Black on Shelf

This week, I spoke to Idia Lanlokun of Ola and Mide, a sustainable children’s brand that specializes in silicone bibs, spoons, and bowls that honors all shades of melanin. Ola and Mide’s brand name is inspired by her children’s names Olawale and Olamide, which come from the Nigerian Yoruba language meaning ‘my wealth has arrived.’

Being an enthusiastic millennial mom, Idia went out of her way to purchase various tools to facilitate her motherhood journey. She soon discovered that there weren’t many products that celebrated children of color. Idia had an idea to end that discrepancy and ruminated on starting the Ola and Mide brand for three years before launching. Her goal was to create functional products that complemented melanin skin color.

On today’s episode, Idia speaks about her first year in business. She talks about the highs, lows, and future goals. Idia gives insights into working with vendors based abroad and emphasizes the importance of communication across the board - both with vendors and customers. She also speaks about how her experience in the retail industry has helped her to be organized and effective. After listening to this podcast, you will be encouraged to pursue your dreams and be a solution provider to your world.

For the full show notes, visit our website: https://www.blackonshelf.com/episodes

Stream Black on Shelf NOW on Apple Podcast, Spotify, YouTube, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, Stitcher, and Pandora!

Connect with Ola and Mide:
Visit the Ola and Mide website: https://www.olaandmide.com/
Follow Ola and Mide on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olaandmide/

Connect with Black on Shelf:
Follow BOS on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/blackonshelf/
Connect with BOS on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-on-shelf/
Connect with Tenaj on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tenajferguson
Follow BOS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Blackonshelf/
Visit the Black on Shelf website: https://www.blackonshelf.com

Watch the full interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/sG3HVHKhHRA

This week, I spoke to Christian Sargent, CEO & Co-founder of Vicky Cakes, the first black-owned, dairy-free pancake, and waffle mix made with wholesome ingredients. Vicky Cakes was named after Christian’s mother, who became a single mother of four after a divorce. Due to limited resources, Vicky wanted to offer her children restaurant quality food in the comfort of their homes. She created a recipe out of necessity, and her mission was accomplished! And Vicky’s pancakes were not only hit at home, but the word also spread around town; friends and family also could not resist the light and fluffy goodness.

In 2013, Christian’s husband Cortney had the privilege of tasting the pancakes while visiting Vicky and other family members for the holidays. His taste buds were delighted; he could not believe that the recipe had been kept a secret for forty years. Cortney instantly had an idea to sell the pancakes and name them ‘Vicky Cakes.’ Six years later, his vision became a reality. Vicky Cakes was officially launched on mother’s day to honor Vicky.

Christian aims to create representation for the culture and build generational wealth. With her contagious drive and her husband’s superb skills, this power couple is well on their way to fulfilling their vision. Things took a turn for the better after Vicky Cakes was featured on Good Morning America, after which they sold 156,000 bags of pancake mix. This significant milestone led to them opening a manufacturing facility to keep up with the demands. Vicky Cakes is currently available on Amazon, Walmart.com, and in Jewel Osco stores.

For the full show notes, visit our website: https://www.blackonshelf.com/episodes

Stream Black on Shelf NOW on Apple Podcast, Spotify, YouTube, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, Stitcher, and Pandora!

Connect with Vicky Cakes:
Visit the Vicky Cakes website: https://vickycakesonline.com/
Follow Vicky Cakes on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vickycakespancakemix/
Follow Vicky Cakes on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vickycakespancakemix/

Connect with Black on Shelf:
Follow BOS on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/blackonshelf/
Connect with BOS on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-on-shelf/
Connect with Tenaj on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tenajferguson
Follow BOS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Blackonshelf/
Visit the Black on Shelf website: https://www.blackonshelf.com
Watch the full interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/lgtxLyriuHg

This week, I spoke to Ericka Chambers and William Jones, Co-Founders of Puzzles of Color, a company that brings artists of color to thousands of homes through frameable jigsaw puzzles. The company’s mission is to provide tech-free entertainment for people of all ages. Their puzzles are interactive art pieces that create experiences and memories that last a lifetime.

Ericka got the inspiration for Puzzles of Color while she was pregnant. A co-worker of hers shared a nursery decor idea of having a puzzle hung over her baby’s bed. Being an avid puzzle lover, she was sold! Erika, William, and their parents did puzzles together while growing up. It facilitated family bonding and a fun, tech-free challenge. Armed with feelings of nostalgia, Ericka began the search for the perfect puzzle but was disappointed when she didn’t find anything that represented people of color.

