Black on Shelf

This week, I spoke to Shontay Lundy, creator and founder of Black Girl Sunscreen. In 2016, when Shontay became tired of using sunscreen that left a white residue; She created Black Girl Sunscreen (BGS), a 30 SPF lotion infused with natural ingredients and formulated for women of color. 

Black Girl Sunscreen has not only provided women with darker skin tones a healthy option to protect their skin, but the brand has cultivated a strong reputation for empowering black women. The goal of BGS is to educate women of color on sun safety and skin protection. Shontay has emerged as a thought leader in the beauty industry, and her success has been chronicled by Forbes, Business Insider, Teen Vogue, InStyle, and countless other national publications.

BGS has grown exponentially in the last five years.  In January 2021, BGS launched in several ULTA locations across the country, and currently, Black Girl Sunscreen is the only indie black-owned product sold in Target’s suncare section full time. Also, Shontay was recently featured in a Target commercial which led to her crying tears of joy.

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 Shontay:

Visit Black Girl Sunscreen’s website: https://www.blackgirlsunscreen.com/

Follow Black Girl Sunscreen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackgirlsunscreen/

Follow Black Girl Sunscreen on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlkGrlSunscreen

Follow Black Girl Sunscreen Kids on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/BgsKids/

Visit Black Girl Sunscreen on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackgirlsunscreen

Follow Shontay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shontay_lundy/ 

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/E0OA15EF0AU 

This week, I spoke to Derin Oyekan, Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Reel, an eco-friendly paper brand. Reel specializes in toilet paper and paper towels made of 100% bamboo. These products are the most sustainable and eco-friendly paper products on the market. 

Reel is more than a paper company; it is on a mission to give American households a way to reduce their carbon footprints and help others worldwide eliminate the threat of illness posed by a lack of access to toilets while promoting the use of earth-friendly, sustainable paper products. A portion of all their proceeds go to their partner SOIL, nonprofit research and development organization working in Haiti to design, test, and implement sustainable and cost-effective solutions to the sanitation crisis. 

Derin has over 18 years of experience as a serial entrepreneur and highly sought-after growth marketer; his skills and knowledge have contributed to the success of Reel in a short timeframe.

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 Derin:

Visit Reel website: https://reelpaper.com/

Follow Reel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reelpaper/

Visit Reel on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reelpaper/

Follow Reel on Twitter: https://twitter.com/reelpaperco/

Follow Derin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/derinoyekan/

Connect with Derin on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derinoyekan/

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/ff1a3k-ki38 

This week, I spoke to SaVonne Anderson, Founder, and CEO of Aya Paper Co, a sustainable stationery brand that creates greeting cards and gifts to celebrate the people and moments that matter most. 

SaVonne’s dream for Aya Paper Co was for it to be large and accessible. She quit her full-time job in February 2020, then everything shut down a month later due to the pandemic. At that moment,  she made a pivotal decision to go back to the drawing board; she revamped her website and increased consumer engagement on her social media platforms. 

Aya Paper Co had its highest sales In June and by July, her products were in about 30 stores; both local shelves and big shelves like Macy’s, Nordstrom, Kohls, Tj Maxx, and Marshalls are stocked with Aya Paper Co products; her dream is definitely coming to fruition.

In today’s episode, she shares her journey thus far and encourages other aspiring entrepreneurs to do it afraid. 

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 SaVonne:

Visit Aya Paper Co website: https://www.ayapaper.co/ 

Follow Aya Paper Co on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ayapaper.co/

Visit Aya Paper Co on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ayapaper.co/

Follow Aya Paper Co on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AyaPaperCo

Follow SaVonne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simply.savonne/

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/PYxRjmW9Bvc 

This week, I spoke to Jake Deleon, founder of Fila Manila, the first modern Filippino-American food brand. His products consist of a range of authentic Filippino simmer sauces inspired by the rich flavors of the Philippine islands. He created Fila Manila to celebrate and share the joy of the Filipino family, culture, and delicious cuisine with the world. 

Jake founded his first startup, Origin Almond, a line of functional almond-based beverages, and  received investment from the Kraft Heinz Accelerator. It was a major success in its five years of existence, and was distributed to Mom's Organic Market and Walmart shelves. In February 2020, Origin Almond celebrated their highest grossing month and in March 2020, the covid pandemic lockdown impacted their business, and they decided to close shop and shift strategies where Jake forecasted greater opportunity would exist.

