Shades & Layers

Send us a text

Naeemah LaFond, a celebrated editorial hairstylist, is not just styling hair but shaping the future of the beauty industry. Her journey from a court clerk to working alongside icons like Beyoncé and Amapiano singer Tyla is a testament to her passion and dedication. Learn how Naeemah’s partnership with Olaplex emphasizes the importance of science-backed products, particularly for textured hair, and her insights into the ongoing push for inclusivity in the industry. She shares compelling stories about overcoming challenges and underestimations, turning them into opportunities to mentor aspiring Black women hairstylists and create a supportive community in beauty and fashion campaigns.

Naeemah tells us more about her definition of success or fulfillment—having the freedom to make choices that resonate with her purpose. Join us for a conversation that promises not just inspiration but a vision for an inclusive and innovative future in hair care.

[00:02:53] Product availability for textured hair.

[00:04:15] Inclusion in product development.

[00:08:40] Embracing natural textured hair.

[00:14:11] Texture education in the industry.

[00:15:51] Inclusivity and diversity in hair.

[00:20:45] Mentorship for Black Women Hairstylists.

[00:25:50] Deeper meaning in creative work.

[00:28:50] Social impact in beauty industry.

[00:31:49] Defining personal success.

[00:38:09] Cooking Haitian food.


LINKS AND MENTIONS

Olaplex
Naeemah on Insta: @naeemahlafond
Amapiano Star @tyla
Beyoncé's hair brand @cecred
For more info on Naeemah's work, visit her website https://naeemahlafond.com

Support the show

NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter

SUPPORT this work so that we can keep it free. Become a MONTHLY SUPPORTER

LISTEN ON Apple and Spotify

FOLLOW US ON Instagram and Facebook

Send us a text

SUMMARY

This week, I'm speaking to Barbara Clark Ruiz, a multifaceted solopreneur known for her activewear designs and dog treat brand 'Lick You Silly.'

Barbara shares her journey from childhood in Portsmouth, Virginia, to designing for global brands like Ralph Lauren and Adidas, and collaborating with Venus Williams on her activewear brand Eleven by Venus.

During the pandemic, her dog treat business rose in rankings on the Amazon platform and this opened opportunities for growth and naturally, challenges that come with a sudden need to scale.

Emphasizing love and kindness, Barbara discusses her ventures in pitching reality shows, animated shorts, and working with Amazon's Accelerator for Black businesses.

Barbara works hard and plays hard. She also networks like a boss and takes care of her professional relationships. In our conversation, she also talks about personal experiences like meeting the Obamas, sharing a blanket with Star Wars creator, George Lucas in Oprah Winfrey's backyard and eating tacos with the Williams sisters.


TAKE AWAYS

-There are many pathways to a creative career
-Multiple streams of income are the way to go
-Easy does it - take your time and do what you love


LINKS AND MENTIONS

Barbara's Website - https://barbaraclarkeruiz.com
Barbara's LinkedIn Profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbaraclarkeruiz/
Barbara's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/barbaraclarkeruiz/
Lick You Silly - https://lickyousillypetproducts.com 
Pratt Institute - https://pratt.edu
Give Butter Fundraising - https://givebutter.com
Savannah College of Art and Design: https://www.scad.edu/

Support the show

NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter

SUPPORT this work so that we can keep it free. Become a MONTHLY SUPPORTER

LISTEN ON Apple and Spotify

FOLLOW US ON Instagram and Facebook

Send us a text

The books your children read can shape their self-identity and cultural awareness. Join me in conversation with Khumo Tapfumaneyi, Co-Founder and Director of Ethnikids,  as we discuss the life-changing power of diversity in children's literature.

We discuss how Ethnikids, an online children's book store,  is transforming the South African book market by offering a range of inclusive books—from folktales to affirmation stories—that nurture a child's sense of belonging and self-worth. Khumo and her co-founder, Tina Akuoko believe it is fundamental to provide literature in all South African languages. Mother tongue literature can have profound psychological impact on children who see themselves reflected in the stories they read.

In this episode, Khumo also shares her entrepreneurial journey; from overcoming market challenges, to forming impactful partnerships with schools and libraries to promote reading for leisure.  We delve into Ethnikids' exciting expansion into book publishing and how they tackle sustainability in their business practices. The Ethnikids co-founders have ambitious goals for expansion into the rest of Africa.

