How does your first job in beauty (or a related industry) set you up for success later on? That's what host Corynne L. Corbett discusses with BIPOC guests who are in various stages of their careers.
Starr Blackshere is a powerhouse in the beauty industry, a visionary artist whose journey from childhood fascination to professional mastery is nothing short of inspiring. With an innate eye for detail and an unwavering commitment to excellence, Starr has transformed her passion for beauty into a thriving career that spans hair, makeup, and the intricate art of brow design. Born and raised in San Diego, California, Starr's journey into beauty began at an early age, influenced by the dazzling world of pageantry. Her curiosity and natural talent led her to refine her skills in hair styling and makeup artistry long before she stepped into the professional space. By her teenage years, she was already styling hair for friends and adult clients alike, demonstrating an unparalleled dedication to her craft. Her career took a transformative turn when she joined MAC Cosmetics - a brand that not only shaped her technical expertise but also introduced her to the world of high fashion, editorial artistry, and corporate professionalism. She became a key figure in the industry, opening MAC's first Harlem store and later working in the elite Flatiron District showroom, where she collaborated with some of the most influential names in beauty and fashion. Working alongside legends such as Charlotte Tilbury and Pat McGrath at New York Fashion Week refined her artistry and deepened her passion for creating beauty that transcends trends. While her expertise spans multiple disciplines, Starr found her true calling in brow artistry. Her innovative approach to eyebrows goes beyond shaping - she sees brows as an expression of identity, confidence, and self-assurance. Through years of refining her technique, she has mastered nano artistry, a cutting-edge approach to permanent makeup that enhances natural beauty with precision and elegance. Her philosophy is simple yet profound: beauty should complement, not overpower. Her work is celebrated for its ability to bring out the best in each individual, seamlessly blending artistry with authenticity. In 2021, Starr took a bold step in her journey and founded Blackshere Beauty, a premier beauty studio dedicated to offering top-tier services in makeup, lashes, and brows. She believes that creativity thrives in an environment of passion and fulfillment, and she instills this philosophy into every aspect of her work. For Starr, success isn't measured solely by accolades or financial milestones - it's found in the joy of creating, the confidence of her clients, and the lasting impact of her artistry. Through her journey, she has proven that with dedication, adaptability, and a fearless pursuit of passion, the possibilities are limitless. Key Takeaways 1. Find Your Niche and Own It – Starr explored multiple areas of beauty before discovering her true passion for brow artistry. Your journey may take different paths, but once you find your calling, commit to mastering it. 2. Stay Open to Learning and Evolving – From hair to makeup to brows, Starr constantly refined her skills by seeking new knowledge. Growth comes from embracing change and staying curious about your craft. 3. Step Outside Your Comfort Zone – Moving from San Diego to New York City and stepping into high-profile roles wasn't easy, but Star took the leap. If you want to elevate your career, be willing to take bold steps. 4. Persistence Opens Doors – Starr's journey to MAC wasn't guaranteed, but she prepared, strategized, and positioned herself for success. Keep showing up, refining your skills, and opportunities will follow. 5. Attention to Detail Sets You Apart – Whether it's shaping brows or enhancing a face with makeup, Starr's precision and artistry have made her stand out. The little details can make a big impact in your work. 6. Confidence and Professionalism Are Key – Breaking into new spaces requires more than just talent. Starr's ability to present herself professionally and articulate her expertise helped her grow in the industry. 7. Protect Your Joy and Passion – Success isn't just about money or accolades; it's about finding joy in your work. Starr believes that happiness fuels creativity, and staying passionate is the ultimate key to long-term success. Quotes 1. “Success as a creative isn't about how much money you make or how many jobs you have - it's about protecting your joy. When you find joy in your craft, creativity flows effortlessly.” 2. “Your journey will have twists and turns, but every experience, good or bad, teaches you something valuable. Stay open, stay learning, and keep evolving.” 3. “Confidence comes from preparation. If you want an opportunity, do the work, sharpen your skills, and show up ready. When the door opens, you'll be prepared to walk through it.” 4. “Excellence is in the details. Whether it's brows, makeup, or business. Refining the small things sets you apart and turns good work into great work.” Connect with Starr Website - www.Blacksherebeauty.com Instagram - Instagram.com/Blacksherebeauty Facebook - Facebook.Com/Blacksherebeautyllc Email - Starr.blackshere@gmail.Com
We wrap up our three-part series on Shifting the Natural Hair Narrative. I'm thrilled to be joined by three incredible guests at the forefront of a revolutionary movement in the world of hair—Erin Maybin, Natasha Gaspard, and Debra Hare-Bey, founding members of the NHBC. In this episode, we dive deep into natural hair advocacy, design, and the cultural significance of textured hair. Our first guest is Erin Maybin, a creative force who not only possesses an artistic flair but also brings a wealth of expertise in graphic design to the forefront. As a key contributor to the NHBC, Erin has been instrumental in crafting visual narratives that redefine the conversation around textured hair. You can find her at rdbwellness on Instagram, where her passion for design and commitment to inclusivity shine through. Her ability to merge creativity with purpose is truly inspiring, making her a vital voice in the natural hair movement. Next up is Natasha Gaspard, a media professional and founder of Mane Move Media. Natasha's journey is a testament to the transformative power of authenticity. Her media company is a testament to her commitment to filling the gaps in understanding about natural hair, its cultural significance, and the broader impact on health and identity. On Instagram, you can connect with her at @manemove, where her platform is a celebration of natural beauty, a space to challenge preconceived notions, and a testament to the importance of self-love. And finally, we have Debra Hare-Bey, a true maestro in the art of braiding and founder of Oh My Heavenly Hair. Debra's journey in hair care has transcended mere styling; it's a celebration of culture, history, and identity. Under her brand, she provides expert hair care and spearheads International I Love Braids Day. This powerful initiative transcends visual aesthetics to encapsulate braids' rich history and cultural significance. You can follow her journey and expertise at @ohmyheavenlyhair on Instagram. Buckle up for an engaging conversation with Erin, Natasha, and Debra as we explore the intersections of culture, advocacy, and design in the dynamic world of textured hair. Key Takeaways 1. Power of Advocacy: The transformative power of advocacy in reshaping perceptions and policies related to natural hair. The NHBC, led by Erin, Natasha, and Debra, actively advocates to challenge stereotypes and promote inclusivity. 2. Cultural Connection: Natasha emphasizes the deep cultural connection in natural hair. Beyond being a physical attribute, it represents a profound aspect of identity, culture, and legacy. The NHBC works diligently to bridge gaps in understanding between natural hair, health, economics, and culture. 3. Economic Empowerment: Debra sheds light on the economic empowerment aspect of the natural hair industry, particularly in licensing for hairstylists. The NHBC was pivotal in advocating for licenses to empower natural hair stylists, providing economic opportunities and stability. 4. International I Love Braids Day: The significance of International I Love Braids Day as a celebration of history, culture, design, and beauty associated with braids. The visual impact of this event serves as a powerful tool to educate and create awareness. 5. The Crown Act: Erin delves into the importance of The Crown Act, which addresses discrimination based on natural hairstyles in workplaces and educational institutions. The NHBC actively engages with legislators to bring about necessary changes in laws and policies, ensuring a more respectful and inclusive world for natural hair. 6. Overhaul of Education: The urgent need for an overhaul in cosmetology education, which has not been updated for over 50 years. The NHBC is at the forefront of efforts to revamp education systems, ensuring that future stylists are equipped to cater to the diverse range of hair textures and types. 7. Holistic Approach to Hair Care: Erin emphasizes the interconnectedness of hair and overall health. The condition of one's hair often reflects broader aspects such as stress, diet, and health. 8. The Power of Visuals: Debra underscores the importance of visuals in advocacy, using International I Love Braids Day as a prime example. Striking, memorable images serve as a gateway to meaningful conversations, helping to change perspectives and inspire action. 9. Individual Impact: Natasha encourages individuals to become advocates in their own spaces. Whether through one-on-one conversations, hosting discussions, or even creating workshops, everyone can contribute to changing perceptions and spreading awareness about the beauty and significance of natural hair. Advocacy starts at home, in the community, and in personal interactions. Timestamps [00:02:15] Erin provides insights into the founding of NHBC, its mission, and the broader goals of advocating for natural hair rights and representation. [00:06:12] Natasha shares the cultural significance of natural hair, emphasizing its deep ties to identity, heritage, and the broader narrative of beauty. [00:11:08] Debra sheds light on the economic empowerment aspect of the natural hair industry, discussing licensing for hairstylists and the NHBC's role in promoting economic opportunities. [00:17:40] Erin delves into The Crown Act, explaining its significance in combating discrimination based on natural hairstyles and the NHBC's efforts in advocating for its adoption. [00:23:55] Debra introduces International I Love Braids Day, highlighting its celebration of history, culture, and the artistic beauty of braided hairstyles as a tool for education and awareness. [00:29:20] Erin discusses the urgent need for an overhaul in cosmetology education, advocating for a more inclusive curriculum that addresses the diverse needs of natural hair. [00:33:45] The interconnectedness of hair and overall health is emphasized by Erin, advocating for a holistic approach to hair care that goes beyond styling. [00:38:10] Debra underscores the power of visuals in advocacy, using International I Love Braids Day as an example of how striking images can initiate meaningful conversations and change perspectives. [00:42:30] Natasha encourages individuals to become advocates in their communities, fostering conversations and workshops to raise awareness about the beauty and significance of natural hair. [00:47:15] Closing thoughts on the collective impact of advocacy, the progress made, and the ongoing work needed to create a more inclusive and respectful world for natural hair. Quotes 1. "Our hair is an extension of our identity, and embracing it authentically is an act of empowerment." - Erin 2. "Advocacy isn't just a mission; it's a collective movement. Your voice matters in shaping a more inclusive future for natural hair." - Erin 3. "Every curl, kink, and coil tells a story—a story of resilience, beauty, and the celebration of our roots." - Natasha 4. "The power to redefine beauty standards is in our hands, or rather, in the unique textures of our hair. Own it, and let it inspire change." - Natasha 5. "Economic empowerment begins with recognizing the value of our skills and the artistry in natural hair styling." - Debra 6. "Braids are not just a hairstyle; they're a canvas of culture. Let's use them to paint a world where diversity is celebrated." - Debra
We continue our discussion on Changing the Natural Hair Narrative with the second of our three-part series. This episode features Diane C. Bailey, a pioneering figure in the world of textured hair care, with a career spanning decades and an unwavering commitment to education, advocacy, and community empowerment. She is the CEO and Founder of EMERGE NBIA: Natural Beauty Industry Alliance and Co_President of the Natural Hairstyle and Braid Coalition. Born and raised in New York, Diane has emerged as a prominent figure, shaping the landscape of natural hair care not only as a stylist and author as well as a dedicated advocate for the recognition of textured hair as a science, art form, and cultural expression. With over 40 years of experience in the industry, Diane is renowned for her expertise in working with diverse hair textures, challenging conventional norms, and promoting a holistic approach to hair care. She was the president and art director of Tendrils Hair Spa, one of the first salons in New York City to feature chemically free services for textured hair. Diane's journey includes getting the first natural hair licensure issues in New York State 30 years ago. Her efforts have been instrumental in establishing a framework for recognizing the intricate care and skill required for working with textured hair. Through the NHBC, she continues to champion the cause of textured hair education through advocacy and legislative engagement, empowering beauty professionals and engaging with the community. Beyond the salon, Diane is a published author, having penned insightful works that delve into the science and artistry of textured hair. Her commitment to education extends to teaching and mentoring the next generation of stylists, ensuring that the legacy of understanding and embracing textured hair continues. As a sought-after consultant, Diane lends her expertise to those grappling with hair loss, particularly issues affecting the black community. Through platforms like Instagram, where she can be found at dianecbailey and Emerge Nbia, she provides consultations and fosters a sense of community for those seeking guidance on their hair care journeys. Diane C. Bailey stands as a beacon in the textured hair revolution, reminding us that hair is not just strands but a reflection of identity, culture, and resilience. As she looks toward her next chapter, which includes retirement from behind the chair, Diane remains committed to paving the way for the next generation of hair enthusiasts, educators, and advocates. Key Takeaways 1. Lack of Education on Textured Hair: Diane addresses the critical issue of the lack of education around textured hair. She emphasizes that many stylists are not adequately trained to handle diverse hair textures, leading to challenges in proper care and styling. 2. Need for Change in Education: There is a pressing need for a paradigm shift in hair care education. Diane advocates for changes in curriculum and training to ensure that stylists are well-equipped to understand and work with the intricacies of textured hair. 3. The Coalition's Mission: Diane co-founded the Natural Hairstyle and Braid Coalition, an organization dedicated to advocating for licensure in New York State. The coalition aims to bring recognition to the unique skill set required for textured hair care and has been actively involved in shaping policies around it. 4. Hair Loss and Alopecia: The increasing prevalence of hair loss, especially among younger individuals; alongside the importance of early detection and intervention for various types of alopecia. 5. The Psychological Impact of Hair Discrimination: Diane discusses the psychological impact of hair discrimination, noting instances of racial bias in professional settings. She acknowledges the importance of initiatives like the Crown Act, which highlight and address discrimination based on hair types. 6. Community Support and Connection: Beyond her role as a stylist, Diane actively engages in community support. She offers consultations for those experiencing hair loss, fostering a sense of community through online platforms. 7. Legacy and Future Endeavors: Diane looks toward the future, expressing her desire to create a platform for beauty retail and continue her involvement in education and community outreach. She sees mentorship as a crucial aspect, passing the baton to the next generation of individuals passionate about the safety and cultural significance of textured hair. Timestamps [00:02:15] Diane shares insights into the lack of education on textured hair within the beauty industry and the challenges faced by stylists in understanding diverse hair textures. [00:07:40] The co-founding of the Natural Hairstyle and Braid Coalition. Highlighting its mission to advocate for licensure in New York State and bring recognition to the unique skills needed for textured hair care. [00:11:55] Diane addresses the issue of hair loss, emphasizing the need for early detection of alopecia and the psychological impact of normalized hair loss within the community. [00:15:20] The importance of initiatives like the Crown Act in addressing discrimination based on hair types, particularly in professional settings. [00:18:30] Diane's active role in community support, including her consultations for those experiencing hair loss and her engagement with the Natural Hair Care Coalition. [00:21:05] Future endeavors are discussed, with Diane expressing her desire to create a platform for beauty retail, support education, and pass the baton to the next generation of textured hair enthusiasts. [25:04] Diane discusses the inception of the Natural Hair Care Coalition in 2001, its engagement with legislators, and the impact it made in slowing down regulatory changes to ensure the voices of textured hair care professionals were heard. [28:11] The evolving landscape of hair loss is addressed, Diane shares personal experiences and emphasizes the importance of early detection and intervention for various types of alopecia. [31:22] Diane emphasizes the significance of normalizing conversations around hair loss and creating awareness to encourage individuals to seek support and join relevant groups for shared experiences. [36:00] Diane highlights her involvement in teaching at Magic Fingers Institute, supporting natural hair schools, and the coalition's commitment to providing assistance to those interested in entering the industry. [38:32] The interview concludes with reflections on the ongoing journey and the certainty that textured hair is an integral part of the cultural identity that will persist and flourish. Quotes 1. "Once we normalize the conversation around hair loss, so it's not a secret, people can come out of the closet and say, me too. I have been suffering, and I'm tired of suffering alone." 2. "The science of dermatology is amazing, but it is very expensive. If your insurance doesn't cover it, catching hair loss early is crucial. It's an investment in yourself." 3. "The Crown Act fortifies us because it talks to the community saying, this is what racial discrimination looks like based on hair types. That language wasn't there before." Connect with Diane Book - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1133693687?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_BN22245M6A0EWX8J7PNQ Website - https://www.emergenbia.com/ | Dr. Osei Tutu (Dermatlogy and Hair Loss specialist) https://www.osei22derm.com/in-clinic-salon X - https://twitter.com/DianeCBailey
