Friends in Beauty Podcast

This week on the Friends in Beauty Podcast, I’m bringing back one of my favorite conversations with Joy Fennell . Joy is a fashion enthusiast turned tech innovator, with over 20 years in the industry as a sought-after Makeup Artist and later as a creative director. Now, she’s pioneering the use of AI, AR, and 3D design to push fashion and beauty into new digital dimensions. In our chat, we dive in...

On this episode of the Friends in Beauty podcast I welcome Maude Okrah Hunter to the Friends in Beauty guest chair. Maude is an entrepreneur who is passionate about bringing solutions to underserved markets. She has over 12 years of experience working in strategy with startups and Fortune 500 companies. She is the Founder and CEO of BBR (Black Beauty Roster). Black Beauty Roster is a digital DE&am...

On this week’s solo episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast, I’m keeping it real with you. This is my last episode before I take a much-needed pause, and I want to share why. I’m opening up about what burnout really feels like as a beauty pro and entrepreneur, and why it’s so important for us to prioritize our health for longevity in this industry. From setting and honoring boundaries with client...

Former Senior Director of Marketing at Creme of Nature, Beauty Marketing Strategist, and Founder of Texture Crush + Gholston Strategy Group — Teneya Gholston is not your average beauty professional. She’s led marketing strategies for powerhouse brands like Revlon, Lottabody, and Arosci, and is best known for revitalizing the iconic Creme of Nature brand within Black beauty culture. In this episode...

Today marks Kim Baker’s third visit to the show—because her story is one of resilience, reinvention, and transformation. From facing a chilling sentence of 65 years to life, Kim emerged to become a pioneering plus-size model with Wilhelmina, working alongside icons like Kevyn Aucoin and Way Bandy. She went on to launch Glamazon Beauty , a brand that celebrates inclusive beauty. Now, her story is m...

In this week’s episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast, we're joined by Lindsay Nahmiache—CEO of Veriphy Skincare, founder of award-winning agency Jive PR + Digital, and investor in over 13 startups, including a double unicorn. Lindsay is a branding expert and strategic investor who’s helped companies scale from seed to Series E—and she recently added beauty brand rescuer to her résumé. We di...

In this week’s episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast, we’re joined by Tomara Watkins, the powerhouse President of Buttah Skin . Tomara has been shaping the brand since 2020—first as a strategic growth consultant, and now as the executive leading its continued expansion and innovation. We dive into what it truly takes to run a fast-growing beauty brand from the inside—from managing operations an...

In this week’s episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast, I’m sitting down with Emily Prince , Founder of the luxury loc studio Privacy Parlor , to talk about what it really means to take up space as a beauty pro. We cover everything from grieving while running a business, to the emotional labor of being a Black woman in the beauty industry, to why locs are still not fully included in mainstream be...

What does it really take to build a multi-million dollar skincare brand from scratch—without outside investors? In this episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast, I’m joined by Dimitra Davidson , co-founder of Indeed Labs —the clean beauty brand behind viral hits like Nanoblur and pH-In Skin , the world’s first microbiome-certified acne solution. Dimitra shares how a personal skin issue turned into...

On this week’s episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast, I’m joined by Jenn Harper, the trailblazing Founder and CEO of Cheekbone Beauty —an Indigenous-owned, B-Corp certified beauty brand that’s redefining what it means to be sustainable and socially conscious in the beauty industry. We dive into how her grandmother’s resilience after residential schools shaped the brand; the Seven Grandfather Te...

In this episode, I’m joined by Olga Parno , Founder and CEO of Masktini , a clean skincare brand that’s redefining what self-care looks—and smells—like. After leaving behind a successful career in corporate finance, Olga launched Masktini with the mission to empower women through indulgent, effective, and intelligent beauty. We chat about: Her leap from Wall Street to skincare Launching a business...

In this episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast, we’re joined by Moira Frazier , the Emmy-nominated, award-winning Hair Department Head behind the hit ABC series Abbott Elementary . With two consecutive Emmy nominations and Hollywood Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist Guild Awards , Moira is behind some of the most beloved hair moments in modern television. During our chat we dive into: Her creativ...

In this episode of Friends in Beauty, we sit down with Blake Arsenault , the brilliant Hair Department Head behind Overcompensating , Amazon Prime’s new coming-of-age series starring Benito Skinner. Blake shares how hair became a tool for storytelling—from Carmen’s natural hair transformation to Benny’s understated look that mirrors his inner conflict. Blake opens up about styling celebrities and...