LINKS AND MENTIONS

Sho Majozi - https://www.instagram.com/shomadjozi/?hl=en
Professor Rudine Sims Bishop: https://www.readingrockets.org/people-and-organizations/rudine-sims-bishop 

Support the show

NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter

SUPPORT this work so that we can keep it free. Become a MONTHLY SUPPORTER

LISTEN ON Apple and Spotify

FOLLOW US ON Instagram and Facebook

Send us a text

In this week's episode, we connect with Nsimire Godman, Founder of Raha Copenhagen. This Denmark-based creative shares how a humble background in Rwanda and a spark of creativity during the pandemic led her to create inclusive, aesthetically pleasing soy wax candles. Listen as Nsimire recounts her year-long journey of mastering the craft, overcoming challenges, and discovering a niche market in the Danish capital, Copenhagen. 

As we know, entrepreneurship is best done with support and community, and Nsimire's beautiful journey to starting and running a business, is a good illustration of this. Her mother's financial savvy, her husband's business operations expertise and her mother in-law's artistic input have all been instrumental in turning her passion into a flourishing small-batch production company. Nsimire also shares how she also surrounds herself with allies and strives to create inclusive spaces for others who might not enjoy the same support she does.

Nsimire also shares that her soy wax candle business is sustainable by design - from reusing materials to keep her business eco-friendly to sourcing materials from eco-friendly suppliers and only making products to order....  

As always, this conversation is Shades and Layers' style - lots of candor and humor. 

LINKS AND MENTIONS 

Raha Copenhagen

Support the show

NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter

SUPPORT this work so that we can keep it free. Become a MONTHLY SUPPORTER

LISTEN ON Apple and Spotify

FOLLOW US ON Instagram and Facebook

Send us a text

 South African podcaster and social media marketing specialist, Lizzy Hudson is the voice behind the Live to Thrive Podcast. In this episode, she shares her journey into podcasting, inspired by the tragic event of George Floyd's murder in 2020. We discuss the personal impact of this moment and how Lizzy's podcast focuses on amplifying the stories of people of color healing from racial trauma and other challenges unique to POC. 

There are many vulnerable moments in this episode as we touch on Lizzy's experiences as a cross-racial adoptee, her memories from a predominantly white boarding school in post-apartheid South Africa and eventually moving to the predominantly white town of Santa Barbara in the USA. Find out how these experiences have influenced her values, career and life choices. 
If you need tips on navigating the rapidly changing AI driven social media landscape while maintaining good mental; if you are curious about immigrant experience in 2020's America; or if you'd like to know the ins and outs of podcasting for impact, then join us for an intimate discussion. You will walk away reflective and inspired.

Support the show

NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter

SUPPORT this work so that we can keep it free. Become a MONTHLY SUPPORTER

LISTEN ON Apple and Spotify

FOLLOW US ON Instagram and Facebook

Send us a text

It all started with a wish for a satin-lined beach hat. When Rachel Osborne could not find one on the market, she set about creating her own.  She spent 2023 researching and testing her concept for luxury satin lined, and adjustable hats that would offer "no-frizz" experience for curly and kinky hair. As a result, her brand RAINA was born.

The creation of RAINA is very much tied to Rachael's own natural hair journey, which  resonates with anyone who's ever felt the pressure to conform to so-called conventional beauty standards. It took a while for her to accept and celebrate her own natural curls. Creating this line of high-end hats is a testament to where she is on her natural hair journey: she now sees her curls as the embodiment of elegance and beauty. She also believes that it is time for curly hair to be included in the development of all luxury hair products.

As every entrepreneur will attest, the entrepreneurial career and lifestyle choice is an opportunity for personal growth, and for building deep community bonds. Rachael shares her own learning curves and mindset shifts that have made her successful so far. She also offers some advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

LINKS AND MENTIONS 

• Jamie Kern Lima - Beauty entrepreneur and former founder of IT Cosmetics
• Psycho Cybernetics by Maxwell Multz 
• Purple Cow by Seth Godin 
• Naptural85 

Support the show

NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter

SUPPORT this work so that we can keep it free. Become a MONTHLY SUPPORTER

LISTEN ON Apple and Spotify

FOLLOW US ON Instagram and Facebook

Send us a text

Fikile "Fix" Moeti calls herself a Lightworker and you’ll find out what she means by that in this episode. The Social Entrepreneur is the founder of a pay-it-forward education and women-focused social enterprise, The Fix Scholarship. She is a well-known former radio DJ and MTV South Africa presenter. 

This long-time yogi is now navigating a new chapter as a mom and owner of a beachfront yoga studio and bar called The Yoga Bar, on the East African island of Zanzibar. Her work with The Fix Scholarship has also led a to a new project that she co-founded with one of the scholarship alumni, and it’s called African Affirmations, an inclusive 30-card deck for children, and the young at heart. You’ll also hear how her family’s legacy of activism and education has been instrumental in shaping her life today and career.  