The setback did not stop Jake; he remained grateful and resilient. Inspired by a news article on Filippino frontline health workers, he did  some research and discovered that Filipino cuisine was underrepresented and he decided to bridge the gap. His goal was to create authentic Filipino sauces with clean ingredients, and he smashed it! Fila Manila currently retails on Amazon.com and in Whole Foods, and has already been listed as the fastest-selling Asian food 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 Jake:

Visit Fila Manila’s website: https://filamanila.com/

Follow Fila Manila on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatfilamanila/

Follow Fila Manila on Twitter: https://twitter.com/eatfilamanila

Visit Fila Manila on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eatFilaManila/

Follow Jake on LinkedIn:          linkedin.com/in/jacobcdeleon       

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://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH5yI1fUz67nCaME8JIRfLA

Resource:

Project Potluck: https://www.potluckcpg.org/

In this episode of Black on Shelf, I welcome my new friend, Kayla, CEO and Co-Founder of Agua Bonita, a women-owned beverage brand, producing authentic Mexican agua frescas. Kayla and her Co-Founder Erin PonTell are inspired by perfectly delicious, fresh produce that would otherwise go to waste, and fueled by a passion to create something culturally authentic, unique, better for the planet, and beautiful, hence Agua Bonita was born.

Agua Bonita has recorded a lot of accomplishments and received a number of awards; Including Winner of New Beverage Showdown 2021 - Best New Beverage award presented by BevNET and Coca Cola and Winner of Black Girl Ventures x Nike Pitch Competition. Kayla stresses the importance of hardwork. All achievements came at a cost, sacrifices had to be made and they took all the support that they could get from family, and a number of programs. 

Kayla speaks extensively about wanting to build generational wealth and a commitment to give back to the community. This means alot to her as she is the first generation of her family that did not have to work in the fields. With Agua Bonita, Kayla and Erin reinvest into education for the children of immigrants through their non-profit partners. 

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 Kayla:

Visit Kayla’s website: https://www.drinkaguabonita.com/

Follow Agua Bonita on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drinkaguabonita/

Connect with Kayla on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaylacastaneda10/

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://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH5yI1fUz67nCaME8JIRfLA

Resource:

Hello Alice: https://helloalice.com/tools/

In this episode of Black on Shelf, I welcome my first guest, Myles Powell, founder of 8 Myles. 8 Myles is a comfort food brand that prioritizes clean ingredients and key nutrients without compromising on flavor.  

He shared his journey to getting on the shelf; and all the rejections and learning curves. Today he is into mass retail, with his product featured on Target and Whole Food shelves. Myles speaks about navigating the corporate world and entrepreneurship, and experiencing burnout. He stresses the importance of mentorship as his business has benefited greatly from having an advisory board, and how he has had the privilege of helping others along their entrepreneurial 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, Stitcher, and Pandora!

Connect with Myles:

Visit the 8 Myles  website: https://www.8myles.com/ 

Follow 8 Myles on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/8mylesllc/

Follow Myles on LinkedIn:           linkedin.com/in/myles-powell-5b529025   

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://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH5yI1fUz67nCaME8JIRfLA

In this first episode of Black on Shelf, I share my vision for the podcast, what you can expect, and a little about myself. During the day I work in brand strategy as a brand manager for a grocery retailer, by night I am your favorite podcaster. Black on Shelf was born from my desire to leverage my time and talents to lift up Black and Brown brands as I climb the Corporate ladder.

The Black on Shelf Podcast aims to champion Black and Brown Entrepreneurs on the digital and physical retail shelves. Each episode will inspire and empower you. 

Every week, I chat with emerging Black and Brown founders and leading Black and Brown industry experts, and monthly, I will have a special sub-series called “The Check-out” where I share insights from my product discovery trips and often bring a fellow professional guest to collaborate on sharing insights and to provide tools to help get you retail ready.

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 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

Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH5yI1fUz67nCaME8JIRfLA

The Black on Shelf podcast episodes will inspire and empower you as Tenaj chats with emerging Black and Brown founders who will share their compelling stories, as well as leading Black and Brown industry experts sharing insights on how to build your brand and get your business retail-ready.

Tenaj will also feature a special solo series titled “The Check-out” to share reviews on new, trending, and interesting products that she discovers during her product hunting trips in-stores and online! 

The Black on Shelf podcast will also open up the floor to the Black on Shelf community to share their personal favorite Black and underrepresented product finds! We tend to go for products and services we can easily relate to...things created with us in mind. It is time to put an end to the struggle of finding these products. It is time to champion and uplift the true VIPs and get all things black and brown on the physical and digital retail shelves!