Author, advocator, educator and entrepreneur, Diane Da Costa is a trailblazing figure in the beauty and wellness industry. She is the CEO and Founder of SimpleeBEAUTIFUL Brands, Co-President of the Natural Hairstyle & Braid Coalition and wrote the book, Textured Tresses. With over three decades of experience in the beauty industry, Diane has honed her craft to become a master hairstylist, specializing in natural and textured hair. Diane is known for her exceptional skills as a hairstylist, her passion for holistic wellness, and her dedication to advocating for the natural hair community. Her journey began as a young entrepreneur, styling hair for clients from the age of 13, which eventually led her to make a career-defining choice to transition from a corporate job to follow her true calling in hairstyling. Throughout her illustrious career, Diane has not only showcased her expertise as a stylist but has also become an educator and mentor in the field. She is a strong advocate for formal education and training in natural hair care, aiming to bridge the gap in hairstyling education and access for stylists in this specialized field. Diane's commitment to the natural hair community extends beyond her salon. She is one of the driving forces behind the National Hairstyle & Braid Coalition, an organization dedicated to raising awareness, advocating for legislative changes, and providing much-needed support for the natural hair industry. Diane has also partnered with Tresemme to help beauty professionals get education on textured hair and how to better service customers with it through education modules she has created and taught. Diane's holistic approach to wellness has also led her to explore the benefits of CBD products, and she has become a licensed retailer of CBD, offering a range of wellness products at her boutique, SimpleeBEAUTIFUL. Follow Diane Da Costa on her mission to transform the beauty industry, empower stylists, and celebrate natural beauty on Instagram @diane_da_costa and through the NHBC at nhbcoalition.org Key Takeaways 1. Holistic Wellness and Natural Living: Diane Da Costa's journey into wellness and CBD retailing underscores the importance of holistic wellness. Prioritizing natural living, including healthy eating and regular exercise, can lead to overall well-being. 2. Pain Management with CBD: Diane's experience with CBD products highlights their potential for pain relief, especially for individuals dealing with chronic pain conditions. 3. Evolving Industry: The natural hair industry is constantly evolving, and there's a need for standardization, education, and advocacy. Many hairstylists are self-taught, which has led to gaps in knowledge and practice. 4. The Importance of Education: Formal education in natural hair care is crucial. Advocacy efforts, like the National HairstylE and Braid Coalition (NHBC), are aimed at improving access to education and training for natural hair stylists. 5. Empowering the Natural Hair Community: Diane and the NHBC are focused on empowering natural hair stylists and consumers. 7. Focus on Safety and Health: The natural hair industry must prioritize the health and safety of clients. This includes understanding different hair conditions, practicing proper sanitation, and addressing issues like alopecia and hair loss with care. Timestamps 1. [00:05:30] The evolution of the natural hair industry and the need for formal education and standardization for hairstylists. 2. [00:10:50] The role of the National Hairstyling and Braiding Coalition (NHBC) in advocating for natural hair stylists and consumers, and the importance of data collection for the community. 3. [00:14:40] Diane's start at Knapps, a salon where she began her journey in the beauty and hair industry. She shares insights into how she turned heads and made a significant impact during her time there. 4. [00:19:45] The significance of empowering the natural hair community and ensuring safety and health in the industry. 5. [00:27:45] The importance of proper education in the natural hair industry and addressing issues related to hair loss and scalp disorders. 6. [00:34:02] The significance of safety and hygiene in hairstyling, including identifying scalp disorders and providing appropriate guidance to clients. 7. [00:38:50] Diane talks about the work she's doing with TRESemmé, providing insights into her current projects and collaborations with the brand. 8. [00:50:10] The role of passion and creativity in driving success in the beauty and hair industry, along with the importance of leaving a lasting legacy. 9. [00:54:40] The significance of understanding the intricacies of hair care, including identifying and addressing issues like alopecia and scalp disorders, to provide holistic client care. 10. [01:06:49] Diane's final thoughts on the importance of education, licensing, and safe practices in the beauty and hair industry for both professionals and consumers. Quotes 1. "In this business, you have to love lwhat you do because it's not an easy business, but everything you love will turn into and flourish always." 2. "You have to know all of these intricacies to prevent and have consumer care and safety at the end of the day to prosper and to have abundance." 3. "We have a multitude of the younger generation who are hungry to make their money and they're moving so fast that they don't take into consideration of the education that they need."
Marsha Haygood, CEO of Stepwise Associates says finding success starts with three essential questions; What do you want? Why do you want it? And what are you willing to sacrifice to make it happen? Marsha Haygood is a renowned leadership expert, captivating speaker, and accomplished author with a remarkable career dedicated to empowering individuals, especially women, to unlock their full potential and achieve success. With over three decades of professional experience, Marsha has become a leading voice in leadership development, career advancement, and personal growth. As the co-author of "The Little Black Book of Success" and its companion workbook, Marsha offers invaluable insights and strategies to help individuals navigate the complexities of the corporate world and achieve their career aspirations. Her guidance is particularly empowering for women of color, who often face unique challenges in their professional journeys. Marsha's wisdom is grounded in her extensive background in human resources, where she honed her skills in talent acquisition, leadership development, and organizational management. She draws from her rich career experience to provide practical advice and actionable steps for her audience, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, effective networking, and strategic thinking. With a mission to foster happiness and success, Marsha Haygood is a trusted mentor and guide, dedicated to empowering individuals to live their best lives. Her words of wisdom, practical advice, and unwavering support have transformed the lives of countless individuals, making her a revered figure in the world of leadership and personal development. Connect with Marsha Haygood on LinkedIn, or follow her on Instagram @AskMarciaH, where she maintains an active online presence, sharing valuable tips and strategies for her followers. Key Takeaways 1. Self-Reflection and Goal Setting: Marsha emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and setting clear goals. To achieve success, it's crucial to know what you want and why you want it. 2. Networking and Building Relationships: Building a strong network is essential. Marsha advises nurturing authentic relationships with people who genuinely support your goals. 3. The Power of Mentorship: Seek mentors who can guide you and provide valuable insights. Marsha suggests approaching potential mentors with a clear understanding of what you need and how they can assist you. 4. Taking Prudent Risks: Success often requires stepping out of your comfort zone and taking calculated risks. Be willing to explore new opportunities and don't be afraid of failure. 5. Self-Care and Happiness: Prioritize self-care and happiness. Success should not come at the expense of your well-being. 6. Delegation and Focus: Recognize your strengths and weaknesses. Delegate tasks that are outside your zone of competence and concentrate on what you do best. 7. Continuous Learning and Adaptation: Embrace continuous learning and adaptability. Be proactive in updating your skills and knowledge to stay relevant and open to new opportunities. Timestamps 1. [00:08:05] Marsha talks about the challenges she faced when transitioning to entrepreneurship, including letting go of her corporate perks and learning to delegate. 2. [00:14:00] Exploring the concept of living your best life and how to redefine success by finding happiness and joy in your pursuits. 3. [00:22:30] Marsha shares practical tips for approaching a job shift or career pivot, emphasizing the importance of research and proactive networking. 4. [00:32:18] Marsha introduces the concept of "do it, dump it, or delegate it" as a decision-making framework for career and life choices. 5. [00:36:18] Marsha provides practical advice on approaching a job shift, including researching and applying to companies you want to work for before job openings become available. 6. [00:38:05] Discussion on the importance of taking risks and being willing to make sacrifices to achieve your goals and desired career path. 7. [00:41:11] Marsha emphasizes the importance of happiness and self-care as essential components of success and living your best life. Quotes 1. "You cannot give from an empty cup. You can't, you don't have it. So you wanna think about those things that bring you joy." - Marsha Haygood 2. "If you really have the desire, you know that's your why, then I say go for it. Try it. And guess what? Even if you fail, you'll learn something from it." - Marsha Haygood 3. "Take prudent risk to be successful." - Marsha Haygood
Kerry Abner is the visionary founder behind Manhattan Grey, a revolutionary haircare line specifically designed for people with grey hair. As a military brat born in the Bronx, New York, Kerry's upbringing took him on a diverse journey across different cultures, including living in England, Japan, and Florida. This broad exposure nurtured his passion for creativity and a desire to explore unique paths. With a strong background in marketing, Kerry honed his skills in the music industry, working on global marketing campaigns for music genres like hip hop and R&B. However, it was his personal experience with grey hair that sparked a new entrepreneurial pursuit. Starting to notice his grey hair at a young age, Kerry initially struggled with feelings of insecurity, which led him to explore various hair products in the market. Finding a void in the marketplace for products that catered specifically to grey hair's unique needs, Kerry had an "aha" moment. Inspired by the iconic hair grease brand, Murrays, he envisioned a clean, upscale formula that would empower individuals to embrace their grey hair confidently. As the CEO and founder of Manhattan Grey, Kerry has taken on the challenge of building a brand that challenges the norms and empowers people to embrace their individuality. With a passionate spirit and an eye for innovative marketing strategies, Kerry is on a mission to make Manhattan Grey a symbol of empowerment and self-expression for generations to come. In my interview with him, he discusses the challenges he faces, including cash flow and the importance of seeking investment to take his brand to the next level. Kerry also shares valuable insights into the product development process, including how he utilized essential oils and clean formulations to cater to the needs of individuals with grey hair. His approach to marketing through influencers and digital platforms provides a valuable lesson in reaching and resonating with a diverse audience. Additionally, Kerry's determination to challenge societal norms and redefine the narrative around grey hair will inspire entrepreneurs to pursue meaningful ventures that create positive impacts on society. Listen in to learn more. Key Takeaways 1. Embrace the long-term game of building a brand, knowing that success takes dedication and perseverance. 2. Challenge cultural perceptions with products and narratives that promote inclusivity and confidence; like Manhattan Grey's impact on attitudes towards grey hair. 3. Conduct in-depth market research to shape your product and address real customer needs, using surveys and feedback to inform development. 4. Leverage digital marketing and influencers to reach a wider audience and build brand awareness effectively. 5. Pursue strategic partnerships and investments to scale your business and expand your product line. 6. Stay authentic and true to your purpose throughout your entrepreneurial journey, knowing that your unique perspective can create a meaningful impact. Timestamps [00:01:52] Kerry Abner introduces himself as the founder of Manhattan Grey, a haircare line specifically designed for people with grey hair. [00:10:34] The shifting cultural perceptions around grey hair; while men are often celebrated for their distinguished grey hair, women may face ageism and insecurity due to societal beauty standards. [00:14:17] Kerry shares his journey of product development and finding the right formula for Manhattan Grey. [00:17:16] Kerry's intentional marketing approach; using surveys to gather feedback from potential customers, leveraging influencers to promote his product, and focusing on a clean, vegan, and upscale image for the brand. [00:23:11] The importance of being prepared for the long-term commitment of running a product-based business. [00:24:41] Future plans for Manhattan Grey. Kerry's plan to seek investment, expand the product line, and potentially entering the retail space by partnering with larger retailers. Quotes 1. "This is a long-term game. This is not something that you're gonna jump into in the first, second, third year and cash out. Approach entrepreneurship with the mindset that you're going to dedicate a few years of your life into it. This is not a quick fix." 2. "I think men get a little bit more celebrated for a distinguished grey hair, salt and pepper look versus women. And I think that's kind of the catch 22 when it comes to embracing the grey conversation." 3. "I felt like all the stars aligned with my idea and I got very excited and motivated to pursue my entrepreneurship dream." Connect with Kerry Website - https://manhattangrey.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/manhattangrey/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/manhattangreyorganic/ Email - hello@manhattangrey.com
In this episode, we explore honing in on your niche as a beauty entrepreneur. Yasmin Zeinab is the visionary founder and driving force behind Abi Amé, a trailblazing body care brand that seeks to revolutionize the beauty industry. With cultural influences from her Jordanian and Palestinian heritage and an upbringing in Australia, Yasmin brings a fresh and innovative perspective to the world of skincare, drawing on her experiences and passion for addressing unmet needs in the market. Her journey into the beauty industry was not conventional, as she began her career as a lawyer. However, her deep-rooted interest in solving problems and making a positive impact on people's lives led her to transition into the skincare space. Fueled by her belief in creating products with a purpose, Yasmin set out to disrupt the body care category by offering solutions that genuinely address the needs of her community. Abi Amé's brand is driven by a commitment to transparency, sustainability, and empowerment. Inspired by her community's insights and feedback, Yasmin and her team strive to create innovative formulations that bridge the gap between skincare for the face and body. Through her intimate dialogue with customers, Yasmin's passion for educating consumers and offering body care solutions that elevate their overall well-being shines through. In this insightful interview, join us as we delve into the core philosophy behind Abi Amé, emphasizing the brand's commitment to customer-centricity, transparency, and innovation. Tune in to walk away with a deeper understanding of the body care category, the significance of active ingredients, and the transformative impact of putting customers' needs at the heart of product development. Yasmin's journey is an inspiring example of using passion, innovation, and customer insights to create impactful products that resonate with consumers on a deeper level, highlighting the power of entrepreneurship to bring positive change to the beauty industry. Key Takeaways 1. Embrace your passion and turn it into a purpose-driven business by addressing unmet needs in the market. 2. Engage in intimate dialogues with potential customers to understand their pain points and create products that genuinely solve their problems. 3. Persevere and seek opportunities even in unexpected places to overcome obstacles and challenges faced as an entrepreneur. 4. Standing out in the beauty and skincare industry by conducting thorough market research and providing products that bridge the gap between skincare for the face and body. 5. Identify and address unmet needs in the market, showcasing innovation and transparency in your brand to set it apart in a saturated industry, resonating with consumers on a deeper level and creating meaningful impacts. Timestamps [00:06:29] Yasmin Zeinab shares her journey from being a lawyer to becoming a beauty entrepreneur with her brand [00:14:42] The brand's focus on creating innovative products to solve specific needs in the body care category. [00:21:53] The conversation shifts to the unique formulation of "Summer Skin," designed to address the common problem of sticky and heavy lotions during the summer. [00:27:20] As a beauty entrepreneur, Yasmin shares the obstacles she faced, particularly in finding the right lab partner and suitable packaging. [00:31:36] Yasmin expresses her joy in connecting with the brand's community and customers, shaping the products based on their feedback and needs. [00:35:17]Valuable tips for aspiring beauty entrepreneurs. Quotes: "I'm a really big believer in not creating products just to put another option on the shelf. It's really about creating products to solve the needs that haven't been addressed yet." "If you believe that you are truly solving a problem that this solution doesn't exist for today, I think that's the key test because if you can truly do that, you'll cut through all the noise that exists." "Don't be shy to talk to people about your business idea when it gets to a point where it's evolved enough because you just truly never know who you might cross on a day-to-day basis that may be able to help you." Connect with Yasmin Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/abiame/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@yasminzeinab Website - https://abi-ame.com/
In this bonus episode, we are talking about how working with a recruiter can help when you are looking for a job in the beauty industry. My guest is Brianna Blackwood-Mallory, a compassionate recruiter and inclusivity advocate who runs Königin Consulting & Recruiting. She shares the circuiritous path she took to her current role which included studying Chinese Language and Literature at Vassar College, to working as an editor in Berlin following graduation. Brianna found her calling in recruiting by first working on the marketing side of the industry but decided that she would rather get more involved in the sales side of business. Brianna began by recruiting for multiple roles for Google before transitioning to work with a creative firm where she got a chance to find candidates for various beauty roles working with companies ranging from Estée Lauder, to Supergoop and Milk Makeup, among others. And decided that it would be one of her concentrations. Brianna shares her candid thoughts on why she decided to approach recruiting holistically instead of checking a box and why it is important to create relationships with both the candidate and the companies she works with. The top things you need to do before you are ready to work with someone like herself (hint: work on that LinkedIn profile). And why the beauty industry is selling itself short by not being open to candidate that lack direct experience. Plus, we talk about how many interviews you should expect, why ghosting is a bad reflection on brands, and why networking matters.
