Episode 51 - Sex, Relationships & Balance | Barella Roberson
The BLK + GRN Show
In this episode, Kristian welcomes Barella Roberson as her guest. Barella dives into her business ventures and shares her insights on why "sex is a taboo topic in the Black community." The conversation delves into profound subjects such as "The art of letting go" and "Overcoming societal expectations." Tune in for an enlightening discussion that challenges norms and empowers listeners. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FO4MUPK2K6A?si=Zttn3ffRi-TWff5s" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write;...
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Episode 50 - Dealing with Disappointments and Living holistically as a as a Black Woman | Khetnu Nefer
The BLK + GRN Show
In this episode, Kristian is joined by massage therapist Khetnu Nefer to delve into the vibrant Gullah Geechee culture and the profound impact of compound living on family unity. They discuss how modern capitalism has shifted our focus away from our families and communities, creating a sense of distance and disconnect. The conversation then transitions to navigating disappointment and managing expectations. Khetnu shares wisdom on how to handle these challenges while emphasizing the importance of self-care and the bravery required to seek support. Kristian underscores that abundant resources...
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Episode 49 - Starting a wine business with husband, Self-awareness & communication | Jon'll Boyd
The BLK + GRN Show
In this episode, Jon’ll Boyd takes us on a transformative journey, sharing how she and her husband turned their late-night pillow talks into a thriving wine business. Discover the passion and perseverance behind their entrepreneurial success, as Jon’ll reveals the challenges they faced and the strategies that propelled them forward. Jon’ll and Kristian dive into the crucial role of communication in their partnership, offering invaluable hacks for balancing work and personal life. They explore how effective communication not only fosters business success but also supports mental...
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Episode 48 - Growing a webby nominated AI company, Self-Love as a Black woman | Casey Ariel Thobias
The BLK + GRN Show
In today's episode, Casey Ariel reveals her inspiring journey of creating the Webby-nominated AI company, overcoming roadblocks, and navigating the challenges of a saturated market as a Black woman entrepreneur. Discover how self-care and self-gentleness empowered her and co-host Kristian to scale their businesses without burning out, emphasizing the transformative power of prioritizing self-care.
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Episode 47 - Naked Chemistry - Rachel Zeigler
The BLK + GRN Show
Rachel Zeigler’s journey is a testament to walking in one's purpose, where the resounding echoes of her heart's desires drown out doubt and settling becomes a distant notion. As the visionary founder of Naked Chemistry, Rachel transforms challenges, from navigating microaggressions in the corporate world as a Black woman to pivoting her career as a licensed cosmetologist during the pandemic. Beyond its initial focus, her vegan skincare brand, born out of a keen concern for ingrown hairs, has blossomed into a testament to Rachel's dedication to quality, sustainability, and multifunctionality....
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Episode 46 - Malkia - Linda Johnson
The BLK + GRN Show
Linda embarks on a deeply resonant journey, one that mirrors the intricate tapestry of our own lives. Linda, the visionary founder of Malkia, exudes an unwavering commitment to natural skincare, bringing forth a remarkable vision where every individual, especially Black people, can experience the beauty of healthy, glowing skin naturally. Her mission extends beyond products; it's about fostering a genuine connection to the community, leading to the powerful potential of giving back. Linda's story is a beacon of authenticity, reminding us that we can instigate profound change when we choose to...
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Episode 45 - Vitavate- Lori and Loryn
The BLK + GRN Show
Step into the realm of inspiration with Lori and Lauren, the unstoppable mother-daughter team driving the vision of Vitavate dietary supplements. Their journey is a testament to the extraordinary, where backgrounds in food science and procurement merge to craft a product that transcends the ordinary - a vegan, gluten-free, and sugar-free marvel that bestows sustained energy without the dreaded crash. Their passion for empowering women to "fill their cup first" and their affiliation with the game-changing platform, Black and Green, beckons listeners to a community of thriving black artisans and...
