BIPOC Women Don't Yet Receive 1% of Business Funding — Here's What Needs To Change
According to Harvard Business Review, Black women are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in the United States. Still, when securing funding crucial to their business' success, Black women business owners receive less than one percent of total financing (.34 percent, to be exact). Despite Black-owned companies generating employment opportunities; providing new and inventive technologies, products, and services; and revitalizing communities, they often struggle due to this lack of capital.
To put this funding gap into perspective: Black-owned businesses only receive funding 18 percent of the time, and their capital averages $35,205, according to a report from Fundera, a financial resource for small businesses. Meanwhile, 59 percent of white-owned business owners receive assistance, and their startup capital averages $106,720, according to that same report. What's more, according to the "State of Minority Business, March 2022" report by Creative Investment Research, 40 percent of Black Business owners didn't even apply for financing because they were discouraged from doing so.
Clearly, changes need to be made at every level for funding to become truly equitable. Here's what needs to change.
1. Continue dismantling systemic disenfranchisement
Systemic and historical disenfranchisement has long presented obstacles for Black women and women of color. These hurdles still create income inequality for Black entrepreneurs, which can, in turn, limit their financial freedom if they decide to start a business. A United States Department of Labor report states that Black women earn 63 cents for every dollar earned by white men, and where the educational level is the same, Black women earn just 65 cents to the dollar.
2. More transparency about the road to funding
For BIPOC entrepreneurs, finding funds outside of self-funding their own business is categorically challenging. Finding the right source of funds can feel daunting, so Bank of America has partnered with Seneca Women, a global platform committed to making the world more equitable for women and girls.
Together they've created Capital Directory for Black Entrepreneurs and Capital Directory for Women Entrepreneurs, vast databases and directories that make it easier to find hundreds of organizations that provide funding for Black-owned and women-owned businesses in the United States. The featured sources of capital can even be segmented to isolate aspects of the directory, such as available funding from:
Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs): Nonprofit loan funds or grants that can also provide advice and mentorship
Venture Capital and Angel Investors: Primarily firms and individuals seeking to invest in startups
Award-based funding: Grants typically from the government, corporations, foundations, or individuals, where repayment is usually a non-factor
Loan Funds: Lines of credit and secured and unsecured loans from nonprofit organizations, investment funds, and nonbank corporations and institutions
Crowdfunds: Funding that's usually made available, amplified, and advertised through social media and crowdfunding sites where individuals in large numbers financially back a new business.
In addition, the Tory Burch and Bank of America Capital Program is yet another initiative to give women small business owners more affordable options. They are helping these entrepreneurs in areas of access to networking opportunities and beyond.
3. More resources and mentors need to be made available for Black-owned brands
Part of the path to equity for Black women-run businesses is making clear access to resources and mentors, who can help you to shape the future of your business. Bank of America has compiled credit and funding resources that provide valuable information for new entrepreneurs, long-term business owners, and those contemplating starting their businesses. Whether deciding between a line of credit, a business credit card, or questions about small business administration loans, you can navigate through this repository to find answers to many of the questions that may be challenging you today.
For those entrepreneurs looking to connect with a mentor or have your problem solved, there are ample opportunities to connect with likeminded individuals at Create & Cultivate in-person events. Sign up to attend our next events Wellness Means Business (October 1, Los Angeles CA) and Small Business Summit (October 16, New York, NY).
After Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, This Entrepreneur Found the Confidence to Take on the Fashion Industry
"Coming down from the summit, I realized what I was capable of."
We know how daunting it can be to start a new business, especially if you’re disrupting an industry or creating an entirely new one. When there is no path to follow, the biggest question is, where do I start? There is so much to do, but before you get ahead of yourself, let’s start at the beginning. To kick-start the process, and ease some of those first-time founder nerves, we’re asking successful entrepreneurs to share their stories in our new series, From Scratch. But this isn’t your typical day in the life profile. We’re getting into the nitty-gritty details—from writing a business plan (or not) to sourcing manufacturers and how much they pay themselves—we’re not holding back.
Photo: BKM Photography, Courtesy of Shobha Philips
Shobha Philips can remember feeling frustrated by the lack of nude bras available in her skin tone for as long as she’s been wearing one. But it wasn’t until she climbed Mount Kilimanjaro that she discovered the confidence to start her own lingerie line and address this glaring lack of inclusivity in the fashion industry. “It was a nine-day journey, and it was the most physically and mentally challenging thing I had ever done,” the founder tells Create & Cultivate of the climb. “Coming down from the summit, I realized what I was capable of, and suddenly starting a business seemed less intimidating.”
After summiting the tallest free-standing mountain in the world and experiencing this perspective-altering epiphany, she started Proclaim, an inclusive lingerie line. And true to her vision, there is an intention behind every element of the brand, from the name and mission to the ethical production of each garment. The brand’s pieces are made from earth-conscious fabrics (think wood pulp and recycled plastic bottles) and cut and sewn by skilled workers in Los Angeles who are paid fair hourly wages rather than per piece (a practice that often promotes wage exploitation and unsafe work conditions).
Ahead, Philips tells C&C how she brought Proclaim to life, from how she found the right manufacturing partners to why she used her own savings to fund the business.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and what you were doing professionally before launching Proclaim?
I studied marketing in school and had a few corporate roles in supply chain before starting Proclaim. I always knew in the back of my mind I wanted to start my own business—it just took a while to figure what that business would be.
Did you write a business plan? If so, was it helpful, and if not, what did you use to guide your business instead and why did you take that approach?
I started several versions of a business plan, but what I ended up with before launching Proclaim was more of an outline than a full-on business plan. I ended up pivoting and adapting throughout the development process and the first year so much that it felt like my business plan would have been invalid almost instantly. I do think it is important to think through each of the components of a business plan, but perfecting a business plan document was not something I focused on.
How did you come up with the name Proclaim, and what are some of the things you considered during the naming process?
I had a long-running list of possible names on a spreadsheet that I shared with friends and family to get their feedback. I wanted a name that spoke to the bold and disruptive vision and I had for this business, and in the end, Proclaim was the one that just felt right and resonated with people the most.
What were the immediate things you had to take care of to set up the business?
Setting up separate business accounts for checking and credit cards was important to keep track of business expenses and to keep them separate from personal expenses. I also made sure the domain name and social media handles were all available with the business name.
What research did you do for the brand beforehand?
I did not have a design background so I spent almost a year and a half researching the fashion industry in general and really trying to learn everything I could about bra construction and manufacturing. I purchased a ton of bras and took them apart to see how they were made. I also just had a lot of conversations with friends about their bras; what they loved, what they didn’t. I spent that year consuming all the information I could about this industry I was jumping into.
How did you find and identify the manufacturers that you work with? What was important to you during this process and are there any mistakes you made and learned from along the way?
Making connections for sourcing material and manufacturing took a while. It was a lot of Google research, cold calls, and dead ends trying to find the right partners who aligned with the brand values of being a sustainable and ethically made brand. I would recommend taking your time with this step. It takes a while to find the right manufacturing partners. I remember feeling like I was not moving fast enough and was anxious to get my collection made, but I think it’s such a crucial component to your success that it’s worth taking your time.
Photo: Marissa Alves, Courtesy of Shobha Philips
How did you fund Proclaim? What were the challenges and what would you change? Would you recommend your route to other entrepreneurs?
I used my own savings to fund Proclaim. As a values-driven brand, I wanted to be able to bring my vision to life without compromising for investors and outside stakeholders. As far as what I’d recommend to other entrepreneurs, I think it depends on the industry and what success looks like for you. For me, success was bringing a product to life that I felt needed to exist. If your goal is to be like the next Amazon, you’ll probably need outside capital.
Did you hire an accountant? Who helped you with the financial decisions and setup?
I have an accountant for taxes and I do all of the bookkeeping with Quickbooks. I recommend keeping up with it weekly because it does become daunting if you keep putting it off.
How did you promote your company? How did you get people to know who you are and create buzz?
Proclaim has grown mostly through Instagram. I’ve been lucky that I’ve had a lot of success on the app reaching like-minded people organically who believe in our mission. I started the account six months before launching so by the time we launched, there were already a few thousand followers who supported the vision.
Do you have a business coach or mentor? If so, how has this person helped you, and would you recommend one to other entrepreneurs?
I’ve met so many amazing women on this journey of running a business. There are a handful of women who are fellow designers and fashion entrepreneurs with whom I am in constant contact during the week. We help each other with everything from sourcing issues to marketing strategies and everything in between. My business would not be where it is today without the support and guidance of these fellow small business owners.
What is one thing you didn’t do during the setup process that ended up being crucial to the business and would advise others to do asap?
I’d say, make sure you’re building your email list from day one. Make it easy for customers who discover you to sign up on your website and social media pages. It is such a powerful and relatively inexpensive tool; I wish I had focused on it earlier.
What is your number one piece of financial advice for any new business owner and why?
Find a good CPA! Even if it seems pricey when you are first starting out, in the long run, it will save you money.
Photo: Marissa Alves, Courtesy of Shobha Philips
MORE ON THE BLOG
How Lesbians Who Tech & Allies Founder Leanne Pittsford Is Increasing LGBTQ Representation in Tech
“Knowing we are responsible for making the invisible, visible is everything.”
Photo: Courtesy of Leanne Pittsford
Welcome to our monthly editorial series A Day in the Life where we ask successful women we admire to share the daily minutiae of their professional lives, from the rituals that set them up for success to their evening wind-down routines. This month, we caught up with Leanne Pittsford, founder of Lesbians Who Tech & Allies and Include.io, to talk about making the tech industry more inclusive, bringing LGBTQ women and non-binary tech folks together, and being included in Fast Company’s Queer 50.
Tell us a bit about Lesbians Who Tech & Allies and what inspired you to launch your business. What whitespace did you see in the market? What need did you want to fill?
Ha, such a big question. Basically, when I started my tech company back in the day, I struggled to find LGBTQ women as role models and peers. Every event I went to, I noticed LGBTQ women were missing from the conversation. I wanted to make sure our voices were represented and I knew if I struggled finding a community then maybe there were others who were looking for the same thing. Turns out, there were so many more than I originally anticipated. Since the start of Lesbians Who Tech & Allies, I’ve seen more communities coming together creating organizations to make tech more representative and it’s really impactful.
You’re also the founder of Include.io, a platform that connects diverse tech job seekers with great companies. What compelled you to launch this platform?
I’ve always been involved in LGBTQ organizations and have made an active effort to continue creating conversations around representation and inclusion in workplaces, tech specifically. I was the senior director of equality in California, which led the fight against Prop 8 (which aimed to make same-sex marriage illegal). I kind of fell in love with tech after being so in the trenches with this campaign. The data, the community, and the passion is really what led to my career moves. Through shared experiences and talking with others, I realized that a lot of other queer tech folks experienced the same issues within the tech space.
Now, let’s talk about your workday routine! First, are you a night owl or a morning person? When do you do your most important work and why?
In my old life, I was a night owl. Now, post two babies, I am a whenever-the-coffee-hits-my-bloodstream person.
What time does your alarm go off, and what’s the first thing you do upon waking?
What alarm? I am just breastfeeding all night right now. I typically just set a mental alarm. I take too much advantage of the snooze button when I use them.
What does your morning, pre-work routine look like?
Feeding all the children and pups, and making my Moka pot coffee with beans from one of my favorite coffee shops.
Mark Twain said, “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” What’s the first thing you do when you get to your desk?
I usually send a few voice notes to a few teammates to check-in for the day’s to-do list!
What are you working on this week?
Pride Summit! We just launched the agenda today!
What’s been the most rewarding part of running your business?
My favorite part is being in the Castro Theatre with all of my people, and feeling the energy that only comes from thousands of LGBTQ women and non-binary folks getting together in one room. I never would’ve thought that something I started would end up being the largest LGBTQ professional event and the largest event for women in tech globally (last year, anyway). Not to mention this year’s Fast Company’s Queer 50. Knowing we are responsible for making the invisible, visible is everything.
Do you ever reach inbox zero? How do you handle the constant influx of inquiries and communication founders are so familiar with?
Twice a year, usually two to three weeks after Summit.
What is your go-to work lunch?
Cheez-Its.
MORE ON THE BLOG
How 11 Honoré Design Director Danielle Williams-Eke Is Making the Fashion Industry Size-Inclusive
"My hope is that inclusivity and diversity become the standard."
Photo: Courtesy of Danielle Williams-Eke
Early on, I never really thought of designing plus-size clothing. Truthfully, nine years into my career with a bachelor’s and master’s in fashion, I still felt that my future was to design straight-size clothing. I always wanted to design high-end contemporary womenswear. Traditional education teaches about the “fashion greats” including Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, Cristóbal Balenciaga, and more. I fell in love with them and fashion. I recently looked back through my 2009 graduation portfolio and it struck me that all the assignments included tall, slim figures, perfectly following the "nine head rule" with six-foot-tall, size-two women. Not a curve in sight. This wasn't by choice; this was how I was required to design to make the grade. The curriculum was void of any trace of plus-size fashion. One could only take this to mean that plus-size women weren't welcome in the fashion industry.
Since I am a plus-sized woman, essentially, I wasn't welcome in the fashion industry. Imagine loving and working in an industry that refused to acknowledge you. This forced many plus-size women, like me, to seek out the brands that recognized our existence. It was like a scavenger hunt. When I occasionally discovered a new brand that got it, there was a great feeling of being seen and served. I remember that feeling back in 2004 when I found Torrid for the first time while shopping for my sweet 16 outfit. While a few other plus-size lines popped up in the well-known chains, I didn't see this recognition in luxury fashion. Plus-size women weren't on runways. Designer and contemporary brands didn't produce their clothing above a size 12 or 14.
“Since I am a plus-sized woman, essentially, I wasn’t welcome in the fashion industry. ”
Then, in 2018, I discovered 11 Honoré and I knew this was something different. The brand offers plus-size high-end fashion, which was something I never thought was possible. It was around this time that I also attended The Curvy Con for the first time during New York Fashion Week. This was also the Fashion Week that Kellie Brown launched #FatAtFashionWeek. In her words, "We are here, we work in this industry, we get it, we are leaders and consumers." I felt that! I felt the shift in the atmosphere at NYFW that year. The runway was getting more inclusive. It was building on the great year before when I had the opportunity to sit in on the Christian Siriano show watching Precious Lee, Marquitta Pring, and Candice Huffine slay the runway one after the other. Things were happening!
Fast forward to November 2019. After a year of stalking the 11 Honoré career site, a colleague reached out to me. The company was ready to start their in-house brand and they wanted me to design it! The collection I never imagined would exist was the collection I would have the opportunity to create. I was playing a part in a brand that was moving the industry forward. I was in the company of legacy brands like Carolina Herrera, DVF, and Dior, who were finally moving toward inclusivity but also a part of this new wave of designers, like Henning and Baacal, whose brands were founded on inclusivity. The scavenger hunt was getting easier for this African American designer from humble beginnings.
“The fashion industry has to acknowledge the blatant prejudice that exists towards those who don’t fit the ideal beauty standards related to size and body shapes of all women.”
While there is more work to be done to normalize varying body types and shapes as well as amplifying the voices of Black people and people of color, we are moving in the right direction. I'm honored to be a part of the ride. My hope is that inclusivity and diversity become the standard.
For me, this starts with fashion education. In the same way that America has to take a good look at how we teach and talk about the history of racism in America, the fashion industry has to acknowledge the blatant prejudice that exists towards those who don't fit the ideal beauty standards related to size and body shapes of all women, particularly those of different races and ethnicities. Only after we acknowledge those faults can the industry move forward and truly reflect its consumers.
About the Author: Danielle Williams-Eke is the design director of luxury size-inclusive e-tailer 11 Honoré’s private label line, The 11 Honoré Collection. As design director, Williams-Eke spearheads the design team and production of the private label, a collection that blends modern minimalism with power dressing. The designer is quickly making a name for herself in the fashion industry as a balanced voice and leader in size inclusivity. Prior to her role at 11 Honoré, the Los Angeles-based designer oversaw the design team at Torrid. For the last decade, Williams-Eke has specialized in designing extended sizes and pioneering patterns, fits, and silhouettes for the plus-size consumer. Understanding the power of clothing is instrumental to the designer, who is influenced by classic Americana style that eludes a hint of sex appeal. “I design for a lifestyle. Women are multifaceted and when I create a collection, I keep that in mind. I’m designing clothes for moments in the 11 Honoré woman’s life.”
MORE ON THE BLOG
22 Powerful LGBTQIA+ Leaders, Educators, and Advocates to Follow and Support Now and Always
Listen, learn, and advocate.
Until last year, federal law in the U.S. did not protect employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity—that means just over half (52%) of LGBTQIA+ people in the U.S. lived in states where they could be fired, refused a promotion or training, and harassed at their jobs based on their gender identity and sexual orientation.
It’s little wonder that LGBTQIA+ workers experience high rates of discrimination when looking for work and on the job. In fact, 25% of LGBTQIA+ people reported discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity—half of whom said it negatively impacted their work environment, according to the 2018 MAP report—and 27% of transgender workers reported being fired, not hired, or denied a promotion in 2016 to 2017.
Last June, the U.S. Supreme Court took a long-overdue step in ending these discriminatory practices by ruling that the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination based on race, religion, national origin, and sex, also applies to discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. And though we are seeing some progress on state-level legislation, there is plenty that needs to change.
LGBTQIA+ voices are still underrepresented in the workplace and in the media. Last year, Fast Company partnered with Lesbians Who Tech & Allies to compile the Queer 50—the first-ever list of LGBTQ women and non-binary innovators—recognizing the need now more than ever to highlight queer trailblazers and advocates across the tech, finance, venture capital, media, and entertainment industries. For their inaugural Pride issue, The Hollywood Reporter honored 50 of the most powerful LGBTQ people in the industry who are making global culture more inclusive.