Fikile ‘Fix’ Moeti’s story isn't just about change; it's a beacon for anyone yearning to pursue creativity and authenticity while navigating life's ups and downs. Find out how business, life and local traditions intertwine to create the perfect conditions for slow living and creativity. 

 LINKS AND MENTIONS

https://africanaffirmations.org/ 

Gugu Mbhata Raw (Actress)  

Thandile Lujabe-Rankoe (Diplomat and Fikile’s grandmother) 

Fix Scholarship

Support the show

NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter

SUPPORT this work so that we can keep it free. Become a MONTHLY SUPPORTER

LISTEN ON Apple and Spotify

FOLLOW US ON Instagram and Facebook

Send us a text

Bonnie Meslane is the Founder of the online lifestyle and culture magazine, Nounouche Online. The Johannesburg-based publisher is also the force behind the A-list Public Relations and Communications company,  Azania Public, and like all multi-hyphenates, she also works as in the marketing of the iconic and legendary music radio station, Kaya FM.

Bonnie and her team at Nounouche Online are story driven and dedicated to amplifying the voices that truly shape our world and culture - in their world, that means staying away from scandals and telling the stories of change makers, even if they are not celebrities.

In our conversation we cover a lot of ground, from leadership to readership, as well as how to thrive with grace and determination as a multi-hyphenate. We reflect on the shift from hard to soft skills in modern leadership and dissect the complexities that come with being in a position of authority. We discuss the role of a fitness routing in cultivating discipline, building resilience, and having fortitude. 

Bonnie Meslane  exemplifies what it means to lead with inspiration, and how to leave a legacy through the impact of your work.

LINKS AND MENTIONS

Nounouche Online
Azania Public 

Support the show

NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter

SUPPORT this work so that we can keep it free. Become a MONTHLY SUPPORTER

LISTEN ON Apple and Spotify

FOLLOW US ON Instagram and Facebook

Send us a text

Monique Webber is the visionary founder of MLWPR Fashion and Beauty PR Agency. Her story isn't just about the sparkle of dressing celebrities in Herve Leger's iconic ensembles; it's a story about ambition, resilience, and a commitment to lifting up minority, local, and women-owned brands.

Monique started out as a teen model and progressed to publicity. She worked with A-listers and learned a lot during her two decade plus career. In 2020 she stepped out on her own and she talks about all the things that gave her courage to strike out and pursue a dream she visualized during an encounter with Oprah Winfrey....

In our conversation, we discuss the relentless drive it takes to flourish in public relations as well as the importance of diversifying your income streams to run a successful agency. We get into the merits of mentorship and how applying for grants can support you in your entrepreneurial journey. Monique also recently underwent treatment for cancer and she talks about how keeping a positive attitude got her through this difficult period.

Finally, Monique shares the best advise she has ever received, it was from her late father and it simply says: "Believe In Yourself."

LINKS AND MENTIONS

MLWPR Agency IG Profile and Website
Contact Monique: [email protected]
BeyGOOD Foundation
Unsun Cosmetics
Shea Radiance

Support the show

NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter

SUPPORT this work so that we can keep it free. Become a MONTHLY SUPPORTER

LISTEN ON Apple and Spotify

FOLLOW US ON Instagram and Facebook

Send us a text

Melaney Oldenhoff, Founder and Creative Director of WhatWeCherish, a curated market place for handmade accessories and home décor from the African continent.  Melaney shares how she pivoted from New York-based fashion stylist to joining the  vanguard of African design in Johannesburg. Her story is a testament to endurance and vision, championing artisans while navigating the intricacies of e-commerce and forging a new path for women-owned and black-owned brands. 

In our conversation, Melaney outlines her amazing journey from inspiration to launch and discusses the importance of knowing when to pivot. Melaney recently transitioned WhatWeCherish  from direct-to-customer to a business-to-business model, which has been instrumental in her mission to amplify the voices of African creators in the world's creative economy.  Melaney's journey is bigger than just selling products; it's a vision that centers new narratives about African creators and reinforcing Africa's leadership in sustainably designed products.

Melaney's journey will inspire you to be curious about what the rest of the African continent has to offer.

LINKS AND MENTIONS

WhatWeCherish is on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/whatwecherish/
Melaney will be happy to hear directly from you too - https://www.instagram.com/melaneyoldenhof/
Visit the company website and see the beautiful designs - https://whatwecherish.com/

Thebe Magugu - https://www.thebemagugu.com/

Rate and Review Shades and Layers on Apple Podcasts

Support the show

NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter

SUPPORT this work so that we can keep it free. Become a MONTHLY SUPPORTER

LISTEN ON Apple and Spotify

FOLLOW US ON Instagram and Facebook