective formulas and handcrafted tools—discusses the challenges of scaling the business, securing investment and the use of organic growth and community building to expand its customer base while never compromising on its commitment to clean ingredients and sustainability. Additionally, she shares advice for navigating relationships with co-founders and the importance of having a culture of feedback.

Elaine also emphasizes taking time for self-care and finding moments of silence amidst the noise of building a brand. Additional key takeaways from Elaine:

“Set your goal and be patient with yourself on getting to those incremental milestones”
“Even if we have to cut down on our margins or increase the price a little bit, we’re never going to compromise on the standards”
“I have goals for the business, but for me, it’s really about building a great team”
“I just took the leap. It felt right to me.”

Follow @crownaffair or visit https://www.crownaffair.com/!

Elaine Choi is the Founding President and COO of Crown Affair, a haircare brand reimagining how people care for their hair and their relationship to it through clean and effective formulas and handcrafted tools.

She has experience building and scaling organizations in various industries across healthcare, education, and hospitality, and now consumer, spanning for profit and nonprofit sectors with a focus on people first.

She serves as a Board of Associates member for the Robert Day Scholars program at Claremont McKenna College and as mentor through Crown Affair’s Seedling Mentorship Program.

Influencer & Brand Shout-Out: @sofiepavittface @sofiepavitt

Elaine’s Word of 2023: Abundance

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Last week, Shalita shared her personal life experiences, and journey growing up that led to her defining moment. This week, we dive into part two of thetwo-part conversation with Shalita Grant—Tony-nominated actress and founder of Four Naturals Hair. Shalita emphasizes the importance of education and research in developing her brand. She explains how she learned about cosmetic chemistry and studied the science behind hair care. She also mentions her desire to provide a platform for black women to share their experiences and knowledge about hair care on her website. Throughout the episode, Shalita discusses the challenges she faced as an entrepreneur and the importance of overcoming fear and imposter syndrome.

Follow @shalitagrant, @fournaturalshair or visit https://fournaturalshair.com/!

“So for me, it was like, I'm not going to find it there, but where can I find it? Cosmetic chemistry. That is the study of hair for hair products. So I grabbed some journals and I just started learning, because I'm a learner. I love learning. I'm a great student.”

Shalita’s Influencer & Brand Shout-Out: @silkoutsystem

Shalita’s Word of 2023: Fearless

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This week, we dive into part one of my two-part conversation with Shalita Grant—Tony-nominated actress and founder of Four Naturals Hair. Shalita shares memories from her upbringing and the influence of her unconventional parents on her entrepreneurial journey. She dives deep into this personal reflection and her experience dealing with traction alopecia that became her motivation to create her own hair treatment: the patent-pending Four Naturals Treatment is a hair salon treatment that uses ancient plant-based ingredients and practices from India and North Africa designed exclusively for the care of Type 4 hair. Shalita talks about her journey from actress to entrepreneur and emphasizes the importance of embracing fear as a catalyst for personal growth.

Follow @shalitagrant, @fournaturalshair or visit https://fournaturalshair.com/!

Tune in next week for part two of Shalita’s story, her influencer highlight and brand shout-outs!

“Fearless. Even talking to you now is me living out those goals that I set for myself at the beginning of this year. So for me, I believe that you can never be truly without fear. It's really about being less influenced by the fear, right? Like, the fear often tells us to stop. Right? And so for me, this year, it's about experiencing the fear.”

Shalita’s Word of 2023: Fearless

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This week, Yanghee Paik —Co-Founder and CEO of Rael, a feminine-care brand that has grown into a holistic personal care brand centered on solutions for all aspects of menstruator’s cycles—discusses the importance of educating consumers about organic feminine care options and holistic cycle care. She also dives into the topic of wellness as she strives to achieve balance in both her personal life and business, including balancing growth with profitability. Yanghee also shares her experience with fundraising and the changing demands of investors, emphasizing the importance of having a good quality law firm and advisor group. She stresses the need for entrepreneurs to continue building relationships within the investor community, even when not actively fundraising.

Follow @get_rael or visit www.getrael.com!

Yanghee Paik is the co-founder and CEO of Rael. Prior to starting Rael, Yanghee was an executive at the Walt Disney Studios where she focused on distribution strategy and sales. It was during this role that Yanghee met her co-founders, who suffered from irritation and allergic reactions caused by conventional pads and tampons. As first-generation immigrants from Korea, they knew how advanced Korean feminine care products were and recognized the gap in the US market for similar technology and quality. They decided to marry high-quality organic cotton from the US with cutting-edge manufacturing technology from Korea to launch Rael’s first organic cotton pads in 2017, which became the #1 best-selling pad on Amazon. Now, Rael provides more than just feminine care as Yanghee pushed her vision for Rael to be a holistic personal care brand, centered on solutions for all aspects of your cycle.

Influencer & Brand Shout-Out: Chiyo (@wearechiyo) - a pregnancy and postpartum meal delivery service in New York City aiming to bridge the cultural gap.

"I think having the right investors pretty early on who can help you just kind of grow as time passes by and then make the right introductions and then give you the right advice is definitely very, very important."

Yanghee’s Word of 2023: Balance

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This week, Carolyn Li Ming Geh—the founder and CEO of Li Organics, a beauty company leveraging antioxidant-rich and synergistic formulas for sensitive skin, with a mission beyond skin deep—discusses the importance of being intentional and making meaningful choices with the limited time we have. Carolyn cites her educational and global background in helping her create a “multifactorial approach” and “be curious about different ideas and different angles." She also dives into her brand's mission to promote transparency and sustainability in the beauty industry. She highlights the importance of understanding the entire lifeline of a product, including where it's sourced and the wages and health of the workers involved. Li Organics puts this understanding to practice, positively impacting local communities in Malaysia through its intentional partnerships.

Follow @liorganics or visit https://liorganics.com/!

Carolyn Li Ming Geh is an entrepreneur and founder of Li Organics. Prior to her career as an entrepreneur, Carolyn had an over a decade long career working in fashion as a model under FORD Models, working for renowned brands such as J. Crew, Banana Republic, Balenciaga, Lanvin, MAC Cosmetics, Louis Vuitton, Harpers Bazaar, and more. It was during her modeling career that she started to develop the formulas that have now become must haves on Li Organics customer’s top shelves today. Through the brand’s partnership with Project Orphans, they are helping to give children a better self worth and hope for a brighter future through critical care and opportunity for education.

Carolyn’s mission driven business has resulted in press mentions such as American Vogue, In Style, TODAY.com, British Vogue, WhoWhatWear and Real Simple. She has also given workshops at MIT Sloan School of Management, and been a guest on the Forbes Books Audio podcast. To date, Li Organics has served customers nationwide, and globally in Canada, Australia, Singapore. The brand recently launched in Israel via the country's largest distributor for beauty products. She has been featured by several industry journals for her insights on the beauty industry. She is formally-trained in Neuromechanics, Psychology, with a minor in Human Nutrition and received her graduate degree at University of British Columbia in 2009.

Influencer & Brand Shout-Out: Marisia

"It's so important to talk about [the impact of product lifelines] and that we now have the opportunity to show that. I think that's where the beauty of social media, the beauty of video, the beauty of being able to connect with people all over the world."

"I just want to make sure that I'm stewarding my time well. And everything I choose to do is going to be meaningful."

Carolyn’s Word of 2023: Purpose

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This week, we have a special episode for Mother’s Day featuring mother-daughter duo Dr. Lynn McKinley-Grant and Davlyn Mosley. Davlyn, founder of Namesake Skincare—the perfect answer for those looking to dermatologist-approved skincare essentials specifically made for skin of color—and Dr. Lynn McKinley Grant, Namesake’s Dermatology Advisor. The duo dives into the importance of family and the impact of a strong mother-daughter relationship.

Dr. McKinley-Grant talks about her journey to becoming a dermatologist and how her interest in art and beauty influenced Davlyn's career path. She also shares the challenges of balancing motherhood with career and entrepreneurship. Davlyn recounts her own experiences growing up with a mother who exposed her to a variety of activities, such as going to museums and doing gymnastics, and encouraged her to pursue her interests even when they didn't align with a “traditional” career. Davlyn also discusses the value of community and mentorship in building successful businesses, citing her involvement with the BrainTrust Founders Studio.

Follow @namesakeskincare or visit https://namesakeskincare.com/ and use code “BOTB15” for a special discount!

Davlyn Mosley is the founder of Namesake Skincare - the perfect answer for those looking to dermatologist approved skincare essentials specifically made for skin of color. The Tufts University graduate and former Marketing Tech Executive was inspired to create the brand based upon her experiences with her mother, a board-certified dermatologist and a desire to support the uniqueness of skin of color. Originally from Washington DC, Mosley now resides with her husband and son in Los Angeles.

Dr. Lynn McKinley-Grant is Namesake’s Dermatology Advisor and Davlyn's mom. She received her M.D. at Harvard Medical School and trained in dermatology at NYU. As a board-certified dermatologist, her career has spanned from research at NIH to private practice and academic medicine as an Associate Professor at university hospitals with medical schools and residency training programs including Howard, Duke, and Georgetown.Dr. McKinley-Grant specializes in skin of color and internal medicine and has trained over 200 dermatologists. She’s your derm’s favorite derm, the inspiration for Namesake, and the expert behind the formulations.

Influencer & Brand Shout-Outs: @ourside.nyc founded by @btfoundersstudio member Keta Burke-Williams (@keta.bw) and @starface sunscreen

Davlyn: “My mom was and continues to play such a huge role in so many of my friends’ lives, the reality is that “stuff” around your skin happens all the time.”

Dr. Lynn: "I mean, you wake up in the morning and you have this list of things and usually the good things happen, you know, but bad things happen too. And you have to be grateful for... the good things that happen."

Davlyn’s Word of 2023: Patience

Lynn’s Word of 2023: Gratitude

Tune in to learn more from Kendra and Davlyn and her mother, Dr. Lynn!

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This week, Jacqueline Oak and Narae Chung—Co-Founders of Cardon Skin, a brand with a mission to provide a simple shopping experience for men to get premium skincare at an approachable price—discuss their journey from seeing a gap in the market for affordable, high-quality men's skincare products to creating an innovative brand inspired by Korean skincare technology: "I thought there was a huge opportunity. We can bring really high-quality products at affordable pricing around the $20 to $40 range [to the men’s skincare industry] leveraging innovative Korean skincare R&D (Narae).” Their hero product is a lightweight, fast-absorbing sunscreen-moisturizer: which provides a quick solution to complete the most important step in skincare.

Jacqueline and Narae also share that the men's skincare market is growing and shifting towards a greater emphasis on personal care as a form of self-expression. Cardon's success is due in part to their focus on real men's needs and insights in creating their products. Jacqueline and Narae do this by gathering feedback directly from their consumers: “We conduct lots of user interviews to understand how they’re using the product, what’s their biggest pain point, and how we can create something innovative and novel (Jacqueline).”

Bio: Growing up in Korea, Narae Chung saw first-hand the pride that Korean men took in their self-care. It was more than a routine—it was a way of life. After years of working in the Korean skincare industry, bringing the best ingredients and most innovative formulas to men across Asia, Narae decided to come to the U.S. to attend Wharton Business School. There, she met her roommate Jacqueline Oak, an expert in the retail startup space. Narae and Jacqueline noticed interest in men’s self-care was gaining momentum in the States—but the high-quality, yet affordable options that are so popular in Korea—were seriously lacking. The duo saw a chance to not only build a premium skincare brand that’s simple and accessible, but also to change the outdated social norms around masculinity and self-care.

Narae: "I think that it’s really interesting because my brother and father followed a skincare ritual every day. That was just their routine. And then here [in the United States], when I did a research interview, [I found that] not every male actually uses skincare."

Jaqueline: “We’re not going to hold back. We are really going to put ourselves out there to push this brand to where we want it to go.”

Narae’s Brand Shout-Out: @drinkmakku

Jacqueline’s Brand Shout-Out: @12pell

Follow @cardon or visit https://cardonskin.com/!

Tune in to learn more from Jacqueline, Narae, and Kendra!

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This week, Noelly Michoux—co-founder and CEO of 4.5.6. Skin, customized skincare designed with phototypes IV, V, and VI in mind—discusses her and her co-founders’ journey in creating a skincare brand that is good for both overall skin health and for the planet’s health: “Everything we do, it has to be good for, yes, that condition we're treating, but for the skin health, for the overall health, and then for the planet. And we do not compromise.” She dives into the challenges she and her co-founders faced in starting the company, opening the first Skin Tone Research Lab in France, and approaching product development in a unique way.

Noelly also emphasizes one of our BrainTrust Founders Studio pillars: education. She dives into the importance of knowledge and education in skincare, then shares her excitement for the future of the brand, including plans for retail and expanding their product line. While there is a long way to go for diversity in the beauty industry, Noelly reveals how she is one of those changemakers advancing the industry forward.

Follow @noellychouxx and @456skin on Instagram or visit https://456skin.com/!

Noelly Michoux is the co-founder of 4.5.6 Skin, a brand that aims to close the skincare research equity gap. She started the brand after realizing that most skincare products were only tested on non-melanin skin. To address this issue, Noelly partnered with a leading dermatologist and skincare researcher and opened the world’s first Skin Tone Research Lab in France. The lab examines, develops, and manufactures high-performance biomimetic skincare products for skin phototypes IV, V, and VI.