Funlayo Alabi, CEO and Co-Founder of Shea Radiance, wants to see women win. The founder, who was born in Manchester, England, and raised in Nigeria, moved to the United States at 17 to attend college. But she brought with her a strong sense of beauty implanted in her growing up in Nigeria, which included gleaming skin. After realizing that following in her father's footsteps by studying accounting, she settled on international business. And ended up with a career in coding and software by happenstance. Funlayo and her husband knew they wanted to create a business that allowed them to access resources on the African continent but little did they know that their search for a solution to treat their son's eczema and find an effective body moisturizer led them to explore shea. After mixing up products in their kitchen, their local Farmer's Market became their testing ground, and they refined their formulas from there. The duo also traveled to Nigeria to connect with the women who were harvesting shea, eventually traveling to and supporting women in several countries and banding with a few others as founding members of the Global Shea Alliance. Funlayo shares her thoughts on ashiness, why shea has gotten a bad rap, and how she got her brand into Whole Foods and took it from a local to a global offering with the retailer. In addition, she shares how the brand's first foray into a big box retailer didn't work out and what she learned from it.
Are you thinking about making a move with your career? Whether you want to break into beauty, are seeking another position, or are exploring entrepreneurship, this bonus episode is for you. Because before you embark on this next step, it is critical to get your mind right. That means developing the proper mindset, setting intentions, and setting expectations. This week, I chat with Ananda Leeke, a Thriving Mindfully Coach, Artist, Author, and Human Design Doula, about how to approach change. Ananda shares how working in law and finance led her to experience panic attacks and how it ultimately led her to use tools like meditation, yoga, and other healing modalities to help her manage her anxiety. Art, too, helped her open up new avenues of expression and career opportunities. And she shares how all of these experiences work synergistically in her work at her consulting company and leading the Thriving Mindfully Academy. Ananda shares how our bodies give us clues, how to use our breath in challenging situations, setting intentions and the many ways to affirm your path. Follow her on IG and Twitter @anandaleeke, and check out her podcast,
Melissa Hibbért, founder and CEO of SHYFT Beauty knew that she was destined for a career in beauty since she borrowed her mother's red lipstick to wear in high school. She earned her cosmetology license while still in high school. Then, while a student at Fisk University, she found an abandoned hair salon in her dorm, reopened it, and with a few of her high school friends operated the salon on the weekends while she took classes and held down two part-time jobs. But while Melissa, loved beauty, she suppressed her passion for more than a decade. She had an impressive career in brand licensing, marketing, and advertising with The Olsen Twins, The Jordan brand at Nike, UniWorld Group, BET, and the Los Angeles Times. However, when she decided it was time to pivot to the beauty industry, she couldn't land a job with a beauty brand, even with her stellar resume. So, she decided to make herself a client and created a marketing plan that fueled her pivot. First, she became a makeup artist for film and television, starting with BBWLA and more than 30 other reality series. Next, she opened a creative booking agency. She again pivoted to combine her marketing skills and beauty acumen to help beauty entrepreneurs succeed. Melissa shares the keys to a successful pivot, which include identifying your strengths, making sacrifices, having a playbook, developing the right mindset, and paying attention to what your heart says. She also explains why she has no time for Imposter Syndrome. Learn this and so much more on this episode.
This season, I am kicking off a series of bonus episodes that provide practical information for beauty entrepreneurs and those who want to chart their career courses in other aspects of the industry. In this episode, I chat with Dee Bowden, BCS Solutions founder and Cash Flow Recovery trainer. She is also the author of a book called Collect the Cash. Dee shares a bit of her story of working in the corporate, tech, and government space and how she understood how accounts receivable could make or break a company/brand. Using relatable examples, she explains how we accept terms of service, enter into contracts, and set up payment terms. But when it comes to business, we often overlook some of these important terms. The bottom line: your sale is incomplete until the money hits your account. When it comes to collecting cash, you not only need to understand payment terms and timelines, you need to build relationships with your vendors so that when something does go wrong, you can communicate effectively with your connections. Dee believes "the fortune is in the follow-up." But she also points out that finding a bookkeeper with the right skillset can also benefit entrepreneurs who find cash flow management challenging. If you are an entrepreneur or contemplating running your own business, this episode is for you. Listen until the end for Dee's special bonus offers. Follow Dee @deecollects on IG Visit her website https://collectthecash.biz/
Narae Chung, the CEO, and co-founder of Cardon, was aware of the value of skincare early on. She observed the multi-step skincare rituals her mother practiced daily, which she believes were as much self-care as they were beauty steps. By the time she was in her early teens, Narae had a 4-step system of her own. Skincare was part of her life, and culturally, it was more important than makeup. The emphasis was on prevention, creating gentle results, and innovative ingredients. But she never set out to be a beauty entrepreneur. In this episode, Narae shares how she shifted her focus from electrical engineering to marketing and ultimately to beauty entrepreneurship. After developing an interest in marketing, Narae landed a job at P&G in Korea and worked on three brands that would give her foundational training in beauty. SK-II (Japanese luxury skincare), Gillette (men's grooming), and Olay (drugstore skincare). She shares how each of these positions prepared her for entrepreneurship. Narae came to the United States to obtain an MBA, but by that time, she also knew she was ready to pursue entrepreneurship. She conducted a focus group with a few of her male classmates and discovered an untapped opportunity, and decided to pursue a moderately priced men's grooming line that incorporated K-Beauty philosophy with her business school roommate. The hero ingredient of the line comes from a cactus named Cardon. Narae shares how men think about their skincare needs differently, why they made a moisturizing sunscreen the first product, how they have expanded the line to 13 SKUs since launching in 2020, how the pandemic helped them connect with their customers, and why one of her goals is to make every product her customer needs. Products mentioned: Daily SPF Moisturizer Dark Circle Eye Rescue Shaving Essentials Set 2-Step System to Fight Hair Loss Follow Cardon on Instagram
Have you ever taken a leap of faith? Makeup artist. Educator, and product development consultant, Nicky Posley has built a vibrant career because of his willingness to take the leap. But growing up, Nicky wanted to be a fine artist and was already participating in art shows while still in middle school while living in suburban Illinois. One of his friends suggested he explore m makeup. What started as a hobby turned into a career while in Chicago for training for a different job. He walked across the street to Marshall Field's and talked to people at the MAC counter, and landed his first job. Nicky shares the important lessons he learned working behind the counter. The three makeup artists who inspired him the most. He talks about his decision to move to San Francisco, where he added beauty education to his arsenal. And he tells us why it was essential to his career to move to New York. He arrived not knowing anyone but carved a long-standing career here because he stayed long enough for someone to care about his story. Learn why Nicky likens himself to a vaudevillian: he is an old-school makeup artist working in the Instagram age. And be inspired by how he used the Covid-19 lockdown to carve out a new lane for his career.
You've probably heard the adage that when a woman changes her hair, she changes her life. When Keziah Dhamma Big chopped her hair after moving from Sacramento to Los Angeles, it led to a whole new career. She went from an actress and model to a beauty entrepreneur all because she couldn't find what she needed for her thick, textured natural hair. Since developing her Snappee hair ties, Swirly Curl has become an ever-expanding platform that includes hair accessories, a blow dryer, and haircare products, including a hair growth serum, a book, an educational platform, and a new podcast, Hey Curlfriend. Keziah shares her personal journey, how she built her business, what she learned from trying to patent her design, why it was important for her business to evolve, and why it is important to stay true to her brand. She will also share some key tips for entrepreneurs, so stay tuned until the end! Products mentioned in this episode: Snappee Hair Ties, Snap Scrunchies, Headbands, Adjustable Bonnet Manga Moringa Moisture Collection, and the Go Grow Curl Elixir (watch the video to see how you can get 15% off your purchase). Visit the website to shop for the products. The SwirlyCurly Method Book (watch to find out how to get a free copy) FULL TRANSCRIPT below: Keziah Dhamma 00:00 So just for entrepreneurs who are listening to this, from many conversations with our lawyer and things like that is that even though it's your design, if another company changes one feature about it, your patent is no longer valid. So I think the most important thing out of everything is first to market, get some market, get in stores get known, there is always going to be someone coming and knocking you off. China loves to do that. But you got to just be out there and be known and you find your customers and they will ride with you. CC 00:37 Well, welcome to start right here. We're talking to bipod VT pros about breaking into the industry, standing out and defining success for themselves. I'm your host, Karina COVID, our LGBT director, turned consultant, but I'm also adept connected. What does that mean? I love linking and sharing ideas, information, and people so that we can all succeed. And I do this show because I'm an advocate for creating an equitable, inclusive beauty industry. And this shows one way to bring you the information if you want to take a seat at the table, or build one appearance. So let's get into the show. Everyone's heard the adage. When a woman changes her hair, she changes her life. Well, today's guest not only changed your hair, she changed her life and her profession and became an entrepreneur. I'm happy to welcome because I Adama who is an entrepreneur of ever expanding platforms. She is the founder of swirly curly girl College, and the author of the swirly curly method. We're going to hear how she came to be an entrepreneur and the career path that she's taken as a result. So welcome, because I am so happy to have you on the show today. Keziah Dhamma 02:00 Thank you, Karen, thank you for that introduction. That was lovely. I'm going to have to take that and put that in my bio. And the way you said it all. Yeah, because CC 02:08 you do have ever expanding platforms. And that's a wonderful thing. Keziah Dhamma 02:13 Yeah, thank you. CC 02:15 What's interesting to me is that you started out as an aspiring model and actress. Tell me about following that dream. Keziah Dhamma 02:22 Yeah. So when I was a little girl, I was always watching TV. And, you know, if you were born in the 80s, you watch TV. Nowadays, kids don't touch TVs, because you know, it's not good for their brain. But I was always watching Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen movies, they were traveling, I love the Travel Channel. And I would see young, I guess you could say actresses, and I thought, You know what, that's something I would love to do. Because their life just seems so exciting to be able to go on a location that's different from their everyday life and film. And so I went to college, I would say I was under the impression like many people, you know, in the 80s 90s, even early 20s. I feel like things have changed now. But where you go to school, you graduate, you got a good job. That was kind of the path most people took. So I went to school, I got my degree in Communication Studies, and I was focusing on broadcast journalism. I wanted to be a news anchor, I wanted to do CNN. So it was kind of close to being an actress, but not really fully going there. I think, you know, I was scared a little bit. I didn't ever really take any classes in acting until I graduated college. And then I took a summer class in acting. So I got to LA and I was interning at new stations. And I was trying to get a job as a young journalist. And I was like, if I can get a job as a journalist, I'm going to take it. But while I'm out here, why don't I just try out acting as well. And I said, the first thing I'm going to get if I get the job internship, or if I get an acting gig I'm going to go with, so I ended up getting an agent. And then after five auditions on my fifth one, I booked the commercial. It was for the Oprah Winfrey Network. And it was like a picnic. And there was a couple other people there. And it was awesome. And the amount of money that I made. I mean, it wasn't a ton at the time. But I was like this is definitely what I need to be doing. So I've ended up going along that path for many years, until I got to the point where I started my company, which was something I had never thought of doing being an entrepreneur. But that's really how I pursued the dream. I just kind of went around it to kind of get in versus just going straight for it. And the time that I did, it was like 10 years. I had so much fun. It was exciting. Of course there's ups and downs in it. You're not working all the time. So you have to have like a supplemental job, which I was working at a restaurant, which a lot of people do. So it was great while I did it. Yeah. CC 04:44 So would you consider entrepreneurship, a destination or a detour? Keziah Dhamma 04:48 was a really great question. I feel like entrepreneurship is a destination for me. Looking back at all the things I've ever been interested in all my strongest skill set It's have all come out in entrepreneurship. From a young age, I was the girl that would come home from school. And I was like, Mom, this class is not challenging me enough, I need to be an honors. And my mom was like, Okay. And so I always have gone for very challenging things, I would sign up for like chemistry classes in an honors program, not even taking the foundational chemistry class, I'm like, I can hang, I can learn this. And so entrepreneurship really does that. It brings out all your best skills, and you get to use them on a daily basis. And so I find that I'm always creative. I'm always doing things that bring out my best skills. And I'm also learning new skills, and it puts you in the most uncomfortable position that you can ever be in in your entire life. And you just got to figure it out. I actually get a high from it. CC 05:53 Talk to me about your upbringing. Where did you grow up? And how did that shape your ideas about beauty? Keziah Dhamma 05:59 I grew up in Sacramento, California, I basically grew up, people say maybe like the ghetto, the hood, my mom was a single mother, I have three brothers. So there's four kids, we didn't grow up with a lot of money at all. And my youngest brother, dad was in the picture on and off for a while my dad actually ended up going back to Nigeria when my mom was pregnant with me, because He's the eldest son and my grandfather passed away suddenly in a car accident. So as African culture has it, if you're the son, you need to come back and care for the family, because my grandfather did everything for the family. So my dad went back, and he actually left when my mom and him got married, he was on adjustment status for his green card. And this is back in the 80s. And you're not supposed to leave when you're applying for your green card. And so long story short, he wasn't able to come back. And so my mom moved on, and she was dating my younger brothers, dad, and I have three brothers. So I was really a tomboy. I never really knew about makeup. It never really occurred to me to like, look kind of cute. I mean, as a girl, you always gravitate towards girly things, flowers and stuff like that. But hair especially was like the pain point for me. I couldn't do anything with my hair. I never know what to do with my hair. And my mom didn't know either. My mom would go a couple of weeks without combing and detangling my hair because it was such a hassle. And whenever we did it, of course, I would just cry and scream. And my mom would do her best to kind of put it in like little pigtails. And she would keep it short. So we're constantly cutting my hair. And I would always be so sad because I as a girl wanted longer hair because beauty of course, what we saw on TV and around me was longer straight hair. So all the girls in school who even were mixed race or black, they had straight hair for the most part. And I was the only one that really wore my hair natural. Not really by choice. It was just by like what it was I was always looking at the girl saying Mommy, please straighten my hair. Let's do something. And I would see that their hair was just longer and it would touch their neck and mine would maybe touch my ear or something. So Beauty for me was really the European standard of beauty. CC 08:06 Right? What was the first product you ever chat or bought? Like hair product? Any kind of Prada hair skin? Lip gloss? Keziah Dhamma 08:16 I'm thinking like in terms of with maybe my own money or my allowance? It probably was an eyeshadow. It's probably like a blue eyeshadow and I just put the eyeshadow on. CC 08:26 And was it an eyeshadow that worked for your skin tone? Keziah Dhamma 08:28 Probably not. But I know I was really into eyeshadows CC 08:32 that's great. Did you ever wear your hair straight? Keziah Dhamma 08:35 I did. I did for a long time. So when I was about 10 years old, my mom found out about a relaxer. And I was all about it because I wanted my hair straight. So we went to Target we found the just for me box on the bottom of the shelf. And we got the strongest one we were like the maximum strength because we're like, this hair is so thick. It needs all the strength it needs. And so we got it, we put it in my hair. And honestly, it was like amazing. We were like wow, like I could feel my scalp. It felt like water was touching my scalp. I could comb my hair, my mom could comb it. It just became so much easier. And the only issue I realized is that after it was straight, and I looked at the box, and I was like I don't look like her. I don't look like the girl on the box. My hair was straight, but it still had a lot of volume. So it was straight with volume. And I still pulled it back. So I still did everything I did before it was just straight. So I feel like I kind of in a way got something that I wanted from it but not 100% I still felt uncomfortable with my hair. And I still felt that it wasn't beautiful. CC 09:36 So you're in LA, acting. Were you talking about broadcast journalism, I'm assuming you're still wearing your hair straight. When you were thinking about that. When did you decide to transition back to your natural texture? Keziah Dhamma 09:48 Yeah, it's actually a funny thing. So when I moved to LA my hair was still straight and I was still doing my blowout kind of with a blow dryer and straightening it and I got pictures down to try to get an agent with straight hair. and nobody would take me. I was like, overlooked and I was like, Huh. And I didn't necessarily decide to big chop and then go get an agent, I just could not do my hair in LA anymore. The water is a lot harsher in LA than it is in Sacramento. And so my hair was just puffing up and I was already in a transition. And I was growing up my natural texture. And there was one day like my hair literally broke off in the shower. They call it the demarcation line between the natural hair and the straight hair. And just chunks were breaking off. And I was like, I can't even pull my hair back. I can't hide this anymore. So I ended up just big chopping it myself at home. And I went to my job and everybody was like what happened to you? Because I one day had straight hair. And the next day I had a short curly afro. Well, I mean, it wasn't even really curly. It was just really