It’s as Billy Porter so poignantly put, “We as a nation are at our tipping point, the tipping point. One that has been heating towards boiling over for hundreds of years.”
So, we’re using our platform to celebrate and amplify powerful LGBTQIA+ leaders, innovators, and change-makers to support and follow today and every day. This list is ongoing and we plan to continue updating it with more voices who inspire us with their story and their mission.
Ashlee Marie Preston
Cultural Commentator, Social Impact Strategist, Political Analyst, and Civil Rights Activist
As the first trans woman to become editor in chief of a national publication and the first openly trans person to run for state office in California, Ashlee Marie Preston has become a powerful voice for the LGBTQIA+ community on intersectionality, representation, and humanization. “As a black trans woman, I never experience discrimination on a single axis,” she said at our STARZ Summer Speaker Series. “I experience everything at the intersection of race, gender, socio-economic disparity so I felt like all the cards were stacked against me… I got really sick and tired of people presenting us as these hyper-sexualized characters that existed to satisfy a man’s libido. We’re so much more than that.” Preston encourages all of us to be just who we are. “Don’t be afraid to take up space,” she went on. “You should never have to shrink your fatness, your blackness, your brownness, your transness, your queerness.” We couldn’t agree more.
Indya Moore
Actor, Model, and Writer
Indya Moore skyrocketed onto our screens as the aspiring model, Angel Evangelista on the hit FX series, Pose (which features more transgender actors than any scripted television series in history) but the model and actor is also highly regarded as a thought leader and activist and was honored on the Time 100 list as one of the most influential people of 2019. They use their social influence to create awareness and opportunity for marginalized communities, particularly Black trans women. Their work and message have both garnered the attention of fashion brands including Nicolas Ghesquière of Louis Vuitton who featured Moore in the luxury brand’s pre-fall 2019 look book, alongside Michelle Williams and Jennifer Connelly and made them the host of Vuitton’s Paris fashion show. Prabal Gurung sat Moore front row at his fashion show while Joseph Altuzarra took them to the Tony Awards as his date.
Brit Barron
Speaker, Teacher, and Author
In her book, Worth It, Barron shares her story of growing up in an Evangelical megachurch in the '90s where she eventually became a pastor at 26. She eventually met Sami, left the church, came out, and got married. Since then, she has pursued her passion while encouraging others to turn their fears into courage and live a fuller, more vibrant life. As she writes on her website, “choosing freedom is always worth it no matter the cost.” With 10+ years of experience in diversity and inclusion work, Barron recently created a 65-page digital guide Understanding Racism 101 to start educating yourself and for those around you who are asking where to start.
Buy her book and buy her digital guide.
Erica Chidi
CEO and Co-Founder of Loom
It was during her first year as a practicing doula that Erica Chidi had an epiphany and the seeds were planted for what would later become an inclusive wellness space, LOOM. “I looked at the pregnancy, parenting and reproductive health education industry and looked around and realized there was inertia,” she told us in her CC100 2018 interview. “There had been very little innovation and didn't reflect what myself or other people like me would want. It still felt hyper-feminine, dogmatic, essentialist, and polarizing. There wasn't a fresh, moderate, evidenced-based, and inclusive brand that brought together a lot more untraditional modalities and yet worked side-by-side with the medical community to give people better overall outcomes in their pregnancy, their parenting, their reproductive health experience.” Now her vision is a reality. With a focus on sexual and reproductive health, LOOM provides health education to empower everyone. “When people have body literacy and can advocate for themselves, they have better health outcomes. That’s what women and people of color need,” she told Kinfolk.
Liz Kleinrock
Anti-Bias, Antiracist (ABAR) Educator, and TED Talker
We’re often told that religion and politics (and money or consent) are strictly off the table and not open for discussion, but anti-bias anti-racist educator-in-progress Liz Kleinrock strongly believes that we should be discussing these topics often and from an early age. As she explained on the TED stage, “deliberate avoidance of these conversations speaks volumes to our students because kids notice when their teachers—when their textbooks—leave out the voices and experiences of people like women or people of color. Silence speaks volumes.” The key is to break it down into a format that is accessible for young learners.
And if you think kids are too young to learn about issues of equity then hear it from them, in their own words: "We're big enough to know about these things because these problems are happening where we live. And we have the right to talk about them because it will be our life in the future." Hear, hear.
Raquel Willis
Writer, Activist, Media Strategist, and Founder of Black Trans Circles
Through her initiative, Black Trans Circles (BTC). Willis is developing the leadership of Black trans women in the South and Midwest through the creation of healing justice spaces to help heal oppression-based trauma and incubate community organizing efforts to address anti-trans murder and violence. In an excerpt for the NY Times she wrote: “As a writer and a media creator, I want to liberate others and help elevate voices that are often the target of ridicule and erasure. So many of my Black trans sisters have been denied the chance to share their stories and it is my duty to them to help expand that master narrative while also expanding the narrative of queer and trans folks in general.” Here’s to more progress and narrative shifting.
Ashley C. Ford
Writer, Host
If you aren’t familiar with Ashley C. Ford’s work, then we suggest you read this powerful profile she wrote on Serena Williams, or this one with Anne Hathaway, and start following her on Twitter, ASAP. Her work, which has been featured in almost every publication both physical and digital from The Guardian to ELLE and The New York Times, doesn’t shy away from traditionally taboo topics in her work from race to sexuality, and body image. She is also the host of the Brooklyn-based news and culture TV show (and podcast!) 112BK and is in the process of writing her memoir, Somebody's Daughter.
Roxanne Gay
Writer and Author
“As a black woman, as a black queer woman, specificity is incredibly important, because diverse experiences are rarely seen in literature,” she tells The Guardian. It’s racial honesty like this that has positioned Roxane Gay firmly on our must-read list ever since she landed on the literary scene with her The New York Times best-seller, Bad Feminist—a collection of essays spanning politics, criticism, and feminism. She has written several best-sellers since then including Difficult Women, Hunger, and Not That Bad, among more. And while some of her books about her experiences are hard to read, Gay encourages us to read the stories of other lives, of difficult lives, of different lives to engender empathy and understanding. “I read everything. The No 1 thing I tell my students is read diversely,” she explains. “And I’m not talking about demographics, though that’s part of it. Aesthetic diversity, genre diversity. It matters because it just makes us better informed, and it protects us from our worst instincts.”
Janet Mock
Writer, Director, Author, and Advocate
As a writer, director, author, and advocate Mock has brought the stories of other trans and gender-nonconforming people to life, including her own. In her memoirs, New York Times best-seller, Redefining Realness and Surpassing Certainty, Mock shares her struggles with identity, recognition, and purpose and in a world without a roadmap to guide her forward. Now she is bringing the power of representation from the pages of her books to our screens with the hit FX series, Pose. “The fact that I get to go on set and supervise production, write scripts, direct ... it's astounding," Mock tells NPR. "I watch the monitors sometimes ... with tears in my eyes, realizing that these were the sort of stories that I was craving as a young person. There's no over-explaining of our experiences. ... It's just: 'Welcome to our world.'“
Billy Porter
Actor, Singer, Writer, and Director
He is renowned for his showstopping red-carpet outfits (who could ever forget this Met Gala moment) but Billy Porter’s influence reaches much further than his fashion style. The singer, writer, director, and actor (he stars on the FX series, Pose) is a passionate advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community. In a recent video on his Instagram page, Porter shared his message for America, calling for action and advocacy for Black non-gender conforming and trans people. "As Black people, we risk our lives every time we leave our homes. As queer people of color that risk is doubled," Porter said. "We move about our days sucking it up, hiding our pain and terror from the world, trying to make ourselves small, so white people and straight people feel comfortable. Our parents try to prepare us for the realities of this world: the fact that the playing field is not leveled, the laws that protect white people do not do the same for us, and that we have to be at least 10 times better at anything we choose to do in life to simply get in the rooms where things happen."
Shantell Martin
Artist and Producer
Exploring themes such as intersectionality, identity and play, Shantelle Martin is a cultural facilitator. Her work has garnered the attention of major brands that resulted in collaborations with Nike, Vitra, Max Mara, Tiffany & Co., and in 2018, Puma launched a global capsule collection featuring her drawings. Her live art performances are visually arresting and take you into her signature stream-of-consciousness and meditative process—watch this monologue and you’ll see why. Her work is a powerful exploration of intention, purpose, and exploration of humanity.
She explained this process in her CC100 2019 interview: “Intention is a very powerful aspect of existence. Essentially, and I think many people whether “artists” or not, can relate to being fueled by a purpose or the search for purpose. This purpose is like the internal line which for me becomes something external with the lines of my art. I have a purpose which is very much tied to exploring the essence of humanity and the world… it comes from a place of pure curiosity and empathy and I feel that intention to connect with the deepest part of myself and YOU is a universal feeling.”
Blair Imani
Educator, Historian, Author, and Influencer
After she realized that the history many of us have been taught was seriously flawed, historian Blair Imani dedicated her career to educating folks and opening people’s eyes to the systematic oppression that endangers marginalized individuals today. She has authored the books “Modern HERstory: Stories of Women and Nonbinary People Rewriting History” and “Making Our Way Home: The Great Migration and The Black American Dream” all while educating the public on institutionalized bigotry via Patreon.
Ingrid Nilsen
Content Creator, YouTuber, and Host of One Step Podcast
Ingrid Nilsen came onto the scene with her first video in 2009, now the California native has over three million subscribers on YouTube and is basically a household name when it comes to beauty and wellness advice. But in June 2015, Nilsen released a coming-out video that went viral (it now has over 17 million views) and she has been a vocal advocate online for the LGBTQIA+ community ever since with videos that cover the best LGBTQIA+ places in New York to the 3 LGBTQ people who inspire me. She has also helped call attention to efforts to repeal the tampon tax and voting, and she’s the host of @onesteppodcast.
Nicolette Mason
Brand Strategist, Creative Consultant, and Contributing Fashion Writer
Nicolette Mason has always amplified marginalized voices and been a true ally and advocate for the diversity and inclusivity movement as it relates to size diversity, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, racial diversity, and more. In addition to her work as writer, she is also a creative consultant and brand strategist working with brands like Target, Dove, and Barbie on diversity and inclusion initiatives. After nearly a decade of working in the fashion industry, she launched Premme, a body-positive plus-size fashion destination, with her friend and business partner Gabi Gregg in July 2017 which has since shut down but as they’re Instagram states, “the premmories will last a lifetime.”
Follow Nicolette on Instagram.
Angelica Ross
Actor, Writer, Producer, and Founder of TransTech Social Miss Ross Inc
Angelica Ross made her debut as Candy Ferocity on Pose, but she’s been a leading figure in the movement for trans and racial equality. When you consider the statistics—72% of trans homicide victims between 2010 and 2016 were black trans women and femmes—it’s easy to see why Ross wants to ensure that these women aren’t reduced to a statistic. “In a situation where black trans women are being killed, who am I to think that I'm so special, that I would make it out alive?” she told ELLE. “It's usually the dark-skinned, black, trans women that are being murdered, and out of that group, that would be me. That would be Candy.”
As the founder of TransTech Social Enterprises, Ross is working to empower trans and gender-nonconforming people through on-the-job training in leadership and workplace skills. As a powerful speaker, she tours nationally to share her mission with business leaders, educators, and the President of the United States.
Megan Rapinoe
Co-Captain of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team
Ever since she co-captained the U.S. Women’s National Soccer team to win their fourth World Cup title, the outspoken Megan Rapinoe has emerged as a new kind of activist athlete who’s unapologetic approach has inspired millions of fans around the world. In addition to gender equality, Rapinoe has spoken out on social injustice (she took a knee to protest racial inequality and spoke openly against mass incarceration), and along with her team, took the U.S. Soccer Federation to court over pay equity. Now, that’s someone who uses their social influence for good.
Mikaela Straus, King Princess
Singer, Songwriter, Instrumentalist, and Producer
Twenty-one-year-old singer, songwriter, and producer, Mikaela Straus aka King Princess is bringing a young queer perspective to pop. Her song 1950 has clearly struck a chord with fans with 124 million plays on Spotify. As Rolling Stone describes King Princess as “a young woman supremely confident of both her sexual identity and singing ability” and the self-assuredness isn’t an act. “I want to get to a place where the story is less about me and my face and more about what the fuck’s going on in this world. How I can be an active voice for gay people but also the music industry,” she tells Rolling Stone. “This is the art we need right now. This is what we need right now. We’re in a renaissance, and we need people to rebel, come forth, and bring messages into art.”
Follow King Princess on Instagram.
Jonathan Van Ness
Hairdresser, Host, Getting Curious, and Star of Netflix’s Queer Eye
We all know Jonathan Van Ness (JVN) as the grooming expert on the hit Netflix series, Queer Eye but it’s his positive outlook and ability to help people see the beauty in themselves that made us all fall in love with him. And that bright outlook and larger than life personality still shine when the camera’s turned off. In real life, JVN is even more wonderful but beyond that, it’s his acceptance of people for who they are and a yearning to know more about the world and his place in it that has amassed millions of fans from around the world. Now he shares those stories on his Getting Curious podcast including his own in the best-selling memoir, Over the Top which details his HIV-positive status and history of addiction.
"In the last three years, there has been a steady rise in hate crimes every single year and we have an administration that is targeting asylum seekers, immigrants, LGBTQ people, HIV-positive people, women, and families,” he told Allure. “I think your approach to beauty can be political protest all the time… I think that knowledge is power and knowing the importance of the decisions you make with the money that you spend is literally a political protest. Everything, really, can be when you think about it."
Laverne Cox
Actress, Documentary Film Producer, and Prominent Equal Rights Advocate
We all know and love Laverne Cox as Sophia Burset in the critically acclaimed Netflix original series, Orange is The New Black, but what you might not know is how groundbreaking her casting was, not just for the show but for trans women in Hollywood as the first trans woman of color to have a leading role on a mainstream scripted television show. Since then, Laverne has continued her work and advocacy with her empowering message of “moving beyond gender expectations to live more authentically.” And she continues her string of “firsts” from being featured on the cover of TIME Magazine to an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series to a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.
Arlan Hamilton
Founder and Managing Partner of Backstage Captial, Author of It’s About Damn Time, and Host of Your First Million
Here are some startling stats: Only 12% of venture capital funds are invested in companies with at least one female founder, according to All Raise. Additionally, of the $425 billion raised in VC funding since 2009, a mere 0.32% went to Latinx female founders and .0006% to startups led by Black women. Arlan Hamilton, the founder and managing partner of the venture capital firm Backstage Capital, is on a mission to tip these statistics in the right direction. Since launching in 2015, Backstage Capital has invested over $7M in 130 companies led by underrepresented founders, according to the company’s website. It’s no wonder we included her on our 2018 Create & Cultivate 100 list.
Leanne Pittford
Founder of Lesbians Who Tech & Allies, Include.io, and Tech Jobs Tour
In 2012, Leanne Pittsford organized a series of happy hour networking events for lesbians in technology. Fast-forward to 2020 and what started as a small gathering of just 30 people has grown into Lesbians Who Tech & Allies, a veritable tech community of 40,000 members with chapters in 40 cities. Since then, the 2019 Create & Cultivate 100 honoree has founded two more companies to help underrepresented people in tech land their dream jobs: Include.io, a mentoring and recruiting platform, and Tech Jobs Tour, a series of networking events across the country to bridge the gap between tech companies and prospective job candidates.
Lena Waithe
Producer, Writer, and Actor
In an industry where diversity and inclusion are seriously lacking, Lena Waithe is paving a way for Black and queer women on and off-screen. She started her career as a production assistant for Ava DuVernay's I Will Follow, went on to be a writer for Fox's Bones, and was a producer on Justin Simien's 2014 film Dear White People. She’s gone on to found her own production company, Hillman Grad Productions, and produce films such as The Forty-Year Old Version and Queen & Slim as well as television shows The Chi and Boomerang. And notably, in 2017, she became the first Black woman to win an Emmy for best writing for a comedy series for her work on the Netflix series Master of None, which returns May 23 and will follow Lena Waithe’s character Denise and her partner Alicia, who is played by Naomi Ackie.
We will be continually updating this list of powerful LGBTQIA+ leaders to continue supporting and amplifying the voices of the LGBTQIA+ community. Please share your suggestions with us in the comments below!
This story was originally published on June 10, 2020, and has since been updated.
MORE ON THE BLOG
How the Founder of Hike Clerb Is Reclaiming Space for WOC in the Outdoors, One Trail at a Time
"Everything we strive to do is for our community."
We know how daunting it can be to start a new business, especially if you’re disrupting an industry or creating an entirely new one. When there is no path to follow, the biggest question is, where do I start? There is so much to do, but before you get ahead of yourself, let’s start at the beginning. To kick-start the process, and ease some of those first-time founder nerves, we’re asking successful entrepreneurs to share their stories in our new series, From Scratch. But this isn’t your typical day in the life profile. We’re getting into the nitty-gritty details—from writing a business plan (or not) to sourcing manufacturers and how much they pay themselves—we’re not holding back.
Photo: Courtesy of Evelynn Escobar
Whether she was hitting her local trails or road tripping through a national park, Evelynn Escobar couldn’t help but notice how homogeneous the outdoors were—and she decided to do something about it. In 2017, she started Hike Clerb, an intersectional women’s hiking group, to reclaim space for women of color in the outdoors. By sharing photos of the group’s excursions on Instagram, it didn’t take long for Escobar to cultivate a diverse and inclusive community of women who also wanted to see themselves represented on the trails—and in other outdoor spaces like beaches, parks, and pools.
Once Hike Clerb reached over 20,000 followers on Instagram, it was clear Escobar had a movement on her hands. And, although the club has always been dedicated to serving the community, last year, she officially registered Hike Clerb as a 501c(3) nonprofit organization. “Everything we strive to do is for our community,” she tells Create & Cultivate about the decision. “Not to turn big profits. Not to make an organization that must run the capitalistic rat race. Something for us, by us.” And her mission has attracted the attention of publications by the likes of Teen Vogue and Condé Nast Traveler, as well as major brands such as Nike and Free People Movement.