Noelly's interest in skincare started when she worked with luxury fragrance and makeup brands in New York City, where she supported Black UP Cosmetics, one of the first brands to offer true-to-skin-tone luxury makeup for darker skin. As a Black European, she was surprised by the lack of beauty products specifically formulated for darker skin. Noelly recognized a correlation between melanin levels in the skin and dissatisfaction with skincare performance. She learned everything she could about the Fitzpatrick scale, which classifies skin tone phototypes based on the amount of melanin pigment in the skin.

Noelly founded 4.5.6 Skin in 2017 to democratize the science of skincare and develop clinical-grade formulas that specifically target the key concerns of darker skin, including dryness, excess sebum production, dullness, and hyperpigmentation. The brand's vision is to create a truly inclusive skincare landscape that addresses not only skin type but also the foundational science of skin tone. In addition to her work with 4.5.6 Skin, Noelly is starting a Melanin Preservation Association to fight against skin bleaching and decolonize beauty concepts. She currently splits her time between Brussels and Paris with her husband and two young children.

Influencer & Brand Shout-Out: Bossy Cosmetics

"I wake up every day and I'm so excited to just be in this line of work. This is my life mission."

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This week, Jamila Powell, multi-hyphenate attorney, owner of Maggie Rose Salon, founder and CEO of Naturally Drenched, discusses how her daughter was the catalyst for her to follow her entrepreneurial spirit and continues to be a motivation as she scales her businesses. Through running her salon, Jamila identified a gap in the market for quality natural hair products specifically formulated for people of color and created Naturally Drenched, a vegan and eco-conscious collection of hair products formulated with all hair textures in mind.

As a successful lawyer by weekday, salon owner by weekend, and Natural Hair brand founder by night, Jamila is the epitome of someone that is “never going to slack off on what needs to be done” through working smart and working hard. This year, self-care and grace are Jamila’s themes of 2023 along with “faith over force….there are only so many hours in a day, and if I feel like I can’t get to it, it’s going to be okay.” Beyond her work ethic and faith in herself, Jamila’s authenticity has opened doors for her and the continuous growth of Naturally Drenched.

“If you're a genuine person, it's really not even hard to evolve and build genuine relationships with other people.”

Follow @naturallydrenched on Instagram or visit https://www.naturallydrenched.com/!

Jamila’s Word of 2023: Faith

Jamila Powell — mother, attorney and entrepreneur — has turned her passion for hair and self-care into a business. No stranger to beauty, Jamila is the owner of Maggie Rose Salon, which is one of the top texture salons in the country. Her natural hair journey began in college at the Pennsylvania State University, continued throughout Law School at George Washington University and culminated in her launching a salon for women to learn and love their texture. While running Maggie Rose, Jamila discovered which ingredients work best on all hair textures which led the creation of Naturally Drenched: a vegan and eco-conscious collection formulated with your curls in mind!

Influencer & Brand Shout-Out: Common Heir Retinol Serum & Ceramide Barrier Boost Serum (@commonheir)

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This week, Jacqueline Carrington—Founder and CEO of People of Color, a non-toxic, vegan, cruelty-free nail polish brand made to “complement the various shades of brown skin as the first thought, not an afterthought”—Jacqueline shares how being an athlete helped her with tenacity, courage, dedication and a never give up mentality that has been instrumental in launching and growing her business. Jacqueline dives into her intentional pivot from a career in administration and management to entrepreneurship: “I’ve always known that skills are transferable. I’ve always been able to know what I’m good at and how I can apply it to a new space.”

Lastly, Jacqueline highlights how the greatest ideas come from our everyday lives and everyday things, and the important role her daughter plays as an inspiration behind her business and living a purpose FULL life.

Follow @peopleofcolorbeauty or visit https://www.peopleofcolorbeauty.com/!

Jacqueline (aka Jacque) Carrington is a wife, mom of 3, and founder of People of Color. She lives in Southern California with her family and enjoys going to the beach, festivals, working out, and traveling. Prior to launching People of Color in May 2019, Jacqueline worked as a Property Manager for 6 years and previously worked in the hotel industry for 6 years. She graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with a Bachelor of Science in Lodging and Resort Management. Her dream has always been to work for herself, and People of Color is now her dream come true!

Influencer & Brand Shout-Outs: Sienna Naturals and Maya’s Cookies

“Your dreams and visions are not put inside of you for no reason.”

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This week, Kayla Greaves—beauty expert, award-winning journalist, sought-after speaker, and overall multi-hyphenate in the beauty industry—dives into her career path, the importance of balance and self-care, and the current content creation space. When asked about the growth and exposure for Black founded brands Kayla said, “The fact that I can’t even narrow [Black-founded beauty brands] down is such a good problem to have” — she views growing trends towards inclusivity, sustainable and eco-friendly beauty products as an important step towards greater social and environmental responsibility in the industry.

Kayla also discusses how our relationship with our hair and our appearance is about more than just aesthetics - it's about identity and culture: “When I finally decided to go natural... I started to realize how complex our relationship with our hair is. It’s more than just hair. It’s our roots, it’s where we come from.”

Follow @kaylaagreaves on Instagram!

Kayla’s Word(s) of 2023: Freedom & Fulfillment

Kayla A. Greaves is a beauty expert, sought-after speaker/moderator, and award-winning journalist with over a decade of media experience. She was previously the executive beauty editor at InStyle, and has held positions at Bustle and The Huffington Post. Kayla has interviewed the likes of Lupita Nyong’o, Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton, Gigi Hadid, Jennifer Lopez, Naomi Campbell, and many more stars. She has also appeared in campaigns for TJ Maxx and Maybelline.

Influencer & Brand Shout-Outs: Bossy Cosmetics and Ami Colé

“I can do things on my own (as an independent freelancer) and still be recognized for my work.”

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Daniel Hodgdon, serial entrepreneur and Co-Founder and CEO of VEGAMOUR—a brand of powerful, purposeful, eco-ethical products directly to people who seek healthier solutions for hair and skin—shares his two words for 2023: Kindness and Love. These words are woven throughout Dan’s journey and how he approaches life, business and relationships. He talks extensively saying “to much is given, much is required” and through his work he is living that in his efforts to give back to communities and help create solutions and opportunities. Daniel shares his efforts to reduce carbon output by 3 - 5 metric tons a year to help save millions of lives. He is committed to creating products that are efficacy rooted in his childhood growing up on a farm, moving from place to place and meeting new people. He credits his success to connecting the dots and being a facilitator.

Bio: By the time he was 17, entrepreneur Dan Hodgdon lived in about 22 locations around the globe, many of which were in developing countries and communities. He acquired a keen interest in local naturals and would go on to spend decades both researching powerful plant actives and also creating sustainable, eco-friendly supply chains for major beauty brands around the globe.

Having close relationships with veterans of the World Wildlife Federation, the Peace Corps, the World Health Organization and the USAID, Dan was constantly reminded of the economic frailty that many local communities faced in developing countries. Children lived in poverty. Education was scarce. Workers were exploited. Governments offered subsidies and non-profits offered goodwill, but Dan believed that private businesses would ultimately make the most sustainable positive impact by creating demand, driving up economic viability and improve lives in these vulnerable communities. As such, he became instrumental in establishing a Fair Trade coop to harvest the highest quality natural actives while providing respectable work to over 5,000 women in southern Africa.

Dan co-founded VEGAMOUR to actualize his passion for delivering the most potent plant-based formulas with clinically tested, visible results directly to consumers in a way that would reinvest back into the communities from which he sourced. Through the brand, Dan is able to offer the most powerful, purposeful, eco-ethical products directly to people who seek healthier solutions for hair and skin.

Today, Dan resides in downtown Los Angeles with his wife Lisa and their Jack Russel Terrier, Eddie. In his free time, he enjoys the arts, theatre, yoga and traveling.

“It’s important we put love into everything we do.”

Follow @danielhodgdon and @vegamour or visit https://vegamour.com/!

Tune in to hear from Dan Hodgdon and Kendra Bracken-Ferguson!

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Anisa Telwar Kaicker is the founder & CEO of Anisa International, her namesake business that is on a mission to redefine beauty through inclusive, innovative, and elevated brushes. This week, Anisa dives into her journey as an industry veteran and how she has learned to balance value, passion, and happiness as she builds her dreams through her business. How Anisa overcame adversity to build a multi-million dollar business that has been going strong for almost three decades is a true testament to her determination, tenacity, and dedication to her passion: “I am still really in love with what I do. Yes it’s “just brushes”, but I think “just brushes” is really, really cool”.

As Dorion Renaud, Founder & CEO of Buttah Skin, said on Business of the Beat in Season 1: “The key to being a successful CEO is letting others be great at their jobs” (S1, Ep. 15). Anisa has locked down the ability to be a true leader and CEO with her mindset around team: “I want them (my team) to be who they are. I don’t want another me. I’ve got that slot filled. I want them to be proud of who they are. How do I make sure that they shine too?”

Anisa leaves us with several key learnings on her path being recognized as a trailblazer in the space:

“Nobody gets trained at the age I got trained at really”
“I always used to say ‘I want to work on myself, I want to work on myself’, now I want to work with myself”
“I didn’t want to work for work’s sake. I wanted to be able to take care of myself. That was always very important to me.”
“It has always been an innate part of my business model [to create something innovative.”

Bio: Anisa Telwar Kaicker is the Founder and CEO of her namesake business, Anisa International. She started her business in 1992 and for almost 3 decades has pioneered the leadership, product development and culture of this globally branded business through the design and manufacturing of cosmetic brushes for makeup and skincare. She partners with the most esteemed brands in the beauty industry.

In 2003 Anisa International vertically integrated their operations by opening their own manufacturing facility, Anisa China, in Tianjin. Fast-forward to 2020 and through substantial investment in social and environmental sustainability, Anisa has expanded her operations by opening two new state-of-the-art facilities: Anisa Tianjin and Anisa Jinghai. Committed to cleaner, safer and responsible manufacturing, these facilities employ over 500 individuals dedicated to the practice of cruelty-free and ethically made products.

Now, after almost 3 decades of providing superior products to the best brands in the business, Anisa has chosen to further expand her innovation with a specialized category of cosmetic brushes focused on skincare application through ANISA Beauty.

Anisa’s personal reputation is equally notable and includes long-standing philanthropic contributions that span causes for homeless families, animals and the conservation of our environment.

Follow @therealatk and @anisabeauty or visit https://www.anisabeauty.com/!

Use the code BUSINESSOFTHEBEAT for 15% off on amazing brushes sitewide! One use per customer. Expires December 31st at 12pm.

“It is impossible to create a dream without believers in the dream.”

Tune in to learn more from Kendra and Anisa!

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This week, Rebecca Allen, Co-Founder and CEO of Helix Hair Labs—a brand focused on innovative hair tools and silk hair accessories that promote the health of your hair—shares her views on hair wellness, the evolution of her story as an entrepreneur from footwear to beauty, and the value of having a dynamic career. Rebecca gives insight into the pivot from her liberal arts background, to her foray into finance, and how business school ultimately helped her bridge the gap between the creative and operations side of her business. She also highlights the beauty of partnership with co-founders and dives into the importance of expanding the conversation rather than segmenting communities.

Bio: Rebecca is the founder of Helix Hair Labs, making tools and products for the future of hair wellness, Prior to Helix, Rebecca launched Rebecca Allen, Inc. a footwear brand now sold in major retailers. The brand has been featured in Forbes, Business Insider, Fortune, CNBC, among others, and has been worn by incredible women all over the world.

Rebecca is a graduate of Columbia Business School and Williams College, and now lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband Yosef Johnson, two children and a cat.

Follow @helixhairlabs and @rebeccaallenny or visit https://helixhairlabs.com/!

“For me, I’m always trying to expand the conversation. And with hair tools, what is true, is that there’s much more universality.”

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This week, Olamide Olowe—founder & CEO of Topicals—highlights her tenacity to constantly learn, the importance of mentorship and the journey that led her to earn her most recent title of “the youngest Black woman to raise $10MM in funding”. She shares that her “strategy in life is to learn as much as [she] can about a particular topic”. She also discusses how she has been forging a path for entrepreneurial young, Black women through her new platform: The Cost of Doing Business, and how the importance of the community is a core pillar for the brand. She expresses appreciation for the lessons she learned through being a student-athlete and for gaining her “MBA in the real world” through co-founding the beauty brand SheaGIRL, in partnership with SheaMoisture. All of these experiences prepared her to take advantage of what she calls “business rocket fuel.”

Olamide leaves us with several key lessons:

About Her Perspective on Building a Brand/Business
“Building your community starts with understanding what your brand’s mission is, what your brand stands for. Once you have that, you’ll understand how to draw the right customers to you.”
“Any business I start will have a component of doing social good.”
About Her Perspective on Fundraising
“Funding is rocket fuel, and you can’t put rocket fuel into a rocket that hasn’t even been built yet.”
“I am a reflection of what could happen when we invest in young Black women.”
“Everyone needs to be on this track and on this path to create equity in communities of color.”
About Her Perspective on Life
“I’ve always had the intention of doing things that were hard, things that would help others.”
“To whom much is given, much is expected.”
“The first thing is making sure you’re constantly consuming things that are teaching you something. Get into the habit of learning.”

Bio: Olamide Olowe, Founder and CEO

(Pronounced Oh-LAH-mi-day Oh-LOW-way)

She/Her

Olamide Olowe is a recent graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles where she was a pre-Med student and received a B.A. in Political Science with a concentration in Race, Ethnicity, and Politics and a minor in Entrepreneurship. In 2015, Olamide co-founded the beauty brand SheaGIRL, in partnership with SheaMoisture. Sundial Brands, parent company of SheaGIRL, was later acquired by Unilever in 2017. Currently, Olamide is the founder and CEO of Topicals, a skincare company transforming the way people feel about skin through effective products for eczema and hyperpigmentation. Olamide is passionate about harnessing the power of culture, technology, and science to improve the relationship between women of color and the beauty industry. She has received notable recognition from Harvard Business School, Google, the PAC12, and the UCLA Alumni Association. Most recently, Olamide has secured the title of youngest black woman to raise $10 million in funding in a financing round led by CAVU Consumer Partners.