like an afro, and I started rocking it like that. CC 10:54 Once it started to go out and you wanted to pull your hair back. What problem did you encounter? Keziah Dhamma 10:59 Well, I've encountered a lot of problems. Well, one, I just couldn't pull it back because it was just so short. And you know, natural texture. Because of the curl and the pattern, it shrinks up a lot, so I couldn't really get it back. I also couldn't find any hair accessories like a hair tie, or scrunchies that would actually fit around the thickness of my hair. And that was really frustrating. So what I had to actually do is I had to stretch my hair, kind of make it straight just to get it pulled back, which is what I was trying to avoid the whole time. I'm like, I'm embracing my natural curls. I really want to put my natural hair back and I was struggling. And in fact through that struggle was the reason why I created our first product, which is the snappy hair tie. Okay, so CC 11:43 when you created this, you told me June on it sticky. Keziah Dhamma 11:48 Yeah, I did, actually. So there was one day I was going out for auditions. And in the meantime, I decided I wanted to go to the gym, do a workout. And I had to stretch my hair to put it back in a hair tie. And I had just one elastic hair tie left and I tried to put it in my hair and it just broke flew across the room. And I was so frustrated. And I was like I really wish I had something that just would snap on and snap off and fit the thickness of my hair. And then it was like boom, that IDI just came to me, which was a sappy hair tie. I just grabbed one of those yellow posted and I just sketched it and I said hair tie snaps on snaps off. And I forgot all about it. It was on my desk and like six months later, my brother who's actually a famous Barber, he's called chukar, the rich barber. He had started his business. And he started his online portion where he was selling products that he created for barbers. And he's solid. He's like, what's that posted? That idea on your desk? And I was like, Oh, it was all dusty. And I was like, Oh, it's a hair tie and snap on snap off. And I was all excited. And he's like looking at you. He's like, you're really excited about that. He's like, You should make it and sell it. And I was like no way. I was like, I don't even know the first thing about business. And I'm just focused on acting like that's where I'm at. And he's like, see if it's patent if it's not that and try to get a patent. And maybe you'll do it later. So I was like, okay, and a year goes by I'm doing the same thing. I'm modeling, acting, working at a restaurant. And I thought, You know what, I have some extra time. Why don't I try to make that idea. And so I actually went for it. Walk me CC 13:16 through the process of making your first one. What was the trial and error? Like? Do you remember how many trials how many iterations you had? Do you get the right one? Keziah Dhamma 13:25 Yeah, so in terms of a prototype, it took me about three times to get a prototype together. But in terms of mass producing it, that's where the hard part came because I had this prototype that I pretty much just got some fabric, I was like it needs to be stretchy. I also had got other hair ties on the market. And I was cutting them open to see what they were made out of. And a lot of them had elastic in it, which was fine. But what I noticed is the elastic was breaking my hair off. So with regular elastic hair ties, when they stretch, the fabric kind of opens. And then when you let go, they will snap back and they snap whatever hairs right there. And that's where your hair gets pulled out. And so I was like I want to eliminate elastic in it and just use a fabric. So I found a stretchy fabric. And then I was like I need to find something that snaps on. So there was various different snaps and I started trying them and I was like well, I can't do a metal snap. People don't want that in their hair, you know and started having to do that. But that part was pretty easy because I could just go to Joanne's and find stuff. And honestly, I'm a pretty crafty person I'm really hands on. I used to love origami paper mache. Like I would do all kinds of vision boards and just give me something and I can put it together. But now when it came to actually mass producing it, it was finding where can I actually get this fabric at a better quality and where can I get this made? So I was actually making half of it by hand. For the first two and a half, three years. I literally had a snap machine in my studio apartment in Hollywood. And I would come home for auditions and I would pull everything out and I was like ah arts and crafts and I was cutting I was snapping it, packaging it shipping it out customer service. Like literally I was everything. CC 15:07 So your model actress, talk to me about what you learned doing that work that you apply to your business as an entrepreneur? Keziah Dhamma 15:15 That's a great question. I would say some of the biggest things, it's been easy for me to transition to being on camera, because with acting, you're doing so much uncomfortable on camera work, you're auditioning, you're repeating remembering things. So I've just kind of like taken out in my mind, that kind of nervousness of being on camera. I'm always on the spot. And as an entrepreneur, you are people are asking you questions, just day in and day out. So that was kind of an easy transition. Although growing up, I was really shy girl, I would literally like tear up when I would get called on at school and I had to speak. So I was always avoiding it, which is really funny that I'm actually really in it now. You know. And if you get me talking, I can't stop talking. And then the other thing I'll say is that I really understand business from a business standpoint. So let me say that before, when I was acting, I was just like the actress, I was only one portion of the whole process. And I in a way thought everything was about me, I didn't realize that there's so much more going on on the other side. So I just have so much more compassion for business owners, people just like I can see the multi layer of everything. And I think that really helps when it comes to just operating a business and communicating and working with other people. And then also, of course, whenever we're doing campaigns ourselves, like hiring models and stuff. I know how to set all that up, because that's what I did for a long time. CC 16:45 Tell me how you found your first customers? Did people see you wearing it and say, what is that? I want one. Keziah Dhamma 16:51 So my first customer was my brother. And he ordered online, just make sure the website was working and everything. And then I started reaching out to influencers, YouTubers, people basically on YouTube, because I knew that when I was looking for hair products for my natural hair I was on YouTube looking for. And so I watched a lot of these girls, and I asked them like, Hey, can I send you some product? Let me know what you think. And if you like it, will you do a video and that's how it started to roll is they would do a video and then they would have a coupon code they can share and give a discount to people. And then customers were coming in through there. So that's how it first started. And then yes, right after that, I started going to expos I was like I need to get in front of people. I need to go to hair expos beauty expos. And so we actually did the essence festival for three years in a row. But this was much later down the line. It wasn't right out the gates because the essence festival, it's really big. And it can be really pricey to do the whole thing. But local ones, we were in Atlanta, all sorts. And so that's how I started to do that as well. And then people would find us on Instagram and everything. So not that it was easy back in the day. Not at all. But it was different. You could definitely reach out to somebody, it was just all more organic. And you could get customers that way. So it was as long as we were pushing that out. We were getting customers. As long as we were having some type of social presence people were coming in. CC 18:16 Are you still doing stuff in your apartment? Or did you move to mass production. Keziah Dhamma 18:21 It took me about three years before I finally gave it up. I was like I can't give it up. I wanted to and I also wanted to make sure that everything was good. But yeah, I was looking for a long time to make the hair assessories in the US. And everything was so expensive that I eventually had to outsource overseas. So that whole process took about a year from like start to finish to try and out people and getting it up and running. But ever since we've done that it's been actually really good thing because now obviously we can scale we can sell a lot more. We're always in stock and things like that. CC 18:54 So you started with this nappy, how many skews do you have now Keziah Dhamma 18:57 we have over 30 skews of all kinds of products so we have the snappy hair ties and current I'm so sorry. I'm like I need to be sending you some products. So we will be doing that. You can dry them out and everything. Especially for your beautiful dreads. The scrunchies are gonna be amazing. Yeah, we have our snap hair ties we have our snap scrunchies so it's a scrunchie version of the snap feature where it snaps on and off. Great for dreadlocks people absolutely love them because here's the thing is you don't have to pull your dreadlocks through. You can just snap it around, snap it on and then snap it off. And people absolutely love it. And it's the same thing with our regular hair. We also have our adjustable headbands. And these have three different settings. So small, medium, large, because everybody has a different head size. And I find that headbands I used to get would just slip off my head. And so you can adjust it per size and people love that as well for dreads. And then we came up with our adjustable nighttime bonnet because me and my friends used to complain that we'd wake up and we're like, where's our bonnet? We're looking all over for it. Like never even made it through the night. And I was like, How is this supposed to protect my hair. So I went on a mission to make sure that it stayed on the hair, it was comfortable. And again, everybody has a different head size or preference. So it's adjustable as well. So it has small, medium, large settings. And then after those hair accessories, we came up with some hair jewelry. And then we moved into our liquid product line, which is our shampoo, conditioner, styling cream and gel. Then we came out with a hairdryer. And then Recently we launched go grow hair growth elixir, which has been really great. And it's an all natural Elixir. CC 20:36 Okay, so I want to come back to the elixir. You started out with a company in a product called snappy, but your transition to swirly curly, tell me about when that happened. And why you decided to do that. Keziah Dhamma 20:49 We transition to swirly curly from snappy, mainly because when we were trying to get the trademark, somebody had a trademark in the same category as hair assessories. And we really didn't want to have any confusion. They basically came back and said, like, Hey, you can still go for this. But there may be confusion and it could probably cost a lot more money to try to make sure we got that trademark. And so by sat within and thought about it, I was like you know what, what if we come up with a name that really encompasses more of a like holistic brand, and talks about textures and curls, and that's when we came up with squirrely curly, and then we still kept snappy as the product line. But we just have to really curly as the overarching brand name. CC 21:31 Now, did you ever patent snappy, Keziah Dhamma 21:34 we tried really hard. And in fact, we spent a lot of money trying to patent it. And the reason we weren't able to patent it was something really small. So I don't know if you've ever been through the process. Have you heard people that have been through the process. CC 21:47 I've had some guests who have had patents, yeah, Keziah Dhamma 21:49 we filed a patent pending. And we did change some of the features on it very small, changing of the features. And when we filed and we told them, we changed the features, they said the features that were changed were not enough, because there was a window when you file the patent pending to filing the patent and, and you must have some changes in between there in order to be able to file. And so they basically said the changes were not enough. And so we tried and we took it to the next level. And we tried and they would just wouldn't give it to us. And so we just decided like, okay, that's fine, we're going to just move on. And we're just going to focus on our strong branding for the product, so that people know us as the original snappy hair tie. And that's where we really left it, it was a design patent anyways. So just for entrepreneurs who are listening to this, from many conversations with our lawyer and things like that is that even though it's your design, if another company changes one feature about it, your patent is no longer valid. So I think the most important thing out of everything is first to market, get to market, get in stores get known, there is always going to be someone coming and knocking you off. China loves to do that. But you got to just be out there and be known and you find your customers and they will ride with you. And you just can't worry about everybody out. So Ross, you're always worried. And so that's something we can talk about a little later. Because when it comes to business, if you're focusing on everyone else, then you're not staying true to yourself. And people who really succeed are the ones who create and not compete. CC 23:22 That's amazing. That is so smart. Create not compete. So the question becomes what do you focus on? I also like what you brought up about patents. So once your patent is filed, people can look at your design. But if you have a trade secret, that's yours, it's yours. You don't have to share that with anybody if it's a trade secret. And that's yours for as long as you want to keep it. Keziah Dhamma 23:45 Yeah, definitely your distribution model. CC 23:48 How were you selling it was a direct to consumer. Keziah Dhamma 23:52 Yeah, we've pretty much always been direct to consumer straight off the website, at hair expos. We're on Amazon as well and walmart.com. And then recently, over the couple past two years, we've been getting into some smaller beauty supply stores. And this year, we really feel like we're ready for retail. So that's what we're approaching this year. We're like, starting to get everything lined up or re I guess you can say rebranding some of the packaging. We've went through so many rebrands and there was many times we're like, we're ready for retail. We're ready for retail. And then we have the conversations with possible companies that can help us and we're like, oh, we're not ready yet. Because you know, it's a big beast. And so we wanted to make sure that we had everything down. And now we're ready. Yeah, CC 24:35 it is really, really a big beast if you like what you hear, why don't you subscribe to this dirt right here podcast and leave a review. And please sign up for our mailing list at the beauty roundtable.com So you will be in the know about all the good things coming up. Let's now talk about the swirly curly method. How did she come up with it? And what is it, Keziah Dhamma 25:05 so the swirly curly method and also the book this really curly method, the easy step by step guide to getting you the curls that you love. It's a method that is simplified, effective, and is going to get you beautiful natural hair, and less time and effort. So I found during my journey and a lot of my customers, friends, family, all of that when it came to natural hair, it was like, Oh, my God, it takes too long. What products do I use, oh, I put this product, this product and this product, were people sitting at home and making these home made dy eyes and I did all of that as well. And I just never got the results I was looking for. And I was really on a mission to figure it out. I was like, I really want to embrace my curls. And I know that it can be easy. And I know that I can just do it with less time and effort. So this really curly method is that. And throughout my experience of over 13 years, I also interviewed some of the top celebrity hairstylist like Vernon Francoise, Shai, the curl doctor and I even flew out to naturally curly headquarters, I got really serious about like my education on hair. Because before it was always like, try this product, try this other product and going on YouTube and watching videos. But I never invested in like my true education like from experts. Or you could even say mentors, and once I did that everything started to fall together. And it really confirmed some of the stuff I thought I knew about hair. So swirly curly method is four simple principles. And they go like this. First is cleansing. So you want to cleanse your hair every seven days, you don't want to pre poo on seven days, you don't want to co wash you are cleansing your hair every seven days with a cleansing shampoo, then you move on your conditioning. And this is where people get confused because they're like, Oh my God, my hair is so dry, I need to decondition and they will put a deep conditioner in, they'll sit under the dryer or keep it on all night long, two or three days, or they may never wash it out of their hair. And I used to do that too. That's why I'm laughing. And I'm like, why is my hair looks great. It was soft, but then it was straight. And then maybe in two or three weeks, my hair all sudden just would be stringy. And I'm like what's going on, I use the same deep conditioner, and it was me over conditioning my hair and not rinsing it out. And then by then I would switch products but you don't have to. The issue is is that we're over conditioning our hair, we're using it too much. And you actually want to only deep condition your hair once a month. That's when you know your hair is healthy. If you're not there yet, I recommend starting on bi weekly, do we conditioner, and then a deep conditioner, conditioner, deep conditioner and going like that, then the next step is the styling process. But it's how do you add your styling products to your hair. There's so much out there, there's curl creams, there's mooses, you're like confused, you don't know you're adding like four or five products on your hair. The minimum that you need to add is a styling cream or it can be a leaving conditioner and a gel or mousse. Now people are like what about the oil? What about the butter? I do not recommend these. And here's why is that they actually dry your hair out instead of hydrated. When people talk about oh, they seal in the moisture, but they seal in the moisture and they seal out the moisture at the same time. So throughout the week, if you're adding any more water on your hair, any additional product, it's not actually getting in and your hair is just dry in the inside. So when people transition to a styling cream in a gel, they see significant major results. They're like Oh my God, my hair's curly, and like, oh my god, it's still soft, and the moisture is there. And of course there's different gels on the market. So you want more of a moisturizing gel. But there's that styling portion of how you have the products. And then the fourth one is protection. How are you protecting your hair, not only just at night, throughout the week and everything like that, but also, I give tips and the method of how to prepare your hair at night so that it's ready for the morning. So it literally takes you five minutes to refresh style and be out the door. CC 28:53 And that's so critically important because people who wear their hair curly, especially if you do a twist out or a braid out or bantu knots. There's that moment where it looks just like fantastic. And then you look in the mirror and say, what happened? What happened? So how do consumers respond to the book into the product and the method Keziah Dhamma 29:16 so the people who find out about this really curly method, and we have the product line to go with it which is our mango Moringa moisture max line. They absolutely love it. They're so elated. They're so excited. They're like oh my God finally something that works for my hair. And the way we really developed it was I took in all the things that I knew I took and all the things that customers myself friends had complained about and it was like okay, we want a shampoo that's not going to strip out all our natural oils and make our hair feel dry but cleansing. So it's a botanical cleansing shampoo that we made for the line and then the conditioner, you know it has to have slip it has to be thick enough so you can detangle your hair and then the styling cream has to be thick and easy to apply dries quick So you're not waiting all day for your hair to dry. And then the same thing with the gel. People don't want it flaky, crunchy sticking and all of that. And their hair curling hard and shrinking up, the shell actually helps to elongate and do all the things that gels do without all the downfalls of it. And so when people find out about the book and the method, they're like, Finally something to guide me in a way where I can get results, and they feel like, they just have a path now versus maybe going online and doing their own research and just trying to just figure it out. And that's what we've all done for so many years. There's a few other methods out there. There's like the curly girl method and stuff like that. But the people that find this really curly method, they love it, because it's for natural hair. The other ones are for curly hair, which it's the same and also different. So people who find mine that has natural hair, more Afro textured hair, they absolutely love it. CC 30:51 That's great. I want to hear about this growth. 