Ahead, Escobar shares how she’s paying it forward to her community, partnering with brands to do good, and leveraging social media to start a movement.
Can you tell us a bit about your career background and what you were doing professionally before launching Hike Clerb?
Before I launched Hike Clerb, I worked in the fashion and beauty industries as a social media marketer.
What was your “lightbulb moment” for Hike Clerb and what inspired you to pursue this path?
My experience as an outdoorsy Black Latina inspired me to create Hike Clerb. Whether it was hiking alone or realizing just how homogenous the outdoors were on road trips, I wanted to create a solution to the issues I noticed out there.
How did you come up with the name Hike Clerb? What are some of the things you considered during the naming process?
To be honest, it was something that came very intuitively without much mental exertion. Clerb is just a funny word that I and many friends use when talking about clubs of all types, so it was just a natural fit to go with something that felt familiar and lighthearted.
Last year, Hike Clerb registered as a 501c(3) nonprofit organization. Can you tell us about that process and why you decided to take this route?
It was actually a decision that I sat with a bit. For us, it was between creating a social enterprise or a nonprofit. Ultimately, the nonprofit won because everything we strive to do is for our community. Not to turn big profits. Not to make an organization that must run the capitalistic rat race. Something for us, by us.
Photo: Courtesy of Hike Clerb
What were the immediate things you had to take care of to set up the organization?
When I started the organization, a little over three years ago now, the only place we existed was Instagram. I’d post all of our events, recaps, etc. there. Later I created our site and secured our handle on other channels. We are currently in the legal process of securing our trademarks etc.
What research did you do for the organization beforehand? Why would you recommend that due diligence to other nonprofit founders?
Before embarking on our 501c(3) journey, I took a look at the way other nonprofits in the industry were set up from a financial perspective just to give us a sense of direction. Things like, what type of donation platforms are commonly used? What types of programs and grants exist that we could apply for? Etc.
Did you write a business plan? If so, was it helpful? If not, what did you use to guide your organization instead and why did you take that approach?
Yes and no. Yes because I do have a business plan in a very nontraditional sense, and no because the bulk of this has been learning as I go. I have a sense of direction and bigger goals, dreams, collaborations, etc. that we are actively pursuing, but at the end of the day, where our strength lies is that we are very much intuitively led and it has allowed us to transcend and innovate in the space like no other.
How did you fund Hike Clerb? What were the challenges and what would you change? Would you recommend that route to other founders?
It has been a mix of self-funding and donations from our community. Now we are receiving bigger corporate donations from time to time for collaborations etc. I think it can be hard at first for people to want to invest and buy-in when you’re just getting the funds to get off the ground. Nonprofits don’t magically churn out content, events, etc. out of thin air. There is always a team behind the scenes that needs to be compensated for their labor and creativity that brings the vision to life and a lot of people forget that. The operational costs have to be covered before you can move on to plan b and c, but most people want to invest in the shiny event or program, etc., not the non-sexy organization costs of what’s needed to even be able to run.
Do you pay yourself, and if so, how did you know what to pay yourself?
I do not pay myself from any of the funds we have raised for the organization and it is a very intentional effort to not do so. I value my team and the initiatives and programs that we are trying to get off the ground. As long as I’m able to sustain them, I’m happy to finance myself through my own platform, etc. It was really a no-brainer for me to proceed this way.
How big is your team now, and what has the hiring process been like?
We are a team of three! Me, as the founder and executive director, Jennifer Martinez as our director of operations who also assists with collaborations and partnerships, and Stephanie Sleiman who is our art director and designer at large. At first, accepting help was difficult for me because I didn’t really know where to start. I had been running things by myself for the first two and a half years before they came on. Both Jen and Stephanie were Hike Clerb members who volunteered their skills and time in any way that I needed and that’s how it all started. There was no formal call to hire. Now that we have a small but mighty team, we are looking to bring on a few more members to really help make our bigger plans come to life.
Did you hire an accountant? Who helped you with the financial decisions and setup?
We do have an accountant who was already someone I had a relationship with because of my personal finances. They didn’t come along until after the 501c(3) status was solidified.
What has been the biggest learning curve during the process of establishing Hike Clerb and running a 501c(3) nonprofit organization?
The biggest learning curve has been finding the resources needed to really legitimize everything. When it comes to legal and financial recommendations, they can be hard to come by. These things aren’t widely spoken about, but they should be! Just getting everything needed to run smoothly has been a process!
You’ve been featured in Teen Vogue, Condé Nast Traveler, Women’s Health, and many other notable publications. How did you promote Hike Clerb in the beginning? How did you get people to know who you are and create buzz?
Our main source of news, promotion, etc. was our Instagram! We created content from all of our hikes to promote what we were doing, who our members were, etc., and it organically grew from there.
Photo: Courtesy of Hike Clerb
Hike Clerb has also partnered with major brands by the likes of Nike and Free People Movement. How do you choose which companies to work with and how have they helped you grow and spread Hike Clerb’s mission?
We are very intentional about the brands that we choose to partner with. They not only must align with our mission and vision but play a role in helping our community in a tangible way. Whether that’s making a donation, donating items to help BIWOC get outdoors, or all of the above! They’ve helped us introduce our work to new sets of eyes which has only strengthened our platform.
Do you have a business coach or mentor? If so, how has this person helped, and would you recommend one to a fellow founder?
I do have many mentors, but not a dedicated business coach per se. I am thankful to all the women of color who have invested their time and efforts in helping me along my business journey. I would absolutely recommend that everyone have at least a mentor or someone in their corner they can turn to about these things.
What is your number one piece of advice for any new founder in the nonprofit (and/or for-profit) space and why?
Be married to your mission. If your mission is not a natural extension of you—something that comes so naturally to you that you can talk about it in your sleep—then sit on your idea until it becomes that. You should be so clear on why you’re doing what you’re doing that there is no question in anyone’s mind of why what you’ve created exists. When you create out of an authentic place, you’re setting yourself up for ultimate success.
What’s next for you and for Hike Clerb? What are your plans for 2021 and beyond?
World domination! But really, bigger in-person events, more programs, a new way to consume our editorial content, ways to participate across the country, and, for me, a new little addition to my growing team and family.
Photo: Courtesy of Hike Clerb
MORE ON THE BLOG
How I Designed My Small Business to Make a Big Social Impact
“When you open a door, bring others through.”
“Even the smallest—but mightiest—business can move the needle.”
—Sailaja Joshi, Founder of Mango & Marigold Press
Six years ago, I was pregnant with my first child, and, being a huge book lover, I was planning a library-themed baby shower. I envisioned filling my daughter’s bookshelf with beautiful books that celebrated our shared Indian culture and heritage. So imagine the deflation I felt when I realized that books that had people who looked like my daughter (and myself) on the cover didn’t exist—and what I did find was inappropriate for a child or, even worse, culturally insensitive.
Motherhood opened up my eyes. It opened up something inside of me that made me realize that I refused to live in a world where my daughter could not be her true, authentic self. While I’d grown up a voracious reader myself, the idea of raising my daughter in a world where she couldn’t envision herself as the hero in the books she read wasn’t acceptable to me.
So I took matters into my own hands and started a publishing company.
I’m not an author (yet). I don’t have a publishing background. But I saw something wrong with the world and I wanted to change it. A lot of people might dismiss the importance that children’s books have on the state of the world, but I’d strongly disagree. Kids are born open-minded. By creating a more diverse landscape of literature, we open up the world for them, encourage wonder and awe, and show children that diversity is the nature of humanity, not an initiative.
Having an impact on the characters and stories portrayed in children’s literature is the opportunity to change a generation. I count myself and the authors and partners that we work with at Mango & Marigold Press among the many artists and activists who have worked to make diversity an asset. But it’s not an easy road.
Mango & Marigold Press is a small, independent publisher in a land of behemoths–and beyond that, many might look at it as a minuscule drop in the bucket in the work that needs to be done around race and gender equity. This is a common feeling for entrepreneurs building mission-based business: the feeling that the impact we make, though it feels important, isn’t good enough. It can be discouraging and may result in us shelving our dreams for a better world with the belief that the difference we are making will never be enough.
But if you can move past those feelings, even the smallest (but mightiest) business can move the needle. Mango & Marigold just celebrated its sixth anniversary and announced its twentieth book—incidentally, the first picture book series featuring South Asian characters. Our #1001DiverseBooks initiative, which donates copies of our books to literacy nonprofits to help diversify their bookshelves, has donated more than 3,000 books. A few guiding principles have helped me make my way through the nay-saying and the self-doubt, to a place where I know that the work we do is making a true difference.
Don’t let perfection get in the way of progress.
When I started Mango and Marigold Press (then Bharat Babies) I had $1,000, a rough business plan, a script for a book, and a vision. I’m SO glad I went and made our first book in six months and didn’t wait to do things “right” because, honestly, if I had, I’d still be trying to perfect that first book.
Don’t be afraid to ask, then ask again.
I have learned the art of asking lots and lots of questions and then asking the same questions twice. I realized that many folks (not all) are willing to share their lessons learned and there is such a gift in learning from other’s mistakes.
When you open a door, bring others through.
I am a massive believer in this. When I get a grant, I make sure to share the application with another small publisher and share out what types of information I gave that helped me to “get” the award. I share connections, names, contacts. I bring people with me on my journey of success because this is the only way we will break down systematic barriers.
Yes, you can. Everyone will tell you that you can’t, but I’m telling you: Yes, you can.
A mentor once told me that even if my company fails, its books would still be out in the world, and would touch so many people. Hearing that, early on in my journey, gave me the audacity to start and the strength to continue, book by book. If you’re starting a business, particularly one with a social impact mission, find your cheerleader. Find the person who will tell you that you can, that it’s possible, that there’s good to be had in the work you are doing. They will carry you through the difficult times of starting a business and the moments where you doubt whether your work is worthwhile.
Literacy is power, and breaking down the structural barriers that limit access to books and literature for communities of color is essential. We stand at a unique moment in history for an Indian American woman like me: the first female, Indian American vice president. That is a big moment for an entrepreneur with a mission to demonstrate that diversity is natural–not an initiative.
But beyond a big moment like this is the day-to-day triumph. I’ve seen many kids delight in the fact that the character on the cover of their book looks just like them. I’ve worked with several authors who have expressed relief when I encourage them to inject their culture back into their stories after receiving rounds of notes from traditional publishers saying otherwise. Those smaller moments are the ones that keep me going.
About the author: Sailaja Joshi is the founder of Mango & Marigold Press, an award-winning independent publishing house that shares the sweet and savory stories of the South Asian experience. Mango & Marigold just announced its twentieth diverse book and has donated more than 3,000 books to literacy nonprofits as part of its #1001DiverseBooks campaign.
MORE ON THE BLOG
I Spent 3x More Money Than I Budgeted to Launch My Business
The founder of BeautyBeez on the costly lessons she’s learned since becoming an entrepreneur.
We know how daunting it can be to start a new business, especially if you’re disrupting an industry or creating an entirely new one. When there is no path to follow, the biggest question is, where do I start? There is so much to do, but before you get ahead of yourself, let’s start at the beginning. To kick-start the process, and ease some of those first-time founder nerves, we’re asking successful entrepreneurs to share their stories in our new series, From Scratch. But this isn’t your typical day in the life profile. We’re getting into the nitty-gritty details—from writing a business plan (or not) to sourcing manufacturers and how much they pay themselves—we’re not holding back.
Photo: Courtesy of Brittney Ogike
Brittney Ogike knew starting a business would be expensive, but she underestimated just how costly it would really be. “When I wrote my business plan, I didn’t allocate enough dollars to certain areas like buildout and inventory,” Ogike tells Create & Cultivate. “I remember telling our design firm my original budget for the buildout. They pretty much laughed at me and suggested I not work with a firm and go it alone. I had no idea about the amount of money it would take to build the store I was envisioning!”
Thankfully, these expenses didn’t discourage her from bringing her vision to life. As the founder of BeautyBeez, a modern beauty supply store created by and for WOC, she’s bringing an elevated and inclusive shopping experience to women who have been long overlooked by the beauty industry. “For decades, the beauty supply has been left unchanged and wholly inadequate,” Ogike explains. “And more recently, consumer behavior has shifted. Our community has become more conscious of where we spend our hard-earned dollars, but with no place to turn to for our complete beauty needs.”
Ahead, Ogike tells Create & Cultivate all about her business and her founder journey, including the lightbulb moment that inspired her to launch BeautyBeez and the costly lessons she’s learned since becoming an entrepreneur.
Take us back to the beginning—what was the lightbulb moment for your business?
BeautyBeez was created to fill a gap in the retail industry. What many people outside of the African American community don’t realize, is that ethnic hair care and beauty products are typically sold in small local retailers called beauty supply stores. Every Black woman has memories—both fond and unpleasant—of going to the local beauty supply store with our mothers and shopping for those nostalgic “Black girl hair” products: hot combs, barrettes, relaxers, hair grease, and a whole lot more. It was a space specifically for us! The larger retailers didn’t (and still don’t) carry these items.
The lightbulb moment occurred when I was shopping for some hair products for my daughter. I was forced to go to our local beauty supply store and left feeling upset about the entire experience. For decades, the beauty supply has been left unchanged and wholly inadequate. And more recently, consumer behavior has shifted. Our community has become more conscious of where we spend our hard-earned dollars, but with no place to turn to for our complete beauty needs. BeautyBeez was created to fill the white space in ethnic beauty. We provide an inclusive beauty experience where women of color can shop, explore and play in a world full of beauty.
Did you write a business plan? If so, was it helpful, and if not, what did you use instead and why did you take that approach?
Yes! A business plan was essential in building the framework of BeautyBeez. It helped me establish the mission of the brand, the product offerings, and financials. I also believe it was useful in persuading my family members to join. I still refer to it to this day.
How did you come up with the name BeautyBeez? What was the process like and what are some of the things you considered during that process?
When determining the business name, I wanted it to have a few characteristics—unique, brandable, identifiable, and include a personal nod to my family. I wanted a complete departure from the typical beauty supply name with the hopes of establishing the brand as a leading beauty retailer—and not just a beauty supply. The “Beez” in BeautyBeez has a few different symbolic meanings. It acknowledges me (B for Brittney), my daughter (Z for Zara), and the fierce, matriarchal symbolism of the bee animal.
What were the immediate things you had to take care of to set up the business? What would you recommend to new founders reading this who don’t know where to start?
The first thing I did was establish the business name. I contacted a lawyer and had them register and trademark the name. Next, I bought the website domain and created social handles on all social platforms, even though I didn’t need them immediately.
What research did you do for the brand beforehand, and can you explain how you found and compiled that research? Why would you recommend it and why is it important?
I visited as many beauty supply stores as possible and posed as a customer to figure out how I could fill the white space. I read online reviews to understand the pain points. I spoke with all of my friends about their experiences shopping for their beauty needs and had conversations about how the issues could be resolved. Lastly, I researched the history of the industry. Why was it dominated by a specific group of people? Who are the major competitors? What are the potential barriers to entry? To gather information, I read trade articles, searched the web, and went down every rabbit hole I could find on the topic. It’s important that you’re educated in whatever industry you get into. Stay on top of trends and the laws and regulations that are passed down.
How did you find and identify the distributors you work with? What are some of the challenges you faced along the way and what advice can you share for fellow small business owners?
Since I’m a minority in the industry, I faced several challenges trying to open accounts with distributors. I have been charged high minimums, required cash upfront when others are given credit terms and have been flat out denied access. Oftentimes, working directly with the brand was a lot easier to procure products. The advice I would give is to not give up. Reach out to as many different manufacturers and distributors as possible. All you need is one “yes.” And once you get that “yes,” thoroughly research them. Find people in your industry that have done business with them. This will not only help you vet the supplier, but it will also help you in establishing a network of contacts in your new industry.
How have you funded your businesss?
We are a family-owned company comprised of myself, my husband, and my brother. Fortunately, we are self-funded and haven’t had to seek any outside funding, yet.
What is the biggest money mistake you made in the beginning and how did you recover from it?
I’ve spent way too much on inventory. I was so eager to start ordering products for the store that I didn’t fully understand the ordering process with some distributors. They all have different rules and ways of ordering. I should have been more conservative on quantities and asked more questions. I’m currently sitting on hundreds of sewing kits if anyone needs any!
Did you work full-time at another job while building this one or just dive straight into it? Can you share your experience and what you would recommend to others?
Yes. I’m moonlighting as a sports manager. My career has always been in sports and I don’t see myself giving up on that work any time soon. I enjoy what I do in both industries—beauty and sports!
Do you pay yourself? If so, how did you know how much to pay yourself?
I haven’t paid myself, yet. Once we reach profitability, I’ll be able to start paying myself a minimal salary.
How big is your team now, and what has the hiring process been like? Did you have hiring experience before this venture? If not, how did you learn and what have you learned about it along the way? What advice can you share?
I have a staff of four part-time employees that work in the store and three corporate team members that assist with operations and branding. Finding great team members is one of the toughest parts of being a business owner. I’m still learning along the way, but the best advice I would give is to hire slow and fire fast. It’s important to take the time to find the right person for the position. Call references, run background checks and do all the things necessary to make sure the candidate is the right fit. If that person isn’t working out, it’s also important to remove them from the position immediately. You can’t let your emotions get in the way, which is a lesson I had to learn. At the end of the day, it’s about your company and what’s best for the business.
Did you hire an accountant? Who helped you with the financial decisions and setup?
Yes, I hired an accountant to assist with bookkeeping and monthly financial reports. Admittingly, financials are my weakest skill set. I even audited a college finance class the summer before I started working on BeautyBeez because I know how important it is to understand financial statements and reports.