“I’ve always had the intention of doing things that were hard, things that would help others.”

Follow @olamideolowe and @topicalsor visit https://mytopicals.com/!

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This week, Barbara Jacques—Founder and CEO of JACQ’S, a vegan and sustainable skincare line created for women of color by women of color—celebrates her recent success of winning one of Pharrell William’s Black Ambition Prizes, her first time participating in an accelerator program, and the impact of mentorship and coaching to help evolve the brand and its expansion into retail. Barbara talks about the importance of laughter and finding joyful moments in everything she does. She recounts the learnings from her mother saying “She allowed me to find myself in beauty and have fun with it.” Barbara is an advocate for education and encourages founders to read and do their own research. She talks openly about going from an “at home alchemist” to working with a formulator and understanding the importance of science in the end results and delivering efficacy products.

Bio: Barbara created JACQ’S after a health scare during her pregnancy. As a way to cope with her illness, she began studying green medicine, and holistic plant botany. The more research she did, the more concerns she had about the effects of ingredients on our overall health.

After recovering from her illness and delivering her daughter, Barbara created JACQ’S with a mission to change the way the beauty industry sees skincare and women of color. Black women, Brown women, Latin women, Asian women, and everyone in between should be seen and to be seen as much more than props and profit margins.

Products sold and marketed to Black women contain some of the most toxic chemicals used in the cosmetics industry. JACQ’S product collection is inspired by Barbara's Caribbean background using exotic ingredients, cruelty-free products, and sustainable packaging.

The company is a Green America-certified business that’s Peta approved and a long-time partner at the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.

Jacques has been featured in ELLE Magazine, NBC News, Huffington Post, and the Miami Herald recognizing Jacques as Miami's 2012 Top 40 Under 40 Leaders of Tomorrow. She was also featured on ABC’s WPLG Local 10 in the spring of 2012 for her entrepreneurial endeavor as a mom entrepreneur. In 2015, Jacq’s was awarded the Healings Spas & Lifestyle Beauty Award for Best Pregnancy Product. The brand has also been featured on Byrdie, Prevention, Women’s Health, Essence, Pop Sugar, and Allure. Jacques has been the key force behind JACQ’S.

QUOTE

“When I started thinking bigger, I was able to put certain things in place. You have to be financially and mentally ready to enter retail. Sometimes we think we are ready but we aren’t.”

Follow @shopjacqs @jacqsorganics or visit https://www.shopjacqs.com/!

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This week, Karen Lee—Founder and CEO of GLOU Beauty, a sustainable beauty marketplace on a mission to reimagine e-commerce for beauty lovers in an age of conscious consumerism—shares the inspiration behind her company and its focus on operational efficiency: “Our whole goal is to try and bring more joy in your life and reduce any kind of pain you might have”. As sustainability becomes more important within the business world, Karen’s concept of “rehoming” makeup, skincare, and other beauty products has become increasingly important. Karen also discusses the importance of listening to consumers, implementing machine learning, and building a team with a shared vision. She attributes her success to “knowing what other people are good at, and putting that together”.

🙋🏻‍♀️ BIO

Karen Lee is the Founder and CEO of Glou Beauty, the first and only consumer-to-consumer marketplace dedicated exclusively to beauty products. With a deep passion for sustainability, Karen is determined to lead the movement of conscious consumerism within the beauty industry.

Shop my stash: https://go.glou.co/karen

📚 EDUCATION

Master in International Management (MiM), CEMS
Masters of Science, Ivey Business School
HBA, Ivey Business School

🌎 INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

Italy | Università Bocconi, Innovative Retail and Luxury Management, and Project Lead with LVMH
China | Tsinghua University, Technology Strategy and Conducting Business in China
Nicaragua | Liquor industry (Flor de Cana)

🥳 THINGS I DO FOR FUN:

15+ years of involvement in the FIRST Robotics community (I volunteer as an FTA) 🤖
Art history 🖼
Improv comedy 🎭
Sailing ⛵️
Roller skating 🛼 and Ice skating ⛸

⭐️ Recognition and Awards ⭐️

🏆 Inaugural member of AWS Impact Accelerator for Women Founders

🏆 Winner of best pitch deck #AllRaise Seed Bootcamp Fall 2020

🏆 Volunteer of the Year FIRST Canada York Event 2019

“Beauty is such an intrinsic part of our culture.”

Follow @gloubeauty or visit https://www.glou.co/!

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Known as "Mr. Work Smarter", Denis Asamoah—co-founder and CEO of FORVR Mood, a lifestyle brand founded by Nigerian-American beauty content creator, US Army veteran, and makeup artist Jackie Aina—kicks off the show with his favorite productivity tool: the Pomodoro Technique. Writing his 3 most important tasks down before bed so that he's ready for the morning is his best advice for everyone who wants to Work Smarter. Working smarter allows Denis to spend more time with his partner, Jackie Aina and to indulge in self care. Coming from a background in finance and creating his own company, Denis is no stranger to the startup game. Denis doesn't shy away from failures and believes that the only way to learn, grow, and scale a company is to address failure head on. He talks about working harder and working smarter to outperform, then deliver results. Denis dives deep into the long term value of content, storytelling and firmly declares: "The future is the creator economy." He also shares how he and Jackie made the conscious decision to not mix business with the personal in the early days of their relationship and how that later enabled them to co-found FORVR Mood and scale to 7-digits within weeks of launching.

Bio: Denis Asamoah is a passionate advisor to creators and helps turn their influence into a business. Denis is also the co-founder of FORVR Mood, alongside his fiance Jackie Aina. Denis’ mission is to empower more POC creators to follow their dreams and launch brands.

"There is a Reason there is a Team." - Denis Asamoah

Follow @forvrmood and @denisasamoah or visit https://forvrmood.com/!

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This week, Asha Coco—President of FORVR Mood, a lifestyle brand founded by Nigerian-American beauty content creator, US Army veteran, and makeup artist Jackie Aina—talks about the beauty of bringing products to life and moving from being one piece within a larger organization to being the one putting all the pieces together. One of her key points of advice is “Good direction and guidance within an organization can be the key to problem solving together and building towards the future.” Asha also explains how FORVR Mood is about bringing a piece of luxury to everyone that wants to be “bougie on a budget” and showcasing different voices in the fragrance industry.

Bio: Asha Coco is an innovator and strategic partner to C-Suite executives building brand, product, and content strategies for global beauty and fashion brands. As the current President of FORVRMood, Coco brings two decades of experience working with the industry’s most coveted brands across retail channels, international markets, and product categories. Whether Fortune 100 companies or high growth indie superstars, her analytical eye and inspired creativity has activated innovation strategies that deliver sales, growth, consumer, and industry accolades.

“Fragrance can completely change your mood. These fragrances are meant to change your mood and lift your vibe.”

Follow @forvrmood and @ashacoco or visit https://forvrmood.com/!

Tune in to hear from Asha Coco and Kendra Bracken-Ferguson!

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This week, Maya Smith, Founder and CEO at The Doux - a sucka free haircare line formulated for results and performance - shares how her role as a licensed cosmetologist, salon owner and beauty creator was shaped by observing and serving customers while working in her mother's salon. Maya dives into how those early years of experience influenced her decision to launch her own salon and later, her nationally distributed hair care line. Maya shares her mission to democratize the salon experience for all women, making it a place for community, culture and sisterhood as well as a central source for hair education. She goes deep into the decision to expand The Doux beyond her own customers and e-commerce into retail doors, including Sally Beauty, Target, Walgreens, J.C. Penney and more, while also maintaining her ability to connect on a real level with her customers and to stay consistent as a founder. Maya hints at what's next for The Doux driven by her goal to mobilize and energize the stylist community stating, "I am a huge advocate of actual practitioners."

Bio: Maya Smith is a multi-hyphenate entrepreneur, professional stylist and beauty creator. She’s a licensed cosmetologist, and the owner and founder of the acclaimed The Doux Salon in Georgia and haircare line, nationally distributed across key mass retailers. Maya has over two decades of experience working with a variety of textured hair. She saw the category need and answered in a big way with her professional haircare brand.

Maya’s work spans from Hollywood celebrities to leading music artists on an international scale. She lived for a period of time in Germany and saw an opportunity to open a salon focused on textured hair needs and equip her clients with the tools they needed for long term growth and health. This inspired the creation of her product line – focused on delivering salon quality results for all natural hair types in a fraction of the time, using just one comprehensive system.

Maya worked extensively with chemists for two years to make The Doux – a sucka free haircare line formulated for results and performance – no matter if you wear your natural hair coily or straight. Each product is inspired by the music and nostalgia of 90’s Hip Hop merging the culture with her understanding of professional haircare. The packaging features bright, eye catching colors and graphics that Maya creates herself!

Follow @ilovethedoux and @ouidoux or visit https://thedoux.com/!

"I am very clear on what I Do, and Where I excel." - Maya Smith

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This week, Carli Abram—Founder and CEO of Pollynation Apothecary, a health and wellness company focused on solving challenges for those with sensitive skin, scalp, hair, and systems holistically—discusses her journey of self forgiveness, healing and the importance of creating daily affirmations. As a scientist and herbalist, Carli combines efficacy ingredients with total body solutions to build an alternative brand built on purpose and focused on energetic consciousness. Carli identifies as a healer and goes deep on the importance of self-care before you pour energy into others saying, “When you show up as a healer, you first have to heal very deeply your own stuff. These past few years have allowed me to heal.”

Bio: Carli Abram, a scientist, herbalist, and #eczemawarrior is the founder and CEO of Pollynation Apothecary. Pollynation Apothecary is a black woman owned health & wellness company rooted in earth medicine focused on solving wellness challenges for those with sensitive skin, scalp, hair, and systems holistically #wellness #allergyfriendly #eczemafriendly #sensitiveisoursuperpower #madetobloom #pollynationapothecary #earthmedicine.

Follow @PollynationApothecary or visit https://pollynationapothecary.com/!

Get 20% of your first order with code BOTB20.

“We’re going to survive this.” - Carli Abram

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In part two, Youmie Francois—Founder and CEO of Flex-n-Fly, a travel wellness company that provides stretching, yoga & relaxation classes to travelers before they board their flights as well as minimalist anti-theft travel bags that also function as fashion belts — dives into her business achievements, how she pivoted to save her company during the pandemic, going viral on tiktok and the importance of ownership. Youmie’s blueprint for success is a combination of grit, determination and taking time to grow into the person she is today. She discusses being a Haitian immigrant and the humility and courage it has given her in business. Youmie also talks freely about securing her first investment and the importance of creating a money mindset.

Bio: Youmie Jean Francois is the founder and CEO of Flex-n-Fly. A travel wellness company that provides stretching, yoga & relaxation classes to travelers before they board their flights. Youmie is an avid traveler, wellness consultant, and speaker. She has been featured in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Travel & Leisure, and TripAdvisor. She speaks 4 languages fluently and splits her time between New York and Colombia. You can find her attending stretching classes at Flex-n-Fly in airports around the world while bridging the gap between travel and wellness. Keep up with her on Tiktok @flexnfly, Instagram @fexnflyofficial, and flexnfly.com to see when Flex-N-Fly opens up at your airport.

Follow @flexnflyofficial or visit flexnfly.com!

“The best person I can be is me and do the assignment I was put here to do.” - Youmie

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Youmie Francois—Founder and CEO of Flex-n-Fly, a travel wellness company that provides stretching, yoga & relaxation classes to travelers before they board their flights as well as minimalist anti-theft travel bags that also function as high fashion belts — discusses her tenacious curiosity, the importance of seeking validation from God and reframing her mindset as the driving factors that enable her to dream bigger and reach her goals. In part one of this two episode podcast, Youmie shares getting her start as a backup dancer, her evolution to becoming a certified yoga teacher and the importance of a wellness practice. Youmie dives into her spiritual grounding that enables her to be fully present and the importance of stillness to nurture discovery. Her mission at Flex-n-Fly is to bridge the gap between travel and wellness creating a safe space for rest, peace and nourishment.

Follow @flexnflyofficial or visit flexnfly.com!

“When you have the heart of an immigrant and have a heart of ambition and want to rule the world like I do, you can take on assignments that you are not told to take on. I could not be anything but great.” - Youmie

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This week, Joni Odum—Founder and CEO of Firstline, the first African American-owned hair accessory products company founded in 1986 by Joni’s late father, Robert A. Bowser—discusses her journey to CEO, limitless opportunities in life and her unwavering spirit for innovation that has created opportunities for Firstline to continue to flourish. Joni also shares the importance of filling in the gaps on the way to growth saying, “you also have to know when it’s time to shift gears a little bit and put processes around things.” She talks extensively about focusing on people, culture and internal company values She answers the question, how do you navigate continuing a family legacy while demonstrating that you also put in the hard work to be there? She hopes to continue her family legacy through advancing forward the hair care space. “We know it so well, and we’re always studying the hair textures, and just understanding better. It’s getting bigger and bigger. I anticipate us getting deeper and deeper into all of the styles and trends.”

