Rahama Wright: Building a Social Impact Beauty Business and Redefining Success
Release Date: 04/22/2022
Starr Blackshere: Finding Your Creative Niche in Beauty (& Mastering Your Craft)
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Starr Blackshere is a powerhouse in the beauty industry, a visionary artist whose journey from childhood fascination to professional mastery is nothing short of inspiring. With an innate eye for detail and an unwavering commitment to excellence, Starr has transformed her passion for beauty into a thriving career that spans hair, makeup, and the intricate art of brow design. Born and raised in San Diego, California, Starr’s journey into beauty began at an early age, influenced by the dazzling world of pageantry. Her curiosity and natural talent led her to refine her skills in hair styling and...
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Shifting the Natural Hair Narrative Part 3: Natasha Gaspard, Erin Maybin and Debra Hare-Bey on Representation, Advocacy, and the Art & Science of Textured Hair
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We wrap up our three-part series on Shifting the Natural Hair Narrative. I'm thrilled to be joined by three incredible guests at the forefront of a revolutionary movement in the world of hair—Erin Maybin, Natasha Gaspard, and Debra Hare-Bey, founding members of the . In this episode, we dive deep into natural hair advocacy, design, and the cultural significance of textured hair. Our first guest is Erin Maybin, a creative force who not only possesses an artistic flair but also brings a wealth of expertise in graphic design to the forefront. As a key contributor to...
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Shifting the Natural Hair Narrative Part 2 Diane C. Bailey: Licensing, Hair Loss & Legacy
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We continue our discussion on Changing the Natural Hair Narrative with the second of our three-part series. This episode features Diane C. Bailey, a pioneering figure in the world of textured hair care, with a career spanning decades and an unwavering commitment to education, advocacy, and community empowerment. She is the CEO and Founder of and Co_President of the . Born and raised in New York, Diane has emerged as a prominent figure, shaping the landscape of natural hair care not only as a stylist and author as well as a dedicated advocate for the recognition of textured hair as a...
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Shifting the Natural Hair Narrative Part 1 Diane Da Costa: Why the Past Matters
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Author, advocator, educator and entrepreneur, Diane Da Costa is a trailblazing figure in the beauty and wellness industry. She is the CEO and Founder of , Co-President of the and wrote the book, . With over three decades of experience in the beauty industry, Diane has honed her craft to become a master hairstylist, specializing in natural and textured hair. Diane is known for her exceptional skills as a hairstylist, her passion for holistic wellness, and her dedication to advocating for the natural hair community. Her journey began as a young entrepreneur, styling...
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BONUS EPISODE: Marsha Haygood: Designing Your Strategy for Success
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, CEO of Stepwise Associates says finding success starts with three essential questions; What do you want? Why do you want it? And what are you willing to sacrifice to make it happen? Marsha Haygood is a renowned leadership expert, captivating speaker, and accomplished author with a remarkable career dedicated to empowering individuals, especially women, to unlock their full potential and achieve success. With over three decades of professional experience, Marsha has become a leading voice in leadership development, career advancement, and personal growth. As the co-author of ...
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Kerry Abner: Grey Hair Matters: Embracing the Opportunities and Changing the Culture
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Kerry Abner is the visionary founder behind , a revolutionary haircare line specifically designed for people with grey hair. As a military brat born in the Bronx, New York, Kerry's upbringing took him on a diverse journey across different cultures, including living in England, Japan, and Florida. This broad exposure nurtured his passion for creativity and a desire to explore unique paths. With a strong background in marketing, Kerry honed his skills in the music industry, working on global marketing campaigns for music genres like hip hop and R&B. However, it was his...
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Yasmin Zeinab: Designing Abi Amé Through Culture and Community
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In this episode, we explore honing in on your niche as a beauty entrepreneur. Yasmin Zeinab is the visionary founder and driving force behind , a trailblazing body care brand that seeks to revolutionize the beauty industry. With cultural influences from her Jordanian and Palestinian heritage and an upbringing in Australia, Yasmin brings a fresh and innovative perspective to the world of skincare, drawing on her experiences and passion for addressing unmet needs in the market. Her journey into the beauty industry was not conventional, as she began her career as a...
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Brianna Blackwood-Mallory: Looking For a Job in Beauty? Here's How a Recruiter Can Help!
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In this bonus episode, we are talking about how working with a recruiter can help when you are looking for a job in the beauty industry. My guest is Brianna Blackwood-Mallory, a compassionate recruiter and inclusivity advocate who runs . She shares the circuiritous path she took to her current role which included studying Chinese Language and Literature at Vassar College, to working as an editor in Berlin following graduation. Brianna found her calling in recruiting by first working on the marketing side of the industry but decided that she would rather get more involved in the sales side of...
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Funlayo Alabi: Building a Beauty Brand & Ecosystem with Meaningful Impact
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Funlayo Alabi, CEO and Co-Founder of , wants to see women win. The founder, who was born in Manchester, England, and raised in Nigeria, moved to the United States at 17 to attend college. But she brought with her a strong sense of beauty implanted in her growing up in Nigeria, which included gleaming skin. After realizing that following in her father's footsteps by studying accounting, she settled on international business. And ended up with a career in coding and software by happenstance. Funlayo and her husband knew they wanted to create a business that allowed them to access resources...
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BONUS EPISODE Ananda Leeke: Developing the Right Mindset for Your Next Career or Entrepreneurial Move
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Are you thinking about making a move with your career? Whether you want to break into beauty, are seeking another position, or are exploring entrepreneurship, this bonus episode is for you. Because before you embark on this next step, it is critical to get your mind right. That means developing the proper mindset, setting intentions, and setting expectations. This week, I chat with Ananda Leeke, a Thriving Mindfully Coach, Artist, Author, and Human Design Doula, about how to approach change. Ananda shares how working in law and finance led her to experience panic attacks and how it ultimately...
info_outlineRahama Wright, CEO of Shea Yeleen, volunteering for the Peace Corp was a no-brainer, it was how her parents met. But it was during her time volunteering for a health clinic in West Africa that she had a desire to create an ecosystem that provided economic support for women. And she saw shea butter as a vehicle for her end goal. Eventually, that led to the launch of Shea Yellen, through which she partners with 14 different women's cooperatives in Ghana.
While other companies work on a buy one give one model, or tout their fair trade status, Rahama is on a mission to make sure that her work has a real social impact. Her Ghanian partners benefit from the business--making five times the local minimum wage. And she's invited the growers to see the finished products in Whole Foods too.
Rahama shares the challenges she faced getting her products into Whole Foods and how she was able to expand the brand's footprint as a result. And the other retail avenues she created before the pandemic included MGM hotels and retail space at the airport.
Covid-19 presented many obstacles for Shea Yeleen, Rahama shares them as well as some new opportunities that came her way, including being approached by Macy's.
But Rahama is not solely focused on her brand but defines real success by equipping other beauty entrepreneurs with the tools to find success too, she has partnered with her local government as well as some partners (to be named soon) on a new venture.
She also shares how she became the youngest Black woman to serve on a Presidential Advisory Council on doing business in Africa.
And she shares five great tips for anyone interested in creating a social impact business of their own.
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