Can you share the biggest learning curve or challenge since starting your business and why?
My biggest learning curve has been the economics of it all. This includes budgeting, forecasting, profit/loss, etc. There are so many financial decisions that need to be made on a daily basis when running a business. Having a comprehensive knowledge of your company’s financial standing is essential for success. I’m constantly educating myself on how to have better margins, determine pricing, and control costs.
Do you have a business coach or mentor? If so, how has this person helped, would you recommend one, and how did you find one?
I’m currently in the process of trying to find a mentor or an executive network group to join. Having a mentor or joining an executive group can help you grow as a leader and aids in better decision-making in your business. I would love to have a group of like-minded entrepreneurs to bounce ideas off of or troubleshoot certain issues I’m facing.
How did you promote your company? How did you get people to know who you are and create buzz? What percentage of your budget goes to marketing and why? What challenges have you faced?
First, let me say this. If you build it, they will not come! You have to build it, then tell people about it. Marketing was a huge challenge for me in the beginning. I think it was because I was trying to figure out which strategy worked that would give us the best return. We’ve done flyers, banners, a referral program, digital ads, and social media. Social media is where we’ve seen the biggest response. We had to figure out where our ideal customers were. They’re on social! So, we’ve invested a lot of time, dollars, and energy to make sure BeautyBeez is in front of them on all of the social media channels. Presently, we’re spending about 30% of our budget on marketing.
What is one thing you didn’t do in the setup process, that ended up being crucial to the business and would advise others to do ASAP?
I severely underestimated my startup costs. I ended up spending three times more money than I previously budgeted to create BeautyBeez. When I wrote my business plan, I didn’t allocate enough dollars to certain areas like buildout and inventory. I remember telling our design firm my original budget for the buildout. They pretty much laughed at me and suggested I not work with a firm and go it alone. I had no idea about the amount of money it would take to build the store I was envisioning! The lesson in all of this is to do your research in determining potential costs and do not be conservative.
For those who haven’t started a business (or are about to) what advice do you have?
Just do it! You cannot wait for the perfect moment. I read some advice when I was in the early phase of developing BeautyBeez that said to complete at least one task a day that gets you closer to your goal. It can be as small as research on a particular topic or as big as creating a website or registering your business. I took this approach and a year later, we officially launched. There are going to be many challenges and hurdles along the way. Take them one day at a time. In the end, the gratification you feel once your business launches will be worth it.
What is your number one piece of financial advice for any new business owner?
Pay attention to the numbers. They don’t lie. We create businesses for a lot of reasons, but at the end of the day, we want them to make money. Profitability is the goal for most businesses, and to reach profitability, you need to look at your numbers. What is making the most revenue? How can you increase these sales? What isn’t working and costing too much money? These are the questions you should ask yourself every month and make adjustments. Ultimately, if there is no path to profitability, your business will fail.
If you could go back to the beginning with the knowledge you have now, what advice would you give yourself and why?
I would say slow down. I was so eager to get up and running that I didn’t fully understand many of the aspects that have now cost us a lot of money in mistakes. Yes, mistakes will happen. But, the goal is to not make expensive mistakes. The only way you can do this is to do your research and make informed decisions.
Anything else you’d like to add?
For anyone out there looking for a sign to tell you to start, this is your sign. Start now! Follow your dreams and don’t let anyone or anything hold you back.
MORE ON THE BLOG
You May Not Have Heard of This Barrier-Breaking Brand, But Beyoncé and Oprah Have
Meet Greentop Gifts.
You asked for more content around business finances, so we’re delivering. Welcome to Money Matters where we give you an inside look at the pocketbooks of CEOs and entrepreneurs. In this series, you’ll learn what successful women in business spend on office spaces and employee salaries, how they knew it was time to hire someone to manage their finances, and their best advice for talking about money.
Photo: Courtesy of Jacquelyn Rodgers
Jacquelyn Rodgers knows firsthand that representation matters. “Growing up, my mom painted angels, nativity scenes, and Santas brown, like our family,” explains Rodgers. “She was very intentional about making sure we had images that looked like us.” So naturally, when Rodgers had children of her own, she also wanted her son and daughter to see themselves reflected in a Santa who looked like them, but she soon discovered there was still a void in the market for diverse representations of the Christmas character, even all these years later. After a search for Black Santa-themed holiday wrapping paper left Rodgers empty-handed, she decided to do something about it. Given her past experience in consumer packaged goods and her knack for sales and marketing, she was confident she could address the gap in the market for diverse gift wrap.
And that's exactly what she's been focused on since launching Greentop Gifts in 2016. Today, the brand’s signature character, Clarence Claus, isn’t just on gift wrap, he’s also on pajama sets, “ugly” Christmas sweaters, and ornaments, all of which helped propel Greentop Gifts to recording its highest sales yet in 2020. And being featured in O Magazine as one of Oprah Winfrey’s “Favorite Things” certainly helped the brand’s rapid growth! Despite the pandemic, the business has continued to thrive thanks in part to Rodgers being the recent recipient of small business grants from the Visa and IFundWomen Black Women-Owned Business Grant Program and the Black-Owned Small Business Impact Fund from Beyoncé’s BeyGood and the NAACP. In fact, next month, the brand is set to expand its offerings beyond the holidays to include year-round celebrations, from baby showers and children’s birthdays to graduations, with the goal of making these special occasions more inclusive and diverse.
Scroll on to learn more about how the successful entrepreneur built her barrier-breaking brand, including why she believes having honest conversations about money can make all the difference in the financial success of a company.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and what you were doing professionally before launching Greentop Gifts?
My background is in sales and marketing. Prior to working on Greentop Gifts full time, I worked for over a decade at two of the top 100 consumer packaged goods companies in the United States. I started the business while working full time and so many of the skills and day-to-day functions of my corporate career have been extremely helpful in starting my own business.
What was the “lightbulb moment” for Greentop Gifts? What inspired you to start your business and pursue this path?
Growing up, my mom painted angels, nativity scenes, and Santas brown, like our family. She was very intentional about making sure we had images that looked like us. Once I had my son, I wanted him to see images that looked like him, and I quickly realized there was still a void in the market. After searching retail stores in multiple states and not seeing any products like my idea at the time, I knew there was a void in the market and a need for items like we created.
How did you fund Greentop Gifts? What were the challenges and what would you change? Would you recommend that route to other entrepreneurs?
We self-funded the business in the beginning. We later had a small friends-and-family round to help us with buying inventory early on. In 2020, we won three small business grants that have helped us fund our marketing efforts even more. The challenges with self-funding, for us, was growing slowly. Every penny counts and we had to be very intentional with our spending. If you are able to self-fund or take out business loans for product-based businesses, I would recommend it. Everyone doesn’t need to bring on investors in the beginning.
Where do you think is the most important area for a business owner to focus their financial energy and why?
The most important area to focus your financial energy is understanding your basic cost of doing business and your margins. Before launching our business, we researched shipping, freight, sales and usage tax, shipping supplies, etc. Making a list of all your expenses and fees is always a great exercise to focus on before launching your business.
What was your first big expense as a business owner and how should small business owners prepare for that now?
Our first really big expense was shipping. We are an e-commerce based business and seeing our first shipping bill from our fulfillment company was a shock.
What are your top three largest expenses every month?
Our top three expenses every month are marketing, shipping fees, and payroll.
Do you pay yourself, and if so, how did you know what to pay yourself?
I don't pay myself a formal salary.
Photo: Courtesy of Jacquelyn Rodgers
Would you recommend other small business owners pay themselves?
In the beginning, you should pay yourself enough to survive. Remember, starting a business is one thing, but turning a business into one that has consistent success is going to take sacrifice. Most of your money has to be reinvested in the business to really grow it. The next idea, the next employee, the next office, the next warehouse. You have to eat and pay the bills obviously, but beyond that, you've got to make sure that your business is surviving as well.
How did you know you were ready to hire and what advice can you share on preparing for this stage of your business?
I knew we were ready to hire when I couldn’t focus on innovating new products because I was focused on the operations side of the business. The business would not grow if I didn't make time to create new products. When you start your entrepreneurship journey, your business is your baby. I struggled to turn over some aspects of my business, but once I found the right people who were experts in their fields and could help us grow, it made it easier to hand off certain aspects of the business.
Did you hire an accountant? Who helped you with the financial decisions and set up?
We did hire an accountant. My husband has a background in finance and was able to manage those decisions in the beginning.
What apps or software are you using for finances? What has worked and what hasn’t?
When we first launched we used QuickBooks and recently switched to Bench Accounting. Both have been helpful as we grow and scale our business.
What are some of the tools you use to stay on top of your business financials? What do you recommend for small business owners on a budget?
For small business owners, get rid of bills that are burning money! We had a few subscriptions and services we were not utilizing and those were first to go.
Do you think women should talk about money and business more? Why?
Yes! Having conversations about business credit, raising capital, and making smart financial decisions early can make all the difference in the financial success of your company.
Do you have a financial mentor? Do you think business owners need one?
I don’t currently have a financial mentor, but I have strong business relationships with our accountant and a local bank. My co-founder has an MBA in finance. His background and work experience have been extremely helpful as we grow our business.
What is your best piece of money advice for new entrepreneurs?
Don't blow your money. It is going to be tempting to think you've made it in the beginning and go out and spend money. Avoid that urge. Think about your business. Plan for your business. You haven't made it just yet.
MORE ON THE BLOG
16 Perspective-Shifting Books a Diversity and Inclusion Strategist Wants You to Read in 2021
Consider these bookshelf staples.
I’ve always loved to read and live for a good reading list from someone who likes the type of titles I’m drawn to. As we make our way through Black History Month in 2021, the year following a racial reckoning that much of the globe is still reeling from, I felt compelled to put together a collection of books that I’ve read or want to read using some thoughtful criteria.
First, I wanted to honor Black History Month by uplifting Black authors from all walks of life. While everyone on this list is a Black person, they are vastly different humans and have rich differences that come to life in each of their works, uniquely. Second, I wanted to choose books that haven’t necessarily had the visibility they deserve. Sometimes when searching for books, I see the same recommendations in several places; similarly to how many people celebrate Black History Month by reviewing the same handful of Black History figures year after year. I wanted to diversify my list of Black authors to maybe introduce you to someone you didn’t know.
Lastly, as an inclusion strategist, I work daily with organizations that are working to create more inclusive workplace cultures. So, I like books that give me stories to reference when I am teaching. Each of these books has a few threads that connect to inclusion and how it comes to life in real life. Some inclusion throughlines are easy to identify just in the titles, others are brought to life as you read.
This collection of books will shift your perspective, enhance your knowledge, make you laugh and cry, as well as shock you. This Black History Month, and perhaps even in the months following, pick one of these titles to dig into to support your journey to being more inclusive in your own life.
This Is Not a Test: A New Narrative on Race, Class, and Education
By José Luis Vilson
I love this book because it offers a window into education policy, which is often informed by race, through the author’s personal story. Part memoir, part nudge for policy reform, my friend José shows, through a collection of essays, how classrooms are informed by the communities from which their kids and their teachers come. José, a Black-Latino educator who taught middle school in Washington Heights, Manhattan brings the reader to contemplation about class, both from a learning perspective and as it relates to economic status.
Building for Everyone: Expand Your Market with Design Practices from Google’s Product Inclusion Team
By Annie Jean Baptiste
As an inclusion strategist, I’m fascinated by how other professionals in my industry are tackling the work. This book gives a behind-the-scenes look into how tech Giant Google creates award-winning and inclusive products.
Not Light But Fire: How to Lead Meaningful Race Conversations in the Classroom
By Mathew R. Kay
One of the most powerful periods in any person’s life is their high school years which, for many, serve as a season of awakening to new ideas and perspectives. With conversations on race becoming normalized in America, this book gives a framework for how to make difficult classroom conversations productive. The title is a nod to one of my favorite quotes by Frederick Douglas as he called abolitionists to action, “it is not light that is needed, but fire.” An educator’s must-have.
Caste: The Origin of our Discontents
By Isabel Wilkerson
Isabel Wilkerson peels back the layers of the power systems that silently define how we organize ourselves to move about the world. If you have ever struggled with understanding the idea of systemic oppression or wanted some historical context for how injustice not just happens but is engineered, take a dive into this text.
The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table
By Minda Harts
The corporate journey is more difficult for women than it is for men, but add in being a woman of color and the challenges multiply. Infused with her engaging personal story, Minda breaks down how women of color can advocate for themselves in the workplace and how white allies can support.
I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness
By Austin Channing Brown
For anyone who still doesn’t understand the inherent advantages of white privilege, this book details the relentless nature of racism in this country.
More Than Enough: Claiming Space for Who You Are (No Matter What They Say)
By Elaine Welteroth
I live for an intimate memoir, and this book is rare in that the author is still fairly young yet has achieved more professionally than most people twice her age. That level of achievement didn’t come without cost, though, and in the book, the author shares vulnerably about her career journey and what was going on behind the scenes of her many headline-making career moves.
I Don’t Want to Die Poor
By Michael Arceneaux
In his second collection of essays, the author captures the Xennial experience, especially how being saddled with student loan debt impacts that experience, masterfully. Witty and honest, he shares his perspective with a vulnerability we don’t often see.
Lead From Outside: How to Build Your Future and Make Real Change
By Stacey Abrams
Stacey Abrams captured so many of our hearts and minds in the last few years as we’ve watched her bid for the Georgia governor’s seat and witnessed her galvanize Georgians during the 2020 presidential election. What we get from her book is more on her personal background along with her strategic long-term thinking mindset. For people who feel disempowered, this book will show you how to win with what you have.
Begin Again: James Baldwin’s America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own
By Eddie Glaude Jr.
If you fancy yourself a James Baldwin fan (and even if you don’t, you should familiarize yourself with his work), this book gives the Civil Rights era writer’s work new life. Sadly, many of the same political themes Baldwin covered in books like The Fire Next Time are just as timely today as they were fifty years ago. This book connects the two eras and offers some learnings on how not to repeat history.
The Color of Money: Black Banks and the Racial Wealth Gap
By Mehrsa Baradaran
Despite the title, this isn’t a book just about banking. Instead, it gives a detailed background on racialized economic policies in this country, much of which you won’t believe until you read it. Chock full of historical context as support, the author offers insight into Black folks' relationship with money and challenges the idea that Black people could build wealth in a segregated economy. If you have ever contemplated the wealth disparity in the U.S., this book explains it and offers ideas about how to solve for it without segregation.
Black Detroit: A People’s History of Self-Determination
By Herb Boyd
There’s something special about the city of Detroit, and I’m not just saying that because it’s my hometown. But I found this a fitting read for the month because it’s a history of one of our country’s great cities. Detroit has many tales to share about being Black and helping to shape America. If you think you already know Detroit, or even if you love the place as much as I do, this is the history of Detroit you may have missed but must revisit.
A Taste of Power: A Black Woman’s Story
By Elaine Brown
While many are familiar with the men who defined The Black Panthers in the sixties, Elaine Brown is not a household name. Yet she took the helm of the organization at a time when it was well-known for its misogynoir. A fascinating memoir and perspective you’re not likely to come across often.
Glory: Magical Visions of Black Vision
By Kahran Bethencourt
This is my one coffee table book recommendation because it is truly a work of art. It’s by a photography team who photographed Black children highlighting their natural beauty, natural hair, and personal stories. It’s both a book of photos and a collection of essays that reimagine young people.
Resilient: How to Overcome Anything and Build a Million Dollar Business With or Without Capital
By Sevetri Wilson
This book isn’t out yet, but I’m excited about its release. In this book, my friend Sevetri shares candidly how she bootstrapped a multimillion-dollar company and went on to raise millions in venture capital. For anyone with an entrepreneurial spirit, big ambitions, and who wants to make their start-up dream a reality, I am betting this is the book for you. I’ve already pre-ordered this book and can’t wait to read it.
Allies and Advocates: Creating an Inclusive and Equitable Culture
By Amber Cabral
Last but not least, my book, Allies and Advocates, was released in November. I share a framework for creating more inclusive work and home environments for those who are ready and willing to do the work. I cover making space for allyship, share a historical overview of “how we got here” from a race relations perspective, and offer concrete ways to use one’s privilege (we all have it) to be more inclusive of others. If you’re looking for a place to start or want to know what you can actively do to be an ally or an advocate, this is a great place to start.
“This collection of books will shift your perspective, enhance your knowledge, make you laugh and cry, as well as shock you.”
—Amber Cabral, Author and Diversity & Inclusion Strategist
About the Author: Amber Cabral is the author of Allies and Advocates: Creating an Inclusive and Equitable Culture. She works as a diversity, equity, and inclusion strategist for major retailers and the Fortune 500 through her company CabralCo.
Love this story? Pin the below graphic to your Pinterest board.
MORE ON THE BLOG
What the International Black Lives Matter Movement Meant for My Business in 2020
One founder opens up about overcoming imposter syndrome, sustaining rapid growth, and reflecting on the diversity of her own professional network.
Photo: Courtesy of Andréa Jones
Last year was a challenging year of growth for both me and my business. Although I was by no means new to the entrepreneurial world, the events of 2020 would take my business to new heights because of the Black Lives Matter Movement.
Heading into 2020 I was excited to renew focus on my coaching and course offerings. I was feeling good about my revenue and I wanted to pour my efforts into producing more automated programs. But in March, when the pandemic really started to get attention in the U.S. and Canada, my team and I realized that we needed to pivot and service offerings were the fastest way to revenue growth at the time.
Over those first few months of 2020, like many others, we did lose some clients, particularly our clients in the event space who essentially lost their businesses during the pandemic. We also had a few clients who decided to take social media in-house as a way to cut costs. We experienced a lot of major changes within our business as I'm sure other business owners did as well.