Bio: Joni A. Odum, an enthusiastic Texas-bred entrepreneur, leads Firstline Inc., a personal products company based in Houston, TX. Founded in 1986, Firstline is the first African American-owned hair accessory products company with national distribution in top mass retailers such as Walmart and Target; top drug chains, including Walgreens and CVS; top beauty retailers such as Sally Beauty; and various other US-based and international retailers. Designed for consumers with textured hair, Firstline’s core product lines include Evolve®, WavEnforcer®, DriSweat®, Camryn’s BFF®, and Sleek®,

Joni attributes much of her success to her values, cultural experiences, education, and hard work ethic. She was most inspired sitting in the boot-camp style classroom under the tutelage of her late father and founder of Firstline, Robert A. Bowser. With Robert’s direction, she spent summers as a child observing his leadership and packaging wrap caps in Firstline's manufacturing facilities to years later leading innovation efforts for the company. Throughout her childhood, Robert purposely cultivated an entrepreneurial spirit and energy in both of his daughters to prepare them for life’s opportunities and challenges.

Joni’s gregarious nature fosters an appreciation of people and wanting them to do well and feel good about themselves. She is personally responsible for penetrating new markets for Firstline and innovating various new products in the company’s portfolio alongside others in the pipeline. Early in her career at Firstline, she quickly became the person in charge of culture-building, developing people, and motivating others to lead. Her core competencies are new product development, developing people, business partnering, and building strategies through an opportunistic, financial lens. Her leadership is vital in Firstline’s continued growth and expansion of product lines and placement across the country.

Follow @firstlinebrands or visit https://www.firstlinebrands.com/!

Quote “You fit the profile of a CEO, and I said ‘okay, let’s go!’ My dad knew that I wanted to do it.”

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Brittany Golden, Founder of IGL Nails shares how the passing of her father was a wake up call to change her environment and do something that would make her happy leading to the launch of Makeup & Sip and later IGL Nails. Brittany takes us on her journey of rediscovering her purpose of life, reclaiming her relationship with God and protecting her mental fortitude. She also shares how meditation helps her to keep pressing on and her constant pursuit of knowledge as she expands the brand from beauty supply stores to big box retail. Leading with a business mind first, Brittany gives insight and key lessons into her decision to move into manufacturing, hire her first employees and both the good and bad of entrepreneurship.

Bio: Entrepreneur Brittany Golden founded IGL Nails after discovering her love for nails during the 2020 pandemic. She started by learning to do her own acrylic nails but realized that this meant a commitment to one design style. So she began to look for press-on nails at popular drug stores only to realize that none of the styles offered were funky, colorful or at the lengths she desired. This inspired her to create IGL Nails Press-On Fashion. Apply them to last for days or weeks!

Follow @iglnails or visit https://iglnails.com/ and use our discount code BOTBPod!

Quote: “I shifted my mindset that IGL Nails can create generational wealth for my family.”

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Katini Yamaoka, singer, songwriter and founder of Katini Skin— a premium line of face oils derived from native ingredients from Japan, Africa, Australia and beyond— takes us on the journey of her career transition from pop artist to beauty entrepreneur and highlights the bridge that her biracial cultural has infused across her music and her brand. Katini speaks Japanese, French and English and has lived all over the world. She practices daily meditation and maintains a vegetarian lifestyle. Katini shares the importance of quiet time and grounding yourself in order to become your honest and authentic self and to constantly remind yourself what your values are.

Katini grew up learning about the “Power of Natural Flora'' from her mother and grandmother and recalls tumeric masks, the healing nature of raw plants and the “Power in Plants to Sustain.” Katini shares, “sometimes we can’t control the environment where we are in '' and yet we still must be resilient - much like plants in Africa that have to sustain extreme heat and droughts.

Katini—along with her partners at Black Progress Matters—launched Katini Skin to bring these treasured ingredients to everyone. With Saks.com as her first retailer followed by Thirteenlune.com and a physical presence in Bergdorf Goodman, Katini shares plans to expand globally and intentionally to her home countries of Japan, Africa and Australia.

Bio: Having grown up in both Asia and Australia with a Japanese mom and Ghanian dad, Katini Yamaoka embraces her beautifully complex lineage and draws inspiration from her life around the globe. From a young age, Katini adopted wellness practices such as daily meditation and vegetarianism. The talented singer-songwriter and entrepreneur is dedicated to representing these principles, as well as authenticity and empowerment, through her music and platform. Katini combined her lifelong passion for beauty and holistic wellness to create Katini Skin, a premium line of face oils derived from native ingredients from Japan, Africa, Australia, and beyond.

Follow @katiniskin, @katinimusic or visit https://katiniskin.com/

“Once you put yourself mentally, physically in that space, the opportunity does arrive.”

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This week, Jenn Harper—Founder and CEO of Cheekbone Beauty Cosmetics, an Indigenous-owned beauty brand known for creating clean, vegan and sustainable color cosmetics—shares how a “dream of little girls covered in lip gloss” brought her so much joy. Her dream also led to the creation of Cheekbone Beauty, the evolution of becoming a BCorp, and her commitment to donating the equivalent of 1% of gross sales through to 1% for the Planet. Jenn also flashes to the past and honors her grandmother by shedding light on the history of colonization, the negative effects of residential schools on Indigenous communities, and the importance of understanding the history to create healing.

Jenn reminisced on her best advice from potential investors: “Do not take this deal. You are too early (to give up equity)!” This became the feedback that enabled her to say NO and move toward securing investment from the right team, completely aligned with her values, mission and the innate value of the brand, at the right time.

CheekBone Beauty honors and practices the 7th Generation Principle derived by the Iroquois People to not only leave enough for the next generation, but to leave enough for our children in the next seven generations.

Bio: An award-winning social entrepreneur, Jenn Harper is the founder and CEO of Cheekbone Beauty Cosmetics INC. Cheekbone Beauty is a digitally native direct to consumer brand that is helping Indigenous youth see themselves in a beauty brand while using the concept of Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) in the brands ethos and in developing products. Creating a new segment in the beauty industry - Sustainable Socially Conscious Beauty.

Jenn Harper has been making a name for herself in the beauty industry for a number of years but has been gaining popularity quickly after being on the hit CBC show, Dragons Den https://www.cbc.ca/dragonsden/m_pitches/cheekbone-beauty in 2019. Cheekbone Beauty’s mission is to help every Indigenous youth see and feel their enormous value in the world while creating sustainable cosmetics.

In addition to Cheekbone’s mission, she strives to educate as many people as possible about the Residential School System and the effects it has had on my family and friends through decades of generational trauma. She speaks regularly to university, college and high school students about social entrepreneurship, empathy, and the history of her First Nations family. She has also been invited to speak to various entrepreneur groups including women in business associations, Apple Canada, and First Nations organizations.

Follow @cheekbonebeauty @jennlharper or visit https://www.cheekbonebeauty.com/

“Indigenous people are the OG’s of sustainability…this is innately our culture: you are truly in relationship with every living things” - Jenn Harper

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This week, Kimberly Smith—Founder of Marjani Beauty, an inclusive beauty retail store located in Washington DC featuring a highly curated selection of black and brown owned beauty brands—shares her journey as a licensed healthcare attorney turned beauty entrepreneur. Kimberly expresses deep gratitude for her career that helped her bring her brand into existence and highlights the power of experience as she has built up her brand: “I’m learning as I’m doing. As much advice as I get, nothing replaces actual on the job training”. After experiencing the pressure of always pursuing traditional “success” and excellence as a Black woman, Kimberly knew she had to shake things up—BIPOC women should also be allowed to venture outside of the box wherever your “interests or talents or skills take you.” Kim shares how she declared that the summer of 2016 was going to change her life and the conversation she had with her mom about starting a boutique and her mom’s resounding response.. “I Got You.”

Often the first retailer for many Black founded beauty brands, Kimberly shares how Marjani was created as a physical space for all to feel safe and for BIack faces to see themselves in retail.

Bio: Kimberly is an attorney and the founder of Marjani Beauty, an independent beauty retailer based in Washington, DC boasting the largest assortment of exclusively black and brown owned beauty brands in skincare, haircare, and makeup. Marjani is a trusted voice in elevating the buying experience for multicultural women and is a recognized platform for inclusive beauty.

Follow @marjanibeautyco or visit https://www.marjanibeauty.com/ and use our discount code THEBEAT for 15% off!

“I want to scale and grow bigger.” - Kimberly Smith

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This week, Connie Lo—Co-Founder of Three Ships Beauty, an effective sustainable sourced natural skincare brand—dives deep into key learnings as a first time founder: don’t grow too fast, be careful with hiring, care about efficiency first and foremost, and block dedicated time for fundraising!

Connie also dives into her co-founder’s health scare that caused them both to adapt to a new way of working and a new mindset of ‘working smarter not harder’ along with a ‘no hustle culture’. She shares that when they opened themselves up to life outside of work and their company, they actually achieved greater success and drove an increase in revenue and repeat customers.

Bio: Founded by Connie Lo and Laura Burget in 2017, Three Ships Beauty set sail creating handmade formulations in Connie’s apartment with the intention of stepping into the shoes of consumers and crafting the most natural, effective, and transparent skincare products. At Three Ships, Connie spearheads strategic partnerships, vendor + retailer management, brand strategy, and sales. When Connie is not focusing on Three Ships, you can find her traveling the world, hitting up the hottest restaurants and bars, practicing healthy living, and spending time with her husband, Jason.

Follow @threeshipsbeauty and @itsconnielo or visit https://www.threeshipsbeauty.com/

Quote

“I’m a really big believer in manifestation and visualization. Part of it is speaking it into existence and telling people that you’re interested. Speak it into existence.”

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This week, Dafina Smith, Founder and CEO of Covet & Mane—which she thoughtfully refers to as “the Chanel of hair extensions''—shares how she is delivering quality, hand-tied hair featuring proprietary cut-point wefts along with the magic of in person experiences.

Dafina candidly talks about the importance of advocating for your brand, how growing up in her parent’s beauty supply store gave her hands-on training, and how her career in business development and real estate gave her a 360 perspective on the business of sales, margins, trends and storytelling. Dafina shares that the hardest part of being an entrepreneur is risk and social isolation, and how she has overcome both to actualize the vision she set out to create over 15 years ago.

With stylists at the forefront of her business, Dalfina talks about her love for putting on a show, her mission to help people dream bigger and her plans to expand globally.

Bio: Dafina Smith is changing the hair industry through innovative products with a thoughtful touch. Her passion is personal. With her parent’s influence and history behind her, she has turned what once was a demoralizing trip to a beauty supply store into an empowering experience. Smith graduated from Georgetown University with a degree in social justice, served in AmeriCorps and lived in DC’s Housing projects where she worked to improve literacy for at-risk children. After college she leveraged her love of beauty, business and people to pursue a successful career in sales and branding. In 2007, Smith opened Atlanta’s flagship location of Sunny’s Hair & Wigs which quickly became a fixture of the beauty community. Known for providing the industry’s highest quality extensions, wigs and hair products, Smith’s signature concierge-level service really set Sunny’s apart. It became a trusted name with celebrities such as Jennifer Lawrence and Nikki Minaj and was featured on shows such as The Real Housewives of Atlanta.

In 2019, Smith disrupted the market by launching Covet & Mane, the world’s first line of customizable hand-tied hair extensions which offer stylists unparalleled color with unique patent-pending cut-point wefts for a seamless, luxurious and natural look without the complications of traditional application methods. Smith innovates both color and texture while staying true to her roots by focusing on comprehensive, hands-on, peer led education through the brand’s carefully cultivated “Covet Collective.” This exclusive group of professional stylists allows Smith to focus on the brand’s signature method while empowering stylists to invest in their own success.

Follow @covetandmane or visit https://covetandmane.com/.

“The vision was there. The actualizing the vision was such a windy road.”

Tune in to hear more from Dafina Smith and Kendra!

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This week, Sherrel Sampson, Founder and CEO of Canviiy shares her journey of building a legacy, creating wealth and scaling her business to over 2,500 retailers. Canviiy isan innovative, organic-based health & wellness brand and pioneer of the ScalpBliss™ Collection proven to offer the most long-lasting (hours to days) organic-based scalp irritation solutions on the market today.

Sherrel takes us through the previous work experience that led her to fall in love with the beauty space while also allowing her to see everything that could result in a costly mistake. When she set out to create her own brand, her first requirement was to have 100% ownership of her formulas and intellectual property.

Sherrel talks about the responsibility she felt after discovering a feminine, fertility-impacting ingredient in some of her haircare products. She goes in depth about the benefits of being a marketer by nature and how to always think strategically on growth. Sherrel encourages listeners to always value their ideas. She did!

Bio: Sherrel Sampson is the Founder & CEO of Canviiy®, an innovative, organic-based health & wellness brand headquartered in Tampa, Fl. Sherrel has led Canviiy's growth into over 2,000 retail locations including CVS, Sally Beauty and JCPenney Stores. Sherrel has been featured by renowned media outlets including Forbes, Allure, Vogue, BET, ESSENCE, Black Enterprise, AspireTV, and Well+Good with special mention of her leadership in developing official partnerships with Moffitt Cancer Center®, USF Health®, Tampa International Airport® and Orlando International Airport®.

Follow @canviiy or visithttps://canviiy.com/.

“I want 100% formula ownership…I knew I had something special.”

Tune in to hear more from Sherrel and Kendra!

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This week, Makeba Lloyd, CEO and Founder of Butter by Keba, quality handcrafted aromatic personal care products and moisturizing fragrances discusses how she stepped into the world with confidence. It is confidence Makeba says that has guided her to follow her intuition and gut throughout her journey of creating Butter by Keba and staying focused on developing a holistic approach to fragrance. She further shares how doing your best and being a student of learning will enable you to dominate the spaces you can and have continued success.

