In this episode of The Unseen Vision Podcast, host Dr. Natasha Henry sits down with digital marketing expert Wah-De Dennis, whose career spans powerhouse brands like L’Oréal, Dior, and Tom Ford, to reveal the behind-the-scenes strategies that luxury beauty brands use to dominate the market. 

From paid social campaigns to psychographic targeting, Wah-De breaks down how early-stage and emerging beauty brands can leverage digital marketing to drive real results, even on a tight budget. You’ll learn what makes a campaign convert, how to avoid common marketing mistakes, and why authentic brand storytelling is the secret weapon for scaling your skincare or wellness brand.

If you're a Black beauty founder, skincare entrepreneur, or creative brand builder, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you launch, grow, and connect with your ideal audience. Discover how to use social media advertising, build brand trust, and tap into underutilized strategies that big brands use—but never talk about.

Whether you're marketing a dark spot corrector or building a clean beauty empire, this is your marketing masterclass.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more tips on building a powerful, profitable brand!

In this SOLO episode, I  discuss the concept of 'overnight success' and the often unseen years of hard work that lead to it.

I emphasize the importance of consistency, resilience, and self-care during the journey of personal and professional growth. 

I share my own experiences and struggles, encouraging you to embrace your formational years, trust the process, and prioritize your well-being as you work towards your goals. 

Chapters

00:00 The Journey to Overnight Success
03:10 Building Consistency and Resilience
05:51 The Importance of Formational Years
09:03 Trusting the Process and God's Timing
12:07 Self-Care and Personal Growth
15:10 Learning and Growing Together

In this powerhouse episode of The Unseen Vision Podcast, I sat down with Dr. Tracey Hicks-Kearse, chemical engineer, product development expert, and founder of Ready to Launch, for a raw, in-depth conversation on what it really takes to build iconic skincare and beauty brands from scratch.

With over 21 years of experience, Dr. Tracey pulls back the curtain on her journey from formulating products in R&D labs to working with leading brands like Topicals, Curl Days, and StriVectin. She shares exactly how product ideation moves from a hundred-gram bench sample to mass-market scale, and why so many brands still get it wrong.

This episode is an unfiltered masterclass in beauty product development, especially for founders passionate about creating inclusive skincare for deeper skin tones. Dr. Tracey breaks down how brands can build from white space, do real market research, and develop efficacious products that solve actual consumer pain points. 

You’ll also hear the truth about manufacturing minimums (MOQs), finding the right chemist or lab, and the red flags to avoid when sourcing a manufacturer. 

Plus, get a sneak peek into Dr. Tracey’s own brand, Acare, a microbiome-focused skin and scalp care line rooted in science and storytelling.

If you're a beauty or skincare entrepreneur, or simply obsessed with how great products are made, this is the episode you cannot skip.

Chapters

00:00 The Journey of Dr. Tracey Hicks-Kearse
02:58 Educational Pursuits and Career Transitions
05:56 Product Development Insights
09:02 Working with Topicals and Inclusivity in Skincare
11:54 Understanding the Fitzpatrick Scale
15:06 The Complexities of Product Development
17:58 Challenges in the Skincare Industry
20:54 Navigating the Beauty Industry
24:04 The Importance of Market Research
26:57 Mistakes Brands Make in Skincare
30:04 Inclusivity and Diversity in Color Cosmetics
36:59 Empowering Black Beauty Brands
40:44 Innovative Manufacturing Solutions for Indie Brands
46:58 Navigating the Manufacturing Landscape
52:52 Marketing Strategies for Emerging Brands
01:01:31 The Science of the Microbiome in Beauty
01:05:50 Advice for New Entrepreneurs in Product Development


Follow Dr. Tracey: @ready_to_launch

Follow Dr. Natasha Henry @drnatashahenry

In this episode of The Unseen Vision Podcast, Dr. Natasha Henry sits down with expert copywriter Taylor DeDiego to explore the power of verbal branding in building a successful business. 

We dive deep into brand voice, positioning, and storytelling, uncovering how copywriting is the foundation of marketing, especially in saturated industries like beauty and skincare.

From defining a brand’s unique voice to crafting compelling messaging that resonates with consumers, this conversation is packed with actionable insights for entrepreneurs looking to elevate their brands. Plus, Taylor shares her journey from working at Sephora and Paul Mitchell to launching her own successful freelance career.

