Business of the Beat

**Rerelease: Business of the Beat with Kendra Bracken-Ferguson & Lisa Price** In this must-listen episode of *Business of the Beat*, host **Kendra Bracken-Ferguson** sits down with **Lisa Price**, the visionary founder of **Carol’s Daughter**, to discuss her incredible entrepreneurial journey. From mixing products in her Brooklyn kitchen to building a groundbreaking beauty empire, Lisa shares the challenges, triumphs, and lessons that shaped her path. With recent headlines celebrating her **historic move to buy back Carol’s Daughter from L’Oréal**, this conversation is more relevant than ever. Lisa and Kendra dive into the **importance of mentorship, navigating success in the Bla...

Keta Burke-Williams, the visionary founder of the conscious fragrance brand Ourside, shares her inspiring journey of creating a brand that celebrates diverse stories and fosters community connections. She reveals how scent became a form of escape and self-care, leading her to establish Ourside. Keta highlights the significance of community and mentorship in her entrepreneurial path and details the meticulous process behind launching a successful brand. Keta delves into the "test and learn" approach in business, discussing the balance between striving for perfection and embracing iterative improvement. She emphasizes the critical role of retail for fragrance brands, explaining her strategic partnerships...

Kenya Carter, the visionary founder of Shapes Clothing, explores her inspiring journey from North Tulsa to the heights of fashion design. Kenya shares how a childhood love for art and fashion evolved into a dynamic career through unexpected twists and bold decisions. From running a salon with her sister to discovering fashion through a serendipitous show in Las Vegas, Kenya's story is a testament to the power of taking risks and embracing new opportunities. We delve into Kenya’s unique path, including her experience juggling family responsibilities while attending fashion school and how she leveraged her background in advertising and hu...

In the gripping Part Two episode with Wendy Berry and Eugenia Marshall, the visionary co-founders of ConditionHER, listeners explore the profound challenges and triumphs they’ve experienced on their entrepreneurial journey. Wendy and Eugenia dive into the emotional and psychological impacts of building a business, particularly during health crises and global disruptions. Wendy opens up about ConditionHER’s journey through the pandemic, detailing the dual-edged sword of a sales boost followed by the realization of an unsustainable trend. She candidly discusses her personal battle with breast cancer and the broader implications for women who face such struggles in silence. Wendy’s stor...

In this engaging first part of our two-part series, Wendy Berry and Eugenia Marshall, the dynamic co-founders of ConditionHER, share their inspiring journey. Eugenia, Chief Human Resources Officer at NKSFB, and Wendy, who transitioned from a marketing career at Warner Brothers to full-time entrepreneurship, opened up about their unique paths and the serendipitous moments that led them to start ConditionHER. Wendy recounts her career shift from Minnesota to California and her collaborative relationship with Eugenia, which began through mutual social activities and a memorable shoe incident. The duo explains how ConditionHER was born from Wendy's personal experience and market research...

Join us for an inspiring episode featuring Amanda E/J Morrison, Co-Founder & CEO of Julie Products Inc. Discover Amanda's transformative journey from a structured career in finance at Goldman Sachs to pioneering entrepreneurship in consumer-facing industries. Prior to Julie, Amanda co-founded Mented Cosmetics, a trailblazing brand addressing the beauty needs of people of color. Amanda shares deep insights into the genesis and mission of Julie Products Inc., a groundbreaking pharmaceutical company reshaping women's health education. She reflects on her entrepreneurial evolution, navigating the challenges of startup environments, and the pivotal role of embracing abundance mindsets in driving impactful decisions. Critiquing...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Julee Wilson, the pioneering Beauty Editor-at-Large at Cosmopolitan and the first Black Beauty Director in the magazine's history. Julee shares her journey of breaking barriers, telling diverse stories, and supporting her community. Julee reflects on her career challenges, including overcoming self-doubt and embracing her power. Her career journey underscores the importance of recognizing one's worth, not feeling stuck in a job, and having a supportive network. Throughout the episode, Julee emphasizes the themes of support, empowerment, and resilience. She candidly talks about the struggles and vulnerability behind her achievements, advocating for openness about...