After an educational tour through Egypt, Makeba Guilan Lloyd became inspired to learn about the art and process of perfumery and aromatherapy. She pursued her curiosity in the classrooms of the New York Open Center, New York Institute of Aromatic Studies, Pratt Institute, and the School of Lost Arts. With a focus in Natural Perfumery, Aromatherapy, Classic Perfumery and Ancient Egyptian Perfumery, she has earned multiple certifications. A member of the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapists, Makeba created Butter By Keba, NYC. Butter by Keba offers quality handcrafted and unique aromatic personal care products and moisturizing fragrances. In the spirit of the passionate chef, Butter by Keba blends using the process and technique of perfumery, from the perspective of a certified aromatherapist. Butter by Keba has been featured in Essence and Hellobeautiful.

Follow@butterbykeba or visithttps://butterbykeba.com/.

"Take little bits of what you learn and make it fit."

Tune in to hear more from Makeba and Kendra!

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This week, Ciara Imani May, CEO, and co-founder of Rebundle, the first proprietary braiding hair made from a non-toxic, biodegradable plant, discusses the steps she took to extend the zero waste lifestyle she desired for herself into the hair product of her dreams. Leaning into her own scalp sensitives to truly get to the root of what causes irritations to the hair when using synthetic fibers and solving a systemic problem that has been overlooked for decades. Ciara also shares more info on her historic $1.4M raise to grow her company and the future plans for Rebundle.

Bio: Ciara Imani May, CEO, and co-founder of Rebundle is creating space for Black women in clean beauty with the first U.S -made plant-based braiding hair brand. Ciara's combined passion for sustainability and understanding of health disparities in personal care products inspired the vision for Rebundle's first product, braid better. Before launching Rebundle, Ciara earned her bachelor's in business management from the University of Missouri-Columbia and her master's in social entrepreneurship from the University of Southern California. Ciara is committed to providing women with more comfort and less waste through eco-friendly and non-toxic hair extensions that we deserve.

Follow @_cizn and @rebundle.co or visit https://rebundle.co/.

Quote: “People are still excited and have given us grace to get it right!”

Tune in to learn more from Ciara and Kendra!

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This week, Hannah Diop, Founder and CEO of Sienna Naturals, the first dermatologist-tested, responsibly sourced suite of products specifically designed for textured hair, talks about the moment she realized catering to her hair wasn't a her problem but an industry problem, the amount of iterations she worked through to nail consistent best sellers, and the significance of leaning into her customers’ reviews as the absolute best lifeline to designing products for the future.

Hannah and co-owner Issa Rae are approaching textured hair care through scalp health and creating a process that’s changing clean care with their proprietary Rooted Technology.

Bio: Founded by Hannah Diop & co-owned Issa Rae, Sienna Naturals is setting a new standard for clean, plant-based performance in the textured hair care industry, one that is focused on hair and scalp health. It is the only dermatologist-tested and approved hair care line made specifically for textured hair. Just like a skincare regimen, Sienna Naturals products create Wash Day Rituals that keep textured hair and scalp healthy, enabling customers to see immediate improvement and wear their hair in all of the magnificent and diverse ways people with texture choose - without compromising on ingredients. The brand has won 6 haircare awards, including: Cosmopolitan Magazine Holy Grail, Essence Best in Black Beauty, and the Byrdie Eco Award.

Follow @siennanaturals and @hannahdiop or visit https://www.siennanaturals.com/.

Quote: “Performance is paramount”

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This week, Tomara Watkins, Founder of Loza Tam, talks about how much her background in Chemistry contributes to the performance of Loza Tam, the part hair plays in a woman’s identity, and the hardest thing to wrap her mind around. Resolved not to be an entrepreneur, Tomara found that having two generations of entrepreneurs backing her taught her to build a business that supports her life and maintains some balance.

Bio: Tomara (AKA “Tam”) is an eCommerce entrepreneur who has over 10 years of digital marketing experience growth hacking CPG and beauty brands like Bevel, Buttah Skin, Hyper Skin, and Heat Free Hair. Tomara’s background in eCommerce led her to start her own brand of texture and curl protecting hair accessories - Loza Tam - where she oversees everything from manufacturing to P&L.

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This week, Kimberlee Alexandria-Day, Founder of Ode to Self, discusses understanding the foundation of self-care amid a personal breakup, questioning God when things didn’t look like what she saw, and staying present with her brand through strategic partnerships. Kimberlee’s intentionality to the importance of foundation lends expertise around balance and replenishment.

Bio: Kimberlee Alexandria-Day is a trained esthetician, founder, and formulator behind Ode to Self Skincare and Wellness, an intentional small-range multifunctional line focused on providing nourishment to dry, sensitive skin, with a gradual approach to hyperpigmentation. Ode to Self is rooted in the importance of the need to show up for yourself in the midst of showing up for everyone else. Having graduated from the Aveda Institute in 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina, Kimberlee learned, during the course of her esthetics training, holistic practices and what it truly meant to nurture your overall being. That philosophy influenced the way she saw skincare and health, as that holistic experience is instilled in her brand and personal life today. Kimberlee currently resides in Nashville, TN.

Follow @odetoselfskincare and @__kimberleek or visit https://ode-toself.com/.

Quote “I just always wanted so desperately to have a skincare line because I wanted to see something out there for me!”

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This week, Junior Mintt, Founder of Mintty Makeup shares her intimate story of thriving in a Mintty world, creating and producing “In Living Color” one of the longest running drag variety shows in NYC, and how important her mother’s strength, support and love have always been to building her confidence and growing as an entrepreneur.

Bio: Junior Mintt is a drag artist, business owner, and motivational speaker based in Brooklyn. She is a proud Black Transwoman out to show how Mintty the world can be with a little kindness, empathy, and a strong Black, Trans, Queer perspective. She is the creator of Mintty Makeup, one of the first Black Trans Makeup lines. Mintty Makeup has been featured in Buzzfeed, Paper Magazine, and Vogue Beauty. Junior has been featured in Vogue, The CUT, ID, and Gayletter.

Follow @juniormintt or @mintty.makeup and visit www.minttymakeup.com.

Tune in to learn more from Junior and Kendra!

Tags: blackopalbeauty, tonimorrisonfilm, mayaangelouofficial, davechappelle

Quote: “I tried so long to be what everyone else wanted and the thing that draws everybody to me is just being myself.”

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This week, Chana Ginelle Ewing, Founder & CEO of GEENIE, talks about curating a “shopping with intention” approach, becoming an author, and the change from GEENIE Box to GEENIE World.

Bio: Chana is a cultural entrepreneur who has long been obsessed with storytelling and marketing that instigates a more equitable society. She has funneled this commitment into her work in beauty, retail, and film - all of which has centered multicultural and inclusive audiences. Currently, she is the founder/CEO of GEENIE, a culture-first platform to onboard beauty creators to the next web. Based in Brooklyn, NY, Chana is also the author of the bestselling children's book, An ABC of Equality; and is on the boards of TheLi.st and Black Film Space.

Follow @chanaewing or visit www.geenie.world

Quote: “You might have a great idea but you have to be ready to match the moment!”

Tune in to learn more from Chana and Kendra!

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This week, Desiree Verdejo, CEO and Founder at Hyper Skin joins me in conversation about the look and feel she wants around her, the mute yet massive issues of melanated customers, and how finding a partner was serendipitous!

Bio Attorney-turned-entrepreneur, Desiree Verdejo, created Hyper Skin after battling for years with hormonal acne and hyperpigmentation. She was unimpressed by the lack of skincare brands that celebrated skin tones and skin types like her own so set out to build a hyper-inclusive brand that hyper-targets under addressed skincare concerns. Hyper Skin is sold on hyperskin.com and at Sephora.

Follow @hyperskin @desiree.verdejo or visit https://gethyperskin.com/.

Quote: “You have to explain to retailers who you are and who your community is.”

Tune in to learn more from Desiree and Kendra!

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This week in the part 2 series with Abena Boamah, Founder and CEO of Hanahana Beauty, she continues her conversation with Kendra by delving into on-the-fly lessons she’s learned in entrepreneurship, sharing how The Hanahana Circle of care provides sustaining production on multiples sides, and giving visual artists the opportunity to collab with beauty brands they grew up on.

Bio: Abena Boamah is the Founder and CEO of Hanahana Beauty, an ethically-conscious, Black-owned clean beauty + wellness brand aiming to disrupt the global beauty industry by promoting increased transparency of ingredient sourcing, accessibility of products, and responsible environmental practices. Hanahana Beauty empowers Black women globally by creating sustainable access to income and healthcare for shea butter producers in Ghana.

Follow @beanieboamah @hanahana_beauty or visit https://hanahanabeauty.com/.

Quote: “Our community is more than just here in the States. When we look at scaling there are black people everywhere”

Tune in to learn more from Abena and Kendra!

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This week, Abena Boamah, Founder and CEO of Hanahana Beauty, talks about her journey before Hanahana Beauty, 5 years building out her business and the impact she’s carved out across her social media in part 1 of a 2 part series.

Follow @beanieboamah @hanahana_beauty or visit https://hanahanabeauty.com/.

Quote: “I feel like as a child I understood that I was Ghanian. I understood that yes also I was black too. African American to me was like yes I am actually really African and I know where I am from and I am American.”

Tune in to learn more from Abena and Kendra!

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This week, Akilah Releford, founder and CEO of Mary Louise Cosmetics joins me in conversation about how her DIYing turned into a full fledge business, the beauty in rediscovering self care and the creation of the infamous Mississippi Mud Mask.

Bio: 25 year old Akilah Releford is the founder and CEO of Mary Louise Cosmetics, a clean beauty brand that helps its Gen Z audience redefine beauty on their own terms.

Releford created Mary Louise in 2017 from her college dorm room at Howard University with the intention of making fun and playful beauty products for the masses. Mary Louise Cosmetics has stamps of approval from Marie Claire, ELLE, and The New York Times and can also be found in Macy's, JCPenney, + more.

Follow: @akilahreleford @marylouisecosmetics or visit https://www.mymarylouise.com/

Quote “It’s important to be able to pivot and show agility as a founder, you have to be able to change constantly”

Tune in to learn more from Akilah and Kendra!

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This week, Julie Napolitano, Founder of Pup Wax shares how rescuing dogs led her from a corporate executive role into her journey as a founder, being one of the first to be chosen for the Target petcare accelerator program, becoming one of the top premium dog lines .

Bio: Julie Napolitano founded Pup Wax in 2019, realizing a lifelong dream of building a business that makes the world a better place for dogs. Pup Wax® is the first and only 100% clean premium skincare for dogs and provides healthier, safer, and more effective skincare alternatives. In February 2022, Pup Wax® rebranded as Puppington™ to support its growth and the expansion of its product offerings to clean label supplements, probiotics and nutritional support for dogs, dog shampoos, dental products and more. The Puppington Philosophy is a simple way to help dogs live healthier and happier lives by starting at the building block - with simple, real ingredients. Puppington is an ingredient-first company that uses the purest, safest, and most effective ingredients to deliver your dog’s daily dose of love - backed by science.

Follow @puppingto.co or visit https://puppington.co/.

Quote “If we stay in one place, then we limit ourselves and we limit the potential of what we can be and what we can build.”

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This week, Stephanie Bell, Founder, Step Up & Glo’ and Partner, Franklin Wellness Partners (PIPCBD) shares how her “glow” was inspired by her mother, her mantra around Movement Toward Improvement, and the experience she’s had over the last 15 years learning, creating and implementing effective and customized strategies that produce long-term growth. As a business development executive turned business partner and founder, Stephanie advises on relinquishing control, going with the flow, and the benefits of CBD for overall wellness.

Bio:

My name is Stephanie Bell and I serve as a brand partner and business development consultant to Franklin Wellness Partners/ PIPCBD. I originally started using CBD products after the loss of my mother to manage the increased anxiety and stress I was feeling. I was a single mom working as a pharmaceutical representative which was very demanding. Long story short, I still had to handle my responsibilities through the pain and CBD gave me some relief.

Once I became introduced to PIPCBD, I was extremely excited about this particular brand based on some unique features. The packaging was very eye-catching but most importantly the products were organic and extremely effective. The company was still in the start up phase with this new line of CBD products and we were selling online only. They brought me in as a PT sales rep to gather feedback and work the ATL territory. I quickly transitioned into a partner and over the last year, I have had a hand in every aspect of business expansion from product rebrand, to refreshing social media presence, to product placement in retail stores and more!

Follow @PIPCBD or visit https://pipwellness.com/.

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In 2009, after the passing of her aunt, 16 year old Saliyah Mustafa had a vision. That same year, she turned her vision into Sabreen Cosmetics and launched the brand with her two sisters, Najiyyah, and Kareemah Mustafa as business partners leveraging their parents as investors.

@SabreenCosmetics is now a leader in the beauty industry that inspires women to lead lives of luxury, elegance, and wellness unapologetically — all backed by a “gold standard” of passion and ethics.

Tune in to listen on how the sisters adapted their skills, used data as differentiation points, launched with multiple skews early and committed to creating social impact.

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Natasha Edwards founded @thickleavein after heeding to an internal call to leave her career in medical ophthalmology and pursue a different journey leading her to peace, purpose and honoring community. She booked a spontaneous trip to Brazil and came to an epiphany while paragliding over the favelas. Tune in to listen to her personal story and the road to founding her successful one SKU brand, THICK Leave-In, for all hair types.

Thanks @sirjohn for handing me my first jar of THICK Leave-In!