But even though it was a challenging time, my team rose to the occasion and quickly turned things around. Within a month we had compensated for the abrupt slowdown and reached the March goals that we had previously been behind on. I’m incredibly proud to say my team really weathered the COVID-19 storm with tremendous grace and success. We headed into May feeling really great about our perseverance and growth as a company.
This would later become crucial to helping me stand with confidence about how my company serves its clients and brings value. Because once again, 2020 threw us another curveball and we found ourselves in the midst of worldwide demonstrations for Black lives following the death of George Floyd. Suddenly my company was put front and center because it was Black-owned and I really wrestled with if that was a positive thing or not.
When the Black Lives Matter movement started to pick up widespread media attention, a lot of businesses in the online space began tagging Black entrepreneurs or business owners they worked with as an effort to uplift Black voices. From there, many business owners began examining their network of contractors, or the agencies they hired from a diversity standpoint, realizing they should make a more conscious effort to diversify the people they work with. That’s when I really started to notice a shift in my own business leads. I checked almost all of the marks for someone looking for a diverse team. I am a Black woman, I have team members who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community, and I have team members based all over the world as an internationally based agency. A lot of companies found this quality of our company attractive and hired us.
When the light was shone on me as a Black business owner, I felt very uncomfortable at first and dealt with a lot of imposter syndrome, especially since I do not consider myself to be a Black rights activist. An avid follower and supporter, yes. But an activist? Hardly. The Black Lives Matter movement also put a lot of emphasis on me as a Black woman, but before last year, I had honestly not thought of myself as a Black woman business owner, simply a business owner.
I never foresaw the color of my skin being the reason people noticed me and wanted to work with me. It felt like a lot of the reason people were deciding to hire me and my company was only because I was Black. There was a lot of work that I had to do around that to shift my mindset.
What helped me work through this imposter syndrome I was feeling were two things, really. The first was reminding myself that these prospective clients may have been seeking me out because I was Black, but they certainly weren’t hiring me or retaining my services because I was Black.
My team does incredible work, as we had proved several times, including during the pandemic. We were able to sustain the rapid growth we were experiencing because we had designed a great service that was set up on the back end and we were getting results for our clients. So, whenever I had feelings of doubt, I reflected on how awesome my team was, and then I reminded myself that I had built that team.
The second thing that really helped me through this imposter syndrome I was wrestling with was something my dad told me. (What’s really funny is his wisdom actually came in the form of a sports metaphor and I am the least sporty person out there.) I told him about the unease I was feeling over all the attention I was receiving and asked him how he was dealing with the Black Lives Matter movement as a Black business owner himself. I absolutely loved his response, which was: “Think of it as your ‘at bat.’” He went on to say, I should think of this time as my turn at the plate. Just because I step up to the plate does not always mean I am going to hit a home run. It doesn’t even mean I’ll necessarily hit the ball. But I do get my chance at the plate, so why not take it? It was that mindset shift that helped me be okay with the attention I was getting and lean into it.
By learning to embrace the attention I was receiving because of the Black Lives Matter movement, I overcame the imposter syndrome and my business was able to grow both monetary and team-wise. In fact, over the course of 2020, my business tripled in revenue and we added over six new members to our team. Because of that growth, we’re able to reach and help more people. We’re able to show up in a different way, offer more services, and expand our reach.
And the movement didn’t just impact my clientele, but also my personal professional circle. A surprising realization I had was that my own professional circle was not diverse enough. It’s no secret that the digital marketing industry is chock-full of white men, but I fell right into the trap of just going along with what was right in front of me versus making a conscious effort to create change. After critically looking at the group of people I had connected with initially, I started spending concerted time and effort diversifying my network.
One of the resources I went to is the We Should All Be Millionaires Club by Rachel Rodgers. Her fantastic and diverse group of business owners helped me realize just how much I needed to be around people who were going through the same things that I was. They were business owners like me who were also getting a giant spotlight shone onto their businesses because they were Black and we got to share how everyone was dealing with it.
Some were celebrating finally being able to show up and be seen and seeing these business owners’ positive energy around the attention they were receiving helped me really accept the spotlight on my business as well.
I remember how personally invested I became in the movement, and as I reflect on this, I think one of the reasons is because the Black Lives Matter movement really shone a light on the things I had been doing and striving for already in my business. Essentially, the rest of the world was catching up to where I had always been, and I was finally reaping the rewards from that work. Instead of hiding from it, they encouraged me to embrace it.
This whole year taught me lessons that I will carry with me as an individual and as a CEO and business owner for the rest of my life. It’s reinforced the importance of diversity and allowed me to embrace my experience as a Black business owner. I vow to always employ a diverse staff and foster a diverse social and professional group of people around me to influence and guide my thinking and decisions.
If I can leave you with my biggest lesson from the Black Lives Matter movement it is this: everyone should examine their professional and social circles and make a concerted effort to diversify those circles. The experiences and lessons we gather from having a diverse circle can do amazing things, and I think we can all use that as a guiding compass as we continue into this new year.
About the Author: Andréa Jones is fiercely committed to helping businesses and podcasters build profitable online communities through simple social media solutions. She's the host of the Savvy Social Podcast, which was nominated for “Best Business Series” at the 2020 Canadian Podcast Awards.
Andréa is also the creator of the Savvy Social School, a digital platform designed to teach its 100+ members (predominantly small business owners) how to implement organic social media strategies. For those businesses seeking a curated, done-for-you approach to growing an engaged online audience, Andréa and her team of seven serve nearly two dozen notable brands across the globe.
Named one of Social Report's top marketers to follow, Andréa can routinely be found speaking at highly-publicized events, including Alt Summit, Podcast Movement, and PodFest. You can find her online at onlinedrea.com or @onlinedrea on Instagram.
MORE ON THE BLOG
Here's the #1 Way You Can Be a More Inclusive Leader
Simple yet impactful.
Photo: Ivan Samkov from Pexels
“Take a seat at the back, please,” my brand manager told me. “We want to ensure all the leaders have a seat at the table,” he said, pointing to the very back of the room, a corner where there were a few folding tables and chairs.
I had arrived early that morning to set up the room for our annual brand plan presentation. I ensured the technology worked; that we had enough printed copies; that there were enough samples for our new launch to test and try. In fact, I had also worked tirelessly on the presentation when he had decided to take the week off leading up to the brand plan presentation with the leadership team. And while I was invited to the meeting to do all of the set-up, I wasn’t actually given a seat at the table.
I sat in the back at the folding table and in a folding chair, silently fuming. I felt like a child who had been instructed at Thanksgiving dinner to sit at the kids’ folding table in the corner. In the end, there was plenty of room at the “adults”-only table as I watched from the very back.
That afternoon the president of the division walked by me in the hallway. He had attended the brand plan presentation earlier that morning. He stopped as he saw me approaching him.
“Nice work,” he had said, smiling. “Next time, you should sit at the table,” he had suggested.
“Yes, thank you,” I had smiled back, clenching my teeth at his friendly suggestion.
Maybe he should have told my boss that.
From Korn Ferry and Catalyst to Harvard Business Review and Deloitte, there have been countless studies on the key traits of inclusive leaders. But what really makes an inclusive leader? It’s the elusive question we all seem to be trying to answer as organizations continue to scramble to figure out how to create inclusive workplaces.
Inclusive leadership is the foundation upon which great company cultures are built. When people feel they are included and belong, they are able to be the best version of themselves at work and are able to contribute all of their ideas freely and openly. They are able to make a significant impact for the company and for themselves.
Deloitte’s model highlights six signature traits of inclusive leaders, which include commitment, courage, cognizance of bias, curiosity, cultural intelligence, and collaboration. The model summarizes the detail of these traits and their importance in being an inclusive leader. And rather than only focusing on key traits, we need to focus on clear actions that individuals can take to be more inclusive leaders in the workplace. We need to move from the academic and theoretical discussions of inclusive leadership to the practical applications, where our teams see our inclusive behaviors in action.
What’s the number one way you can be an inclusive leader?
Start by giving individuals a seat at the table.
In the case of my former boss, giving me a seat at the table was a clear action he could have taken. The bigger question is: why don’t leaders want to give people a seat at the table? When leaders are insecure and lack confidence. When leaders see people working for them, and not with them. When leaders don’t want their team to receive praise, and only want the credit and spotlight for themselves. This behavior reflects someone who has a style the opposite of servant leadership.
These leaders derive authority simply from the fact that they are the boss and they are in control and they can command, as opposed to empowering and uplifting their teams and the people they work with.
In today’s world of remote working, there’s no reason to not extend an invite and include someone at the virtual table. No longer are we having to cram into a small conference room, drag in chairs, or offer someone a seat on the radiator. Start by checking your calendar tomorrow and ask yourself who is invited to certain meetings and who is not. Have they helped prepare materials for what’s being discussed? Are they a key stakeholder for the topic being discussed? Do they have a stake in the outcome of the meeting? So why aren’t they being included?
Once you give people a seat at the table, ensure you focus on the following:
1. Allow the space for all voices to be heard.
Invite everyone to speak and contribute, even if they have an opposing viewpoint. And a perspective you might not, as the leader, agree with. The journey to becoming an inclusive leader requires having an open mind and being able to actively listen to viewpoints you might not agree with. Allow yourself to listen, to really hear the things you didn’t expect to be discussed. Allow yourself the opportunity to change your mind. Please don’t give someone a seat at the table and then not allow them to contribute. In my case, I was relegated to the back of the room, which was a clear indication that I was not to be seen, and that my voice was also not to be heard. I might as well not have been invited to the meeting.
2. Give individuals credit for work.
Give credit where credit is due. If individuals have done the work, they deserve to present and share their ideas in the meeting. If they did all of the hard work, why shouldn’t they get to present and get credit for their work? Why are other leaders presenting their work instead?
Don’t allow individuals to talk over or interrupt each other. Intervene when you see ideas being stolen, or if ideas are being dismissed. Remember that you don’t have to be the most senior person to do this. We all need to stand up for each other to create an inclusive environment.
3. Pitch in with office work for the meeting.
We may no longer be ordering lunch, setting up the room for a senior leadership meeting with printouts, or passing around samples as many of us continue to work remotely, and yet office work and operational tasks still exists. It shows up in all different forms, including sending invites, tracking attendees, and dealing with technical difficulties. Scheduling virtual happy hours and ensuring team members get their cocktail kits in advance of the gathering. Be an inclusive leader and share the burden; don’t expect the same people on your team to do this work. Schedule a meeting or order that cocktail kit yourself.
Remember that becoming an inclusive leader is a continuous journey. There’s no destination we are rushing to arrive at; there’s no competition to win to see who can be more inclusive; there’s no scientific way, no precise indicator to measure how inclusive you actually are. The first step on this journey is inviting others to have a seat right next to you, to show that you value and recognize their contributions.
“When people feel they are included and belong, they are able to be the best version of themselves at work and are able to contribute all of their ideas freely and openly.”
—Mita Mallick, Head of Inclusion, Equity, and Impact at Carta
About the Author: Mita Mallick is a corporate change-maker with a track record of transforming businesses and cultures. She is the head of inclusion, equity, and impact at Carta. Mallick is a columnist for SWAAY, and her writing has been published in Harvard Business Review, The New York Post, and Business Insider.
MORE ON THE BLOG
How Diversity and Inclusion Drives Innovation, Retains Employees, and Attracts Top-Tier Talent
The importance of building a top-to-bottom business strategy, not just an HR program.
"It is good to be uncomfortable for the right reason. You can't make change if you're comfortable."
—Natalie Brown, Director of Corporate Citizenship at Ally
A lack of diversity has real costs. A recent study has shown that businesses with gender, ethnic, and racial diversity at the executive level are more likely to have above-average profitability and outperform the competition.
But diversity on its own is not enough. Inclusion is just as—if not more—important.
Research shows that employees who work with managers who foster an inclusive environment are 17% more likely to report that they are high-performing and 29% more likely to report behaving collaboratively.
Put simply, diverse and inclusive businesses drive more innovation, retain employees, attract top-tier talent, and hit many other metrics that lead to long-term, sustainable growth. But to be successful, diversity and inclusion has to be a top-to-bottom business strategy, not just an HR program.
At our recent Social Good Summit, Charli Penn, the lifestyle director at ESSENCE, hosted a thoughtful conversation on the topic with Natalie Brown, the Director of Corporate Citizenship at Ally, who has nearly a decade of experience in developing diverse recruiting strategies, implementing diversity-related executive programs, and putting D&I learning solutions into action.
On cultivating a truly inclusive company…
“Being an inclusive company means that you're celebrating the differences of all your employees and helping them to feel like they belong and have a stake in the company's mission and vision.”
“When you're really trying to be a truly inclusive company, you really have to walk the walk—and it's a marathon, not a sprint—on helping employees feel like they belong and feel like they have a stake in the game with you.”
On creating a sense of belonging…
“When employees feel like they belong, when there's inclusivity, and when there's diversity in thought and differences in experiences, employees become more productive because they have a stake in what you're doing.”
On having diversity in every room…
“When you have those voices in the room—at the top, in the middle, and at the bottom—you have diversity in the room that's coming from various perspectives.”
On listening to your employees…
“It's important for all companies to take a stake and listen to their employees to hear what they have to say. Let them be your consumer so that you are driving results according to the mission that you outlined for your company.”
On driving a culture of inclusion…
"When you think about the strength that comes into a company from the experiences—personal and professional—that your employees bring, that's really how you can drive a culture of inclusion and really start embarking on how you can make your company better.”
On including employees in the conversation…
"The first step is bringing in your employees, having conversations with them, figuring out how you can build this inclusive environment and what they're looking for as employees from you as an employer. What's important to them?"
On checking unconscious bias…
“We have to make sure our managers are trained on how to build an inclusive team and trained on implicit bias to make sure that they’re checking their biases.”
“We all have a bias. If you have a brain you have a bias. The thing I say all the time is, 'If you don't think you have a bias, then let me know if you like Popeyes or Chick-Fil-A.'"
On tapping into your diverse employees’ networks…
"You have to leverage the power of your diverse employees to help bring more diverse employees into your organization."
On being transparent with your employees about your progress…
"You really have to communicate your goals and measure your progress and let employees know where you are on that journey.”
“The more transparent you are about diversity and inclusion and where you are on that journey, then the more you can gain the trust of your employees."
On fostering a company culture that values inclusion…
"When people are socializing at events through the company, they get to know each other on a more personal level. Then inclusiveness starts to happen organically because people don't see you for the position that you hold. They see for the person that you are in that position."
On being okay with being uncomfortable…
"It is good to be uncomfortable for the right reason. You can't make change if you're comfortable."
To learn more about Ally, visit ally.com
Psst… If you’re having serious FOMO, join Create & Cultivate Insiders to get unlimited access to all of our Social Good Summit content, including video recordings of every panel and workshop download in C&C history.
MORE ON THE BLOG
What Does It Mean to Be a Minority, Women-Owned Business in the Online Space?
“Your voice and experience matter.”
“A
ll women and girls should have the opportunities to achieve success, whatever it may mean to them, on their own terms.”
—Annie Chang, Brand Strategist and Co-Founder of Olea & Fig
Over the past few years, there has been tremendous growth for women-owned businesses and organizations that empower women. Given that Olea & Fig is a women-owned business that supports other women entrepreneurs, we have experienced notable growth and a surge in demand.
As we move forward in our entrepreneurial journey as minority women, we’ve also experienced the impact and power of coming together with the different communities we are part of—women, women entrepreneurs, Asian women, and Asian American women.
Your voice and experience matters.
With the growth of women-centered communities and conversations that support minority-owned businesses, we have had the opportunity to be part of many of them. As a minority who has experienced both eastern and western culture, education systems, and work environments, I understand the different expectations and perspectives of those who share similar backgrounds as us face. My co-founder and sister, Terrie, and I quickly learned that our voices matter in ways we didn’t expect.
Everyone’s voice does.
It is our responsibility to share our voice, knowledge, and story with other people who are going through similar experiences and who are members of our communities.
Through workshops, events, and conferences, we have shared our perspectives and insights on wrestling with societal expectations as immigrants, women, Asian American women specifically, and how we can challenge and break free of barriers and navigate those waters through the possibilities we create. These meaningful conversations, exchange of ideas, and connections allow us to support and grow with others in our circles.
Join others who also believe empowerment drives growth.
We believe that all women and girls should have the opportunities to achieve success, whatever it may mean to them, on their own terms and this is our Brand Vision since the beginning of Olea & Fig. To help promote equity for minority women, besides all the business resources we provide to women businesses, we have been proactively partnering with nonprofit organizations and businesses that advocate for women and girls, and some specifically for Asian women.
It does not matter which market you are in, define your values and beliefs, and build them into your brand. Then find others who also believe that empowerment drives growth and whose values align with yours, and collaborate creatively to make positive changes together. Multiply your impact through synergy.
Photo: Courtesy of Olea & Fig
Your identity is your superpower.
In our experience and the experience of many women we work with, being a minority often leads to self-doubt and issues with self-esteem. These are battles we’ve struggled with in both the corporate and the entrepreneurial worlds. It is common that we, the minority, choose not to speak our minds and not to draw much attention, but to fit into “the norm” or majority instead. I experienced all of it from my personal experience in school, the corporate world, and during the early stage of my entrepreneurial path. I was working hard to become the majority - the white kids at school, the male colleges who are also working to get that promotion, the high-energy, and glamorous brands that are popular online…
But that’s not who I am.
The community we grew through Olea & Fig gave me an entirely different perspective. I learned that my identity as a minority is actually my strength. I saw that there is a huge community of women around the world who appreciate and share our backgrounds, ideas, and beliefs. I met women who also strive to create mindful businesses, to live intentionally, and to build a life filled with passion, impact, and meaningful conversations.
To unleash your true potential and possibilities, draw from all of your identities, experiences, and story. Turn all of it into your superpower. Turn them into your strengths and the uniqueness of your business, and build your identity and story across your messaging, mission, values, design, content, and beyond!