This dynamic sibling duo shows us that family businesses can still work; there is no sibling rivalry here! They’ve mastered the art of honing each other’s unique skills, which has enabled them to sail through the highs and lows as a team. In today’s episode, Ericka and Willam share many vital lessons that have helped them pivot when things haven’t gone as planned. They stressed the importance of communicating openly with their customers about their challenges, setting deadlines for tasks, and having numerous backup plans at their disposal.

For the full show notes, visit our website: https://www.blackonshelf.com/episode

Stream Black on Shelf NOW on Apple Podcast, Spotify, YouTube, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, Stitcher, and Pandora!

Connect with Puzzles of Color:

Follow Puzzles of Color on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/puzzlesofcolor/
Follow Puzzles of Color on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/puzzlesofcolor/
Follow Puzzles of Color on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/puzzlesofcolor/
Visit the Puzzles of Color website: https://www.flowcode.com/page/puzzlesofcolor

Connect with Black on Shelf:

Follow BOS on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/blackonshelf/
Connect with BOS on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-on-shelf/
Connect with Tenaj on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tenajferguson
Follow BOS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Blackonshelf/
Visit the Black on Shelf website: https://www.blackonshelf.com
Watch the full interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/UPv-fS326bs

Resources: https://abundantreturns.com/

This week, I spoke to Kevin Curry, founder of FitMenCook. FitMenCook is an online community that inspires men and women to eat healthily and stay fit by providing healthy recipes. Kevin prides himself in creating recipes that are, in his words, “never, ever boring.” Kevin’s mission is to not only help people live healthier but also to be happier.

Kevin is a many-sided man who is on a mission to become a household name. He also founded the FitMenCook app, which has garnered more than 7,000 five-star reviews on the Apple App Store. He also published his first cookbook in 2018, which reached the top of Amazon’s fitness category within a month of going on sale. His latest venture is the launch of his spice and tea product lines; the spices are designed to meet all recipe needs, while the teas are designed for various wellness goals.

His journey to the success of FitMenCook started about nine years ago when he found himself back at his parent’s home with a master’s degree from Harvard, yet he was jobless and broke. He had to rely on government assistance programs such as food stamps for feeding; hence he had to learn how to eat healthy while on a budget. He decided to share his creative discoveries with the world on his blog. In no time, he formed a community of individuals on similar health and wellness journeys.

For the full show notes, visit our website: https://www.blackonshelf.com/episodes

Stream Black on Shelf NOW on Apple Podcast, Spotify, YouTube, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, Stitcher, and Pandora!

Connect with Connect with FitMenCook:
Visit the FitMenCook website: https://fitmencook.com/
Follow FitMenCook on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fitmencook/
Follow FitMenCook on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FitMenCook
Download the FitMenCook app: https://fitmencook.com/app/
Subscribe to the FitMenCook youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/fitmencook

Connect with Black on Shelf:
Follow BOS on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/blackonshelf/
Connect with BOS on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-on-shelf/
Connect with Tenaj on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tenajferguson
Follow BOS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Blackonshelf/
Visit the Black on Shelf website: https://www.blackonshelf.com
Watch the full interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/wWsg9Mmso3k 

This week, I spoke to Angela Richardson, CEO, formulator, and product developer of PUR Home, an eco-friendly, natural, and non-toxic household cleaning products brand. Angela founded PUR Home in 2017 after realizing that she didn’t see any all-natural cleaning products on the shelf that delivered on efficacy. 

The inspiration for PUR Home came to her five years prior when she did the “big chop” and embarked on an eco-friendly lifestyle. Angela discovered that most “natural” hair, cosmetics, and skin care products available on the market contained a high level of toxic ingredients. Therefore, she decided to make organic bar soap and other bath and beauty products that she began selling online and at local farmers’ markets. 

As Angela progressed on her eco-friendly journey, she felt the nudge to venture into producing everyday essentials. She decided to create a sustainable household cleaning product line that was safe and effective. She spent 18 months researching and learning surfactant science and developed all-natural formulas for laundry detergent, dish soap, and multi-purpose surface cleaners. 