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Leah Freeman-Haskin calls Blk Oceans (@blkoceans), her “Ode to to Black Founders and Black Creators.” It really is just that! What started as a creative hustle became her passion business and a platform focused on quality products in fashion, beauty, lifestyle and kids. The home page is a lovingly curated tableau of products and services that are all Black-owned. A life-long writer, Leah’s career journey has afforded her many roles with innovative media and technology companies including @maximag @bostonmagazine @enews @blavity @shazam. We talk about how these roles have served her as a founder, creating safe spaces, and amplifying black voices.

Tune in on Sunday to listen to her story including the events that led her to :

-Move to Costa Rica with her husband and children

-Keep her commitments to herself including her new venture

-Create pillars for her brand’s mission

You’ll also get insights on how to turn a side hustle into a main hustle; how you can partner or join the coveted directory; the exciting future outlook for @blkoceans

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There are two main questions from Founders that tend to top the chart no matter where they are in their journey: How do I describe my unique value proposition? What funding source is best for me at my various stages of growth?

You may uncover these and other answers in my conversation with Olivia Owens, the visionary Creator & General Manager of IFundWomen of Color, where Founders make authentic connections and raise capital through crowdfunding, grants, and coaching. Olivia talked about her intrapreneurial journey, the intentionality of a separate platform for women of color, and valuable tips for successful crowdfunding.

Some additional highlights: Pursuing your passion with bravery Why @ifundwomen isn’t inherently @ifundwomenofcolor Leveraging community support Using the right tools to prep Mindset shifts for entrepreneurs

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Think back to a mentor in your life who was vested enough to coach you and create opportunities for you to shine. How did that relationship impact your trajectory? Helen Aboah @HelenAboah had many mentors but two women of color, in particular, stood out as early sponsors whom she credits with shifting her dynamic career. Helen is the Chief Executive Officer of @UrbanZen, a design vision and philosophy company founded by fashion icon Donna Karan @Donnakaranthewoman. Helen’s cross-industry career spans fashion, hospitality, health and wellness, and entertainment, with a deep foundation in the global luxury goods market across wholesale and retail (digital and physical channels).

From the time that Helen joined the executive team at @LVMH, her journey through the creative side to merchandising product development strategies gave her the perspective and expertise to lead Urban Zen’s iconic expansion globally. Helen and I chat about her vantage point as a Black female executive, her timely decision about motherhood, and the relevance of Black excellence in white spaces.

Tune in to hear her answers to these and other questions:

What’s the difference between mentorship and sponsorship? What role can allies play in making a long-term impact? How a global brand addresses conscious consumerism and economic sustainability?

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Drop your answers in the chat before you run to @google: How many countries are in Africa? How many superfoods grow on the continent? While you consider your answer, I’ll share that Christina Funke Tegbe @funke_tegbe, Founder of @54thrones, a luxurious skincare brand, uses at least 5 of these superfoods in the products that she sources directly from the continent. The celebrated products also boast hero ingredients like shea butter, baobab oil, argan, jasmine, and Neroli–all sourced naturally across several African countries.

I talk to Christina about her journey of exploration, research, and sourcing across different regions in Africa while collaborating with women cooperatives and entrepreneurs onsite.

Tune in and hear her key transformative experiences:

Speaking her mind boldly and receiving @Oprah’s response

Attending George Floyd’s funeral and reflecting on the wider scope of inclusion

Standing in her power during her real @shartankabc experience

By the way, there are 54 sovereign African countries and a long list of superfoods!

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Troy Alexander’s light radiates as he walks into any room. Founder and CEO of Troy Skincare, a clean, premium men’s skincare brand, Troy is the epitome of manifesting your dreams and purpose. He exudes confidence, humility and is an advocate for giving and community building.

His @linkedin profile reads Disruptive Entrepreneur & Cultural Tastemaker. I’ll add mentor, philanthropist, style guru and a man of vision and service.

Troy got his start in the beauty industry as the digital face of Symrise, a fragrance house, where he also sat on the advisory board. He worked as a contributing columnist for prestigious publications including @nytimes, @Forbes, @Yahoo Beauty and has been featured in others like @Vogue, @GQ, @BloombergBusiness, etc. Tune in to be uplifted and inspired by Troy’s story that includes his time in prison, his grounded faith, his take on multi-generational wealth, and centering patience as a pillar.

Fun fact: Troy was my first live podcast guest and we also invited other @BTFoundersStudio founders to join us for a live Q&A. Being in person together was a fun treat.

“[Prison] was the best thing that happened to me because that was my MBA… I learned a lot about myself and I became a better man, because I studied the men that were in there and the people that were in there. The same people that are in there are out here.”

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Dr. Natalie King, hailing from the beautiful islands of Jamaica and Cuba, earned her Ph.D at the age of 26, one of the youngest and first Afro-Latina to receive this degree in their 163 yr. old history. Her graduate school experience was one of triumph but also tragedy as her father’s sudden passing and her friend’s suicide both significantly shaped who she is today and have led to her continued effort to lead important discussions about health and diseases of the brain. Dr. King brings layers to the definition of the word “multi-faceted”. She is a brain health expert, associate director, DEI lead, trustee, mentor, international TEDx speaker and model (her print/product work graces the aisles of Walgreens, CVS, Targets, Walmart, and other retailers across the globe).

During the pandemic, Dr. King founded a brand deeply rooted in social impact. Florae Beauty @floraebeauty_ is a tech-driven, all-natural, personalizable brand that aims to build confidence in women with textured hair.

Tune in to hear about her inspirational story as one of few in her field, the historical narratives that shaped her founder’s journey, raising capital, and taking ownership of all of her custom hair care formulas all before launch. Look out for @floraebeauty_ launching later this year!

Shoutout to her favorite brand @beautystat @ronrobinsoncosmetichemist

“I think it’s important to note with brands like ours. It’s not just about giving a product; it’s about how you make someone feel more confident in themselves [and] more confident in how they show up in the world.”

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Who is Angela Manuel Davis? When I talk to her on the @businessofthebeat podcast Angela describes herself as a child of God, a mother, a wife, a sister and a coach. Her throughline since childhood is being an encourager.

The world knew her as a five-time All-american member of the USA track and Field Team, an Olympic Trials semi-finalist, a member of the World Championship team, and a professional runner for Nike. Today she is the beloved, coveted and highly inspiring Co-Founder & Chief Motivation Officer of AARMY. Besides leading the most sought after group cycle class in LA, she has privately coached Beyoncé, Jay-Z, David Beckham, and Kerry Washington. Her positive message on living on purpose to be the highest expression of ourselves reverberates globally including her feature on Oprah’s Winfrey’s Live the Life You Want Tour and Oprah’s 20/20 Vision Tour.

“Coming from a sports family, and being a professional athlete myself, it’s just this marriage between sports and spirituality where I found my pocket… my sweetspot…It’s the ability to coach individuals in their best life using spiritual principles.”

Are you looking for inspiration, elevation and the rituals that will get you there? Tune in to hear Angela’s story and life-changing message.

Fun fact: Angela shouts out her favorite brand @fearofgod by her very own brother @jerrylorenzo!

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Tune into part 2 of my conversation with Rachel Lambo, CEO of Sade Baron, who honed in on her professional skills in marketing and design to translate her mother’s vision into a coveted brand. Rachel, a BeautyUnited mentee and BrainTrust Founders Studio member shares her magical relationship with her mother, Sade, and the balance they’ve found as co-founders of their line of clean and efficacious products. Rachel and Sade’s bootstrapping and direct-to-consumer approach allowed them to gain expertise in production, procurement, responsive marketing, and the value proposition of their brand.

You will be floored by Rachel’s transparency in defining all of the roles she played in the company and the leaning into their complementary skill sets before she and her cofounder mom strategically expanded to retail. Their story is a touching one of resilience and perseverance while acknowledging the heavy obstacles of racism, ageism, and classism. This is our first two-part conversation. Tune in on Sunday to listen to Part 2 with Rachel Lambo!

Also special shout out to Rachel’s favorite brand @thekendallmiles!

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I talk to the powerhouse, Rachel Lambo, CEO of Sade Baron, who honed in on her professional skills in marketing and design to translate her mother’s vision into a coveted brand. Rachel, a BeautyUnited mentee and BrainTrust Founders Studio member shares her magical relationship with her mother, Sade, and the balance they’ve found as co-founders of their line of clean and efficacious products. Rachel and Sade’s bootstrapping and direct-to-consumer approach allowed them to gain expertise in production, procurement, responsive marketing, and the value proposition of their brand.

Also special shout out to Rachel’s favorite brand @thekendallmiles!

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Kendra talks to Jordan Karim, Founder of Flora and Noor, the most inclusive Black-owned brand in the industry with a line of Halal certified, vegan and cruelty-free products. Jordan’s connectivity to her faith, culture and professional training positioned her to step into a relatively vacant space in the industry– sourcing ingredients that are honestly halal approved and extending clean options to an under-represented group and the wider community of natural skincare enthusiasts.

Tune in to hear about the start and growth of Flora and Noor during COVID, building a brand that serves as a vessel for education, and securing media attention and shelf space at Allure in Soho, New York while bootstrapping!

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Kendra talks to @BTFoundersStudio Founder, Marquita Robinson Garcia about her journey from scientist to Cosmetic Formulator, and now Founder of Philadelphia’s first all-natural skin brand, DVINITI. Marquita trained and worked professionally in the beauty industry for major chemical suppliers designing skincare products for global brands including Chanel, NARS, and bareMinerals. She transitioned from a successful career in the lab as a chemist to business development training and a long-term role in management. Founded in 2018, DVNITI goes beyond providing customized natural skincare, it is positioned to serve as the global educational platform for consumers and professional service providers in the beauty and wellness industries.

Marquita also shares snippets from her new book, The Sustainable Beauty! This gem is the ultimate self-care guide, training all of us to analyze brands and develop a strategy for choosing the best products for our needs. Tune in this Sunday to hear all about Marquita’s trajectory and preparation for her fabulous book!

“The more we leverage technology and introduce different apps, different types of visual scanning…the more we are able to create a standardized process by which people personalize products and specific ingredients, the better off we will be.”

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Ezinne Iroanya-Adeoye @Avenue_z is all about creating authentic experiences through luxury beauty. Her premium beauty brand @Sknmuse is made for the modern Black woman while honoring West African beauty practices. For Ezinne, beauty IS culture. In this week’s BOTB episode, she walks us through her decade-long experience working for brands like @Lancomeofficial, @Dior and @Nordstrom. We dive into several subjects including the correlation between mental health and self-prioritization, her first revenue increase of over 60%, the practice of asking for help and the value of befriending younger mentors.

Tune in this Sunday to hear our rich and inspirational conversation with Ezinne about building her culturally steeped brand @Sknmuse, community expansion and service.

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On this episode of @businessofthebeat Kendra talks to Angel Cornelius, Founder & CEO of Maison 276, about her collection designed to inspire women to celebrate their own version of beauty. Since her childhood, Angel has been a product DIYer. Later, friends and family asked to buy her product overflow leading her to her first platform on Etsy. The combination of her passion for experimentation coupled with her work ethic and business-savvy outlook led to the expansion of Maison 276– her naturally luxurious skincare and haircare product line especially famous for its efficiency in brightening silver and blonde hair without the use of harsh purple dyes.

Angel tells the story of a call from Essence that pushed her into a career pivot, the journey to winning QVC’s The Big Find, and continuing to be an expansive best-selling brand as the next defining chapter of her life. Tune in to hear about Angel’s childhood in New Orleans, her beauty-preneur title, tips for marketing to a wider market, her ‘Book of Failures’, and the glows and grows of building a brand while working full-time.

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Kendra talks to Jennifer Yen (jenyen1), a superhero, and the Founder of Purlisse Beauty (@purlisse), and Yensa Beauty (@yensabeauty). In two different stages of her life, Jennifer seized the opportunity to start two brands that initially met a personal need. Her acting role on the hit TV show Power Rangers required heavy makeup and other environmental triggers that damaged her skin. When other products yielded no results, Jennifer created Purlisse Beauty in 2008, sourcing ingredients and formulas derived from Asian beauty wisdom and reinvented into a modern, high-performing skincare line. Jennifer experienced a second transition when she became a mother and maintained her demanding schedule while simultaneously caring for her daughter. Both her skin and body showed signs of depletion. This time Yen enlisted the practice of her heritage to bring about her healing: ‘Zuo Yuezi' aka in Chinese Culture as ‘The Sitting Out Month’; a practice that dates back 2000 years. The mother heals by nourishing her body with a blend of superfoods to restore inner and outer vitality. It is those superfoods that we find in Jennifer’s second brand, Yensa Beauty, which she names as “the first Asian true superfood cosmetics line that marries tried and true superfood ingredients with science to revive the skin and complexion”.

In our conversation, Jennifer shares her differentiated experience of starting and scaling two brands in two different challenging periods: the recession and the pandemic. Tune in to learn about her multiple pivots, becoming a known digitally native brand, her views on DTC versus retail, her take in financing and so many more lessons!

“I would talk to investors in 2006 and they would be like ‘who’s going to buy this?’ and I would say ‘go to your wife’s cabinet and see how many beauty products she has.’ Now it’s like everybody knows. VC firms that have invested in technology want to get into beauty because technology helps to scale a beauty brand.”

