Business of the Beat

Kendra talks with Ron Robinson (@ronrobinsoncosmeticchemist) about his early days as a chemist at Estée Lauder (@esteelauder) to launching BeautyStat (@beautystat) and the 5 year journey that led him to unlocking an untapped patented formula to develop his first award winning Universal C Skin Refiner with 4 more products to follow.  Ron also shares the importance of store visits, staying close to...

Kendra talks with Lauren Napier (@laurennapier) about Lauren Napier Beauty (@laurennapierbeauty), her journey from make-up artist to Founder, the no from the bank “because they didn’t get her business,” to how Robert Townsend inspired her to bootstrap using credit cards, and a tax return to launch her brand. This past year she launched “Consider Something Better” to support other Black founders. ...

Kendra talks with Dr Camille Howard-Verovic (@dermbeautydoc) about her road to dermatology, starting Girl+Hair (@girlandhair) simultaneously during her first year of medical school, and how her marketing and advertising background played a HUGE role in developing effective messaging for her brand! “Never let your accomplishments get ahead of you” - Dr CamilleSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

Kendra talks with Schenika Quattlebaum (@schenikaquattlebaum) about her hair, beauty, and cosmetics brand Natalia Me-gan Beauty (@nataliambeauty), a partnership with Walmart (@walmart) that led to her first billboard in Times Square and the power of Twitter and LinkedIn for networking and connecting with customers.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kendra talks with Tisha Thompson (@glamourgurl5) about LYS Beauty (@lysbeautyofficial), the first “Clean” Black cosmetics brand at Sephora (@sephora); her passion for makeup, a career in accounting, a journey through marketing for beauty brand PUR (@purcosmetics) and the ultimate pivot that led her to actualize her true purpose.  ""When you get to a point where you have to reflect, what is your pu...

Kendra talks with Shontay Lundy (@shontay_lundy) about her aha moment to create Black Girl Sunscreen (@blackgirlsunscreen), the importance of education around sun care especially for melanin skin and going from solopreneur to building a full scaled team after raising $1mil. “This journey is not easy, it's more about the strength and confidence i have on a daily basis” - ShontaySee omnystudio.com/l...

Kendra talks with Tekoa Hash (@tekoak) about her journey from make-up artist to founder, creating the title of Glam Coordinator on Love & Hip Hop, evolving The Teknique Agency (@tekniqueagency) from PR/Marketing to Talent Management and why her new venture Global Beauty Tribe (@globalbeautytribe) was so helpful especially in these times of COVID. “I would go through that test again to get the grow...

Kendra talks with Chidinma Asonye (@casonye), COO at S by Serena (@serena) about her journey from Wall Street to Beauty to Fashion and one of my favorite takeaways “Your career is more of a jungle gym than a ladder.”  “Build a team for the future and not just where it is today” - ChidinmaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kendra talks with the pioneer of textured hair, Lisa Price (@iamlisaprice) about founding Carol’s Daughter (@carolsdaughter), that feeling when you realize you’re part of history -  Carol's Daughter Healthy Hair Butter is part of the cultural expressions exhibit and a Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the need to have foresight and insight t...

