This week, we are launching our first episode of a special four part series with our partners at Famous Amos to support their grant program, “Ingredients For Success”. To kick things off, Rachna Patel, Vice President of Marketing - Distinctive Brand Cookies at Ferrero talks about the origin and purpose of Famous Amos and the organic nature of creating an authentic connectivity between the brand and fellow entrepreneurs. The beauty of this program is not only the history of the brand’s founder, Wally Amos but how that history is now connecting and supporting entrepreneurs to grow their own businesses through grants, mentorship, and resources. Rachna who proclaims “I Love What I Do” also shares her background and experience in finance and marketing as being instrumental in her personal and professional commitment to making a positive impact on the world through the intersection of brand values and goodwill for all.

This week, Vernon Martin, renowned hair artisan, entrepreneur and founder of Vernon Martin’s Salon and Day Spa, shared his incredible career journey and his tenacity and faith to rebuild his salon post covid. Vernon discusses how the mind is a powerful thing, and his choice to overcome and persevere. Vernon shares some of the key highlights of illustrious career including his memorable moments with the greats like Chrissy Teigen, Mindy Kaling, Kerry Washington, and Shonda Rhimes and how he’s giving back to the community through his [insert foundation]

Bio

Renowned hair artisan and entrepreneur, Vernon Martin, has been styling hair and beautifying women for over 35 years. Vernon specializes in both soft, classic styles and edgy, avant garde looks that enhance clients’ natural beauty.

A graduate of Scanners Beauty Academy, Vernon received advanced training from the esteemed Vidal Sasson Advanced Academy and Graham Webb International programs. Vernon’s own advance styling classes on haircutting approaches, hair and scalp treatments, and creative weaving techniques have been strictly “standing room only” affairs for other celebrity stylists and area cosmetology professionals.

Vernon’s hot ticket coaching sessions are not the only talents of his that are in demand. Vernon’s client list reads like a Hollywood Who’s Who having styled such celebrities as Kerri Washington, Bellamy Young, Shonda Rhimes, 5secondsofsummer, Mindy Khaling, Angela Bassett, Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle,Michele Williams (Destiny' Child), Nia Long, Crissy Tiegen, Lisa Leslie, Venus and Serena Williams, Kelly Price, Valerie Jarrett , Gayle King , Jim Parrack, Leven Rambin, Tracy Braxton, Erica and Tina Campbell (MaryMary), Vivica A. Fox and Cicely Tyson to name a few. His stunning creations have graced the pages of such prominent magazines as Glamour, People, Essence, Ebony, US Weekly, and Sister 2 Sister. His work has also appeared on the red carpet at high profile media events, including the VH1 Awards, the BET Awards, the MTV Fashion Awards, and the ESPY Awards. No stranger to television, Vernon has been called to style guests for VH1, Oprah, David Letterman, Regis and Kelly, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Braxton family values, Good Morning America, and The CBS Morning Show.

Follow @VernonMartinsSalon or visit https://www.vernonmartins.com/home

“The mind is a powerful thing. You know you cannot allow your mind to be so cluttered with negativity that you can't even expose yourself to the positivity.” - Vernon

Vernon’s word for 2023: Blessed

Tune in to learn more from Vernon and Kendra!

This week, Joy M. Hutton, founder of on the go GLAM™ and Joy of Consulting shares her many verticals of entrepreneurship and how merging her skills, passion and corporate expertise are the blueprint for creating a joyful life and business path. She highlights her unwavering commitment to getting rest and being a “huge advocate of naps” and restoration. We also dive into Joy’s inclusion on the Inc. Magazine’s Female Founders 100 list, the importance of representation, staying the course as entrepreneurs and keeping our word and commitments.

Bio: As a corporate trainer, HR Leader, Business Strategist, renowned speaker, podcast host, TV star, techpreneur, and founder of two companies, Joy M. Hutton is the definition of a multi-hyphenate. Last year, she was named to Inc. Magazine’s Female Founder 100 List. Beyond being a business visionary, Joy loves traveling, her black yorkie poo named Gigi, wine, and anything with black truffle oil in it.

Follow @joy_m_h or visit https://onthegoglam.com/.

Quote: “If I say something, I am going to do it. I am a doer as well.”

Joy’s word for 2023: Intentionality

Tune in to learn more from Joy and Kendra!