00 Yes. Keziah Dhamma 30:54 So the story about the grocer is that, of course, people are like moisturizing hair, thank you, bye, girl, I need some help with hair growth. And I'm like, I don't really know about hair growth, like that is a different beast. And people have a lot of issues with hair growth, because it can be internal, external age, race, all that stuff. And so I had been doing research, and I would recommend what I could recommend. But then I actually found a black female trichology, who actually focuses on scalp so she learns about hair loss and hair growth. And so she and I had been talking for pretty much the last year and discussing coming up with a hair growth serum. And I was like, Can you help me make something because basically, in her textbook, she wanted to go all natural when it came to a hair growth serum. And there's a lot of oils on the market. And she realized that there was a couple of key ingredients that actually make hair grow, that she just found in her textbook when she was doing the research. And so she started to make the product. And she started to try it on her hair because she actually had hair loss herself. And that's what got her into being a tri ecologist, because she's like, I'm gonna figure this out. She was an extension girl, you know, the glue on extensions. And that's how she lost her hair. So she and I've been talking and she had made something and I was like, Can you help me make something for my community. And so we did. And we launched it. And she's actually in Canada, and everything's all handmade. So she's been making it and we have been selling out like so fast, and people have had to wait a long time. So we've transitioned to making it here in the US. And so it's getting sorted faster now. But long story short, is that me and Angela, we work together. She's a black female psychologist, she understands black hair, and scalp and women who have issues that have melanin skin, or who are African American, and how they affect us. And so the serum is for our hair and our scalp. And some of the key ingredients is the rapid grow tea that we have in it and our key and curls that we put in it. Those are the two key ingredients that really help to stimulate the growth. CC 33:01 So folks, just so you know, we're gonna have a link to the book to the Corollas as well Akali method and all the products in the show notes. So never fear, you'll get the information. Yeah, Keziah Dhamma 33:11 and I have a special gift for everybody. So we'll stay till the end, and we'll tell them what the gift is. CC 33:16 Let's talk about Carl college have that come about? So curl Keziah Dhamma 33:19 college is our online community. It's basically an educational platform where you get video tutorials on how to care for your natural hair. So how to get beautiful curls and less time and effort. And I'm the main instructor. It's over 50 videos on wash day, this really curly methods in there, we talk about how to get moisture to your hair. That's probably one of my favorite courses is the maximum moisture masterclass, because it really works. I mean, everything works. But like this one, when people do it, they're like, oh my god, they see the results. We talk about hair grow secrets and stuff like that. So it's all in there. And it's all self study paced videos. And it's a course and at the end, you pretty much graduate and you will be sufficient and doing your own hair. There's also the community aspect where we all get together, we have bi weekly live calls. We actually have one tonight, and girls come on in if they have issues with their hair, and they need help and support. We'll talk about frizz, we'll talk about styling the curls. And we'll get on and we'll discuss it and we'll go through how to combat some of the roadblocks that people are having. But curl curl is really just came out of you know, our customers are like, how do I sell my hair like this? How do I do this? And so I would be writing them and we would send them emails and blogs, but it was just not enough. So we created the community of curl college. I love that. CC 34:39 And you got one more thing coming now. So you're going to be doing a podcast. Tell us about it. Keziah Dhamma 34:44 Yeah, so we actually just launched our very own podcast. It's called the Hey Girlfriend podcast. I'm your host because I Adama and we decided that we have presence on YouTube. We have presence on Instagram. We're on Twitter and all the other things but we hadn't dived into podcast and we find a lot of our community hangs out there. And we really wanted to also bring on other experts in the industry. And we wanted to highlight other women's natural hair journeys because we learn through other people's experiences, conversations. And I thought it would be really, really wonderful to have other people with other textures, share their experience and share what they found to work for them. Because a lot of times people are hearing from me, but somebody may have a different texture. And I think that's so important. And then of course, we're going to highlight black owned businesses, other people who are doing great things in the community, as well. So I'm so excited. And Korean has already said yes to coming on the podcast. CC 35:43 Yeah, I can't wait. I'm so excited. Like I said at the beginning, because I is in charge of an ever expanding platform, I really think it's important to talk about doing hard things, because we don't talk enough about failure. We don't talk enough about things that are hard and getting good. What is the toughest challenge you faced thus far? Keziah Dhamma 36:04 That's a great question. There's been quite a few toughest challenges. But I would say I'm torn between two, I'm gonna share both. The first one is working with my husband, we work together in the business. And we have since the second year of business. And that's been challenging, because at times, or a lot of times, I'm focused on business, and I'm in my work mode, and he's still thinking I'm his wife at the moment, and not that we aren't married. It's just a different type of communication. And so it's been challenging, and we're both like two CEOs, we have the same vision, but different ways about getting there. And because we're both still strong personalities, that has been challenging, he has really great ideas. And I have really great ideas. And I will say after six years of working together, we really have found how to work together and we kind of stay in our lanes, we stay in our lanes, and we support each other. And we give each other things that complement our skill set. And that has been really working for us. And so that's been challenging. And then the other challenging thing is staying true to ourselves, we see things that other people are doing or other brands that may be considered competitors. And it's like, oh my god, we should be doing that too. Or let's do that, or Oh, that was our idea we were going to do this. And it was like staying true to ourselves and focusing on our plan, and our uniqueness. And I find that's hard for anyone to do. I spend time researching brands and seeing trends and stuff, especially online and online marketing. And it's so easy to hop on the train that everybody's on, just because it's a train and a trend. And trains and trends, they come in they go. So we try to focus on the things that are going to stay and we tried to just quiet out the noise because we do create content. So we're there we're looking at stuff and focus on ourselves. So I would say that's been a real true challenge is that staying true to ourselves? Because we've made moves that weren't necessarily true to ourselves, and then you pay for them. You get on the train, and you're like, Man, you sound pillowcases ain't selling that well. They're like, alright, let's not do that. Yeah, CC 38:09 this applies to personnel, but also in terms of trends. Shiny Penny syndrome, shiny Penny syndrome, to me is, oh, it just looks so pretty. Everybody's doing it. And you know, you fall in love with this idea or a person or whatever. When you look below the surface, it's kind of like not really what you want it as an employee or as an idea in your business. And we often get distracted by those ideas, those shiny pennies, because Keziah Dhamma 38:39 it looks so pretty. Yeah, totally. One thing I want to say to that is I forgot where I read this or somebody has said this is like the most wealthy most successful people are not in the limelight, they're not in the spotlight. And not saying that the people that are aren't, but if it's in your face, and there's a fear of FOMO like I need to be a part of this, it's probably not the best choice to do. And it's probably not the thing that's really going to make you the most money or success or whatever. And that's what I've also learned is like, you know what, just quiet down, listen to the inside voice and focus on that. CC 39:12 Alright, finally, can you offer our listeners five tips on evolving a brand or platform. Keziah Dhamma 39:19 One is talk and listen to your customers. Now your customers are going to say a lot of different things. You don't have to do everything but you should be talking and listening to them and reading their feedback every single week. That's how you're going to know what's going to sell what's going to grow, where you need to go because it's really funny people will start a brand and they think that their customers are one type of people, but you may attract somebody else. So it's really important to know who you're attracting. Because when we started we're attracted younger in their 20s type of women and now our clients customers are actually 3540 plus the second tip about evolving and everything is just knowing that you do have to evolve, the brand is always growing. If you're not growing, it's dying. So expect to evolve, expect to change, expect to create new things to expand, and you just have to have that mindset. I didn't, when I started, I was like, I'm making these hair ties, and they're gonna be store and I'm gonna do this forever. And I didn't realize no, I have to create new things. So definitely have that expectation and just be looking for the next step that you're gonna take. It's a journey. It's like a child. And then the third tip about growing a brand, I would say, be mindful of your brand, Dean, I've experienced just putting things out and just trying it out without having the proper branding on it. And then something takes off, and you're like, Oh, my God, this isn't the right color. This isn't the right branding. And it's really important so that you have a strong brand, presence online, because everything's kept online nowadays. So when people find you, and then they click on your website, and maybe the branding has changed, they might feel a little uncomfortable purchasing it. So I just think that's really important to just make sure your branding is intact. And then the fourth one is really get a mentor, somebody who has done what you're trying to do before and follow in their footsteps, but still making your own because there's a lot of things that somebody has already been through where they can share with you how to overcome it, or how to go around it, or whatever it is. So take it on. But of course make it your own. Yeah, and the fifth one I touched on this before is really just staying true to yourself and staying true to your brand, there's going to be a lot of things that come up a lot of outside input on your brand. And you really just got to quiet that noise down and focus on what's best for you and the company. Because also at the end of the day, you've got to remember that companies aren't this thing in the air companies are people. So you are your company. And everybody can say what you should be doing. But that might not work for you, your lifestyle, your life plans and stuff like that. Like I had a lot of people telling me to do a lot of things when I was pregnant, and I have three kids now. And I'm like, that's not the time for me to do it. I can do it in a different season of my life. So it's really important to focus on you. And with that said, is that you create your brand and your lifestyle. So just make sure that you know that. CC 42:16 I love that you create your brand and your lifestyle. So you're driving the ship, don't let the ship drive you. Yes, exactly. And I think that's hard for entrepreneurs to accept. Because when you work for yourself, it's the grind. Keziah Dhamma 42:29 Yeah, and we can be so reactive to everything happening. Yeah, 42:33 tell people, your social channels so they can follow you. So if Keziah Dhamma 42:37 you guys want to visit the swirly curly website store where we have all of our products, it's swirly Curly haired.com. And I actually have a free gift for you, which is 15% off of any products that you guys may want. You just have to use the code podcast 15 and get 15% off, I have a second free gift is that we're giving away free books of the swirly curly method. So these are free physical books, all you have to do is pay for shipping and handling, which is just about $10. And we'll ship out the book to you. And you can go ahead and get that book at the swirly Curly method.com. And then on terms of social media, we're on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, we put out weekly videos on YouTube, our podcast is going to be on the YouTube and that's just at swirly curly hair. And then if you want to say hi to me personally and see my three children that I pretty much only post on Instagram my whole page is just like children's stuff. I mean, there's a little bit of hair stuff on there. I'm getting back into it, but it's just at because I Adama and then the same thing at Facebook is because I Adama as well. CC 43:36 Wonderful. Well Casaya I can't thank you enough for being on the show today. It's been wonderful chatting with you. Keziah Dhamma 43:43 Same same criticism. So much fun. Thank you. Cee Cee Corbett 43:45 That's all for today. Follow us at start underscore right underscore here underscore podcast on Instagram, and
We are back with Season 3 of Start Right Here! On this episode, it is a pleasure to welcome Noelly Michoux. She is the CEO and Co-founder of 4.5.6. Skin. And in this episode, we talk about how Noelly and her co-founders have used an international perspective and scientific research to create a groundbreaking line that addresses the skincare needs of 40% of the world's population. Noelly shares why she moved from the country of her birth, Cameroon, to Normandy, France, and how that impacted her ideas about beauty. After moving to Paris to further her education, Noelly got her first exposure to a department store skincare. After working in several careers, Noelly took a leap of faith and moved to NYC with her then-boyfriend. Because she didn't have the proper Visa, it took her months to land a job. When she did, she got her first exposure to the beauty industry while working in e-commerce for brands, including BlackUp. While in New York, she had her first child, experienced hyperpigmentation, and learned much about the skin as she sought treatment. She and her family moved back to France when her second child was born. Still intrigued by the gap in addressing the skincare needs of those with richly melanated skin, Noelly began thinking bout addressing it. Noelly shares her circuitous route, including the journey to France's Cosmetic Valley, stops and starts with contract manufacturers, acceptance to the prestigious LVMH Research Center's program, and meeting her cofounders. Then the hurdles they faced building and launching 4.5.6. Skin. Follow 456skin on IG https://www.instagram.com/456skin/ Check out the complete product line here: https://456skin.com/
This week, we are back in the crates with a rebroadcast of my chat with Ron Robinson, CEO, and Co-Founder of BeautyStat Cosmetics. This is a must-listen for anyone contemplating beauty entrepreneurship, product development, or becoming a cosmetic chemist. Ron tackles the critical mindset for each. He also chats about pivoting BeautyStat from an influencer agency to a successful skincare brand. The original show notes for the episode are below:
With all that is going on in the world, we all need a bit of self-care. And in order to practice it myself, I wanted to bring you a rebroadcast of my chat with Dixie Lincoln-Nichols, Founder of the Inside Outer Beauty Market. In this episode, Dixie shares her career evolution from her aspirations to become a medical doctor to a science teacher to now a beauty and wellness entrepreneur. Stay tuned to the end for four new tips that will help you shop for toxicant-free products. (Original show notes below)-------------------------------------------- Dixie Lincoln-Nichols learned about natural beauty ingredients at about five-years-old from her grandmother in Trinidad. But accessing that knowledge came much late, following a brief career as a biology teacher. After a diagnosis of uterine fibroids and an encounter with an insensitive doctor, Dixie started exploring ways to heal herself naturally. She saw an opportunity to bring toxicant-free beauty, wellness, and home products to a multicultural audience. She launched Inside Outer Beauty Market a brick-and-mortar store which contains products that have been carefully curated by her and her team. She explains that the marketing of clean beauty has created a perception that it is for an affluent white customer, but points out that the ingredients in many of the products are the same ones her grandmother used. And expresses concerns about the ingredients in beauty products marketed to Black women in particular. Dixie gives us insight into how she sources and tests products and how she uses her background as an educator to teach her customers about toxicant-free beauty and wellness. We discuss how the mind/body connection factors into beauty and wellness and how she uses her training as a Qi Gong instructor as part of a holistic approach to beauty and wellness. ------------------------------- Don't forget to check out our newsletter: The Last Word
When Abigail Opiah and her sister, Antonia, co-founders of UN_Ruly, launched an exhibit and short film called You Can Touch My Hair, in 2013, the intent was a commentary on how Black women had been "othered" in the workplace. But to some it was controversial. In fact, on the second day of the public exhibit, some Black women came to protest. Abigail's goal was simply to move the conversation about textured hair forward. The duo has been incorporating innovative ways to do just that on their media platform and other projects since. like the award-winning Pretty Shouldn't Hurt, done in partnership with L'Oréal. While she always saw entrepreneurship in her future, Abigail believes that ending up as a beauty entrepreneur is serendipity. She started her career at a South Florida real estate firm in a role that mixed project management, public relations, marketing, and other skillsets. When she moved to New York, she landed a job at a boutique public relations firm that focused on entertainment and lifestyle clients. She continued in those areas when she started her own company. But the Opiah sisters have been working together off-and-on since they were young babysitters. When Antonia floated the idea to Abigail, a platform was birthed. Three years later, they saw a need for in-home styling services, launching the e-commerce platform, Yeluchi in 90 days with only two stylists in New York City. The business expanded to include several cities (currently, NY, Los Angeles, and the DMV). Abigail shares how Covid-19 impacted their business and the steps the company took to support their hairstylists. She oversees their e-commerce business, and media relations and is spearheading their latest effort, selling braiding hair. She explains how this expansion is a natural outgrowth of their mobile business and that clients will be able to purchase pre-bundled packs based on the style they choose. Abigail also explains how she and her sister work together, dividing responsibility. And why a business coach was helpful in the duo's ability to separate their business and personal relationships. Find out all of this and more in the latest episode. And check out our newsletter, The Last Word.