Jemila Bwanhot, the visionary Founder and CEO of Alimaj Essentials, and winner of the 2024 Earth Day Beauty Award, shares her transformative journey from Nigeria to the U.S., overcoming postpartum hair shedding, and delving into the world of natural hair care. Drawing from her heritage and a passion for holistic beauty, Jemila founded Alimaj Essentials, emphasizing the science behind her award-winning formulations. Jemila discusses the importance of understanding when to seek external financing while maintaining a focus on reinvesting in her business. She introduces her flagship product, the Herbal Rejuvenating Hair Mix—a zero-waste, biodegradable powder that nourishes hair—along with...

Dr. Shoná Burkes-Henderson, Manager, Product Research Organization and Product Experience Center at Mary Kay Global, shares her inspiring journey from an internship at Mary Kay to a distinguished career in environmental chemistry, and her eventual return to Mary Kay in various leadership roles. Shoná delves into the significance of mentorship, community, and maintaining a work-life balance in achieving success and navigating career pivots. She highlights Mary Kay's inclusive and empowering environment, with a commitment to diversity in hiring and customer engagement. Shonáelaborates on her role, focusing on understanding consumer perceptions and needs throughout the product life cycle, and the imp...

In part two, Ceata E. Lash, Founder of The PuffCuff LLC, discusses the intricate challenges of patent protection, particularly against international copycats and large corporations; ultimately sharing a playbook of when and how to diversify your product offering. To stay competitive, Ceata delves deep into her new diffusion collection, the Cuffet, ensuring the line did not alienate existing loyal customers. This strategic move has successfully placed her products in numerous CVS and HEB stores. Despite facing obstacles such as high marketing costs and the complexities of retail readiness, Ceata underscores the importance of strategic planning and genuine customer engagement for...

In this two part series, Ceata E. Lash, Founder of The PuffCuff LLC, shares her inspiring journey, which began unintentionally when she stopped chemically straightening her hair and embraced her natural curls. Facing headaches from conventional styling accessories, she envisioned a new hair tool. Leveraging her engineering connections at her community college job, she developed a prototype. Ceata recounts how her product, initially a side hustle, evolved into a full-fledged business launched on Amazon in 2014. She delves into the challenges of educating customers about her unique product and the importance of utilizing available resources, such as the Small Business Development...

Join us as Rhonda Daniels, Co-Founder and CEO of Natural Radiant Life, shares her inspiring journey from selling pickles as a child to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Rhonda recounts meeting her long-time business partners at Florida A&M University, launching her first beauty business in 2001, and navigating a diverse career in the skincare industry, including roles at Avon and Rodan + Fields. In 2020, Rhonda co-founded Natural Radiant Life during the pandemic, introducing clean beauty products for women of color. She highlights the importance of continuous learning, community support, and strategic financial management, discussing her financing journey, including securing an angel investor...

Kene Onuorah, founder and CEO of Comme Homme, opens up about his personal journey of hair loss, sharing the emotional toll it took and his eventual embrace of baldness. He discusses how Comme Homme empowers men through their hair loss journey and emphasizes the importance of instilling confidence. Drawing from his background in venture capital and entrepreneurship education, Kene shares valuable insights into building a brand and navigating the world of venture capital. He highlights the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, stressing the need for perseverance and staying true to one's vision. Kene also shares the importance of starting his...

Leona Dondi, Founder and CEO of Uzima, shares her inspiring journey from academia to entrepreneurship, fueled by a passion for solving problems and addressing the unique needs of textured hair. The discussion spans her background as a Kenyan immigrant, her academic research on implicit bias, and her unexpected entry into the cosmetics industry due to personal skincare needs. The unveiling of the story behind UZIMA, a beauty brand committed to empowering Black women and revolutionizing hair care rituals, forms a significant part of her narrative. Exploring topics such as the intersection of bias, beauty standards, and hair care, she emphasizes...

Cindy Tawaih, Chief Healing Officer of Diva By Cindy, shares her remarkable journey from nursing to entrepreneurship, revealing pivotal moments that shaped her path. From a teacher's encouragement to pursue beauty products to opening her own salon, Cindy's story is one of perseverance and passion. Cindy discusses her transition from salon owner to creator of Diva By Cindy, a beauty brand focused on restoration and giving back to domestic violence survivors. Discover how Cindy's mission to serve women in need led her to bring beauty treatments and support to homeless shelters, touching the lives of hundreds of women. Despite facing...