Hosted by 3x founder and award winning industry thought leader Kendra Bracken-Ferguson, the Business of the Beat podcast focuses on the business of beauty through the experiences of BIPOC founders, executives, influencers, and operators who are in the pro

As part of a two part series, Alicia Williams, the first Senior Director Anti-Racism & Racial Equity at the haircare products company DevaCurl, shares her intrapreneurial role to lead strategy and ensure anti-racism touches all aspects of the brand. This year, Alicia led an initiative with The Professional Beauty Association (PBA), the largest and most inclusive national trade organization representing the professional beauty industry, and other partners, to launch the Texture Education Collective (TEC), an alliance of professional hair industry leaders with a shared goal of encouraging cosmetology state board licensing requirements and curriculums nationwide to be inclusive of all hair types and textures. Prior to this role, Alicia spent over a decade in nonprofits with underserved youth further sharing her start as a teacher at an alternative school as a labor of love that truly sparked her passion and calling. Alicia shared that “when something is your calling, or something is meant for you, you won’t be able to stop thinking about it or wanting to do it.” She dives into her continued passion for DEI work, her passion “for creating spaces for Black and Brown folks to succeed in Corporate America” and her desire “to move people forward, to advocate for people”.

Bio: Alicia Williams (she/her) is the first Senior Director Anti-Racism & Racial Equity at the haircare products company DevaCurl, where she leads strategy and ensures anti-racism touches all aspects of the brand. Externally, she is working to eradicate racism in the hair industry. Her passion for DEI began while working in education. Alicia spent a decade in nonprofit roles that allowed her to share her passion for helping students and promoting change. After transitioning to the corporate sector, she found her niche at Converse HQ. As founder and Co-Chair of the Converse Diversity Network, she helped create its DEI framework while building company culture. Leaving an imprint on one of the world's most iconic brands, she sought further leadership roles to directly improve employees' work experiences and give them a sense of belonging. Since then, Alicia has held DEl roles in health care and the food industry. Her philosophy about DEl work and leveling the playing field can be summed up in three words: intentionality, exposure and opportunity. When these are at the core of DEl strategy, organizations can meet employees where they are, provide them with tools to reach their full potential and create a culture that supports everyone.

Follow @lady_allie and visit https://www.devacurl.com/us.

Quote: “I had this realization that we talk about all the opportunities that exist but don’t talk about the challenges and hurdles that also exist alongside opportunities that seem to be available to everyone.”

Tune in to learn more from Alicia and Kendra and don’t miss part two next week.

This week, Dana Hill-Robinson, Founder of Cocotique, a beauty and self care subscription box and marketplace shares the dynamic career journey that took her from fashion to Vogue Magazine to hip hop to founding one of the most curated beauty must have businesses. Dana discusses the importance of embracing your age and resilience as the foundation of growth personally and professionally. She proclaims “ Entrust in yourself" and credits her natural curiosity for opening doors and guiding her path that ultimately led her to being part of the history of not just the fashion and music industries but also shaping culture. Dana dives into her love for beauty products yet not seeing anything in the market curated for Black and brown women that ultimately led her to creating Cocotique.

Bio: Dana Hill-Robinson is an author and founder with two companies under her belt. She began her career in the fashion and entertainment industry over 25 years ago. Before launching COCOTIQUE in 2013, she founded Divine Marketing Group, a boutique PR agency specializing in fashion, jewelry, beauty and lifestyle brands. She’s honored to have been included on the list of Hello Beautiful’s "15 Black Women Changing the Beauty Industry" and Refinery29’s list of "8 Entrepreneurs Who Are Diversifying the Beauty Biz. A consummate beauty product and health/wellness junkie, Dana’s obsessed with discovering the best beauty products for women of color that not only suit their specific needs, but also have healthy ingredients.

Follow @cocotique or visit https://www.cocotique.com/.

“I felt a little left out [in the beauty industry] that the products weren't being curated for us. They just weren't being. curated for black and brown women. And that's when a light bulb went off in my head and I saw this opportunity to enter the beauty industry without having to work for anyone and be able to fill this space and do what I love. Like, what could be better than just trying new beauty products? That's what I do now anyway, so why not?” - Dana

Dana’s word for 2023: Faith

Tune in to learn more from Dana and Kendra!

This week, as the last episode in our mini-series featuring the founders of Parfait,  Co-Founder and CMO, Simone Kendle dives into the importance of understanding the customer experience and the product development process. She also discusses the decision to rebrand the company from “Hair Intelligence” to “Parfait” saying “And we really decided that at that point, we wanted to redefine a word for ourselves. And that's where Parfait comes in, right? The word literally has AI in it.”

Simone also emphasizes her appreciation for having co-founders, Isoken Igbinedion and Ifueko Igbinedion, who have complementary skill sets and how they all fit together to shape the direction of the company. As an operations manager by trade turned stylist and founder of two hair businesses prior to launching Parfait, Simone credits community support and the commitment to her entrepreneurial passion as the guiding principles of the brand’s success. 