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Episode 44 - Luv & Co. - Dr. Melodie Davis Bundrage
The BLK + GRN Show
Dr. Melodie Davis Bundrage, the visionary founder of LUV + CO, delves into the transformative world of clean beauty and entrepreneurship. Driven by a profound mission to inspire confidence and unity among Black women, Dr. Melodie identified a glaring need for accessible, high-quality organic products in underrepresented communities. Dr. Melodies’ unwavering commitment to empowering Black women ignited a journey that led her to establish her flagship store in the heart of a thriving, melanated suburbia. Furthermore, her personal story as a SCAD heart attack survivor underscores the...
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Episode 43 - Nuele - Christine Martey-Ochola
The BLK + GRN Show
Christine Martey-Ochola, founder of NUELE, shares her remarkable journey of creating a beauty brand that embodies the perfect blend of effectiveness and health-consciousness. After reflecting on childhood memories of witnessing chemical treatments and feeling the societal pressure to conform to a specific beauty standard as a Black woman, Christine and her co-founder Anne Cheatham, drawing on their backgrounds in biochemistry, research, medicine, and food science, spent four years developing their flagship product, NUELE hair serum. Their unwavering dedication to patience, relentless research,...
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Episode 42 - Mela Vitamins - Ashley Harmon
The BLK + GRN Show
Ashley Harmon, the visionary founder behind Mela Vitamins, takes us on her personal wellness journey through the realm of wellness. Her college years were marked by a challenging battle against PCOS and a deficiency in vitamin D, setting her on a determined path to develop supplements tailored specifically for Black women. Mela Vitamins stands apart with its holistic approach, forged through extensive research and enriched by insights from consumer focus groups and healthcare experts to address specific needs. With an eye on the future, Mela Vitamins aims to be the go-to wellness brand for...
info_outlineChristine Martey-Ochola, founder of NUELE, shares her remarkable journey of creating a beauty brand that embodies the perfect blend of effectiveness and health-consciousness. After reflecting on childhood memories of witnessing chemical treatments and feeling the societal pressure to conform to a specific beauty standard as a Black woman, Christine and her co-founder Anne Cheatham, drawing on their backgrounds in biochemistry, research, medicine, and food science, spent four years developing their flagship product, NUELE hair serum.
Their unwavering dedication to patience, relentless research, and innovation shines brightly, underlining the profound significance of crafting clean, sustainable, and non-toxic products that will leave a lasting impact on the well-being of both present and future generations. Their tireless devotion to serving Black women with nothing less than exceptional, clean beauty products is bound to ignite your own passion. It's an inspiration to embrace a slower, more deliberate approach, to prioritize health, and to become an agent of positive change in the world.
Quote from interviewee for callout box: “You know what really drives us right, I’d say on a fundamental level is having healthy options. When we are looking at care. Health is a critical component for us.”
Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss:
- NUELE is committed to sustainability and environmental responsibility. They work with farmers, participate in tree-planting initiatives in Africa, and use recyclable packaging materials.
- Benzene and formaldehyde are considered harmful ingredients in hair products due to their potential carcinogenic and irritant properties, posing health risks to users.
- Christine's unwavering patience paved the way for her to craft a product that embodies health, sustainability, and versatility, all while breaking free from conventional beauty norm
Check Out These Highlights:
- Christine shares how her and her co-founder Anne's unwavering passion for delivering all-natural and non-toxic hair care options took precedence over their pursuit of funding for their brand (10:44)
- Christine discusses NUELE’S commitment to being a part of the solution, providing customers with all-natural and healthy haircare options (14:50)
- Christine discusses the versatility of the NUELE hair serum and the challenges of creating a product that is both non-toxic and effective (20:54)
Quotes:
“We realize that a core thing that we do every single day is use hair care products, but we don't always know what's in them and we don't always realize what the impact is.”
“And so, for us a key driver is how do we ensure that if we are going to play in this space, that we will be on the right side of that story, that we are on this side of positive health outcomes, no matter what.”
“We only want accord around the importance of developing products that we all can be proud of, and if it takes a while so be it. We’ll have to invest that.”