Mimi Johnson, Founder and CEO of The Glamatory and Grind Pretty, shares her transition from a corporate IT job to a flourishing entrepreneur in the beauty industry. Reflecting on her upbringing and passion for makeup artistry, Mimi opens up about the challenges she faced, including financial setbacks and navigating the impact of COVID-19 on her business. Despite this, Mimi's story is one of resilience and determination. She emphasizes the importance of learning from mistakes, staying adaptable, and being open to pivoting strategies to achieve success. Through insightful anecdotes, Mimi unveils her growth strategy, which involves data analysis, focusing on what...

Roger Dupé, the founder and CEO of Melyon, recounts his extraordinary journey from aspiring soccer player to accomplished model and entrepreneur. In this insightful conversation, Roger delves into his background as a Swedish-born individual of West African descent, shedding light on his experiences in the fashion industry. As a recipient of the Beauty Matter Next 2023 grant, Roger shares the challenges he faced as a black model and his observations regarding the lack of inclusivity in skincare and beauty products. Discover Roger's driving force behind the creation of Melyon, a skincare line that specifically addresses the unique conditions often associated with d...

Aja Frierson, Founder of Habit Cosmetic, shares her inspiring journey into the realm of clean beauty and the genesis of founding her brand in 2013. Aja's passion for sustainability shines through as she discusses her unwavering commitment to eco-friendly practices and her quest to discover innovative, sustainable materials like bamboo. Throughout the conversation, Aja delves into the intricacies of building an ethical beauty brand, touching on the challenges and trade-offs involved in creating products that are both environmentally sustainable and aesthetically pleasing. Aja offers valuable insights into her manufacturing process and her relentless pursuit of creating products that align with her...

Part two of Orlena Nwokah Blanchard's empowering journey explores the link between gut health, skincare, and the powerful benefits of moringa, a superfood indigenous to Africa. Highlighting the benefits of each WonderTree Skin product, Orlena underscores the brand’s mission to provide effective skincare solutions rooted in natural resources like Moringa, while incorporating safe synthetics. Orlena's passion for creating products that nourish the skin and offer a holistic sensory experience shines through as she unveils the inspiration behind WonderTree's signature mango citrus fragrance, deeply rooted in her cultural heritage. Through her brand and the Moringa Health Equity Initiative, Orlena aims to...

Part two of Orlena Nwokah Blanchard's empowering journey explores the link between gut health, skincare, and the powerful benefits of moringa, a superfood indigenous to Africa. Highlighting the benefits of each WonderTree Skin product, Orlena underscores the brand’s mission to provide effective skincare solutions rooted in natural resources like Moringa, while incorporating safe synthetics. Orlena's passion for creating products that nourish the skin and offer a holistic sensory experience shines through as she unveils the inspiration behind WonderTree's signature mango citrus fragrance, deeply rooted in her cultural heritage. Through her brand and the Moringa Health Equity Initiative, Orlena aims to...

The two-part series delves into the story of visionary entrepreneur, Orlena Nwonkah Blanchard, founder and CEO of Wondertree Skin, who continues to shape the industry and make an impact as a disruptor in the skincare industry. Orlena reflects on her journey from engineering to marketing, sharing pivotal moments like her inspiration from a Gap ad and her experience in Black media, where she was able to nurture her deep connection to her culture. But Orlena's story doesn't stop there. From her role in creating the Crown Act to launching her firm, Seven Elements Group, Orlena has been at the forefront...

Join Melissa Hibbert, President of BrainTrust Founders Studio, in a captivating episode as she reflects on the evolution of her entrepreneurial journey and being at the top of her game. Melissa first appeared in season one episode 12, "Power To Change Perception," which aired on February 27, 2021. Looking forward, Melissa shares compelling insights from her transition from the beauty and film industries to launching Glam Agency and Shyft Beauty Consultancy , including her collaborations with industry icons like Dr. Dre and contributions to Cécred, Beyonce's haircare collection. In a candid conversation, Kendra and Melissa explore the vital importance of partnership and alignment i...

In this special episode, “The Beauty of Success Books + Bubbles” book tour makes a stop at Kendra Scott in Alpharetta, Georgia, where Amanda Young, Marketing and Philanthropic Manager for Kendra Scott Southeast area, takes center stage. In a collaborative effort to champion entrepreneurship and foster community empowerment, Kendra Scott through their respective program - Kendra Gives Back - has teamed up with Kendra, to support the launch of her first book, The Beauty of Success, Start, Grow and Accelerate Your Brand. Proceeds from book tour events held in Kendra Scott stores will be donated to BrainTrust Founders Studio to underwrite reso...