The children of Trinidadian immigrants growing up in Montreal, Jamella Bailey, President, and Founder of Crüe Cosmetics, dreaded the hair maintenance process. It led her to spend many years hiding her hair under braids and protective styles. But her quest for a Beyoncé-like lace front cost her more than the expensive price tag for the wig. The stylist she visited glued the wig directly to her hairline, with traumatic results in hair loss, scalp irritation, and traction alopecia. Jamella couldn't use most of the products she found in her pharmacy without additional irritation. This life-changing experience led her to research natural ingredients and start blending products in her kitchen, and she used friends and family as testers. She knew that she had found the right formula for her first product, a Growth Serum, when her testers started buying the product and asking for more. As a result, Crüe officially launched in 2016 with four hand-made formulas housed in amber glass jars. Jamella initially thought her target audience would be other Black Canadian women with hair damage but quickly found that those issues attracted a much wider audience than she ever imagined. She shares the challenges Black beauty founders face in being pigeonholed in specific categories. Jamella has honed her craft along the way, taking photochemistry courses to become a better formulator and recently being a certified trichologist. She also shares why she must consider regulatory rules if she expands her business beyond Canada. However, in the meantime, she is expanding the Crüe Cosmetics line in the coming months to add shampoos and conditioners to complement her existing treatment line. And she plans to expand beyond her e-commerce model to include salons that can retail her products and use them in treatments. And Jamella has plans to put her trichology certification to good use in the future. Follow Crüe Cosmetics on Instagram and Facebook.
Briggitta Hardin, the Co-founder of NFZD, a whole plant beauty brand, always knew entrepreneurship would be in her future but never thought that beauty would be part of the equation. Growing up in a rough section of Chicago, Briggitta couldn't go outside to play, so she devoured books instead. Her thirst for knowledge led her to attend Howard University, and when she found herself squeamish around blood, she evolved her career aspirations from plastic surgery to public relations. However, graduating as a new mother led her on another path, AV equipment sales at a hotel. While on vacation in Los Angeles, Briggitta and her fiancé discovered the benefits of CBD. Briggitta wanted d to share it with her community, particularly Black women. After the first line she developed failed to live up to her expectations, Briggitta went back to the drawing board, spending two years learning about other plant-based ingredients that worked well with CBD and how to create efficacious formulas. Finally, the pair, along with her cousin, Britton Hardin, launched the brand in 2020. However, feedback from her early consumers led to a packaging rebrand, resulting in the brand being recognized at LMCC last year. In addition to the Illuminate + Hydrate Facial Oil, the brand's hero product, the other standout includes their Wellness Blends, powders that include adaptogens, mushrooms, and superfoods that can be incorporated into smoothies and other beverages to aid in energy, sleep, and focus. Briggitta shares the challenges that some with running a CBD brand and her commitment to making it work because she always remembers her 'why.' Follow NFZD Beauty on Instagram Shop NFZD Beauty face and body collections on their website In-person at Etain Health.
Rahama Wright, CEO of Shea Yeleen, volunteering for the Peace Corp was a no-brainer, it was how her parents met. But it was during her time volunteering for a health clinic in West Africa that she had a desire to create an ecosystem that provided economic support for women. And she saw shea butter as a vehicle for her end goal. Eventually, that led to the launch of Shea Yellen, through which she partners with 14 different women's cooperatives in Ghana. While other companies work on a buy one give one model, or tout their fair trade status, Rahama is on a mission to make sure that her work has a real social impact. Her Ghanian partners benefit from the business--making five times the local minimum wage. And she's invited the growers to see the finished products in Whole Foods too. Rahama shares the challenges she faced getting her products into Whole Foods and how she was able to expand the brand's footprint as a result. And the other retail avenues she created before the pandemic included MGM hotels and retail space at the airport. Covid-19 presented many obstacles for Shea Yeleen, Rahama shares them as well as some new opportunities that came her way, including being approached by Macy's. But Rahama is not solely focused on her brand but defines real success by equipping other beauty entrepreneurs with the tools to find success too, she has partnered with her local government as well as some partners (to be named soon) on a new venture. She also shares how she became the youngest Black woman to serve on a Presidential Advisory Council on doing business in Africa. And she shares five great tips for anyone interested in creating a social impact business of their own. Follow Shea Yeleen on IG, Facebook Twitter Shop for Shea Yeleen: Whole Food Markets Macys.com SheaYeleen.com Check out The Last Word Newsletter from Start Right Here!
This week, I am excited to bring you my chat with Amanda Flores, the Editorial Director of Prose, a customized haircare company. Amanda has loved beauty since she began playing around in her mother's Mary Kay stash when her mom sold the brand. But it would be years before she considered a career in the industry, and for her, writing was the key. Amanda wanted to be Judy Blume and pen novels (who knows, she still may fulfill that dream). But while studying journalism and French in college, she landed an internship at Redbook and saw the possibility of combining two things that she loved. So following graduation, she did a reverse commute to work at the weekly Women's World and later worked in a combined fashion/beauty department at Family Circle. Amanda called on her network for a few of her early career moves, ranging from connections she made during her internship or those she nurtured since college. But it was her move to LATINA as beauty director that gave her a different kind of joy, having begun reading the magazine before she was in the industry. While the position was fulfilling, Amanda was interested in expanding beyond print magazines into digital. So she opened up a whole new category of career possibilities by joining L'Oréal as the Site Director of Makeup.com (and launching Skincare.com). While there were many technical skills she had to learn, Amanda stressed that her editorial ability was her strength. And she believes anyone with editorial chops can be an asset to a brand and that majoring in journalism is still important. After working at the largest beauty company in the world, Amanda was ready for a new challenge, joining Prose while it was still a startup and using her storytelling skills in new ways. Hear all of this and more in this episode of Start Right Here! And check out our newsletter, The Last Word.
In the latest episode, I chat with natural hair pioneer Taliah Waajid, who talks about her career journey in the world of textured tresses that inspired her to create the World Natural Hair Show in the late 1990s. Taliah shares how her first braiding in a salon taught her that the customer's hair health has to be the priority, even if it means turning down a style request. When she first moved there, the perception of natural hair differed between New York City and Atlanta. She shares how "Poetic Justice" helped turn the tide. And how working at a big salon in Atlanta drove home the importance of retailing products as a revenue stream and why she created her first three products. Her lines include Uncle Jimmy's (her men's line), her children's line, Black Earth (her original collection), Curls, Waves, Naturals, Protective Styles, Green Apple, and Aloe. (While she also has a scalp care collection in the works.)Taliah explains the steps she took to get her products in local beauty supply stores, find distributors and eventually land her products in big box stores like Walmart and Target. She shares why running a salon and a brand didn't work for her. But what you will want to hear is why and how she came to start The World Natural Hair Show, now in its 22nd year. After not mounting the show for two years, she is excited to return. Hear how she built the show from its humble beginnings to the point where there were 30,000 attendees over the two-day event with more than 300 vendors. And why it was vital for her to include competitors in the mix. (Correction: The Show is on 4/23 and 4/24!!) To get tickets go to the worldnaturalhairshow.org Follow Taliah Waajid on Instagram and Facebook. Check out The Last Word Newsletter here!
This week we're back with new episodes. We're coming out the gate strong with my chat with Patricia Reynoso, Executive Director, Cultural Relevancy Engagement—North America, at The Estée Lauder Companies, Inc. Patricia has been an editor, author, publicist, editor-in-chief, copy director, essay writer, and more throughout her career. In this episode, she walks us through the career she never knew existed as a child but reflected her lifelong love of beauty and her culture. She shares how her early career was nurtured by many women at Fairchild Publications, from her start at Children's Business to WWD and W. And how relationships formed there have served her throughout her career. Patricia shares what she learned about covering beauty at a luxury magazine and a huge service publication.How she co-authored a book while her twins were toddlers, and why she took her first foray into the side of beauty with a public relations position at Lancôme. And the dream job that called her back to editorial. Patricia explains how authenticity and culture were present throughout her career. They are what I call her superpower, setting her apart and have factored into the position she holds today. Check out some of Patricia's writing: https://www.elle.com/beauty/a28640193/hair-pelo-malo/ Read her essay included in: AOC: The Fearless Rise of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
We're digging the crates to bring another episode rebroadcast. This week we're featuring Dr. Edward E. Dickerson IV, a double board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon (originally ep 37). Did you know that there are only about 25 Black specialists like Dr. Dickerson? He shares his education and medical training at two HBCUs, West Virginia State College and Morehouse School of Medicine. And his surgical training while rising through Lt. Col. in the United States Army. Then, Dr. Dickerson breaks down some key facts about aesthetic procedures. Everything from how the Fitzpatrick scale factors into outcomes to the differences between wrinkle relaxers and fillers. Plus why some hair removal procedures can be tricky. Check out this information and more in this rebroadcast!
This month, we're back in the crates, offering remixes of some of our old episodes. This episode features Jazmin Alvarez, founder of the clean beauty & wellness site Pretty Well Beauty (initially. interviewed. in episode 3!) Since I chatted with Jazmin last, a few things have happened: The website redesign and brand refresh She's added seven new lines 50% of the brands on the site are from BIPOC creators She's co-founding a leadership academy for emerging beauty entrepreneurs (with access to funding). She is the recipient of a Reimagine Main Street grant Note: EleVen is Venus Williams' line, not Serena's. The original show notes are below: With $300 and two suitcases, she came to New York City with her eye on being a model agent. From there, Alvarez transitioned to casting and photo production before leaping entrepreneurship.
We dug in the crates again to give you another fantastic episode. First, I wanted to rebroadcast my chat with Eunice Cofie-Obeng, Founder and Chief Cosmetic Chemist of Nuekie, a skincare company, because products created for melanin-rich skin are increasingly popular. But Eunice has been working on her products for more than a decade (the first time I met her was in 2009). And since we last chatted, Eunice introduced a number of new products and was chosen as a 2021 Glossier grantee. But the other thing that is crucial in Eunice's work is her dedication to training aestheticians about skin of color through her Skin of Color Academy. Our discussion about funding for Black founders is still relevant, as are her thoughts about collaborating with other Black beauty founders during the pandemic. And we have a bonus added: Towards the end of the episode, we got five new tips from Eunice to find an aesthetician who knows how to work with skin of color. One good resource: the Black Estheticians and Skin Therapists Association.