Follow @simonekendle, @my.parfait or visit https://myparfait.com/!

In the spring of 2021, Simone was approached by Iso to join Parfait. At the time, Simone had just finished her MBA program at Wharton Business school and was set to return to her previous employer, Capital One, with no intention of looking elsewhere. As the school year ended, Kendle realized she needed to take a leap of faith toward her entrepreneurial dreams and set aside the security of working in corporate America. This meant fully committing to the entrepreneurial community, but in what capacity was still unclear. Serendipitously, just weeks later, Iso and Simone met for happy hour, where Iso convinced Simone to join the growing team. 

Simone graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in operations management. She interned at Capital One throughout college and built a career across operations, process management, and customer insights strategy roles. During her college years, she started two hair businesses, one while in school and her second business once she graduated, which she ran for five years alongside building her career at Capital One. To finally bring her two career paths together, she decided to return to school and get her MBA at Wharton Business School. 

With a deep knowledge of the wig industry’s product and customer experiences, coupled with formal customer insights strategy experience gained from Capital One and elite business skill building from Wharton, joining Parfait was a no-brainer for Simone.

In her spare time, Simone watches after her daughter Kaia and takes her to dance classes where she is on a local majorette competition team⁠—Simone is slowly becoming a dance mom. When the workday is over, you can catch her snuggled up with Kaia watching Disney’s latest release or jamming out to some old-school R&B.

Influencer & Brand Shout-Out: @swellabeauty

“I can accomplish anything I put my mind to. If it's aligned to what God has called me to do and he told me, then I'm doing it.”

Simone’s Word of 2023: Parfait

Tune in to learn more from Kendra and Simone!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For part two of our mini-series featuring Parfait, Co-Founder and CTO, Ifueko Igbinedion dives into the importance of incorporating the human experience into artificial intelligence and being a good steward of technology. She details her experiences as a Black woman in computer science currently pursuing her Ph.D. at MIT focusing on processing signals, image processing, audio processing, and Artificial Intelligence. Ifueko also highlights her goals for technological advancement: ""I want to use AI to build robots for disaster relief, for marginalized communities.""

Despite institutional obstacles and the lack of diversity in her field, she shares her excitement for the future of AI and her work to expand this technology to develop Parfait. By leaning in and leveraging the benefits of connecting beauty and technology, Ifueko and her co-founders are creating a pathway toward beauty innovation that we have not seen before. 

""I really feel empowered to do everything. And I think Parfait has been a huge part of it, but also just my growth as an academic and going through all the trials and tribulations of building a business because it's not easy. But being in 2023 and we're still standing after the past years that we've had, I think that has really changed my perspective. And now I really feel that it's mind over matter and I can truly do anything with this technology.""

Follow @fancyfueko, @my.parfait or visit https://myparfait.com/!

Ifueko Igbinedion was approached by her sister, Iso, about the difficulties of buying a wig that makes people look and feel great. They were motivated to find an easier way that involved Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Given Ifueko's background in Machine Learning and Computer Vision, she knew that there were capabilities out there to use tech to enhance the beauty industry, but most of those capabilities were only being leveraged to edit Instagram photos. Armed with this knowledge, Ifueko joined her sister in solving the problems that black women go through with their hair.

Ifueko graduated from Stanford with a degree in Computer Science and a Master's in Electrical Engineering. She's completed multiple internships at IBM and Google along the way. During that time, Ifueko learned that she didn't want to spend her life building technology for other companies. This led her to a Ph.D. program at MIT, focusing on processing signals, image processing, audio processing, and Artificial Intelligence. 

In her spare time, Ifueko participates in serving as the community service chair for a student association on campus. She also focuses on outreach programs in middle and high schools, teaching intro courses to high school seniors, and volunteering on weekends. You can catch her snacking on some cotton candy watching Wheel of Time on Amazon Prime or catching up on all the latest reality TV.

Influencer & Brand Shout-Out: @anima.iris

“And so all the algorithms that I work on at MIT are really focused on that lens. But it's also quite parallel to what we do at Parfait, trying to build machine learning algorithms that see people, that work with people to help build amazing products and experiences.”

Ifueko’s Word of 2023: Power

Tune in to learn more from Kendra and Ifueko!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we kick off a three-part mini-series about a company where beauty meets technology: Parfait, the first and only AI-powered company for tailor-made human hair wigs. Isoken Igbinedion—Co-Founder and CEO of Parfait—discusses her experiences with bias in the workplace and the defining moment that shifted the trajectory of her career. She decided to become an entrepreneur and use her technical and operational experience to make an impact in areas that she is passionate about, including innovation and technology. lso highlights Parfait's commitment to creating products that are truly for anyone, regardless of skin tone, hair texture, or usage of the product. 