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I talk to Radha Kapoor (@radhakapoor9) who leads venture partnerships for @getclearco. Built by Founders for Founders, Clearco is the world’s largest e-commerce investor and offers the most Founder-friendly capital solutions for e-commerce, a trusted network, and multiple other tools and resources including data-driven insights. Radha anchors partnerships of Clearco. She has been a true collaborator as we defined the @btfounderstudio partnership with Clearco. In our first episode of Season 2, Radha talks about her journey in mastering several career paths. She left her corporate law practice to pursue her interest in fashion and co-founded the LookLab. Radha shares the skillset and value alignment that led to her role at Clearco. We dive into the criteria for obtaining Clearco funding --as opposed to an equity investment– and the tools and suggestions that the platform offers to Founders for marketing and inventory needs including the understanding of valuation, and improvement of metrics. Tune in for more conversation on the lending bias, building without a pre-existing network, compartmentalizing advice, and our shared excitement for the upcoming ClearPitch competition on February 17th to award a Black Founder with a grant from Clearco! I will be a judge along with BrainTrust Founders Studio Advisors, Debbie Perelman, CEO and President of @Revlon and Gloria Chang Yip, CFA and Execute Director at JP Morgan Private Bank! Don’t miss my full conversation with Radha this Sunday, the first episode of BOTB Season 2! “The environment has improved for early stage Founders. When I was doing it, you were kind of out there on your own with zero support and very little in the way of resources…what is really great now is that there are accelerators and founder studios that are focused on specific verticals.” And make sure to check out ClearPitch through the link in bio! https://clear.co/landing/clearpitch/braintrust/

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Kendra talks to entrepreneur, investor and business partner, Moj Mahdara (@moj) about her COVID pivot, personal value proposition and the future of the industry. Moj is recognized as an expert in beauty, wellness and CPG (specifically consumerism and culture), and she is the Co-Founder of Beautycon--a globally-recognized one-of-a-kind festival for content creators, celebrities, fans, and brands. She drove the brand vision for Beautycon and its growth initiatives, including a global footprint that spanned strategic media partnerships, content development, market intelligence, and e-commerce. Moj is an accomplished speaker, business figure and an active investor with international recognition for her expertise in Gen Z and Millennial consumer profiles and behaviors. She has been named to multiple lists over the years, including Cosmopolitan and Marie Claire magazine; Fast Company’s “Most Creative People” list, The Hollywood Reporter’s “Top 25 Most Powerful Digital Players,” Women’s Wear Daily’s “Digital Power Posse” list and Variety’s “Digital Entertainment Execs to Watch.” In addition to her many accolades, Moj is regarded as a senior leader who has always centered, culture, creativity and inclusive community.

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Kendra talks with Kitiya King @kitiyamking of Mischo Beauty @mischobeauty about the winding road that led Kitiya to her title as a “Nail Polish Mogul” as coined in @essence. Mischo Beauty was born when Kitiya was pregnant with her son and could not find richly-hued, non-harmful polish. Her determination to create the alternative that she sought led her to build the brand while pregnant and parenting. Kitiya has been revolutionizing the nail care industry since she started her company in 2013. A trained Chemist and licensed professional across several fields of cosmetology, Kitiya discusses acknowledging her Zone of Genius, building on gratitude and the importance of staying relevant and inspired. We discuss the parameters of clean nail products and define “10 free” nail polish. Kitiya shares her journey through the financing continuum, accessing retail space and paying it forward to aspiring Founders through her podcast and coaching. Tune in to hear her inspirational Founder story, valuable tips about the nail industry and Mischo Beauty’s expanding portfolio. Kitiya is also an inaugural founder in @BTFoundersStudio.

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Kendra talks with Alisia Ford (@alisiamford ) about Glory Skincare (@gloryskincare_). Glory’s mantra “We see the Beauty in Hue” is their acknowledgment of the skincare education and needs of women of every skin color. Alisia talks about her background in law and how frequent migraines resulting from chemicals in her skincare routine led her to search for alternative clean beauty products. She shares the faith-driven tenacity that lined her journey and purpose in building personalized, non-toxic skincare which omits the Toxic 20 ingredients. Glory’s formulations, testing and philosophy address the needs of women with melanated skin--still an under-served community. We discuss Alisia’s process for recruiting an advisory board of medical advisors that includes dermatologists and psychiatrists who specialize in melanated skin and who value an integrative approach to mental health. Lastly, Alisia shares the foundations of the mantras and affirmation that have become a manifesto of the brand, strategic marketing strategies, and new addition to her collection.

“I’ve worked for very large retail brands in the world and have learned what it’s like from a marketing and legal perspective. I really created Glory as an underserved consumer...I was experiencing the problem and I was like: ok, well, I’m going to be the one to fix it.”

“The vision for Glory came after much prayer...and I filled an entire stack of post-it notes. And so for me, Glory means not only beauty and splendor, but it’s also giving glory to God.”

“I’m so thankful for that period where I was just trying to figure it out. I think the space of that sort of tension where I was really not that happy created that moment for me to take that leap.”

“The research that I’ve done shows that 79% of Black women and women of color are underserved. They lack access to skincare, clean skin products and lack guidance around what products work for them. “

“I was very intentional about the people we work with and the marketing as well because they all have life experiences that can add to the richness of what we are building in Glory.”

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Kendra talks with Kameko Grant, Founder of @sogoodgeneralstore, about Kameko’s winding road spanning east to west coasts as a purpose-driven intrapreneur and entrepreneur. Growing up in rural Virginia as one of five girls in a multicultural, deeply religious household, Kameko was homeschooled and encouraged to explore nature as a pastime. While babysitting, she discovered and became enamored with fashion magazines. At 16, she signed herself up for fashion school and remained in the field for 15 years including landing a senior designer position at Ralph Lauren. We talk about the life transition that led to Kameko’s career as a private chef for Jay Z and Beyonce, and the factors that inspired her to create a “non-toxic haven” for her growing family. As the demand for her products soared, Kameko used her interdisciplinary skills to found the @sogoodgeneralstore, a BIPOC-owned company that features sustainable plant-based cleaning supplies, skincare, and zero-waste home products. Tune in to listen to Kameko’s passion-to-purpose journey, self-care insights, mothering while founding, and the unboxing of the most fabulous eco-friendly tools that I’ve discovered.

“I was like... I’m just gonna have to start doing this on my own because I couldn’t find that niche...I was looking for non-toxic, sustainable, no plastic...owned by a BIPOC member of that community.”

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Kendra talks with Dionne Phillips (@dlashes) about her journey as a model, product innovator, and luxury lash spa owner in Beverly Hills! Dionne shares her fascination with fashion and modeling as a girl growing up in Ohio and the opportunities that guided her to NYC at 19. One day as she did her makeup on set she cut a pair of lashes and added them to the edge of her own; this bold move created an enhanced natural-looking, “extended wear” lash trend that would later become her signature. This look resonated early with celebrities including Brandy, Serena Williams and so many more who tweeted about getting their lashes done from Dionne’s kitchen.

As Dionne modeled around the world and offered her lash service, her passion changed. Her observation, study, and experimentation led to her becoming a respected licensed professional and pioneer of trends in the lash industry. Dionne talks about transitioning from formulas to manufacturing to product development. She offers a diverse portfolio of products and services beyond lashes. She goes deep into the close relationships that she forms with her clients through her work, from trust-building dialogue, and 1:1 consulting where she helped them apply their own lashes during COVID. Lastly, she shares the catalysts for her tenacity as a wife, mother, mentor, and educator.

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Kendra talks with Marcia Cole, media maven, philanthropist, life coach and co-Founder of the Fourth Phase (@fourthphasebox). “Passion meets Purpose” is the name of the nonprofit that Marcia started to offer mind-shifting coaching and access to homeless individuals transitioning their lives. Passion meets Purpose is also a phrase that defines Marcia’s impactful career that spans transformational Founder and Executive roles in media, groundbreaking journalism, brand development/marketing, and product development. During the pandemic, Marcia birthed a new life-impacting gift for mothers called the Fourth Phase Box. It is a post delivery wellness box and movement that brings visibility to the physical, mental and spiritual wellness of mothers after delivery. Through this initiative, Marcia continues to be a champion of holistic healing for creatives, impactful entrepreneurship and pathways of access for other Black Founders.

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Kendra talks with Chinonye Akunne (@chinonyeakunne) about growing ILERA Apothecary (@ileraapothecary) the African-centered, clean beauty brand she launched in 2015, expanding to 40 stores across the US and building ILERA Labs, an FDA approved manufacturing facility that offers services to other brands. ILERA is an example of a brand built on family inspiration and driven, in its early stages, by expertise within the family circle. We discuss ILERA’s surprise move to wholesaling, COVID pivot, and meeting the demands of their accelerated ascent within the retail space. Throughout our conversation, Chinonye shares her networking stories, the difference between sponsorship and mentorship, and the systematic approach to continuing to develop the brand.

“Everything we have done with this brand has been very intentional from the minimalistic packaging, to the glass packaging, to our name. Ilera means “health” in the Yoruba language in Nigeria. Apothecary is an old world for pharmacy. My dad’s a pharmacist. My siblings and I grew up working in the family pharmacy.” - Chinonye

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Kendra talks with Kelle Jacob (@kellejacob) about the journey to ASRI Wellness. Kelle made the bold decision to delay college and explore other opportunities before circling back to obtain her degree while making remarkable contributions to her alma mater. Kelle’s zeal for learning and innovative solutions led her to establish an online art gallery business, clinch a contestant spot on America’s Next Top Model, and land an internship at Estee Lauder where her intrapreneurial mindset led to several new products and brand development that expanded their portfolio over 10 years. The common denominator throughout her career is Kelle’s ability to recognize developing trends, make improvements on old models and steer the course for brands seeking to remain in a fast-changing culture. A decline in her own health and the resulting trip to Bali led to her deeper understanding of wellness as a mind, body, soul connection. She studied to become an integrative health nutritionist and certified holistic coach integrating NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) and founded ASRI Wellness. The foundation of the holistic practice is to guide clients in achieving true health and beauty by balancing mind, body and spirit.

“Just because it’s done in this way doesn’t mean it has to stay in this way. I am always looking at the world, what was going on in my life, what I was seeing as trends, and using that as an inspiration to develop new things and be an innovator.” - Kelle

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Kendra talks with Kim Lewis (@kimandtimlewis) about CurlMix’s (@curlmix) humble beginnings as a DIY subscription box to becoming a sophisticated community-centered operation and fastest-growing privately owned company in the world. Kim shares background stories about her early flaxseed gel experiment that supercharged sales to a million; clenching rounds of investments through networking and; offering equity to brand supporters. She gives tips for building a brand with a Co-Founder and the success that led her to be named #93 on the Inc 5000 list, be featured in Forbes 30 under 30, Shark Tank, Oprah’s Favorite Things and achieve many more accolades.

“I want my customers to feel that they are creating value with every purchase they make. Crowdfunding allows my customers to earn shares of the company so that when they are buying Curlmix on their monthly subscription, they are also getting the equity.” - @KimandTimlewis

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Kendra talks with Chaz Giles (@chaz.Giles) about his personal and professional journey and how those moments drove him to be a problem solver and entrepreneur. From leading innovation at the Estee Lauder (@esteelauder) to co-founding his groundbreaking skincare company @myrevea, Chaz shares his process for bringing together scientists, technologist and skincare gurus to curate highly personalized skin care products that meet individual consumer needs, raising capital, working with a truly diverse team and redefining life balance.

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Kendra talks with Amber Makupson (@AmberMakupson) about growing up in a small suburban town in Cleveland, OH with her dad and aunt. It was her aunt’s teachings about the importance of proper hair care as part of a wellness ritual that inspired Amber’s passion and formal education in aesthetics. After spending years making and selling her own botanical treatments and getting re-inspired by the lack of clean products for her own child, Amber took the leap and rebranded in March 2020 as Meraki (@Merakiorganics_ ). She remained true to her mission by offering a collection of high performing products that include gems and crystals--a holistic approach to spirituality and empowering women and girls. Amber talks about the organic connections that shaped Meraki and led the brand to the retail space.

Tips for Founders interested in retail: ✔️ Preparation is important, give yourself enough time to have everything together. ✔️ Regarding manufacturing: Find the right partnership. ✔️ Know where you sit on the shelf.

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Kendra talks with Jewel Bush (@jewelmariebush) about the trajectory of her love for storytelling; her beginnings as a writer in daily newspapers where she learned the importance of unions; building up to leading the charge as Chief of External Affairs at GirlTrek (@girltrek)--a movement that encourages Black women to use walking as a practical first step to inspire healthy living, families, and communities which now has 1.5 million members globally.

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Kendra talks to Kenya Eldridge (@kenyaeldridge) about her educational and professional journey that placed her among the list of remarkable Black women impacting the beauty industry. Kenya shares the steps to developing her passion for Global Product Marketing and identifying opportunities to innovate. Kenya's trajectory includes setting specific intentions to make moves within the beauty industry; the one-in-a-lifetime experience of diversifying and relaunching Shiseido's entire make-up line in 2016; and her current role at NARS Cosmetics (@narsissist) where she focuses on US marketing.

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Kendra talks with Brittany Scott (@brittbrow) about how Brittany's education in architecture influenced her skillset as a brow and makeup artist while her tenacity, consistent practice, and stellar customer service propelled her ahead in the industry. Brittany shares how she found herself following in her parent’s footsteps as educators and she shares the journey to her current role as Director of Education at Blushington (@blushington) where she has been curating the curriculum for the Blushington Academy for Artist Advancement.