This is a rebroadcast of my interview with Kim Roxie, founder of Lamik Beauty, early in the pandemic. Since we've chatted, Kim has won 10 pitch competitions. Ulta.com is selling the Lamik Revelation Brow Duo, Clear Brow Gel, Mascara, and Powder Brow Duo Brush. And Kim has embraced live shopping by regularly appearing on Talk Shop Live and has just begun her own show Kickin It With Kim! At her heart, Kim calls herself a cheerleader, and through this channel, she is doing just that. As you listen to Kim's interview, from over a year ago, and see how crazy has played into her progress. Here are the show notes from our first broadcast: Kim Roxie spent hours studying the piano, but although she didn't make music her career, she has called on that discipline in her work as a beauty entrepreneur. Kim founded Lamik Beauty, a clean beauty brand for women of color, and opened her first store in Houston, TX, shortly after graduating from college. "It must have been destiny that landed me in this role. I think that's a great thought. Do you think the discipline of being a pianist has helped you to apply to be an entrepreneur? Yeah. I think the same type of attitude and skillset. You have the same type of discipline and mindset because when you play an instrument and anybody listening knows if you ever played an instrument or either, you know, your voice, it might be, but you practice all the time. When I played the piano growing up, I mean, I practiced every day for a certain amount of time. There's a huge amount of discipline and work that you've put into a piece just to play it for recital or just to play it, you know? And so not getting tired of doing the same thing over and over just to get better. I think, is a discipline that I'm definitely using an entrepreneur. With the odds stacked against her, Kim relied on her ability to connect with women, her belief in a new category of beauty, and her faith to succeed. I had someone say to me, Kim, you just got crazy faith. And I said, okay, that's what it is. I remember being in my senior year and we had to have our senior project. And if you didn't pass the senior project, they would hold you for another semester. And I remember being in my senior project and finishing up and then saying to my professors now I hope this was a great project. I did. I said, but if you need any convincing, let me let you know. I've already taken a lease out on a space in the mall in Houston. And I have this company that I want to launch in two months. And I was like, so if the project isn't worth passing, just from what I did, can you at least look at my future goals and pass me because of that? When I opened up my store, I had no money left in the bank. I had figured out my budget, but I didn't understand budgets back then and financial models. So I only had the money saved up that it would take me to open up the store. I didn't have any money for next month's rent or for inventory. I didn't have that money when I opened up, that was it my bank account with zero. So when I opened up my store, nobody came in when I opened up the gate, I'm in a mall and nobody came in and I was like, that was like the first 30 minutes. I was like, Oh, so people don't just walking in when you say open. Okay. And so I went down to the food court to go get customers. And that's how I built my clientele was walking down to the food court, walking a person, talking to the woman all the way to my store and started in the business. But then her dream expanded and decided that reaching more women required her to change her business model from brick and mortar to e-commerce, incorporate technology, and learn a new way of business. So she decided to close her store. I wrote a letter to my customer base and I agonized over that letter, just being able to explain, but I was so convinced. I was so convinced that this was the right thing to do. Because I felt this huge calling the same calling I felt to open up that store, the same calling. I felt to do it at a time where it wasn't even popular. Like I felt that same calling towards who are more tech and doing the things that way. So I've actually just taken our customers from our store on the ride, with us and I've explained to them and when things have taken longer, you know, I told them I'm going almost like back to school in a way where some people would go to like business school. Find out how Kim has incorporated tech into her new business model and more when you listen to the entire episode.
As we prepare the next round of interviews for Season 2 we are going to rebroadcast some of our favorite episodes. These are our Episode Remixes. First up: Ni'Kita Wilson, a cosmetic chemist, and product development expert who also has experience in contract manufacturer. This interview originally ran as episode 15, but we updated the format to match this season. Since we spoke in 2020, Ni'Kita has a gotten new role: Vice President of Product Development at OUAI. The celebrity haircare line from Jen Atkins (recently purchased by P&G). But her advice is timeless. Learn how she went from wanting to be a doctor to ending up with a first job in forensic sciences for the state. Discover how she stumbled onto the beauty industry and what the roles she has taken on thus far have taught her. It's important to note that Ni'Kita didn't know that there was such a thing as cosmetic chemistry or product development and she managed to build a career in beauty after discovering it. Don't let a lack of an internship stop you from trying. Ni'Kita proves that it can be done!! Follow Ni'Kita on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
In this bonus episode, I share some of the fantastic tips shared by my guests that can help the beauty career curious, those who want to make a pivot into the industry or within it, and some critical insights for those pursuing entrepreneurship. Keren Davey, a Senior Brand Manager, Luxe and Clinical Skincare at Sephora, shares tips on breaking into the business, even if you haven't had an internship. Jolorie Williams, the General Manager at Revlon, oversees Creme of Nature provides tips on navigating the corporate beauty environment. Trae Bodge, a savvy shopping expert with rots in beauty, shares advice on making a career pivot (she has done several). Ginger King of Grace Kingdom Beauty enlightens us on roles in beauty STEM--cosmetic chemistry, product development, and contract manufacturing. For entrepreneurs, Kim van Dang, a former beauty director, and current serial entrepreneur, most recently launched Van Dang Fragrances, explains why you should follow your passion. Chrissy Cabrera, the founder of Naturally London, advised us to go deep in a category instead of wide. Ginger King of Grace Kingdom Beauty shares the timeline you should keep in mind for creating a product line. Kimberly Smith, the founder of Marjani Beauty and The Brown Beauty Experience, shares a word on pricing and the intangible skills needed to succeed. And Meghan Young Gamble of Get Level Consulting advises us with critical tips to get your product on retail shelves. These tips are helpful no matter where you are in your career or business development.
This week, we feature Rochelle Graham-Campbell, the C.E.O. of Alikay Naturals. Rochelle is an entrepreneurial dynamo who puts her heart into everything she does. And she gives us lessons on building a business strategically. As a young newlywed, Rochelle was paying her way through school and working three jobs: a C.N.A., a waitress at Olive Garden, and delivering daily newspapers with her husband, Demond. Then, she started doing YouTube videos as a form of creative expression, escaping all the pressure she put on herself to graduate early. The channel she created, Black Onyx, was where she could talk about her natural hair. In 2010, she was one of the original six natural bloggers and the only one that continues today. Through that channel, her haircare brand Alikay Naturals was born. Although Rochelle isn't a chemist, she learned a lot watching her Grandmother, aka Yaya, in her native Jamaica, who was an expert in plant medicine. As a result, she was the first one people called when they had an ailment. Years later, Rochelle looked to natural ingredients to solve her hair problems and those who were part of her community. Rochelle formulated the brand's first 70 products in the first three years. That's no small feat. The line now has close to 90 SKUs. Rochelle shares how attending a pitch competition with her last dollars became a catalyst for Alikay to get on retail shelves. She didn't win but left with a connection that led to her presenting to Target. They were sold and wanted the brand in 300 doors. However, Rochelle and Demond decided to ask for 1/3 fewer stores to prove themselves. Preparing to go on retail shelves was costly, but the two also agreed to manufacture their products themselves and started Black Onyx World. And in 2022, Alikay Naturals launched in 1800 Walgreens stores. She's also founded HER by Alikay Naturals, a feminine care line because she saw a dearth in the marketplace. But Rochelle is an entrepreneur who likes sharing her secrets to success, so she's creating opportunities for others to learn. Through her courses and her book "90 Days to C.E.O.". As a serial entrepreneur, wife, and mother, Rochelle shares why the Alikay Cares Foundation and philanthropy are essential business elements. Finally, Rochelle shares some tips on launching a business in an already overcrowded category. Hear about this and so much more in this episode!
This episode features photojournalist and author St. Clair Detrick-Jules. She joins the podcast to discuss making her book "My Beautiful Black Hair" and why it was vital for her to chronicle the hair and heritage of those with textured hair. Around the time St. Clair was concluding her studies at Brown University, she learned that her four-year-old sister, Khloe, was being bullied about her textured hair. Khloe, who lives in France, didn't have a lot of examples of beautiful Black women with textured hair in her environment, so St. Clair initially conceived it as a love letter for her little sister. But, as she began the project, it morphed into something much bigger. St. Clair saw this as an opportunity to continue the social justice documentary filmmaking at Brown through new medium photography because texture hair itself is a social justice issue. 'For nearly three years, St. Clair photographed and interviewed 101 women about their natural hair. She started in her hometown, Washington, DC, and moved to other East Coast cities and made it to the West Coast. She started photographing friends and acquaintances and then recruited others through her network. As a result, most of the women photographed are not professional models but exude beauty and confidence in their skin and hair. The book contains sections that include names such as "The Big Chop" but also "Liberation," "White Spaces" and "Mothers and Daughters." All of the women featured pen notes of encouragement to Khloe too. One of the reasons that the project was important to St. Clair is that as a biracial woman, she realized that her textured hair is her connection to her heritage and history. She came to the realization in high school and more fully in college but wanted to give her young sister that foundation earlier. Tune in to the episode to learn more about St. Clair's journey to creating this love letter for her sister, getting it published, and most of all Khloe's reaction. Plus, learn what she's thinking about doing next. Check out the My Beautiful Black Hair site to find out where you can get the book. Follow St. Clair at @stclairdetrickjules and @mybeautifulblackhair on IG, @MBBHbook on Twitter.
For this show, I had the privilege of chatting with my friend and legendary makeup artist Sam Fine about his career journey. He's worked with Iman, Vanessa L. Williams, Patti LaBelle, Queen Latifah, and Cynthia Erivo, to name a few. So, folks, get out your pad and pencils or note app, Sam is about to take you to school. We chatted about his early aspirations to become an illustrator initially brought him to New York City from his native Chicago and later sent him back home. But while working part-time as a floater for Naomi Sims Cosmetics allowed him to move back to the Big Apple. Among the many things that Sam shares are what working behind the counter for Sims in Herald Square taught him and the importance of finding good mentors. He found two amazing people that nurtured his career. One of them was Fran Cooper, whom he assisted on many shoots until he was ready to go out on his own. Sam shares how he led a double life--working behind the counter and working with celebrities and shoots until something had to give. Sam also shares how he became the first Black makeup artist with a spokesperson deal with Revlon working with Veronica Webb. Later he worked on CoverGirl campaigns with Niki Taylor (who is not Black), and later with Tyra Banks and Queen Latifah. He also talks about the importance of asking for what you want. Whether in his case, it was a book deal, a preferred payment arrangement, or to work with a specific brand such as Fashion Fair. And the importance of the many covers he did for Essence. Sam explains why he decided to move to Los Angeles, Oakland, and eventually back to New York City. Why being in the union is essential, and what's it like to come back to Fashion Fair as its Global Ambassador under its new ownership. He shares what it is like to come to prominence in a time before Instagram and why it is harder for a makeup artist to replicate what he's done in the age of social media. And he shares his thoughts on the inequity that Black creatives face in recognition and opportunities. After his bestselling book and DVD, Sam shares what he'd like to do next. Then, tune in to hear the whole story.
This week, the Start Right Here podcast welcomes a groundbreaking beauty entrepreneur, Miko Branch, CEO of the haircare brand Miss Jessie's, salon owner, and author of Miss Jessie's Creating a Successful Business From Scratch—Naturally. Miko, alongside her late sister, Titi Branch, built a multi-million dollar brand that is sold in outlets like Target and Wal-Mart, has more than 40 SKUs, and was at the forefront of creating products that accentuated the beauty of curly and coily hair. Miko shares the path she and her sister took to get there. How their father taught them to be fearless and what their first entrepreneurial venture, a cleaning service, taught them about running a business. But the two took a circuitous route into beauty. Miko first studied fashion at FIT before declaring her desire to become a hairstylist. Titi worked as a field producer at ABC before joining her sister in the industry as her agent. You'll hear how that led from doing hair in their home to a two-chair salon on Bond Street in Brooklyn. And the lesson they learned about expanding too soon. Finally, Miko explains the steps she and her sister took to recover from a bad business decision and the circumstances that led to her embracing her natural curls—which became their unique focus. Miko tells us what they learned from their paternal grandmother, Miss Jessie., and how they factored into creating their first product. Then, she'll explain how the demand for Curly Pudding necessitated getting their products on the retail shelf. You'll learn how they made and shipped their products from home to a manufacturer and owning a warehouse. And why it is crucial to hire the right people. Miko shares how love has fueled the brand's success. And although her sister is no longer on this earthly plane, Titi's impact is still felt in every aspect of Miss Jessie's. Miko's story is as much about love and legacy as it is about success.
Chrissy Cabrera, the founder of Naturally London, never dreamed about becoming a beauty entrepreneur. But a rough first pregnancy, where she suffered from swollen feet and an aversion to ingredients in many foot care products, prompted her to make her own. Still, she didn't think about selling the products until the friends she gifted started asking where they could purchase her products. Along the way, she evolved her hand-crafted line of products and became a certified aromatherapist. Chrissy shares how she transitioned through several careers, from working in the military to the federal government and running a fashion consulting business and blog. And why she held down two jobs for most of her adult life. How her conversations with God prompted her to step out of faith as she built her business. And what having her brand featured on "Good Morning America" taught her. Plus, why every entrepreneur should have a business best friend! Learn these things and so much more on this episode of the show!
Megan Young Gamble calls herself the ExecutionHER and the principal consultant at getting Level Consulting. She used transferrable skills in project management to move from working at a car rental company and claims to beauty. She has also created a successful career in the beauty industry while living in Georgia, proving opportunities outside New York and Los Angeles exist. She landed a position at Astral Brands because they were looking for someone from outside the industry who could bring a fresh perspective to work. Megan leaned heavily on her project management skills as she mastered the steep beauty learning curve. While working at Astral, she was exposed to different beauty brand distribution models through the four companies they oversaw: Aloette, butter London, Cosmedix, and Pur. Megan also learned the ins and outs of packaging. With all of this knowledge, Megan set out on an entrepreneurial path with her own company, Get Level Consulting, where she assists her clients to take their ideas for beauty brands from concept to the retail shelf. Find out the essential advice Megan has for indie and larger brands alike, what they might overlook when bringing their brands to retail shelves, and more.
In this episode, we talk with a woman who is making an impact internationally with her beauty brand, Shirley Billot, the CEO and Founder of the amazing skincare brand Kadalys. We have a far-ranging chat about the impact of her early life living in Martinique, the significance of bananas as a symbol of freedom for its Black inhabitants, the culture shock of moving to Paris, and how she came to start her brand. Shirley shares how her images of beauty were formed when she didn't have a television. What growing up with a close connection to nature taught her and why it was important for her son to have that connection too. When she moved to Paris, Shirley had to suppress her friendly demeanor and found that even the food tasted different. She shares how she came to use the waste from banana growers to create ingredients that were beneficial to the skin and what kind of working relationship she has with the growers on the island. At the root of Kadalys is a brand built on sustainability, upcycling and social impact. But getting her products on the shelf in Paris was a challenge. One retailer told her that they weren't interested in attracting Black customers. So Shirley took her innovative products to Asia and her launch was well received in Japan and Korea so she also launched in Australia. Shirley shares how the social justice movement in the US had a global impact, giving her a chance to get in more doors in France. And she brought her brand to the US recently and is on sites including thirteenlune, Marjani, and melaningrace. Learn all of this and more on episode 51!
Keren Davy, Senior Manager, Clinical and Luxe Skincare at Sephora has beauty in her DNA, she was raised in her mother's hair salon. First had tea parties, later got to work, and eventually obtained her cosmetology license, yet it was a challenge for her to land her first corporate beauty role. So in this episode, Keren and I explore whether there is such a thing as the "right" school when it comes to getting a job at a big beauty brand. And if that is indeed true, what do you do when you don't fit the criteria? Keren talks candidly about how a lack of knowledge about internships may have hindered her. But the reality is, although Keren was a scholarship student, she had to work, so she made money in two ways: as a bank teller, and putting her cosmetology license to work. She landed a marketing internship during her senior year and she explains how she turned that internship into a full-time job offer after graduation. Even with marketing experience, however, beauty brands still weren't interested in her. So Keren returned to school for an NBA. There she got her first taste of skincare, leading a team working on a project for Kiehl's. But her first position at Johnson & Johnson was working on the Band-Aid and Neosporin brands. But even when she wasn't I'm a beauty role, Keren made her beauty expertise known to her colleagues and was hand-picked for a role in brand management at Aveeno. She shares how she continued to uplevel her skills and the importance of stretch assignments. After being laid off from her role at Aveeno, Keren started a consulting firm with client recommendations from her former colleagues. For her current role at Sephora, Keren made the decision to move to West Coast. Acclimating to her new role and a new home. Keren shares how important giving herself grace in times of change. She also shares the importance of faith in her career journey. It sustained her as she encountered rejection and disappointment and fueled her as she forged forward, blazing her career path. In our Starting Five section, Keren shares some valuable tips on blazing a career in marketing, even if you are an outsider.