Kendra talks with Kimberly Radford Henderson (@kimhenderson0616) about creating a BIPOC council at Johnson & Johnson, accountability to the consumer, the power of language, and the importance of giving back. “We don’t have all the answers and that’s okay” - Kimberly See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kendra talks with Dametria Mustin (@dametriakinsley) about her journey from @HBO to @Cantu, what it truly takes to build a brand, and how @cantuelevate is providing the tools to support black women creating their own spaces. “Make sure you have people around you that can check you.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kendra talks with Dorion Renaud (@dorionrenaud) about transitioning from an actor to a founder. His journey to start @buttahskin and the importance of having the right network around you to ultimately build a brand bigger than yourself. “The key to being a successful CEO is letting others be great at their jobs”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kendra talks with Camara Aunique (@camaraaunique) about trusting God’s process everyday; how that trust led her from NY to LA to evolve her brand as a make-up artist to beauty brand founder @camaraauniquebeauty, the new lash queen! “I am who God has called me to be.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kendra talks with Tamerri Ater (@tamerrizamaih) about how she went from working at The Body Shop to Product and Development Director @versed Skincare and her personal journey of discovering the Interconnection of Beauty and Astrology.  “It’s reciprocity - it was done for me and I want to be able to give it back”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kendra talks with Melissa Hibbert (@melissahibbert), Founder of the GLAM Agency (@theglamagency), about how she went from pre-law to beauty, instinct versus ego, stepping up for representation in front of and behind the camera, and choosing where to invest your time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kendra talks with Diarrha N’Diaye, (@Diarrhaxo), CEO and Founder of Ami Cole, about lack of representation, and how her experience at L’Oreal and Glossier laid the foundation for venturing out to build her own make-up brand with #BIPOC women in mind.  “Listen I’m tired, it’s not my fight.. But then I realized, you know what, as tired as I am, 20 years from now can determine whether or not I feel c...

This week, on @businessofthebeat! Kendra talks with Kim Seymour (@kimariaseymour), Chief People Officer at WW about leading with diversity and inclusion as a key part of company culture, consistency in direction, and being able to tap into our #vulnerability and #emotionalintelligence to be effective leaders as women.  “When you want a team rowing in the same direction, it’s important to people to...

Kendra talks with Charreah Jackson, Founder of SHINE Army about transformation; the beauty in clarity and her mission through storytelling to help people narrate their own story.  “I’m not fearless, but what I am is courageous, and what I also am is clear.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kendra talks with Tina Craig (@bagsnob) about her journey from hosting MTV Asia to living in Texas and the shopping obsession that would lead to one of the most popular blogs of all time. From starting @bagsnob with @Kellycook, to the creation of her award winning skincare brand,  U Beauty, Tina continues to break down barriers through her knack for innovation and boldness.  “I didn’t know on the...

Rachel Roff, CEO and Founder of Urban Skin Rx, gets real about mentorship and the importance of confidence and collaboration when growing a team and scaling the business.  She shares nuggets from her journey as a white female founder of a brand focused on supporting brown and black skin tones, understanding racism and securing a DEI coach to help her navigate cross cultural needs.  “To build somet...

Kendra talks with Constance White (@officialcwhite) about her tenure as Editor in Chief of @Essence Magazine, her knack for spotting talent and the importance of unity amongst women, especially black women. The future belongs to those who can ask for what they want, and advocate for inclusivity.  “It’s okay to let something go, to outgrow something.” - Constance WhiteSee omnystudio.com/listener fo...

Kendra talks with Karen Young, Founder & CEO of OUI the People, a DTC skincare company rebuilding prestige beauty for the 21st century. A former exec at Estee Lauder, Karen saw an opportunity to meld the product experience that legacy brands provide with modern distribution and messaging, ultimately redesigning the shaving industry. Karen shares her innovative approach to redesigning the shaving e...

Kendra talks with Micha about building the next generation innovative salon for people of color that celebrates the overall hair experience by creating a joyous space to nurture textured hair with a unique twist to the traditional press and curl. She also shares her journey to build a scalable franchise and retail concept curated with specialty products.  “Why would you go work for someone else fo...

Kendra talks with Ella Gorgla, Founder of 25 Black Women in Beauty about her commitment to spotlighting the power we have as black women and the importance of gathering together to drive action. Ella shares her personal journey of raising capital in a primarily white male space, her tenure and exit from Estee Lauder, her commitment to combat microaggressions in the workplace and her brave decision...

Kendra talks with Rea Ann Silva about her longtime career in Hollywood as a go to make-up artist, being Department Head on one of the first TV shows shot in hi-def, Girlfriends with Tracee Ellis Ross, Golden Brooks, Persia White, and Jill Marie Jones, how her namesake brand, beautyblender was born, and being one of eight female entrepreneurs featured in a new display in The Smithsonian's National...