In this episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast, we sit down with Karen Mitchell , the powerhouse founder and CEO of True Indian Hair — a premium hair extensions and wigs brand trusted by Rihanna, Tyra Banks, Taraji P. Henson , and top stylists across the industry. Karen shares how losing her fashion job led her to cash out her 401K and start selling hair out of her car — eventually building a th...

Ever wondered if you can run a thriving beauty business and homeschool your kids—without losing your mind? In this episode, we chat with Jane Harris , the powerhouse behind The Virgin Hair Fantasy , the go-to brand for stylish glueless wigs loved by celebrities, entrepreneurs, and everyday women. Jane shares how she balances entrepreneurship, motherhood, and homeschooling with grace, grit, and int...

How do you lead three departments on a global fantasy series—while battling extreme weather, designing epic prosthetics, and making sure wigs stay on through stunt sequences? In this week’s episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast, we sit down with Davina Lamont , the Hair, Makeup, and Prosthetics Department Head for Season 3 of Amazon Prime Video’s The Wheel of Time. Davina shares her inspiring j...

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on how I build authentic, lasting relationships in the beauty industry (and beyond). After attending 6 events in the last month—3 beauty-related and 3 not—I’m sharing my exact strategy for making the most of the room, connecting with the right people, and following up so those connections actually mean something . I’ll walk you through: My favorite hac...

In today’s episode of Ask Your Best Friend in Beauty , I’m answering a heartfelt letter from New Brush on the Block —a beginner makeup artist who’s eager to build a professional kit but feels overwhelmed by the pressure to keep up with seasoned pros and expensive products. If you're just getting started and wondering how to build a makeup kit on a budget , where to invest first, and how to show up...

In this week’s inspiring episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast , we sit down with Naima , a licensed esthetician, energy healer, and the Founder of Beachbum Wisdom , a holistic skincare and wellness facility that goes beyond the surface. Naima shares how she built a brand rooted in purpose, healing, and alignment—fusing skincare, energy work, and intuitive wellness into a transformative experie...

In this week’s inspiring episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast , we sit down with Larry Jarah Sims —an award-winning Celebrity Hair Architect , entrepreneur, and Co-Founder of Flawless by Gabrielle Union . With over 20 years in the industry , Larry has styled the most iconic looks in pop culture for Janet Jackson, Zendaya, Gabrielle Union, Regina King, Mary J. Blige , and so many more. But behi...

On this week’s episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast, I sit down with none other than Terrence Davidson , aka The Wig Master — a 4x Bronner Brothers Hair Competition Winner and the creative force behind the iconic looks of Nicki Minaj, Mary J. Blige, Patti Labelle, Tyra Banks , and more! Terrence shares the wild ride of how his early dreams evolved into a thriving career styling some of the big...

In this episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast, we're joined by John Mosley , a.k.a. The Popular Nobody — a powerhouse in the barbering world known for his humility, authentic brand, and elite client list including Kendrick Lamar, Idris Elba, Larenz Tate, and major pro sports organizations. John shares how he went from behind the chair to working with top-tier celebrities, building a movemen...

This is the conversation I literally manifested ! On this week’s episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast , I chat with Stormi Banks , Founder of The Pink Print Firm —a results-driven grant writing agency that has helped entrepreneurs secure over $19M+ in funding . Stormi is on a mission to make grant funding approachable for ambitious entrepreneurs like us. She shares powerful insights into what...

🚨 Struggling to book clients? Feeling stuck while others seem to be fully booked? You’re doing all the things—posting on social media, offering discounts, waiting for word-of-mouth to kick in… but your calendar is still looking empty. If you’ve been wondering why some beauty pros effortlessly attract clients while you’re struggling to get inquiries, this episode is for YOU. There’s a simple but p...

I’m still on cloud nine after being named a recipient of the NAACP x L’Oréal Inclusive Beauty Fund Grant ! This past week, the SalonCentric and L’Oréal team flew all the winners out to St. Petersburg, Florida for an exclusive, mind-blowing experience. It was truly life-changing! In this week’s episode, I sit down with my fellow 2025 Beauty Blazers—Naima Woodson ( Beachbum Wisdom ), Ashley Rankin (...