Jamella Bailey: How Hair Loss Transformed Her Into a Passionate Beauty Entrepreneur
Release Date: 05/12/2022
Starr Blackshere: Finding Your Creative Niche in Beauty (& Mastering Your Craft)
Start Right Here! Podcast
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...
info_outline
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
Start Right Here! Podcast
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...
info_outline
Shifting the Natural Hair Narrative Part 2 Diane C. Bailey: Licensing, Hair Loss & Legacy
Start Right Here! Podcast
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...
info_outline
Shifting the Natural Hair Narrative Part 1 Diane Da Costa: Why the Past Matters
Start Right Here! Podcast
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...
info_outline
BONUS EPISODE: Marsha Haygood: Designing Your Strategy for Success
Start Right Here! Podcast
, 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 ...
info_outline
Kerry Abner: Grey Hair Matters: Embracing the Opportunities and Changing the Culture
Start Right Here! Podcast
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...
info_outline
Yasmin Zeinab: Designing Abi Amé Through Culture and Community
Start Right Here! Podcast
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...
info_outline
Brianna Blackwood-Mallory: Looking For a Job in Beauty? Here's How a Recruiter Can Help!
Start Right Here! Podcast
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...
info_outline
Funlayo Alabi: Building a Beauty Brand & Ecosystem with Meaningful Impact
Start Right Here! Podcast
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...
info_outline
BONUS EPISODE Ananda Leeke: Developing the Right Mindset for Your Next Career or Entrepreneurial Move
Start Right Here! Podcast
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_outlineThe children of Trinidadian immigrants growing up in Montreal, Jamella Bailey, President, and Founder of Crüe Cosmetics, dreaded the hair maintenance process. It led her to spend many years hiding her hair under braids and protective styles. But her quest for a Beyoncé-like lace front cost her more than the expensive price tag for the wig. The stylist she visited glued the wig directly to her hairline, with traumatic results in hair loss, scalp irritation, and traction alopecia.
Jamella couldn't use most of the products she found in her pharmacy without additional irritation. This life-changing experience led her to research natural ingredients and start blending products in her kitchen, and she used friends and family as testers. She knew that she had found the right formula for her first product, a Growth Serum, when her testers started buying the product and asking for more. As a result, Crüe officially launched in 2016 with four hand-made formulas housed in amber glass jars.
Jamella initially thought her target audience would be other Black Canadian women with hair damage but quickly found that those issues attracted a much wider audience than she ever imagined. She shares the challenges Black beauty founders face in being pigeonholed in specific categories.
Jamella has honed her craft along the way, taking photochemistry courses to become a better formulator and recently being a certified trichologist. She also shares why she must consider regulatory rules if she expands her business beyond Canada.
However, in the meantime, she is expanding the Crüe Cosmetics line in the coming months to add shampoos and conditioners to complement her existing treatment line. And she plans to expand beyond her e-commerce model to include salons that can retail her products and use them in treatments.
And Jamella has plans to put her trichology certification to good use in the future.