For the full show notes, visit our website: https://www.blackonshelf.com/episodes

Stream Black on Shelf NOW on Apple Podcast, Spotify, YouTube, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, Stitcher, and Pandora!

Connect with PUR Home:

• Follow PUR Home on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/purhomeclean/
• Visit the PUR Home website: https://shoppurhome.com/
• Follow PUR Home on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/purhomeclean

Connect with Black on Shelf:

• Follow BOS on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/blackonshelf/
• Connect with BOS on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-on-shelf/
• Connect with Tenaj on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tenajferguson
• Follow BOS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Blackonshelf/
• Visit the Black on Shelf website: https://www.blackonshelf.com
• Watch the full interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/tJBSIH2Vaus

Resource: Environmental Working Group

This week, I spoke to Amin Bahari, Founder and CEO of Elite Sweets and creator of The Elite Donut, the best tasting gluten-free, keto-friendly donut on the market. The Elite Donut is packed with protein (13g per donut), low in sugar, and naturally sweetened. Made from ingredients like almond flour, eggs, and whey protein, these donuts are superior to your typical chalky protein bars. 

Elite Sweets is now redefining the health food game, showing people that you don’t have to cut out decadent sweets from your diet to get fit and be healthy.

In today’s episode, Amin gives insight into what it’s like to turn a challenge into a business idea, start a business from scratch as a college student, and get investors to invest in your product.

For the full show notes, visit our website: https://www.blackonshelf.com/episodes

Stream Black on Shelf NOW on Apple Podcast, Spotify, YouTube, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, Stitcher, and Pandora!

Connect with Amin:

• Follow Elite Sweets on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheEliteSweets 
• Follow Elite Sweets on Instagram: www.instagram.com/elite.sweets
• Connect with Elite Sweets on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/the-elite-sweets
• Visit Elite Sweets website: www.elitedonut.com

Resource: Nik Ingersoll’s Podcast - https://ingersollnik.com/podcast/

Connect with Black on Shelf:

• Follow BOS on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/blackonshelf/
• Connect with BOS on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-on-shelf/
• Connect with Tenaj on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tenajferguson
• Follow BOS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Blackonshelf/
• Visit the Black on Shelf website: https://www.blackonshelf.com
• Watch the full interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/rU5Kq-zt78g

This week, I spoke to Beatrice Dixon, CEO and Co-Founder of The Honey Pot Company, a plant-derived vaginal wellness line. Beatrice suffered from bacterial vaginosis for months until a visit from her grandmother in a dream led to the end of her struggles. In the dream, her grandmother gave her a list of ingredients that helped her develop the formula for a herb-powered vaginal wash. The mixture worked like magic, and Beatrice chose to share her discovery with the world with a goal to provide humans with vaginas healthy alternatives to traditional feminine care products. 

The Honey Pot Company was born and is the first complete feminine care system on the market catering to the needs of the vagina from birth to menopause. Its products are clinically and dermatologically tested, effective, and contain known and trusted ingredients. 

Beatrice attributes her success to her diverse background and passion for wellness and herbal medicine. Her experiences in the retail, pharmaceutical, and natural food industries are an integral part of her business structure. Today, The Honey Pot Company’s products can be found online and in stores nationwide at Target, Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, Amazon, Bed Bath and Beyond, Wegmans, and other retailers.

“Everything that I did in my career prepared me for this moment.” - Beatrice 

For the full show notes, visit our website: https://www.blackonshelf.com/episodes

Stream Black on Shelf NOW on Apple Podcast, Spotify, YouTube, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, Stitcher, and Pandora!

Connect with Beatrice:

• Follow Beatrice on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambeadixon
• Follow The Honey Pot Co on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehoneypotco/
• Visit The Honey Pot Co website: https://thehoneypot.co/

Connect with Black on Shelf:

• Follow BOS on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/blackonshelf/
• Connect with BOS on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-on-shelf/
• Connect with Tenaj on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tenajferguson
• Follow BOS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Blackonshelf/
• Visit the Black on Shelf website: https://www.blackonshelf.com
• Watch the full interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/yOZiHgznZSo 

This week, I spoke to Emile Johnson, CEO of Goode Foods and Pic Select Fresh. Emile’s companies are committed to delivering quality, nutritious, and delicious food products that lack preservatives and added sugar. His food products are also low in sodium, and high in protein and fiber. Their mission is to bring better nutrition to the country through proper education while providing the highest quality canned beans, vegetables and baby foods.