Dionne Phillips, Founder and CEO of D’Lashes by Dionne Phillips, returns to Business of the Beat for Part 2 of the Where Are They Now Series. Dionne first joined in Season One of Business of the Beat and is featured in Kendra’s new book, The Beauty of Success: Start, Grow and Accelerate Your Brand. Dionne shares her remarkable story of battling cancer while navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship. Despite facing setbacks and legal issues, Dionne's unwavering positivity and resilience shine through as she discusses her experience over the last two years and the support she received from her community, incl...

This week Arlan Hamilton, trailblazing investor, author, and founder at Backstage Capital and HireRunner.co joins Business of the Beat. Arlan reflects on her past struggles and triumphs while sharing the importance of self-care, particularly for black women navigating the demanding world of entrepreneurship. Both Kendra and Arlan candidly share their experiences, emphasizing the need for balance and healthy habits to sustain their high-performance levels in the entrepreneurial arena. They explore the concept of being "Olympic-level entrepreneurs" and their responsibility of paving the way for others in the industry. They discuss Arlan’s groundbreaking book, Your First Million: Why You Do...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Brianna Arps, the visionary founder and CEO of MOODEAUX, a fragrance label that's disrupting the industry with its authenticity and innovation. Made for the unapologetically outspoken rebel inside us all, MOODEAUX is grounded in the belief that self-expression is the best self-care. Ditching tradition and introducing a new standard of longer-lasting, skin-nurturing, earth-friendly scents, MOODEAUX is redefining the fragrance experience. In this episode, Brianna shares her remarkable journey from beauty editor to entrepreneur, revealing how a job loss sparked her entrepreneurial spirit and led to the creation of MOODEAUX. Delving into her deep...

Camille Bell, the visionary Co-Founder and CEO of Pound Cake, a multi-award-winning pro-Black, pro-fat, and pro-queer cosmetics company, takes us through the captivating journey of building this revolutionary beauty brand. Camille sheds light on the challenges she faced, addressing issues of representation and racism within the industry. Delving into Pound Cake's product development, she shares experiences with labs and the deliberate choices made to foster inclusivity. Camille discusses short-term plans, unveils upcoming product launches, and shares long-term aspirations of global expansion. Notable achievements include being a two-time Allure 'Best Of Beauty' winner and securing a remarkable $1 million grant from Pharrell...

Amadou Doumbia, the visionary founder of Wuli Grooming, embarked on a transformative journey of self-discovery, drawing inspiration from his rich multicultural background spanning West Africa, New York City, Asia, and Sydney, Australia. Confronted with the challenges of 2020 and furloughed from his hospitality job, he transcended the belief in individual success, opting for collaboration and seeking expertise beyond his own capabilities. Wuli Grooming, specializes in crafting natural, non-synthetic hair care solutions catering to diverse hair types. The brand's astute go-to-market strategy involved direct engagement with customers, initially targeting smaller markets and gradually ascending to premium events. Amadou's nerve-wracking decision to participate...

Kyera Keenne, Founder of KyeraBrand - Makers of Look, Don’t Touch shares her journey from an executive assistant to embracing her love for music, overcoming discouragement about her singing voice, and discovering her passion for composing and songwriting. The episode details Kyera's personal hair journey, from societal pressures to embracing her natural texture and creating the "Look, Don't Touch" hair care line. The conversation also covers the development of her product and her book, Hair Symphony: The Step-By-Step Guide to Mastering Your Hair Type, emphasizing a holistic approach to hair care, mental health, and confidence. Kyera envisions a worldwide pr...

Leslie Roberson, Founder and CEO of the Black Beauty Collective, a beauty retailer that features exclusively black-owned brands, shares her diverse journey, including experiences as a veteran, HR manager, and model. The episode highlights Leslie's resilience in transitioning from the military to modeling and explores her entrepreneurial spirit inherited from her father. Addressing the lack of representation for black women founders in the beauty industry. Leslie emphasizes the importance of diversity and parallels her corporate advocacy in this space. The conversation covers challenges faced by Black entrepreneurs, especially in accessing capital, and Leslie shares her vision for supporting Black women...