About the Author: Annie Chang and her sister Terrie “had it all.” Fancy degrees, big corporate titles from the outside they were living the dream, but they were unfulfilled, burnt out, and tired of hustling for someone else’s bottom line. They left their corporate careers to start a business of their own, Olea & Fig. They leveraged their backgrounds in design and marketing and created a company that enables women entrepreneurs to build successful, growth-focused, and mission-driven brands.
MORE ON THE BLOG
Meet the Young Entrepreneur Breaking Barriers in the Highly Competitive Cannabis Industry
What grass ceiling?
This article was originally published by Mogul Millennial on May 25, 2020, and has been shared with consent.
“
We're very proud to be minority-owned and are trying to help other minorities get into the industry as well.”
—Hope Wiseman, founder Mary & Main
In the competitive cannabis industry, Hope Wiseman is a boss amongst bosses. By the age of 26, she made history as the youngest Black woman dispensary owner in the U.S.
Beyond entrepreneurship, she is looking to break down stigmas, raise awareness and educate about the positive impact cannabis can have on America’s economy and communities. She has often said that once the dismissive connotation of cannabis has been dissolved, communities will have the opportunity to heal and economically prosper.
The Spelman graduate and co-founder of Mary & Main spoke with Mogul Millennial to help us learn more about her journey from finance to entrepreneurship and making money moves in the cannabis industry.
MOGUL MILLENNIAL: In launching Mary & Main, you entered a billion-dollar market where there are bigger players and a lack of diversity. What have you learned from entering this competitive space?
HOPE WISEMAN: I have learned that it is really all about performance rather than your race, age, and gender. All those things definitely play a role and you know subconsciously people cannot help what they've been conditioned to support. If your company is operating under a system of excellence, then that allows you to still succeed in this industry. I feel like this industry craves sophisticated leaders, [because] people can form businesses that can sustain all different types of environments, especially right now with coronavirus.
Before you launched Mary & Main, you had a career in investment banking. What were some of the transferable skills that allowed you to make the transition to entrepreneurship?
I gained hard and soft skills from investment banking that helped me be successful in my quest to obtain a license as well as in my operational side. First, I believe from a soft skill perspective, it taught me how to be tenacious, as well as how to figure things out on my own. My problem-solving skills are great because when I was working in investment banking as an analyst, if you didn't know how to do something, you had to figure it out on your own or you'd have to seek your own help. [You have to be] able to troubleshoot, figure things out quickly, and keep a level head while working through issues.
I used to work in equity institutional sales, so I was interpreting stock research. We would have analysts internally that would completely turn the company inside out to study it and give a stock recommendation. As a result, I understand how companies and their finances work. For me, that makes it a lot easier going into my entrepreneurial journey. I know where I want to go and where I want to take the company. I understand the inner workings of how companies should be run to get to a certain point, and I think it has been a tremendous help.
For the more tangible, hard skills, I’m good at financial modeling. Also, the resources and connections in my network are probably a little bit more expanded than your average person because I was working at the top investment bank on Wall Street as a sophomore in college. I definitely feel like investment banking played a big part in giving me the confidence and the actual tools I needed to be successful in the cannabis industry.
When you launched Mary & Main, how did you determine your revenue share model with your product partners?
The three founders bootstrapped the entire process in the beginning, so there was no revenue share. We have since raised some money, but it's all equity. There's no revenue sharing going on as of right now. We have a few small owners, but about 90% of the company is owned by the three founders.
We know you like to partner with brands that are in line with your company's values and offer their products as well. What are some of the lessons you've learned during that journey of building out partnerships and maintaining those relationships?
Because of federal irregularities of cannabis, we are only allowed to purchase products that are grown and processed in the state of Maryland. As a result, we are limited to 10, maybe 20 companies, total. We don't have a big variety because there are not a lot of options. We pretty much work with everyone in the market. And with everyone in the Maryland market, it's so regulated. Everybody has high-quality products, some higher quality than others, but we have every type of patient that comes to our store so we need to have lower-cost products and super high-quality products that have a higher price point.
[Moving forward], we will definitely work with companies that have a strong focus on minority participation within their organization and high-quality standards. However, in states like Maryland and New Jersey, states that are highly regulated, every single producer will be high quality. It'll be more about the relationships you have with people and the types of deals you're able to negotiate with.
“
I want to focus on promoting female entrepreneurship, period.”
—Hope Wiseman, founder Mary & Main
How have you been able to build and sustain a brand and customer loyalty in such a crowded competitive space?
For us, we have built a community of people that support us mainly because we give great service and it's really like a family. But too, they are supporting a minority-owned company. We receive a lot of support simply because of that. We're very proud to be minority-owned and are trying to help other minorities get into the industry as well. We want [our patients] to feel comfortable with shopping in a dispensary. People always enjoy working, shopping, and doing things with people they feel they can relate to. We are offering that space within the cannabis industry and I believe that's where a lot of our loyalty comes from—knowing and having a feeling of a safe environment to do something that is still very sensitive to a lot of people. They want to feel comfortable and have a lot of questions. It's easier to talk to someone who you feel can relate to you.
Transitioning from investment banking into entrepreneurship, what would be one lesson that you learned that you wish you would have known going into that transition?
That's something I regret from early on. I wish I had been doing that. But I'd say those are the two main things: maintaining connections and looking at ancillary services from the beginning.
Do you feel that your experience at Spelman, and also just the experience of being enrolled at an HBCU, contributed anything to your success?
I was very strategic when I realized companies’ recruiting teams were looking for black women. The first place they’re going to go to is Spelman College. They’re not going to go to the University of Maryland or Harvard and look for me there. As prestigious as both those schools are, I felt I had the best chance at being where they would look for me rather than the [other way around]. Investment bank recruiters like Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan don’t even recruit at schools like the University of Maryland. So for me, it felt like a no-brainer if I wanted to land the best possible job after school. I also really enjoyed becoming a woman and adult around other Black women who were going through the same thing as me. It’s empowering and gives you the confidence to be able to walk out into the world and be proud of who you are, at the core.
I’m proud to be part of that sisterhood. Everywhere I go, every time I meet another Spelman sister, we connect and support each other. That’s something I also couldn’t get from a school that wasn’t an HBCU.
Has mentorship been helpful to your career? Also from having mentors or becoming a mentor, is that a role that you would hope to take on at some point?
I feel like [mentorship] is something that will continue throughout my life as I move to different levels. I’ll continue to find allies and mentors that can help me navigate that stage, and I plan to do that for other people. Although I’m still early in my journey and still establishing myself, I do it as much as I can for others in the cannabis industry. I plan to be able to do a lot more for others in the cannabis industry and entrepreneurship.
I was telling someone how I want to focus more on women entrepreneurs. That’s really what’s at my core. I love the cannabis industry and think it’s awesome, but I want to focus on promoting female entrepreneurship, period. I feel like that’s something I’ll do as a mentor.
What makes you a Mogul Millennial?
I feel that the more you give, the more you receive. The more you give, the better the world is. That’s what promotes expansion in a person. I make myself a better person, then I help others do the same.
Photo credit: All About-It, LLC courtesy of Hope Wiseman and Mogul Millennial
Mogul Millennial, Inc. a media-tech platform curating actionable resources for Black entrepreneurs and corporate leaders #forusbyus. Follow @mogulmillennial on Instagram and Twitter, and check out our website at www.mogulmillennial.com.
MORE ON THE BLOG
I Left a Steady Paycheck in Corporate America to Start My Own Future Fortune 500 Company
“Sometimes you need to jump off the cliff and build your wings on the way down.”
We know how daunting it can be to start a new business, especially if you’re disrupting an industry or creating an entirely new one. When there is no path to follow, the biggest question is, where do I start? There is so much to do, but before you get ahead of yourself, let’s start at the beginning. To kick-start the process, and ease some of those first-time founder nerves, we’re asking successful entrepreneurs to share their stories in our series, From Scratch. But this isn’t your typical day-in-the-life feature. We’re getting into the nitty-gritty details of launching a business, from writing a business plan (or not) to sourcing manufacturers and how much founders pay themselves—we’re not holding back.
Photo: Courtesy of Dorian Morris
As you may have gathered from the headline, Dorian Morris is ambitious. The Harvard Business School alumnae was busy climbing the corporate America ladder with her sights set on becoming one of the first Black female CEOs of a Fortune 500 company when she decided to take the leap and launch her own inclusive beauty startup instead. With an impressive résumé—which includes stints at CoverGirl, Sundial Brands, and Kendo—she was more than prepared to take on the competitive multi-billion dollar beauty industry.
Determined to disrupt the space, she founded Undefined Beauty, a clean, conscious, inclusive brand focused on democratizing beauty and destigmatizing what Morris calls "plant magic.” From manufacturing to marketing, she uplifts oft-overlooked communities by partnering exclusively with female-founded, minority-owned, or LGBTQ businesses. Needless to say, this is just one of the many reasons we’re proud to partner with Morris and Undefined Beauty for our inaugural Small Biz Pop-Up in Los Angeles where locals can safely shop the brand’s limited edition Glow Detox bath soak via Postmates or via contactless shopping, thanks to Square, when visiting the IRL pop-up at Platform.
Ahead, Morris talks us through her impressive career journey, from climbing the corporate America ladder to bootstrapping her own future Fortune 500 company. Trust us, you’re going to want to keep an eye on this space and add Undefined Beauty’s Glow Detox to cart, if you haven’t already.
On establishing a solid résumé…
“My background is a beautiful mosaic of retail, consumer packaged goods, and beauty, ranging from merchandising at Macy's, classical brand building at General Mills to learning the ins and outs of the beauty business while at Kendo, and continuing to evolve and master other beauty categories while at Sundial Brands and leading CoverGirl U.S.”
On building a future Fortune 500 company…
“While at Harvard Business School, I honestly thought my purpose was to lead a large Fortune 500 as one of the first Black female CEOs, but now, as I embark upon this startup journey, it's quite a different yet exciting adventure to be building my own future Fortune 500 company, from scratch. Each experience on my professional journey has built key tools that I can now leverage as an entrepreneur, including how I want to operate as well as how I do not want to operate, because actions are what determine your company values and culture.”
On leaving corporate America…
“After leaving corporate America, having built successful brands for other people, I felt it was my time to create something special and powerful for myself. As a beauty junkie, I'm always dissecting ingredient lists and realized there are a lot of less-than-ideal ingredients in our everyday products that aren't necessary. As the industry shifts towards greater transparency, I felt there was an opportunity to focus on clean, non-toxic beauty but do so in an accessible, approachable way.”
On discovering the benefits of cannabis…
“I discovered the beautiful benefits of cannabis, specifically CBD, via a former colleague. As I started my product development research in 2018, I found there wasn’t an efficacious yet fun and accessible CBD brand, focusing on the destigmatiation of cannabis while elevating conscious capitalism in the process. I created Undefined Beauty to fill this void: clean beauty meets adaptogens (CBD) meets social impact.”
On democratizing beauty…
“Undefined Beauty is a lifestyle brand focused on changing the narrative around clean, nontoxic living, democratizing beauty and infusing social impact in the process. I believe in plant power and the role adaptogens play in helping us individually become our best self, both inner and outer beauty, with CBD being for the first adaptogen I chose to highlight in my first collection, Indigo Rose. I want to empower women and men everywhere to explore, embrace, and celebrate their own unique beauty while also giving back to the community: purposeful beauty, unleashed.”
On tapping into conscious capitalism…
“I expanded the concept of conscious capitalism by launching Undefined Collective, a disruptive retail platform that is focused on elevating female-founded, minority-owned, LGTBQ, local and CBD brands because one plus one can equal five when indie brands come together. I have over 50 brand partners that have come together around this aligned vision and have executed a successful physical brick-and-mortar pop-up in Oakland, California, and more importantly, we have been able to educate the community on the amazing benefits of cannabis and demystify its internal and external benefits. Undefined Collective is continuing to evolve and I'm working on something special in the Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles that will launch very soon.”
On destigmatizing and elevating CBD…
“The cannabis industry was built off the backs of the Black and Brown community, which are being denied access to the commercialization opportunity now that the regulatory landscape has shifted. Undefined is focused on destigmatizing and elevating CBD and taking it one step further. My goal is to infuse social good and purposeful impact into my business model to drive sustainable impact.”
“First, across my supply chain, I exclusively partner with female-founded, minority-owned, or LGBTQ businesses, from my labs to my warehouse to my designer—it’s all about business empowering business. Secondly, once I scale, I would like to focus my social impact lens on female incarceration, given the unfortunate situation that many in jail are there because of cannabis. As the daughter of law enforcement (my mom is one of the first Black female California Highway Patrol sergeants and is now a cannabis evangelist as the store manager of Undefined Collective Oakland), I’ve seen the broken law enforcement system and have family members that have been incarcerated for drug offenses (and some that are still in jail), so I’ve seen first-hand how difficult it is to reacclimate post-release.”
“I want to bring positivity from something that once was negative. I operate by the model ‘do good, be good,’ and Undefined can be the bridge by providing employment opportunities and forging strategic partnerships to be part of the solution. As one of the few bootstrapping, Black female-founded CBD brands, I feel representation matters both in showcasing we are here in the space as leaders and also in helping write the future of this dynamic, evolving industry.”
On taking the leap without a business plan…
“I didn’t create a formal business plan because I felt that in the ever-changing, evolving beauty space, sometimes you need to jump off the cliff and build your wings on the way down. Where many founders stumble is getting caught up in analysis paralysis and you hesitate and miss key moments to drive the trend. Timing is everything. In addition, you have to be adaptable, fluid, and flexible because, ultimately, it’s the consumer who decides what brands win and what brands flop. I think you will never have all the answers and the best approach—especially when building a bootstrapped brand like Undefined—its to embrace an ‘iterate the great’ mindset, be strategic about staging risk, and continue to listen and evolve based on learnings and consumer shifts.”
On landing on the name Undefined Beauty…
“Finding the right name was a fun process. I traveled to Atlanta to have an ideation sesh with my best friend who is a former indie beauty founder as well (she has a successful beauty line in Ulta) and has been an invaluable confidant on my startup journey. We went old school, with large poster boards and markers, brainstorming words and ideas that captured the vision I had for Undefined. The concept is really about challenging the status quo, changing the narrative, breaking the rules, and approaching beauty and wellness through a clean, conscious, inclusive lens. It’s about redefining, reframing, and rejecting what beauty and wellness have historically stood for; there’s more than one way to be, live, love, consume, appreciate, vibrate. It’s about celebrating the beauty of choice.”
“In ideating names, Undefined was the clear winner. I personally hate rules and being told what to do and Undefined embodies this mindset that rules are meant to be broken, especially when the rules were set up by a patriarchal system that did not (and still does not) want diverse and underrepresented community to thrive. It’s about taking our power back. Not conforming. Embracing individuality, quirkiness, duality, fluidity, and uniqueness. Not putting limits on yourself and moreover, recognizing you are not alone and you are more than enough.Beauty starts in your head, not in the mirror, and Undefined is about reinforcing and celebrating this new and important approach to beauty and wellness.”
“As a Black, queer, female founder, leading with purpose is part of my brand DNA, and it shows up in how I personally lead—focused on radical transparency—and it also shows up in how I communicate, inspire and educate my community, a.k.a. my Undefined Crew. My advice would be to find a name that represents your vision but also ensure from a business perspective, you can secure a URL—mine is a bit nonconventional since the basic version wasn’t available so I use un-definedbeauty.com—as well as social handles that embody the name. Sometimes you have to get creative and that’s ok. For example, my socials are @UndefinedBeauty_Co and @Undefined_Collective given some iterations were already taken.”
On setting up the business…
“My first step was selecting a brand name then securing URLs, social handles, applying for trademark protection. Next, I started to build the Instagram community—since I was starting from scratch months ahead of brand launch, it was about setting a tone for the type of content and community I wanted to create. Next, I started to build out briefs on the product parameters and innovation I felt was missing in the marketplace, which helped inform which types of manufacturing partners made sense to engage. Next, I started to work on the brand DNA which included creating a logo, color palette, and communication tonality. Closer to launch, I created an e-commerce site—very scrappily—using WIX and eventually moved to Squarespace—but if I was to start over, I would build off Shopify from the beginning which has a lot of integral functionality built-in.”
On differentiating the brand in the market…
“Understanding your unique value proposition is important because this will help clarify your differentiation in the market as well as provide parameters and boundaries as you build and grow. You have to understand who you want to target because if you want to target everyone, you’ll end up actually connecting with no one. Understand and research your category, competitors, ingredient benefits and trends and understand where the whitespace is that you can authentically compete.”
On finding the right manufacturers and production partners…
“This has been an important learning. Given I was a corporate beauty vet, I understood who the large manufacturers players were across categories but most have a very large minimum order quantity (MOQ), so I opted to work solely with female-founded, minority-owned, LGBTQ-founded suppliers which actually ended up being a competitive advantage as they typically have lower MOQs, allowing me to move faster to test innovative concepts.”
“It’s a win-win as conscious capitalism model is close to my heart and I’m helping empower communities that have been historically left to the fringes. Honestly, finding the right partners is a bit of trial and error but tapping into events and forums like Indie Beauty Expo, CosmoProf, MakeUp in LosAngeles, and Expo West, which bring together the business-to-business (B2B) suppliers has been invaluable. It will be interesting to see how these in-person events evolve in the post-COVID world.”
On building a financially stable foundation…
“As a bootstrapped founder, I self-funded launch and leveraged pitch competitions to help provide some financial fuel to the business. It’s definitely a slower build, but for me, it felt right, and I can build a sustainable foundation instead of driving growth to appease investors. I was lucky to own real estate in San Fransisco that I purchased while at Sephora and Kendo which allowed for Airbnb income to help me cover my living expenses, but I’m still in a place where I don’t pay myself so every dollar of profit is invested back into the company.”
