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

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

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

 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

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

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

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

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

""You're not (only) a makeup artist; you're a business!"" - BrittanySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

✅ Self care is gender neutral

✅ Regality of African descendants

✅ Amplifying Black beauty, Self Love, Self Esteem

✅ Mission-driven customer engagement

“It’s more than skincare, it’s the whole reconstruction of the Black self-esteem.” - LucienSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

“My focus is on changing the face of what wellness means especially for black and brown women.” - Tai See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on @businessofthebeat I chatted with Dorian Morris (@dmo22) about her storied journey from retail buying (and getting to meet the one and only @Beyonce

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

""Makeup is where Art and Science Meet."" MichelaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.