Cyndi Ramirez-Fulton, the founder, CEO and mastermind of Chillhouse, a groundbreaking wellness spa, products and accessories. Whether visiting their flagship in SoHo or replicating spa-like experiences in your home, Chillhouse provides a modern-day affordable alternative to indulging in your own wellness. During this episode, Cyndi dives deep into her entrepreneurial journey as she draws inspiration from her upbringing in the spa industry, thanks to her mother's role as an esthetician, and identifies a crucial niche for an affordable and contemporary spa experience. Cyndi unveils the treasure trove of services offered at Chillhouse while underscoring the pivotal role of community and...

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

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

Ashunta Sheriff-Kendricks, the Founder of Ashunta Sheriff Beauty, continues her journey from makeup artist to business executive in a special part two episode. Ashunta dives into the importance of mentorship – mentoring new artists and the role of having mentors as the foundation for expanded success. She shares how high-profile clients, like Rihanna, remind her of the importance of patience, trust, and professionalism in the makeup industry. Ashunta underscores the significance of relationships and kindness as key pillars for building Ashunta Sheriff Beauty including the mishaps and relaunching her namesake brand. Ashunta remains firmly grounded in supporting women-founded brands, collaboration over co...

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

This week Sir John Barnett, Creative Director, Executive, and Global Makeup Artist joins us to kick off Season 4 of Business of the Beat. On this special 151st episode, Sir John discusses his journey, highlighting the shift from being a highly sought after celebrity makeup artist to a beauty industry leading executive as Kilian Paris' first makeup Creative Director. He is an advocate for inclusivity and representation in the beauty industry, emphasizing the importance of making people feel good inside and out through his belief that “beauty is a feeling”. Sir John is inspiring the next generation to celebrate individuality while chal...

This week Business of the Beat celebrates 150 episodes. In this special 150th episode, we hear from five amazing past guests, Nyakio Greico, founder of , Thirteen Lune, and Relevant: Your Skin Seen, Tai Beauchamp, founder of Brown Girl Jane and Morning Mindset, Angel Cornelius, founder and CEO of Maison 276, Ron Robinson, founder of BeautyStat Cosmetics, and Youmie Francois, founder and CEO of Flex-n-Fly. Each guest shares their expansive journey from when they were first on the podcast in seasons 1-2 to where they are now. For more stories from these guests and 12 other past podcast guests make sure to order Kendra’s...

This week on Business of the Beat we are joined by Aishetu Fatima Dozie, founder and CEO of Bossy Cosmetics. Aishetu shares her background, born to Nigerian immigrant parents in Boston, and traces her academic and professional journey in finance, including roles at Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Lehman Brothers. Aishetu discusses her burnout and transformative period of self-reflection, leading to her Aishetu 2.0 phase, where she redirected her focus toward passion and purpose. Aishetu shares her entrepreneurial journey with Bossy Cosmetics, emphasizing the intersection of beauty and ambition and the positive aspects of capitalism aligned with passion. Bossy Cosmetics, through...

Welcome back to the second part of our episode with BrainTrust Founders Studio members Dianne Austin, Co-Founder & CEO, and Pamela Shaddock, Co-Founder and COO of Coils to Locs, as part three of our series on remarkable founders from the Build in Tulsa Ecosystem. In this episode, Dianne and Pamela discuss the multifaceted challenges faced by Black entrepreneurs in the beauty industry, while underscoring that there are positive shifts in awareness, community support, and institutional outreach. Pamela recounts a biased encounter in the hospital retail space, shedding light on persistent misunderstandings and biases they encounter while striving to educate and challenge...

In this episode, we feature BrainTrust Founders Studio members Dianne Austin, Co-Founder & CEO, and Pamela Shaddock, Co-Founder and COO of Coils to Locs, as part three of our series on remarkable founders from the Build in Tulsa Ecosystem. They also participated in the “Spotlight on Tulsa: Roots of a Self-care Economy” survey that focused on 33 beauty and wellness entrepreneurs who are part of the Tulsa ecosystem. Dianne's journey into entrepreneurship was prompted by her experience as a breast cancer patient struggling to find suitable wigs, leading her to transition from a career in human resources to address the need for cult...