On being strategic and getting creative…
“I’ve been very strategic with every dollar I spend, and I actually don’t think of things as mistakes; they are all learnings to help you do things better going forward. My advice is to stage your risk by keeping your MOQs low and find creative solutions if you end up with packaging overstocks, which actually given the current supply chain disruptions, for me, has been actually a blessing in disguise.”
On working another job while building the business…
“I was consulting for a previous employer, General Mills, in the beginning of the Undefined exploration process, but as it started to take over my mindshare, I gracefully bowed out of the consulting engagement to fully commit to Undefined.”
On getting out of your own way…
“Self-doubt and imposter syndrome are real—don’t believe it, get out of your own way, and remember that the universe always has your back.”
On valuing collaboration over competition…
“I lean heavily on my network of fellow startup founders to find creative solutions to challenges, information share, and help uplift one other. It’s truly collaboration over competition.”
To discover, support, and shop all of the brands featured at the Create & Cultivate Small Biz Pop-Up, head to our C&C Small Biz Pop-Up hub.
MORE ON THE BLOG
12 LGBTQIA+ Founders, Executives, and Leaders Who Are Shaping Major Companies and Shifting Culture in the Process
From Coolhaus to Beautycon to Netflix—and beyond.
Until now, over half (52%) of the people who identify as LGBTQIA+ in the U.S. were living in states where they could be fired, passed over for a promotion, denied training, and harassed in the workplace based on their gender identity or sexual orientation.
On June 15, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court took a long-overdue step in ending these discriminatory practices by ruling that the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination based on race, religion, national origin, and sex, also applies to discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. “An employer who fires an individual merely for being gay or transgender defies the law,” Justice Neil M. Gorsuch wrote for the majority in the historic six-to-three ruling.
In honor of this landmark ruling, which also just so happens to coincide with Pride, we’re using our platform to shine a spotlight on LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs and leaders who are running cool companies and shifting culture in the process. Scroll on to meet just a few of the founders, executives, and leaders who are shaping some of the most influential businesses in our cultural lexicon—like Netflix, Facebook, and Reddit to name drop a few—and paving the way to the boardroom for the young LGBTQIA+ individuals coming up behind them.
Freya Estreller & Natasha Case
Co-Founders, Coolhaus
“When you are a true CEO, you are driving your own dream but you think of the company as a place for all of your employees to accomplish their dreams as well.”
—Natasha Case, CEO & Co-Founder, Coolhaus
It’s safe to say Freya Estreller and Natasha Case have successfully disrupted the freezer aisle. The co-founders of the women-owned, women-run ice cream brand Coolhaus, which is known for its innovative flavors (think street cart churro dough) and “farchitecture” ice cream sandwiches, have built a formidable franchise complete with a fleet of ice cream trucks, two scoop shops, and premium placement in the freezer aisle in over 7,500 grocery stores from Safeway to Whole Foods. Earlier this year, we shined a spotlight on the innovative founders as Create & Cultivate 100 honorees.
Jimena Almendares
Product Executive, Facebook
Jimena Almendares’ résumé is impressive, to put it mildly. Before she landed her current role as product executive at Facebook, she helped shape other major companies like Intuit, OkCupid, and Meetup. While at OkCupid, she led the company through its IPO, and ad Intuit, she led the expansion of Quickbooks into Mexico and set the record for the fastest global launch the company’s history in the process. Not to mention, she’s on the board of Out for Undergrad (O4U), an organization dedicated to helping high-achieving LGBTQ+ undergraduates reach their full potential.
Rachel Tipograph
Founder & CEO, MikMak
“
Invest in your voice. Your ability to be a powerful orator will get you much further than any other skill.”
—Rachel Tipograph Founder & CEO, MikMak
Rachel Tipograph is making marketing cool again. With a client list that includes brands like L’Oreal, Hershey’s, Unilever, and Estée Lauder, the founder of MikMak is leveraging social media for major profits, something the 2017 Create & Cultivate 100 honoree talked about at our recent Digital Money Moves Summit. It’s no wonder the innovative entrepreneur has been honored in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Who Are Changing the World, Marie Claire’s 50 Most Influential Women in America, Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business, and Entrepreneur's 50 Most Daring Entrepreneurs lists. She’s also an angel investor who’s passionate about funding women, POC, and LGBTQIA+ founders.
Jen Wong
COO, Reddit
“We share responsibility for the health and safety of the platform with our communities.”
Jen Wong’s career reads like a dream run on paper. Before joining Reddit, Wong served as president and COO of Time, Inc, where she was the highest-ranking female executive. Before that, she served as PopSugar’s chief business officer and even spent a stint as AOL’s global head of business operations. Under Wong’s leadership, Reddit is reportedly on track to reach $262 million dollars in ad revenue by 2021, which is more than double last year’s revenue.
Photo credit: @onewong
Leanne Pittsford
Founder, Lesbians Who Tech & Allies
“Power doesn’t give up power. You must create urgency around change. It doesn’t happen naturally.”
—Leanne Pittsford, Founder, Lesbians Who Tech & Allies
In 2012, Leanne Pittsford organized a series of happy hour networking events for lesbians in technology. Fast-forward to 2020 and what started as a small gathering of just 30 people has grown into Lesbians Who Tech & Allies, a veritable tech community of 40,000 members with chapters in 40 cities. Since then, the 2019 Create & Cultivate 100 honoree has founded two more companies to help underrepresented people in tech land their dream jobs: Include.io, a mentoring and recruiting platform, and Tech Jobs Tour, a series of networking events across the country to bridge the gap between tech companies and prospective job candidates.
Lydia Polgreen
Head of Content, Gimlet Media
Earlier this year, Lydia Polgreen resigned as HuffPost’s editor in chief—a role she took on when Arianna Huffington, the founder, stepped down—to become head of content at Gimlet Media. In doing so, the seasoned storyteller, who spent nearly 15 years on staff at The New York Times before joining HuffPost, validated what many in media already suspected: podcasting is on the rise. In fact, Spotify paid nearly $340 million in a combined deal to acquire both Gimlet and Anchor, a company that makes easy-to-use tools for producing podcasts, in 2019.
Arlan Hamilton
Founder & Managing Partner, Backstage Capital
“
It started with my mom telling me I deserved to be in any room and shouldn't shrink myself to make someone else feel better about themselves.”
—Arlan Hamilton, Founder & Managing Partner, Backstage Capital
Here are some startling stats: Only 12% of venture capital funds are invested in companies with at least one female founder, according to All Raise. Additionally, of the $425 billion raised in VC funding since 2009, a mere 0.32% went to Latinx female founders and .0006% to startups led by Black women. Arlan Hamilton, the founder and managing partner of the venture capital firm Backstage Capital, is on a mission to tip these statistics in the right direction. Since launching in 2015, Backstage Capital has invested over $7M in 130 companies led by underrepresented founders, according to the company’s website. It’s no wonder we included her on our 2018 Create & Cultivate 100 list.
Emma Mcilroy
CEO, Wildfang
Emma Mcilroy started a feminist revolution in 2013 when she launched her clothing brand, Wildfang—remember this Wild Feminist T-shirt?—dismantling the patriarchy and gender norms in the process. And it seems a lot of people want to join Mcilroy for the ride. Now a multi-million-dollar company, Wildfang is also a global community and a place for women to feel that they can conquer anything.
Denyelle Bruno
CEO, Tender Greens
“It’s easy to get caught up in the game of trying to be like others, but the best copying will result in a less good version of another person.”
—Denyelle Bruno, CEO, Tender Greens
As the CEO of Tender Greens, Denyelle Bruno is at the helm of a casual restaurant chain that serves over seven million customers across 30 locations in California, New York, and Massachusetts and, not to mention, brings in an impressive $100 million in annual revenue. But it’s not just about the bottom line for Bruno. In an industry where the gender gap is getting wider, not narrower, Bruno is leading the charge in gender diversity. In fact, by the end of 2020, Tender Greens achieved gender parity across the company’s restaurant leadership, from executive chefs to sous chefs, which is one of the many reasons we included Bruno on our 2020 Create & Cultivate 100 list.
Angelica Ross
Actor, Writer, Producer, Founder and CEO, TransTech Social Enterprises
You probably know Angelica Ross as Candy Ferocity on Pose, but she’s also a leading figure in the movement for trans and racial equality. When you consider the statistics—72% of trans homicide victims between 2010 and 2016 were black trans women and femmes—it’s easy to see why Ross wants to ensure that these women aren’t reduced to a statistic. As the founder of TransTech Social Enterprises, she’s is working to empower trans and gender-nonconforming people through on-the-job training in leadership and workplace skills. As a powerful speaker, she tours nationally to share her mission with business leaders, educators, and the President of the United States.
Cindy Holland
VP of Original Content, Netflix
As vice president of original content at Netflix, Cindy Holland, who has been with the company since 2002, oversees the production of the streaming giant’s binge-worthy original series and the multi-billion-dollar budget needed to bring that high-quality, programming to the platform’s 182 million subscribers and counting. Under Holland’s watch, Netflix earned 117 Emmy nominations in 2019, 17 Golden Globe nominations in 2020, and has secured deals with the likes of Shonda Rhimes and Janet Mock, who is the first openly trans creator to sign a major deal with Netflix.
Up next: 19 Powerful LGBTQIA+ Leaders on Instagram to Follow and Support Now and Always
MORE ON THE BLOG
Stop Being Color Blind: The First Important Step in Having Courageous Conversations
Five things to remember when entering a conversation as an ally.
Written by Mita Mallick, Head of Diversity & Inclusion and Cross-Cultural Marketing at Unilever.
“I’m color blind,” a colleague had confidently proclaimed to me several years ago while we were meeting. “I’m color blind, and I don’t see you as any color at all,” she boldly claimed again, sitting right across from me and staring me straight in the eyes. All the while slowly sipping her cup of coffee. I stared blankly at her “First Coffee, Then Slay” boss lady-style mug.
“I just don’t see color.”
Colorblind is the infamous get out of jail card, a free pass, a VIP status, to buy, pass go, and collect your $200 Monopoly-style and to let everyone know there’s no possible way that you see color. Along with phrases like;
“My dentist who I love is Indian.”
“My best friend from fifth grade is Black.”
“My grandchildren are half Asian. I don’t see color. How can I see color?”
“Did I mention my college sweetheart was Colombian? So I can’t possibly be a racist. And I am one of the most evolved, open-minded people you will ever meet. I live in Manhattan, after all.”
When you use the words “I am color blind” you have completely shut down any possibility of having a conversation with me around race. Because I am Brown. As a Brown person, I don’t have the privilege of saying I am color blind. I know when I walk into my workspaces and workplaces my brownness has entered the room before I have even had the chance to sit down and say hello. I wear my brownness every single day of my life.
Like many of you, I am in shock and in pain over the death of George Floyd—a pain compounded by Ahmaud Arbery’s tragic death in Georgia and Amy Cooper’s weaponizing of race in Central Park. As a Diversity and Inclusion leader and as a woman of color, I am trying hard to stand as an ally for the Black community.
Being an ally starts with acknowledging that race matters. And for Black and Brown people, race has defined us since the day we were born. Because for Black and Brown people, being color blind is a privilege we cannot afford.
To understand what’s happening in our country right now—emotions swirling, the flame reignited, the wildfire spreading again across the country—and to learn and understand about institutional racism, you must first see our Black colleagues. You must see that they are Black. Our Black colleagues must be seen and then heard.
Having courageous conversations on race is the first place to start as an ally for the Black community. Here are the 5 things I am reminding myself when entering into a conversation as an ally.
Photo: Retha Ferguson from Pexels
Please just listen. Allow the space for stories to be shared.
In a world that won’t shut up, it’s hard for us to just be present and listen because we want to talk and talk and talk. We just need to listen. Deeply listen to what is being shared. Sometimes when someone is sharing with you, it’s because of a recent racist experience they have had and they trust you to listen. They might be emotional. They may get quiet. Sit in the silence and emotion with them and to say, “I am here, I am here to listen.”
Other times, you might want to check in on how a Black friend or colleague is doing, particularly after a devastating event like the death of George Floyd. In that case, some might want to share how they are feeling; others won’t want to share. Maybe not at the moment, and maybe not ever. The pain and trauma are deep. The important part is that as an ally, you checked in. They know you are standing with them.
“We just need to listen. Deeply listen to what is being shared.”
Please don’t minimize their experience.
“Are you sure that happened? Maybe you misunderstood what she said? She’s the nicest person I ever met.”
“No way that happened.”
“You are joking, right? That’s not even possible!”
Please do not ask questions. Please do not make statements and question the validity of what is being shared. Now is not the time to be an investigative journalist. Accept that they are telling you to be true. Because it is true. Seek to understand and learn from what they are sharing.
“Seek to understand and learn from what they are sharing. ”
Please don’t time insert your own experiences.
Please don’t start telling stories about sexist or racist or homophobic experiences you have had in response to what they shared. After 9/11, it was the first time in my life I started to fear authority. I feared for my brother and my father and all the South Asian men in my life who could, for no reason, be dragged away and deemed a terrorist threat by police. My Black friends reminded me that this was the fear they have lived with all their lives.
Now is not the time to compare and contrast experiences or trying to show you understand their pain. Because if you haven’t lived in their shoes, you don’t.
When there are long periods of silence, and someone is emotional during a conversation, our instinct is to fill up the air to make it less comfortable. I try to stay present, ensure the person sees my eye contact. If this was an in-person conversation and I knew the person well, I would offer a tissue or lightly extend my hand on their hand or shoulder to show I am there for them.
I avoid phrases like “It’s going to be okay” or “It will get better” or “Progress takes time.”
Instead, I focus on phrases like “I am here for you as an ally” and “I am here to listen, there’s no rush, please take your time.” And “I can’t imagine how painful this is for you and thank you for trusting me and sharing” and “Please know you can trust me to share anything you like” and “I haven’t walked in your shoes, and I can’t imagine what pain you are in, and I am working hard to understand and educate myself on experiences that aren’t my own.”
“Now is not the time to compare and contrast experiences or trying to show you understand their pain. Because if you haven’t lived in their shoes, you don’t.”
Please don’t try to problem-solve.
As leaders, we are trained to problem solve. The most difficult part about conversations on race I have found is the non-closure. You have left the conversation feeling like you couldn’t help; you didn’t brainstorm an action plan; you didn’t provide a solution. It was a failed conversation.
If it was so easy to end institutional racism, we would have collectively eliminated racism a long time ago. So it won’t be solved in one courageous conversation. You need to keep engaging. You need to keep learning.
“It won’t be solved in one courageous conversation. You need to keep engaging. You need to keep learning.”
Please do continue to educate yourself.
Courageous conversations on race are an important place to start. When ending any conversation, please thank the person for trusting you to have the conversation. And that you are here for future conversations and that will continue to educate yourself. Please ask them how you can continue to be an ally for them.
Please also know that you cannot continue to emotionally burden every Black person you know to share with you their daily experiences, living, and being impacted by institutions of racism. There is so much content out there to start educating yourself as an ally; please don’t continue to ask all the Black people you know.
When I first started working in Diversity & Inclusion, my husband gifted me the book Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates. I went on to read White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin Diangelo. I am taking free Yale Open Courses and learning about African American History: From Emancipation to the Present. I still have my work to do, and it’s a start.
Please stop being color blind. Please start to see color. Start to see every Black person in your life. Please see them and hear them. Because we need you to start seeing color now. Because I need you as an ally to stand with me for the Black community.
“There is so much content out there to start educating yourself as an ally; please don’t continue to ask all the Black people you know.”
About the Author
Photo: Courtesy of Mita Mallick
Mita Mallick is a corporate change-maker with a track record of transforming businesses and cultures. Mita is a passionate storyteller who believes in the power of diversity to spur creative strategic thinking which can ultimately transform brands.
As the Head of Diversity & Inclusion and Cross-Cultural Marketing at Unilever, Mita’s efforts to build an inclusive culture are being celebrated. Under her leadership, Unilever is gender-balanced at manager level and above. Unilever was named the #1 Company for Working Mothers by Working Mother Media in 2018. Mita also co-created the first of its kind Cultural Immersions series to increase the cultural competency of marketers training over 5,000 marketers to date.
Mita has had an extensive career in the beauty and consumer products goods space. She was one of the chief lieutenants in launching The Vaseline Healing Project in the U.S., signing award-winning actress & activist Viola Davis as the brand’s ambassador to help set the brand back to growth.
Mita was named a Working Mother of the Year by She Runs It and named a Valiente Award Finalist at SXSW for her inspiring work in 2019. Mita has been featured in Forbes and quoted in The New York Times. She received the Inaugural Diversity Innovator Award from the National Association for Female Executives in 2018, and was on the “50 People Under 40 Shaking Up Beauty” Youthquake List by Women’s Wear Daily2017. Mita is also a columnist for Swaay and a contributor for FairyGodBoss and her writing has been published on The Good Men Project, Scary Mommy, The New York Post, and The Riveter.
Mita has a B.A. from Columbia University and a M.B.A. from Duke University.
MORE FROM THE BLOG
3 Black Female Founders on How to Be a True Ally
“You have power. You have so much power, so use that power for good.”
Beyond posting messages of solidarity on social media, true allyship means acknowledging your privilege, holding space for your Black colleagues, friends, and community, and striving to be actively anti-racist. “It’s about amplifying the voices that are most impacted,” activist Tamika D. Mallory recently told Vogue. “A good ally places themselves in between the system and those people the system is harming, using their privilege to allow the voices of the impacted folks to be heard and protected.”
In order to do just that, we passed the mic to three Black female founders who generously offered to share their thoughts on allyship with our community as part of our Ask an Expert Instagram Live series. Ahead, we’re sharing just a few of the many takeaways from our conversations with Jasmine Marie, the founder of Black Girls Breathing, Devi Brown, a wellness educator, energy healer, author, and the founder of Karma Bliss, and Nikia Phoenix, a self-love advocate and the creator of Black Girl Beautiful.