"You're not (only) a makeup artist; you're a business!" - Brittany

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Kendra talks with Lucien Aymerick (@lucienaymerick) about developing Charbon Plus (@charbonplus) with his sister, building his factory in Cameroon, and the importance of having his consumers feel part of a community. Lucien also shares his dual mission of bridging the Skincare Race Gap and repping as a conduit for conversation on identity, discovery, empowerment and social justice. Gems dropped include:

✅ Self care is gender neutral

✅ Regality of African descendants

✅ Amplifying Black beauty, Self Love, Self Esteem

✅ Mission-driven customer engagement

“It’s more than skincare, it’s the whole reconstruction of the Black self-esteem.” - Lucien

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Kendra talks with Tai Beauchamp (@taibeau) about her storied career as an award winning media personality, magazine deputy editor, TV Host, Founder of Tai Life Media and her latest venture, Brown Girl Jane (@itsbrowngirljane) with co-founders Malaika and Nia!

“My focus is on changing the face of what wellness means especially for black and brown women.” - Tai

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This week on @businessofthebeat I chatted with Dorion Renaud (@dmo22) about her storied journey from retail buying (and getting to meet the one and only @Beyonce 🙌🏾 👑🐝), to entering the world of food marketing with the teams at @GeneralMills, to corporate beauty roles (Kendo > @SundialBrands > @CotyInc), and to entrepreneurship and her purpose driven approach to building @UndefinedBeauty_Co.

From the episode, here are some of my thoughts when starting your own business: ✅ What would I want my retailers to tell me? ✅ Data will help you go from now to now what. ✅ Information is for all! ✅ How can I help empower people? ✅ We all deserve access to wellness. ✅ Accessibility is at the heart. ✅ Listen to what your consumers need!

“I think LinkedIn is an incredible platform for connectivity.” - Dorion Renaud

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Kendra talks with beauty expert, educator, and artist Michela Wariebi, (@michelawariebi) about pivoting from the IT world to beauty, how a lung collapse in 2016 led to a new unexpected opportunity and her mantra to "Unapologetically Be Yourself." Michela also shared a bit about color theory, philosophy and dropped jewels on the origins of make up from our African ancestors including her new Clubhouse series... "A History of Beauty."

"Makeup is where Art and Science Meet." Michela

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Kendra talks with Yve-Car Momperousse (@yvecar), CEO and Co-Founder of Kreyol Essence (@kreyolessence) about building a beauty based agribusiness, being featured on Shark Tank and walking away as one of few female founders to negotiate a $400K investment that propelled her business forward. As part of its mission, Kreyol Essence has provided jobs to over 300 farmers in Haiti and along with her husband and co-founder has built a loyal “tribe” and community.

“It takes 10 years to become an overnight success.” - Yve-Car

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Kendra talks with Dr Nigma Talib, Founder of HealthyDoc clinics about becoming a naturopathic doctor, the importance of supplemental vitamins in our diet, and the impact race can play on your path to understanding your own health and wellness journey.

“You don’t know how good you can feel until you do it.” - Dr Nigma

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Kendra talks with Angela Stevens (@angelacstyles) about her journey as a master stylist on VH1, BET, FOX, NBC and WE TV, winning her first Emmy for styling singer Eve (@therealeve) on CBS’ The Talk (@thetalkcbs), to writing a children’s book called HAIR (@prettycurlsclub) and ultimately developing Conscious Curls Hair (@consciouscurlshair)! What’s next? - Staying the course … opening up her salon and studio space!

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Kendra talks with Yannize Joshua (@yiddy5pt0) about growing up in Queens and the power of saying YES! From her dream of being a lawyer, to starting a beauty blog and saying YES to Erica Dotson to being her first Marketing Assistant and YES to Tekoa (@tekoak) on being her partner in The Teknique Agency (@tekniqueagency), Yannize shares how YES has led her to a successful career and how she is changing the game $1M at a time.

“I had made millions for other people. So I knew how to do it. Now it was time to do it for myself.” - Yannize Joshua

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Kendra talks with Daria Burke (@dariaburke), CMO of JustFab (@justfabonline) about being one of very few Black female C-suite executives leading a major company, her journey from L’Oreal to Estée Lauder to RentTheRunway to Facebook, and the importance of generational wealth - learning how to make your money make money for you. Daria believes that everyone deserves to have a sense of belonging.

“Shoes may not change the world, but the women who wear them do.” - Daria

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Kendra talks with Emeka Anyanwu (@emekalanyanwu) about following her father’s footsteps as an attorney, getting her MBA and the pitch competition in 2018 that forever changed her path leading her to launch A’me-ke (@amekellc) in April 2019.

“Entrepreneurship is not for everyone, but I think it's important that everyone explores options to direct their own legacy and build generational wealth.” - Emeka

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Kendra talks with Ron Robinson (@ronrobinsoncosmeticchemist) about his early days as a chemist at Estée Lauder (@esteelauder) to launching BeautyStat (@beautystat) and the 5 year journey that led him to unlocking an untapped patented formula to develop his first award winning Universal C Skin Refiner with 4 more products to follow. Ron also shares the importance of store visits, staying close to the consumer and the role of social platforms like Clubhouse in building a loyal customer base.

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Kendra talks with Lauren Napier (@laurennapier) about Lauren Napier Beauty (@laurennapierbeauty), her journey from make-up artist to Founder, the no from the bank “because they didn’t get her business,” to how Robert Townsend inspired her to bootstrap using credit cards, and a tax return to launch her brand. This past year she launched “Consider Something Better” to support other Black founders.

Lauren also shared a profound analogy on “Building Your Own Bakery” that is now my mantra and something all entrepreneurs should focus on when they are told NO or that will never work.

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Kendra talks with Dr Camille Howard-Verovic (@dermbeautydoc) about her road to dermatology, starting Girl+Hair (@girlandhair) simultaneously during her first year of medical school, and how her marketing and advertising background played a HUGE role in developing effective messaging for her brand!

“Never let your accomplishments get ahead of you” - Dr Camille

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Kendra talks with Schenika Quattlebaum (@schenikaquattlebaum) about her hair, beauty, and cosmetics brand Natalia Me-gan Beauty (@nataliambeauty), a partnership with Walmart (@walmart) that led to her first billboard in Times Square and the power of Twitter and LinkedIn for networking and connecting with customers.

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Kendra talks with Tisha Thompson (@glamourgurl5) about LYS Beauty (@lysbeautyofficial), the first “Clean” Black cosmetics brand at Sephora (@sephora); her passion for makeup, a career in accounting, a journey through marketing for beauty brand PUR (@purcosmetics) and the ultimate pivot that led her to actualize her true purpose.

"When you get to a point where you have to reflect, what is your purpose, you get a sense of clarity”

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Kendra talks with Shontay Lundy (@shontay_lundy) about her aha moment to create Black Girl Sunscreen (@blackgirlsunscreen), the importance of education around sun care especially for melanin skin and going from solopreneur to building a full scaled team after raising $1mil.

“This journey is not easy, it's more about the strength and confidence i have on a daily basis” - Shontay

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Kendra talks with Tekoa Hash (@tekoak) about her journey from make-up artist to founder, creating the title of Glam Coordinator on Love & Hip Hop, evolving The Teknique Agency (@tekniqueagency) from PR/Marketing to Talent Management and why her new venture Global Beauty Tribe (@globalbeautytribe) was so helpful especially in these times of COVID.

“I would go through that test again to get the growth from the downside, it built my confidence to get through it” - Tekoa

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Kendra talks with Chidinma Asonye (@casonye), COO at S by Serena (@serena) about her journey from Wall Street to Beauty to Fashion and one of my favorite takeaways “Your career is more of a jungle gym than a ladder.”

“Build a team for the future and not just where it is today” - Chidinma

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Kendra talks with the pioneer of textured hair, Lisa Price (@iamlisaprice) about founding Carol’s Daughter (@carolsdaughter), that feeling when you realize you’re part of history - Carol's Daughter Healthy Hair Butter is part of the cultural expressions exhibit and a Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the need to have foresight and insight to be successful in business and leaving her mark on history.

“We have to get to a place where we celebrate the evolutions of business within our community. The beauty of being an entrepreneur is your ability to pivot” “That feeling when you realize you’re a part of history”

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Kendra talks with Kimberly Radford Henderson (@kimhenderson0616) about creating a BIPOC council at Johnson & Johnson, accountability to the consumer, the power of language, and the importance of giving back.

“We don’t have all the answers and that’s okay” - Kimberly

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Kendra talks with Dametria Mustin (@dametriakinsley) about her journey from @HBO to @Cantu, what it truly takes to build a brand, and how @cantuelevate is providing the tools to support black women creating their own spaces.

“Make sure you have people around you that can check you.”

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Kendra talks with Dorion Renaud (@dorionrenaud) about transitioning from an actor to a founder. His journey to start @buttahskin and the importance of having the right network around you to ultimately build a brand bigger than yourself.

“The key to being a successful CEO is letting others be great at their jobs”

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Kendra talks with Camara Aunique (@camaraaunique) about trusting God’s process everyday; how that trust led her from NY to LA to evolve her brand as a make-up artist to beauty brand founder @camaraauniquebeauty, the new lash queen!

“I am who God has called me to be.”

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Kendra talks with Tamerri Ater (@tamerrizamaih) about how she went from working at The Body Shop to Product and Development Director @versed Skincare and her personal journey of discovering the Interconnection of Beauty and Astrology.

“It’s reciprocity - it was done for me and I want to be able to give it back”

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Kendra talks with Melissa Hibbert (@melissahibbert), Founder of the GLAM Agency (@theglamagency), about how she went from pre-law to beauty, instinct versus ego, stepping up for representation in front of and behind the camera, and choosing where to invest your time.

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Kendra talks with Diarrha N’Diaye, (@Diarrhaxo), CEO and Founder of Ami Cole, about lack of representation, and how her experience at L’Oreal and Glossier laid the foundation for venturing out to build her own make-up brand with #BIPOC women in mind.

“Listen I’m tired, it’s not my fight.. But then I realized, you know what, as tired as I am, 20 years from now can determine whether or not I feel comfortable where I walk in or less comfortable, so I have to be part of the solution.”

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This week, on @businessofthebeat! Kendra talks with Kim Seymour (@kimariaseymour), Chief People Officer at WW about leading with diversity and inclusion as a key part of company culture, consistency in direction, and being able to tap into our #vulnerability and #emotionalintelligence to be effective leaders as women.

“When you want a team rowing in the same direction, it’s important to people to tell them what direction you’re going.” - Kim Seymour

“Uber transparency was really important, empathy really important, vulnerability really important, overcommunication really important, clarity of mission so important, prioritization so important. These are the things that I think.. however you define winning.. if you look at what made everything better, it was in that realm.”

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Kendra talks with Charreah Jackson, Founder of SHINE Army about transformation; the beauty in clarity and her mission through storytelling to help people narrate their own story.

“I’m not fearless, but what I am is courageous, and what I also am is clear.”

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Kendra talks with Tina Craig (@bagsnob) about her journey from hosting MTV Asia to living in Texas and the shopping obsession that would lead to one of the most popular blogs of all time. From starting @bagsnob with @Kellycook, to the creation of her award winning skincare brand, U Beauty, Tina continues to break down barriers through her knack for innovation and boldness.

“I didn’t know on the internet that 200,000 people would come on and read that article...” - Tina Craig (on the creation of bagsnob)

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Rachel Roff, CEO and Founder of Urban Skin Rx, gets real about mentorship and the importance of confidence and collaboration when growing a team and scaling the business. She shares nuggets from her journey as a white female founder of a brand focused on supporting brown and black skin tones, understanding racism and securing a DEI coach to help her navigate cross cultural needs.

“To build something from the ground up, you have to have undying passion for it.” - Rachel Roff

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Kendra talks with Constance White (@officialcwhite) about her tenure as Editor in Chief of @Essence Magazine, her knack for spotting talent and the importance of unity amongst women, especially black women. The future belongs to those who can ask for what they want, and advocate for inclusivity.

“It’s okay to let something go, to outgrow something.” - Constance White

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Kendra talks with Karen Young, Founder & CEO of OUI the People, a DTC skincare company rebuilding prestige beauty for the 21st century. A former exec at Estee Lauder, Karen saw an opportunity to meld the product experience that legacy brands provide with modern distribution and messaging, ultimately redesigning the shaving industry. Karen shares her innovative approach to redesigning the shaving experience, her commitment to hold brands accountable for their “language” and her reconstitution of beauty.

“We believe beauty shouldn’t come at the expense of our psyche. Rather than pursuing flawlessness, we aim to build efficacious products, designed thoughtfully, that help you feel great in the skin you’re already in.” - Karen

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Kendra talks with Micha about building the next generation innovative salon for people of color that celebrates the overall

hair experience by creating a joyous space to nurture textured hair with a unique twist to the traditional press and curl. She also shares her journey to build a scalable franchise and retail concept curated with specialty products.

“Why would you go work for someone else for the same hard work you could be doing for yourself?” - Micha B

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Kendra talks with Ella Gorgla, Founder of 25 Black Women in Beauty about her commitment to spotlighting the power we have as black women and the importance of gathering together to drive action. Ella shares her personal journey of raising capital in a primarily white male space, her tenure and exit from Estee Lauder, her commitment to combat microaggressions in the workplace and her brave decision to push for accountability.

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Kendra talks with Rea Ann Silva about her longtime career in Hollywood as a go to make-up artist, being Department Head on one of the first TV shows shot in hi-def, Girlfriends with Tracee Ellis Ross, Golden Brooks, Persia White, and Jill Marie Jones, how her namesake brand, beautyblender was born, and being one of eight female entrepreneurs featured in a new display in The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

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Kendra talks with Nyakio Greico about her award-winning clean beauty brand nyakio Beauty, the importance of allyship, and her new venture, thirteen lune.

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Meet Kendra Bracken-Ferguson the host of Business of the Beat and hear a little of what's coming on the podcast.

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Business of the Beat Podcast: Recent Episodes

Business of the Beat