This is part 2 of an interview with the amazing Kim-Van Dang, the former beauty director of Instyle turned serial beauty entrepreneur. In this episode, Kim and I chat about how her love of fragrance helped her build profitable beauty businesses. Kim could see the writing on the wall before she decided to leave In Style. The internet and its impact on print publishing was going to change things significantly. So she began thinking about her next gig. She realized that she often gave free advice to CEOs about products, from naming to strategy and distribution, and it helped them make millions while she got a chicken salad lunch. That gave her the idea to launch KVDNYC, a 360-degree branding agency with an editorial edge. She worked with all the big brands: Estee Lauder, L'Oreal, P&G but was more gratifying was working with startup founders like Francesco Clark of Clark Botanicals to bring their brands to market. But then the 2008 recession hit and the phone stopped ringing. But it was a package from the perfumer Francis Kurkdijan that set her off into new areas of business with her new husband, Anthony, fragrance distribution. She shares how she got the Maison Francis Kurdjian line into Bergdorf and Neiman-Marcus during a challenging recession. Other brands came calling too like Cire Trudon and Coqui Coqui among others. Then came her retail store, Havens in Sag Harbor, NY. But her love of fragrance also inspired Kim to create an eponymous home line that has just launched in Bergdorf Goodman, Van Dang Fragrances.Find out what inspired the line, what makes it unique and its cosmic appeal. Other stores that carry the line will include: The Conservatory Hudson Yards Marissa Collections in Naples, FL Tesoro, Beverly Hills The Paris Market, Savannah Follow Kim on Instagram:@kvdnyc, @ilovehavens @vandangfragrances
Stay tuned for a 2-part Master Class on having a stellar beauty career. In this episode, I am joined by Kim-Van Dang, the former beauty director of In Style, who talks to me about her impressive editorial career and how it led to her becoming a serial entrepreneur. I call her the CEO of many things, and you'll find out why. In this first episode, Kim shares her love of magazines and her determination to land a summer job at a publication. After being turned down for several positions, she landed a job at the LA Bureau of WWD/W. She shares how she made herself an invaluable team member and found opportunities to expand her role. After graduating college, she landed a job at the Orange County Register. Kim talks about how learning to be a hard news reporter added to her skills toolkit. She shares how the Fairchild Publication job that didn't pan out resulted in her pivot to beauty at WWD. Learn how her job there led to stints at Good Housekeeping and In Style. And she'll share how fragrance has been an essential throughline in her life, starting with that first bottle of Jean Naté. And one of her new favorites, Strange Love perfumes' Fall into Stars. In part 2, you'll learn about her pivot into entrepreneurship and the three amazing businesses she is running. Preview her companies here: https://www.ilovehavens.com/ https://vandangfragrances.com/ Follow Kim on Instagram: @kimvandangnyc @ilovehavens @vandangfragrances
In this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Jolorie Williams, the General Manager of Revlon. In her role, she proudly oversees the Multicultural Division, which includes Cream of Nature products and Contract Services. Jolorie loves working in haircare and even has some mannequin heads in her home where she tries out the latest products in the pipeline. Her first job was in a non-beauty role at Bristol-Myers Squib. But at the time, they also owned Clairol, and when a position opened in their Professional Beauty Division, she landed it and never looked back. When she started, her job was in "ethnic haircare," and she loves how consumers demand has helped the category evolve. Jolorie also held pivotal roles at L'Oréal, working in Multicultural Haircare and Lancome, overseeing makeup marketing. Then she moved over to the Estee Lauder brand, Origins, which exposed her to how a brand with freestanding retail stores operates. But there is something about haircare that Jolorie loves, so when the opportunity to join Revlon presented itself, she joined their Professional Division before she took on her recent role. She is serving her multicultural audience with passion and purpose. Jolorie's a proud FAMU graduate with a C-Suite position. We talked about the importance of her HBCU education and how she uses her role to impact the next generation. Plus, Jolorie offers five tips on succeeding on the corporate side of beauty. Make sure you stay until the end, so you don't miss them!
You may know Trae Bodge from her more than 1,000 television appearances as an intelligent shopping expert. But, Trae has deep roots in beauty. You can say that she was practically born into the business because her mother owned a shop in her small Massachusetts town where they sold creams, soaps, and other products. Trae initially wanted to be an artist but found a way to use those talents in beauty with a custom-blending company called Visage Beaute. She initially started working for the brand in Massachusetts and later moved to the counter at Bergdorf Goodman in New York City. When the brand was sold to Revlon, Trae actively campaigned for a job at Kiehl's, then privately owned. As part of a collaborative team at their 3rd Avenue store in NYC, she created a position overseeing their catalog sales. While there, she banded her savings together with a former colleague at Visage and another friend to form Three Custom Color. They not only custom-blended shades, but they also recreated shopper's favorite discontinued shades in their NYC retail store/lab. After leaving that business, Trae thought she would end up at a big cosmetic company in product development or another role, but wearing too many hats made her hard to place, so she stuck out on her own and began writing more. She landed her first corporate job at RetailMeNot and began doing television appearances, which morphed into a new career. After being laid off, Trae started making appearances on behalf of several clients. She's noticed an uptick in bookings since the social reckoning and sees that as a good thing, and has also adjusted to doing segments in her home. But doing television isn't easy; Trae shares the secrets to booing and delivering segments, and here's a hint, there's no such thing as winging it! Because she knows that others interested in television could benefit from her expertise, she has partnered with a colleague on One Take Media. And best of all, Trae shares five tips on perfecting your pivot. Check out all of this and more on this episode. And Follow Trae Bodge on all social platforms @truetrae!
Makeup department heads, beauty entrepreneurs, and twin sisters Denise and Janice Tunnell have carved out an impressive career behind the scenes in the film in television industries for more than 20 years. From "Hustle &n Flow" to "The Notebook" to "HBO's "Boycott" to now Netflix's "Sweet Magnolias," to name a few. This week's episode discusses how they made the career shift from accountants to makeup artists and later found their way to film and television. We discuss how these Baltimore natives acquired their skills and moonlit at first in the beauty industry, what caused them to leap full-time careers in makeup, and how they knew they found their niche when it came to film and television. We also discuss the hurdles that might exist in getting into the union, the importance of creating relationships in the industry, and the particular challenges facing Black talent (hair and makeup) and Black actors in getting hired and their hair and makeup needs met. And their thoughts about the panel on hair and makeup diversity held by Devon Franklin. Find out how they started their beauty line 14 years ago and why their podcast, Beauty Talk, is of particular importance to them and the beauty industry.
If you are a young person interested in fashion and beauty, who majored in journalism, this episode featuring Janell M. Hickman-Kirby will give you some guidance on how to build a career that works for you. Janell, a graduate of Hampton University, began her career as an intern in the fashion closet at Women's Wear Daily. She explains how she made the most of that internship and how it led to a role in public relations at Victoria's Secret. She worked on the fashion shows, managed the samples, coordinated the schedules of the brand's top models, and so much more. You'll learn why Janell chose to leave there to take a role in the fashion department at Essence and how her interests in beauty began. She shares how being a part of a small style team at Ebony gave her growth opportunities. Janell also explains how another stint in or at the HL Group added to her wheelhouse. She shares why taking a job at the Gilt Group and learning e-commerce contributes to what she does now. She was determined to maintain her editorial contacts while working there and managed to amass amazing bylines as a result. Janell explains her current roles and why generating sales are at the heart of what she does. And she shares why she started Beauty + Le Budget, a platform that helps freelancers budget better and be honest about their spending and goals. That's just the tip of the iceberg of our discussion, which also touches on mental health, why you shouldn't tell yourself 'no,' and so much more!
Ginger King, President of Grace Kingdom Beauty, a cosmetic development and manufacturing company grew up in beauty. Her mother was the first woman to open a Shiseido boutique in Taiwan. Yet, even though she loved makeup and secretly wanted to be a makeup artist as a teen, she never thought that she would have a career in beauty. But her science background opened the door in ways she could never imagine. After college, she landed her first job, at a company that processed pineapples. But she also took a part-time job at the Estee Lauder counter. At the latter, she learned first-hand about the wants and needs of the consumer. And she was able to solve a big problem at her day job by applying the knowledge she learned about how self-tanners work. Emboldened, she moved from Northern California to South California and knocked on doors until she got hired at a contract manufacturer. From there she had roles in-house at companies like Joico and Avon. She also sold cosmetic raw materials before deciding to become an entrepreneur herself. She started a skincare brand with a partner but was inundated with requests from other entrepreneurs as well as companies who wanted her help. Her focus on clean and vegan ingredients is important to her. Ginger likens creating a beauty brand to having a baby. Each trimester is dedicated to a specific area of development and it is best not to rush it. And she created her line, Fan Love Beauty, to demonstrate that she could walk her talk. And for any listeners interested in following in her path, Ginger breaks down the differences between being a cosmetic chemist, a product development executive, and working at a contract manufacturer so that anyone interested in these areas can make an informed decision. Hear all of this in more on this week's episode!
This week, it is my pleasure to welcome Stephanae McCoy, founder of Bold Blind Beauty to the Start Right Here podcast. Today, we are going to talk about how the beauty industry interacts with the blind. Is there an intersection? What grade would Stephanae give the industry? What is it like navigating websites when she needs to shop for beauty? Stephanae also dispels some of the myths about the blind community, the companies in beauty and fashion who have been getting it right, and what steps need to be for us to become authentic allies that want complete inclusion. Along the way, you will learn that Stephanae was working at Deloitte and was married with three children when she became blind. She candidly shares the adjustments she had to make. You will learn that blindness is not a monolith and that many blind people do have residual sight. Stephanae started her site, Bold Blind Beauty after she was asked to do a makeup workshop for blind women. At the time that she was doing her research, there weren't many resources. The site expands knowledge about living with blindness and demonstrates that living can be done boldly. She shares how Covid-19 impacted her as a blind woman unable to drive. Stephanae had to rely on websites and found that many have the technology to better communicate with the blind community but do not use alt text correctly. She also explains why audio captioning is important. Here are the fashion and beauty companies that earn high marks with Stephanae: Beauty: Dr. Jart, Whamisa, Bioderma, Herbal Essence's Bio-Renew line, Cleanlogic, L'Occitane, and Too Faced Cosmetics Fashion: Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, and Aerie Plus, the product Stephane raved about in the Fast Track round: Colorstreet Nails
This week, Maisie Dunbar, President of the Maisie Dunbar Beauty Brands and Bluffajo Cosmetics, joins the podcast to discuss changing careers, building a clientele, embracing entrepreneurship, and empowering underserved communities with new skills during our chat, and so much more. Maisie explains that she always received compliments on her nails from her colleagues when she worked in IT at British Telecom and later the FDA. Still, she never thought about pursuing a career in beauty until a friend mentioned that she had enrolled in nail school Maisie followed suit and discovered that although she was great at doing her own nails, she really was terrible at doing It for others and vowed to master the skill. Her first job in beauty was doing nails at a barbershop, and a few months later, when she moved to a popular DMV hair salon, she decided to pursue her dream full-time. This was a risky decision that forced her to find clients. So she took a script and started recruiting at the bus stop, offering free manicures. She reasoned, if she were always busy, people would want to try her services. It worked. Soon Maisie was so popular that she needed help, and she made a connection with a local nail school to get an assistant. This started a tradition of her offering a training program that prepared students for the workplace. Once Maisie was an entrepreneur, she began expanding her services, first offering massage therapy and later skincare services. She also became licensed in these areas so she could walk her talk. As her business grew, she realized that her team couldn't give excellent service if they were never served themselves, so she exposed them to the best in class beauty experiences. Later, she learned makeup artistry and cosmetic ingredients so that she could apply those skills to her own line, Bluffajo Cosmetics. Maisie explains that although her eponymous salon and spa were an award-winning venture, she wanted to pivot her business because legacy creation became important. She also wanted to establish better beauty training programs on the African continent and her native country of Liberia and explore distribution options for her makeup line. She also explains why she always believes in leading by example and becoming a trainer and influencer for two of the biggest companies, Seche and CND.
For Amber Makupson, founder of Meraki Organics, the creation of her line and entrepreneurship came due to her quest for a healthier lifestyle when she became pregnant with her daughter. That path led her to change her diet and look closely at what she was applying to her hair and skin. It also led Amber to enroll in a program to become an aesthetician. Economic realities, however, caused her to be realistic about building a clientele full-time. Instead, she decided to keep her career in marketing as she built up her business. Amber's dual-path continued as she developed Meraki, a line of hair care products infused with crystals that work for all hair types. In fact, it was her full-time gig that helped her fund the line. She points out that often she has to defend her decision to continue to work, often because many people mistakenly believe that entrepreneurial success mirrors what they see on television. The reality is different. Amber made and marketed the products from her home. But demand for her line continues to increase, with large orders and inventory that sold out quickly. This resulted in Amber finding a manufacturing partner that can scale up production as her business grows. Amber also shares how not seeing images that looked like herself caused her to create an inclusive line. How Ayurveda factors into her botanical ingredient choices and the purpose of her crystals in her product. Learn all that and more on this week's episode.
Miki Wright, a salon coach and founder of the "Beauty Superstars Talk" podcast, says that working in the beauty industry was her destiny. But that doesn't mean that her path has been easy. Miki packed her worldly possessions into her car and drove from Houston to Washington, DC, determined to start her beauty career. She landed her first job asking women whose hair she admired where they got it done and tracked down that salon. When she was offered a chair in that salon, she happily accepted but found out quickly that it may have been premature since she didn't have any customers. Because she needed to pay her bills, she thought about the opportunity differently--working in the salon in the evenings and on weekends until she could afford to leave her full-time position. Miki then built and sold two hair salon businesses while living in the DC area. The first where hair was the focus, the second was the first day spa owned by a Black woman, which won multiple awards. But the stress she was under was antithetical to the message she was offering her customers. Miki took a break from the business before taking several corporate positions at Ulta. And after she stopped doing hair, an award from Bronner Brothers made her reconsider the decision. But this time around, Miki is coaching those who work directly with clients to do business better. However, the death of George and the subsequent social justice reckoning caused her to consider how to make a difference. She noticed that the work of Black creatives in the hair industry was going unnoticed and set out to tell their stories via her podcast. She has interviewed legends as well as talented up-and-coming beauty professionals. Her hope is not just to highlight the greatness within our community when it comes to beauty but to document our history and business success so that the next generation doesn't need to reinvent the wheel.
This week, I welcome Drs. Drew and Joya Lyons of Smile Savvy Cosmetic Dentistry to the show. I wanted to explore the link between the field of cosmetic dentistry and beauty. That's because you can't really talk about beauty without considering how your smile and teeth play into the equation. That's both aesthetically and vocationally. I talk to the duo about how they each came to be dentists, why they started a practice together, the challenges of working with one's spouse, and the specifics about their work, and the impact they hope to have. Did you know, for example, that there is a difference between smiles based on age, race, and ethnicity? That the camera judges our smile more than we could imagine? That being self-conscious about our smiles can hold us back in other ways? Why is it important to remove barriers so more patients can access their services? The doctors share why having a practitioner who understands these issues can make all the difference. The duo share why their commitment to giving back to underserved communities with smile makeovers via The Lyons Share is important. We discuss the work Dr. Joya and her sister, Dr. Janelle Davison, expose middle and high school girls to doctors across disciplines to ultimately bring more Black women into STEM via their non-profit, S.C.O.R.E.! And why there must be more Black women in cosmetic dentistry.
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