Follow @isokenigbinedion, @my.parfait or visit https://myparfait.com/!

Like most women, Isoken Igbinedion wanted to find protective styles to help manage and grow her natural hair. As she discovered, finding a product that fit her head, matched her skin tone, and styled the way she liked was challenging. Iso was sick of how difficult it was to find a ready-to-wear wig that didn't require any additional work upon purchase. So she created Parfait. 

Iso's goal is to create a visionary company that brings a marginalized community into the future. She believes that beauty should be accessible to everyone and that's why Parfait prioritizes quality and service in every unit we ship.

Iso graduated from Wharton Business School with a Master of Business Administration in 2021. Prior to her MBA, she started her operations career at Target, focusing on omi channel distribution strategies. She later joined Amazon and became one of the first 10 team members to design Amazon Prime Now and build the infrastructure for their Whole Foods acquisition. Igbinedion moved into a project manager role within the Whole Foods operation integration and focused on scaling the new delivery market while leading product strategy, order fulfillment, and workforce management staff applications. 

Iso is passionate about being an MLT career coach prep in her spare time. She cherishes having the opportunity to mentor younger professionals and give them the guidance that she was missing during her own career assent. You can catch her at a local Sweetgreen munching on a healthy meal with goat cheese or catching up on the latest episodes of The Real Housewives of Dubai.

Influencer & Brand Shout-Out: @hearthdisplay

“Despite these differences, we have the ability to create one common solution that creates an equitable experience for this product, for all people in the category.""

Isoken’s Word of 2023: Experimentation

Tune in to learn more from Kendra and Isoken!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, I interviewed BrainTrust Founders Studio member Dr. Omonye Phillips: doctor, mother of three, wife, Divisional Vice President at Rite Aid Pharmacy, head designer at Omonista, founder of My Dream BIG Club, and founder of Omosilk. Omonye dove into the importance of balancing personal and professional life through channeling her inner purpose and the role of travel in shaping her identity and business thesis. Omonye additionally emphasized the importance of investing in herself and constantly building on her skills and relationships. 

Key takeaways from Omonye:

“I'm very intentional in building at work, building my team, constantly developing my team, making sure that they are also becoming the best selves.”

""I'm building my family. I'm really trying to nurture the things that my kids are really good at and building them to become great citizens of the world.""

""I'm comfortable with knowing that I may walk into a space, and it’s okay that I don't know what to expect because I know I can adapt.""

Follow @wearomosilk and @omonista!

Dr. Omonye Phillips, is a wife, mother to three, and an executive in a Fortune 500 company as a Divisional Vice President (DVP) at Rite Aid Pharmacy, the 3rd largest retail pharmacy in the country. Dr. Phillips is known as a dynamic servant leader in the industry, overseeing the operations of 160+ stores and managing a budget in excess of $2B.

Dr. Phillips has dedicated countless hours to other business, service, and philanthropy efforts all focused on improving the lives of others. One business initiative that is near and dear to her heart focuses on providing a hub of support for young professionals that want to network and brainstorm with like-minded individuals on growth opportunities and support one another in stretching beyond their comfort zone.  That initiative is My Dream BIG Club (MyDBC) and in the span of three years, it has witnessed a global expansion with meetings being held in North America, Africa and Europe.

Dr. Phillips is also the founder of Omosilk, which is a healthy hair and skin brand that uses 100% hypoallergenic and natural silk to mitigate hair loss and soothe sensitive skin issues like eczema. Having three children that all suffered from hair loss and eczema, Dr. Phillips quickly learned about the benefits of using pure silk fabric on her kids but couldn’t find any viable options on the market. Being the serial solution seeker that she is, she decided to solve her own problem by making silk accessories for newborns and beyond.

Omonye comes from a diverse academic background having studied in three different continents including Africa, Europe and North America. She is a graduate from the University of Michigan and holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.  Omonye enjoys reading, engaging in transformative discussions, spending time with loved ones, running, playing table tennis, sleeping, traveling and anything fashion related. She sits on the Alumni Board of Governors at the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy. She is also an active member in her church and the community through philanthropy and volunteer efforts.

Influencer & Brand Shout-Out: @btfoundersstudio @sknmuse

Omonye’s Word of 2023: Build

""I'm constantly building on myself. I'm investing in myself more because I want to keep morphing into the best version of myself.""

Tune in to hear more from Kendra and Omonye!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.