Key Takeaways:

The difference between brand positioning, brand story, and brand voice

Why copywriting is the backbone of marketing in 2025

How to craft a brand tagline that resonates and sells

The role of AI in copywriting and where founders should be cautious

Why Topicals and Fenty Beauty are winning with brand messaging

How freelancers can build a successful copywriting business

Chapters

00:00 The Importance of Copywriting in Branding
10:36 Understanding Brand Voice and Story
19:20 The Journey of a Copywriter
26:32 Analyzing Taglines and Brand Messaging
32:46 The Importance of Taglines in Branding
36:14 Understanding Verbal Branding
43:56 The Role of AI in Copywriting
49:39 Brands Excelling in Copywriting
57:44 Building a Freelance Community with Collab Club

Connect with Dr. Natasha Henry 
@drnatashahenry -Instagram 
@drnatashahenry -TikTok

Connect with Taylor
@Taylord.doc- Instagram 

In this episode of The Unseen Vision Podcast, Dr. Natasha Henry sits down with beauty PR expert Lindsey Smolan of VLIV Communications to break down exactly how PR, influencer marketing, and storytelling can elevate your brand in today’s crowded beauty industry.

If you’ve ever wondered how to get your products featured in top-tier media outlets like Allure, Birdie, and WWD, or how celebrities like Selena Gomez and Kylie Jenner create viral moments for brands through strategic placements, this episode is packed with insights.

Lindsey shares practical, step-by-step PR strategies for early-stage founders who may not have a big budget, including:

• How small brands can leverage earned media without hiring a full PR team.
• The difference between PR vs. marketing (and which one is right for your startup).
• Why storytelling and founder visibility are essential for building a trusted, lasting brand.
• How to stand out in a saturated beauty market through authenticity, community, and innovation.
• The role of affiliate marketing and how to make it appealing to creators.

Whether you're launching a skincare line, wellness product, or lifestyle brand, Lindsey gives actionable advice on how to become PR-ready, build brand credibility, and create buzz that lasts.

Perfect for beauty founders, creative entrepreneurs, and marketing teams looking to turn their brand into the next big thing.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to PR and Marketing
02:27 Understanding PR for Smaller Brands
05:40 The Role of Press Releases in PR
09:18 Lindsey's Journey in PR
11:54 The Importance of Storytelling in Business
17:30 PR: Frontend or Backend of Brand Building?
19:45 Common Misconceptions About PR
22:04 Key Changes in the PR Industry
25:38 The Impact of AI on PR
30:32 Differentiating PR and Marketing
32:14 Marketing vs. PR: Understanding the Balance
36:55 Tactics for Amplifying PR
41:22 Influencer Marketing: Building Trust in a Skeptical Market
45:17 Differentiating in a Saturated Market
49:44 The Future of Substack and Content Creation
52:33 Preparing for PR: Essential Steps for Brands

Connect with Dr. Natasha Henry 
@drnatashahenry -Instagram 
@drnatashahenry -TikTok

Connect with Lindsey Smolan:

@vlivcommunications -Instagram

In this episode of The Unseen Vision Podcast, I sit down with skincare entrepreneur Ericka Nicole to discuss how to raise capital for a startup, the challenges of bootstrapping a beauty brand, and the secrets to securing investors and scaling a business.

Ericka shares her journey from forensic science to founding Silken, breaking down key fundraising strategies, including angel investing and venture capital, and pitching investors with confidence.

Whether you're an aspiring founder or looking to fund your next big idea, this episode is packed with actionable insights on startup funding, networking, and building a successful business.

Chapters

00:00 From Forensics to Skincare: A Journey of Transformation
05:09 The Importance of Transferable Skills in Career Transitions
09:42 Bootstrapping a Skincare Brand: The Financial Journey
14:20 Navigating the Fundraising Landscape
19:01 Building a Unique Skincare Brand: The Science Behind Silken
31:51 Navigating the Microbiome and Pollution Protection
35:51 Building a Team and Equity Considerations
38:39 Product Development and Market Positioning
43:54 Rejecting Hustle Culture for Sustainable Growth
50:11 Balancing Personal Life and Business
54:55 Time Management for Entrepreneurs

Connect with Ericka

@theerickanicole

@bossbabereset

@Silkennco

Connect with Dr. Natasha Henry

@drnatashahenry 

@drnatashahenry