Scroll on to learn more about how you can show up for Black-owned small businesses, hold space for Black colleagues, friends, and communities, and approach allyship with heart, humility, and kindness, according to these founders.
If you missed any of these insightful conversations, you can watch them in full via our Create & Cultivate IGTV channel, here, here, and here.
How Allies Can Show Up for Black-Owned Small Businesses Right Now
“I
t’s going to take more than the month of June to make an impact.
We need you to be consistent in your efforts and keep it going.
—Jasmine Marie, Founder, Black Girls Breathing
Get Local
“The biggest point I want to make is get local. It just takes you opening your eyes a bit to identify those businesses that could use your support and impact your local economy.”
“If you Google African American festival in your city, I guarantee you that there are some bands that have been highlighted that have been doing working in your city and you may not have heard of them.”
“One way that I like to look for Black-owned brands for myself is the Nile List. It’s like a directory for Black-owned businesses. They’re currently building what would feel like a Google for you to search and support Black-owned businesses.”
Be Consistent
“It’s so important to keep it going. Keep your actions consistent. This is not just a one-off.”
“Black people are hundreds of years behind in terms of financial wealth, so it’s going to take more than just the month of June to make an impact. We need you to be consistent in your efforts and keep it going.”
“Go share that message with other people within your circle that are looking for ways they can be active with how they combat against overt and systematic racism.”
Commit to 360-Degree Advocacy
“Take a look from your seat of privilege—and the title or the job that you hold—and say, How can I further impact service-based Black-owned businesses or initiatives that could use my voice and use our corporate dollars?”
“If you are at a major corporation, lots of major corporations have what is called a supplier diversity team. This team’s job is to source Black-owned, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses to put them into the supply chain, so it’s not just the same network of people and agencies and businesses that are receiving support from corporate dollars. Get tapped into your supplier diversity team.”
“Maybe you’ve started [a business,] how diverse is your team? Is there a way for you to be very specific in seeking out talented Black professionals and freelancers who need a platform and opportunity to showcase their art and not do so for free? We know how Black culture has impacted mainstream culture, however, a lot of Black creatives are not being paid for their services at the rates that they should be.”
”If you are contracting Black-owned vendors, be more of an advocate. Look at the numbers and make sure you’re paying them the same amount as you would a white-owned agency. Are they selling themselves short? How can you show up for them? As an ally and industry insider, let them know they need to up their rates before getting more business or taking on more clients.”
If you missed our conversation with Jasmine Marie, the founder of Black Girls Breathing, you can watch it in full here.
How to Hold Space for Black Colleagues, Black Friends, and the Black Community
“
Holding space is to be with someone without judgement, to practice active listening, and to really hear someone’s truth, no matter what it is.”
—Devi Brown, Wellness Educator, Energy Healer, Author, and Founder, Karma Bliss
Make This a Journey
“This is a journey and you have now signed up to dedicate the rest of your existence to being the most expansive, elevated version of who you are to show up as your highest self to show up in wholeness and to actively serve the world, not just people who look like you.”
“It’s important that you realize that your own unlearning and your own path to expansion and enlightenment is going to be a journey. This is not something that you are going to understand by binge-watching every documentary about the Black experience or listening to every podcast, this is also going to be an excavation of self.”
“It is a journey for you to unlearn all the belief systems that we now as collective consciousness outgrown. All the belief systems that can no longer serve you because they were not equally serving everyone.”
Commit to Continued Education
“It is not a Black person’s job to explain the entirety of their experience—the entirety of their generational trauma—in a way that you understand so that their feelings can be validated. That is your journey. That is your homework. You do not need to add to the work or emotional processes of a Black person.”
“This is going to be a constant life’s education. It is not just a documentary you’re watching this weekend, it’s also really realizing that this is collectively our human story. So, what are the ways that you are going to elevate your education and knowledge and your heart in service to others and knowing other people’s experiences?”
Show Up in a Supportive Way
“For all of us, that’s going to look different. Really see what impact do you want to have on the Black community now that you're aware of the challenges that are faced, the privilege that you’ve lived, and the inequality that is a part of every day for people.”
“As you’re doing this great unlearn, you also have the opportunity to be invested in the Black community, in your human being brothers and sisters, in a way that can supersede just this dismantling that we’re doing now.”
“How can I use my unique gifts, my unique calling, to be of service not just to myself but all underserved communities? Where can I best be used? How can I really show up in a way that’s uniquely mine and in a way that best serves other people? Where exactly do you want to make a difference?”
If you missed our conversation with Devi Brown, a wellness educator, energy healer, author, and the founder of Karma Bliss, you can watch it in full here.
If you’re looking for ways to continue your education and this process of unlearning, we’ve put together a list of 11 Books to Continue Your Growth in Being Anti-Racist.
How to Be an Ally With Love and Kindness
“
You have power. You have so much power, so use that power for good.
”
—Nikia Phoenix, Self-Love Advocate and Creator, Black Girl Beautiful
Acknowledge Your Privilege
“Acknowledge that you have been able to move in and out of this world in ways that others have not. There are certain privileges that come with being a white woman. You are able to be ignorant to the truths that people of color experience every day. This is a hard fact.”
Listen to Your Heart
“Breathe into your heart and exhale through your heart. So often we are listening to try to formulate a response, to try to formulate a rebuttal, instead of genuinely acknowledging that the person in front of us is a human being acknowledging their humanity.”
“When we’re able to listen with our hearts, we’re listening, we’re feeling, and we’re seeing through those eyes of compassion. We’re not trying to be right, we’re listening, we’re seeing through those eyes of compassion. Listen with your heart.”
Be Humble
“As an ally, specifically an ally to people of color, you are not aware of the microaggressions and the prejudice, the systemic racism that people of color experience on a daily basis. You don’t experience that.”
“Be humble, hold your tongue, and don't try to whitesplain a person of color’s feelings and a person of color’s emotions.”
“You have to listen. You have to humble yourself to learn and realize that you don’t get kudos you don’t get any brownie points for being an ally.”
“People of color have been in this fight for a long time and so much of what we’ve been saying has been falling on deaf ears.”
“Be humble enough to silence yourself when a person of color is speaking and sharing how their feeling because their feelings are just as valid as your feelings.”
”Part of being humble means confronting the part of you that allows your ego and your privilege to speak instead of your heart.”
Have Grace
“Have grace for yourself in your quest to be a true ally. Take those Ls, take those losses, because those are ways for you to learn.”
“You don’t have to show up and be perfect. Practice is not about being perfect. It’s about learning. Be okay to take those Ls.”
“It’s okay to make mistakes—because guess what? When you make those mistakes, when you open yourself up, when you’re vulnerable, you open yourself up to the truth and the work that you need to do.”
“Have grace for yourself and have grace for the people that you are an ally to. The person that you are attempting to be an advocate and an ally to, they may not be able to vocalize how they’re feeling.”
Be a Helper
“We are always looking for the helpers. If you have acknowledged your privilege, you’re listening with your heart, you can be a helper by using your privilege for good.”
“Make sure that you are using your privilege to open doors for people of color, and when you open those doors for people of color, make sure that you are listening to them.”
“When you see that a person of color is not being treated fairly, speak up.”
“Being an ally means being able to acknowledge that maybe you haven't been doing enough and that you can do better.”
“Seat at the table, pass the mic. Make sure that I have a plate to eat off of and that that plate is full. You cannot say that you are giving people of color opportunities if you are not paying them accordingly.“
Check Yourself
“You can always take time to check yourself. Check how you’re feeling, check and see if your ego is speaking or if your heart is speaking.”
“Check yourself about your intentions. Before you post something, before you write something, before you react to someone, check yourself. Get in touch with your heart and how you’re feeling and why you’re feeling that way. Check yourself, it’s a saving grace.”
“Even though you may believe that you are one person, you can positively change your community, positively change your environment, positively change your world. You have power. You have so much power, so use that power for good and help change some of these racist systems.”
If you missed our conversation with Nikia Phoenix, a self-love advocate and the creator of Black Girl Beautiful, you can watch it in full here.
Editor’s note: The book recommendations Nikia Phoenix shares during this IG Live are, The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk and Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome by Dr. Joy Degruy.
Tune in daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST, for new installments of Ask an Expert.
Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for our weekly schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out. See you there!
MORE ON THE BLOG
This Founder's Curly Hair Salon Is Helping Women and Girls Love Themselves Just As They Are
“Our goal is to change the world one curl at a time.”
We know how daunting it can be to start a new business, especially if you’re disrupting an industry or creating an entirely new one. When there is no path to follow, the biggest question is, where do I start? There is so much to do, but before you get ahead of yourself, let’s start at the beginning. To kick-start the process, and ease some of those first-time founder nerves, we’re asking successful entrepreneurs to share their stories in our new series, From Scratch. But this isn’t your typical day in the life profile. We’re getting into the nitty-gritty details—from writing a business plan (or not) to sourcing manufacturers and how much they pay themselves—we’re not holding back.
“
Marketing is important, but not more than the quality of what you’re offering and the customer service experience. Word of mouth is GOLD.
”
—Carolina Contreras, Founder and CEO, Miss Rizos
Disrupting an industry isn’t easy.
Just ask Carolina Contreras, who decided to open a curly hair salon in New York City the very same year that New York state legally banned discrimination based on hair texture at work and in schools. The law, which went into effect in 2019, marked a long-overdue step in defining mistreatment based on hair texture or style as racially discriminatory, especially when you consider that Black women are 1.5 times more likely to be sent home from the workplace because of their hair.
“Miss Rizos is a curly hair salon that helps women and little girls love themselves just as they are,” the founder and CEO explained during our Digital Money Moves Summit pitch competition, which awarded a $10,000 grant to the deserving small business owner. “We use not only our curly hair salons but also our social media presence to redefine beauty standards and create a more inclusive picture of what it means to be beautiful. Our goal is to change the world one curl at a time."
In this installment of From Scratch, Contreras shares the nitty-gritty details behind what it really takes to get a business off the ground, including what it took for her to self-fund the company at the beginning (spoiler alert: all her savings) and how COVID-19 has impacted her brick-and-mortar business.
CREATE & CULTIVATE: Did you write a business plan?
CAROLINA CONTRERAS: When I first started my business, I wasn’t sure what I was doing. I knew we needed a mission, vision, and values, so my little tiny team of two (my best friends, btw) and I took a two-hour car ride to our favorite beach town in the Dominican Republic, Las Terrenas. There, we hashed out all of our ideas and goals for a curly hair haven in a place where our hair wasn’t validated or celebrated. Before the salon, Miss Rizos was a blog, so we used this online platform as an inspiration for our space. I’ve written long- and short-term strategies for the business, but we are just now—five and a half years after opening—actually putting a real business plan together. I say, do it early if you, can because it will help you strategize and reach all of your business dreams.
How did you come up with the name Miss Rizos?
Originally, I named my blog Miss Rizos for a few reasons. First, there weren’t any curly hair beauty pageant winners, so calling it Miss Rizos (Miss Curls) was satirical. I also felt like my curls were adorning my head and making me feel powerful, sort of like a crown, and misses wear crowns at these pageants. The name Miss Rizos embodies this idea that I can make my own rules and define my own beauty.
What were the immediate things you had to do to set up the business? What would you recommend to new founders reading this?
I definitely trademarked the name first so that no one would use it. I registered the website the moment I thought of the name and created a social media handle I thought we could potentially use. Finally, defining the mission, vision, and values of a company is so important, and I recommend people actually spend time doing this because these principles will guide the way and help you make the best decisions.
What research did you do for the business beforehand? Would you recommend it?
I recommend benchmarking within and outside of your field. I love watching videos about digital marketing and really understanding the importance of the digital space in this very digital era. Finally, I would look at all of the administrative details of your company like permits, licenses, and tax information. Don’t let this stuff intimidate you from starting, just start!
“Insecurities, doubts, and fears will always exist, don’t let them paralyze you. Do it afraid. ”
How did you find the first hairstylists that you partnered with? Did you have any bad experiences? What did you learn and what advice do you have for other founders looking for trustworthy partners?
Omg, I’ve had my fair share of terrible experiences with business partners. USE CONTRACTS! Make sure agreements are legally binding and that you are incredibly transparent with all of the terms. Hire slow, fire fast. This means take your time hiring, do several interviews, and invite other people in the team or in your community to do interviews with you. Finally, hire and fire based on the values you defined for your company. It’s nothing personal, if someone doesn’t align with the values of your company, they will bring down team morale and potentially ruin a relationship with a client.
How did you fund the company?
I used a lot of my savings, actually all of my savings! I also pre-sold appointments and apparel using crowdfunding platforms. I have bootstrapped mostly, but a year ago, we acquired a new partner who also an angel investor. Again, this person’s values aligned with ours and our relationship has been incredible.
How did you determine how much to pay yourself?
I still struggle with this so much and hope to be able to make peace with it soon. I actually didn’t pay myself until like two years in. It’s really a symbolic payment more than an actual salary. I do have the business cover a lot of my expenses like phone, transportation, etc., and this is super important because it allows me to live a decent quality of life and be more present for my business.
I say, if you’re just starting, make sure you have savings that will support you for three to six months, so that you’re not putting a financial burden on the new venture. Then, it’s definitely important to create a salary or arrangement that will allow you to have peace of mind and concentrate on running the company. Finally, I say create a plan to get to that dream salary and work your way there.
How big is your team now, and what has the hiring process been like?
We started with the team of two, and now we are a team of nearly 40 people. As I mentioned before, hire slow, fire fast and let your values guide the way. I had lots of experience hiring from being a project manager in the nonprofit world for many years. Interviews should be a two way conversation and not an interrogation process.
Did you hire an accountant?
I hired an accountant late in the game and it cost me thousands if not hundreds of thousands! Get a CPA early in the game, learn the taxation system in your state and country. Get an online bookkeeping platform and keep all receipts and the books organized. When you can afford it, get a financial advisor who has experience with small businesses and can help you make sure your prices are right and identify what new strategies need to be implemented. Learn early what your point of equilibrium is, this is how much you need to make to break even. This will help you come up with a number of what you need to make a month, a week, a day, and even per hour. Be comfortable and in control of the numbers. It will empower you to make better decisions.
What has been the biggest learning curve during the process of establishing a salon business?
Definitely human resources. It’s not easy putting a dream team together.
How did you promote your company? How did you get people to know who you are and create buzz?
I created a community before I had a business and this helped tremendously. I also created a lot of buzz surrounding my activism, which got me a lot press. Social media has been instrumental, but more for my community-building than the actual random reach. Create good free content, give value to your potential clients. I’ve had a marketing team since the beginning. She worked for free for a while, now she owns 20% of the company. Hire a publicist as a consultant even if just for an event to get you in the media or for one to three months, if you can’t afford it. Marketing is important, but not more than the quality of what you’re offering and the customer service experience. Word of mouth is GOLD.
Do you have a business coach or mentor?
I didn’t for years. Get one when you can afford it, in the meantime there is Youtube.
“It’s important to have purpose and define it so that when things get really hard, you can always visit that “why.” ”
How has COVID-19 impacted your business operations and financials? What tactics and strategies have you put in place to pivot and ensure your business is successful through this period?
We had to close our stores. We pivoted by moving sales online and doing online consultations. We were very intentional about applying to as many grants and financial opportunities as possible, including pitch competitions, and I am grateful to have won the pitch competition for Create & Cultivate.
What short-term changes will be crucial to your business strategy long-term post-COVID-19 and what plans are you making for when we get back to “normal?”
We are definitely going to invest more on our online e-commerce experience. We plan on making sure we are generating revenue in lots of different ways and not just the salon experience.
What advice can you share for small business owners, founders, and entrepreneurs who are also reeling in response to COVID-19?
APPLY to everything! See what aspects of the business can be done online. Create a new product or revamp an old one that could be sold online. Give your community lots of free important content, with this you’re communicating how important they are to you. Check up on clients. Call your landlord and let them know what you’re doing to pivot and think of ways to negotiate the rent payments without being defensive. Honey pulls more bees.
For those who haven’t started a business (or are about to) what advice do you have?
Be curious. What do you love doing and would do for free because you love it so much? Now find a way to make this, or an aspect of this, your business.
“
Hire slow, fire fast, and let your values guide the way.”
—Carolina Contreras, Founder and CEO, Miss Rizos
What is your number one piece of financial advice for any new business owner and why?
Scale slowly, not too slowly, and listen to your clientele. Don’t get into a bigger store or buy a ton of inventory you don’t need. Cash is king, so don’t just go crazy on making your overhead bigger if you don’t know how it’s going to get paid. It’s not magic, it’s strategy and planning. Robin Sharma says vague planning equals vague results. Strategizing and planning in advance, allows you to make the best decisions about growing your business. Take risks, but smart risks.
If you could go back to the beginning with the knowledge you have now, what advice would you give yourself and why?
Get a CPA and make sure to always use contracts!
Anything else to add?
Being a business owner is scary! There are so many responsibilities. So it’s important to have purpose and define it so that when things get really hard, you can always visit that “why.” Insecurities, doubts and fears will always exist, don’t let them paralyze you. Do it afraid. The worst thing that can happen is that the business fails, but you’ll learn in the process and will gather tools, resources, and networks to do it better the next time.
Enter to win a $10,000 grant for your small business
We're dedicating proceeds from our Digital Beauty Summit ticket sales toward a $10,000 grant for a small business owner in the health and wellness industry, including beauty, health and wellness, and self-care. We'll be selecting three finalists to pitch their businesses LIVE to a panel of judges for a chance to win the grant. Want in? Click here to check out the official rules and apply by Friday, July 17, 2020 at 11:59 PM PDT.
Up next: 32 Black Female-Owned Brands and Entrepreneurs to Support Now and Always
MORE ON THE BLOG