Goode Foods has been on shelf for about ten years and is available in nearly 2300 stores. The United States Department of Agriculture has also approved Goode Foods products as foods that meet the highest nutrition value for healthy eating. Goode Foods is also the first black-owned business to be approved by the USDA for the Women, Children and infant program (WIC).

In today’s episode, Emile goes into great detail about the highs and lows of building a black-owned legacy while holding on to his vision of doing more for his community.

For the full show notes, visit our website: https://www.blackonshelf.com/episodes

Stream Black on Shelf NOW on Apple Podcast, Spotify, YouTube, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, Stitcher, and Pandora!

Connect with Emile:

• Visit the Goode Foods website: www.goodefoods.com
• Visit the Pic Select Fresh website: www.picselectfresh.com

Connect with Black on Shelf:

• Follow BOS on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/blackonshelf/
• Connect with BOS on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-on-shelf/
• Connect with Tenaj on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tenajferguson
• Follow BOS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Blackonshelf/
• Visit the Black on Shelf website: https://www.blackonshelf.com
• Watch the full interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/rU5Kq-zt78g

This week, I spoke to Sherrel Sampson, Founder and CEO  of Canviiy, an innovative health & wellness brand focused on scalp care. The inspiration for Canviiy came about when Sherrel experienced an unbearable itchy scalp that would not go away. After many disappointments with several market products, Sherrel desired to formulate organic botanical-based scalp care products that address the root of the problem for millions of people. 

Canviiy has successfully pioneered the ScalpBliss Collection, which is proven to offer the most long-lasting organic scalp irritation solutions on the market. Canviiy products are currently available in over 300 retail locations, including CVS Stores as well as target.com.

Sherrel’s initial goal to create products that resolved hair styling issues has transitioned over time. The mission of Canviiy has been a solution to multitudes; it is now a wellness brand that is not only on retail shelves but can also be found in healthcare and travel retail channels. 

For the full show notes, visit our website: https://www.blackonshelf.com/episodes

Stream Black on Shelf NOW on Apple Podcast, Spotify, YouTube, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, Stitcher, and Pandora!

Connect with Canviiy: 

• Follow Canviiy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canviiy/ 
• Visit the Canviiy website: https://canviiy.com/ 
• Connect with Canviiy on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/canviiy
• Connect with Canviiy on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Canviiyofficial

Connect with Black on Shelf:

• Follow BOS on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/blackonshelf/
• Connect with BOS on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-on-shelf/
• Connect with Tenaj on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tenajferguson
• Follow BOS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Blackonshelf/
• Visit the Black on Shelf website: https://www.blackonshelf.com
• Watch the full interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/pGMfLxO3ZYI 

This week, I spoke to Hector Saldivar, CEO, and Founder of Tia Lupita® Foods. When Hector moved from Mexico to San Francisco 15 years ago, his mom Lupita sent him with the family hot sauce recipe. Back in Mexico, she was called Tia Lupita and was well known for her homemade hot sauce. After receiving his mother’s blessing, Hector bottled the hot sauce for all to enjoy, and now the brand has a loyal following.

Hector prided himself in working hard and always putting his best foot forward with every role that he took on. However, he soon noticed that his efforts were not being rewarded. He was never offered promotions, and he was underpaid as compared to his colleagues. When given feedback, he was told that his accent got in the way of him rising to the pinnacle of his career.

Hector stated that he started Tia Lupita as validation; he wanted to show people in his life and career that he could do something bigger than himself. In the last four years, the brand has recorded a number of accomplishments.

For the full show notes, visit our website: https://www.blackonshelf.com/episodes

Stream Black on Shelf NOW on Apple Podcast, Spotify, YouTube, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, Stitcher, and Pandora!

Connect with Tia Lupita:

• Follow Tia Lupita on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tialupitafoods/
• Visit the Tia Lupita website: https://tialupitafoods.com/

Connect with Black on Shelf:

• Follow BOS on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/blackonshelf/
• Connect with BOS on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-on-shelf/
• Connect with Tenaj on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tenajferguson
• Follow BOS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Blackonshelf/
• Visit the Black on Shelf website: https://www.blackonshelf.com
• Watch the full interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/gdq6VgTw_UA