Amber Makupson
founder and CEO of Meraki
Today’s guest is Amber Makupson, CEO of Meraki, an award-winning Ayurvedic haircare line infused with crystals.
Founded in 2018, as a labor of self-love, self-empowerment and a dedication to wellness, it is now loved by Oprah Daily, Harper’s Bazaar and Elle magazine - and is now available online with Anthropologie.
The beauty of Amber’s story involves the highs, lows, the lessons and the victories - and we’re here for it all!
So come join the founders table, where beauty is served. You can sit with us!
So let’s get started…
Kimberlee Alexandria-Day
founder of Ode To Self Skincare and Wellness
Today’s guest is Kimberlee Alexandria-Day, founder of Ode To Self Skincare and Wellness, which is a brand whose mission is the development of solid relationships with oneself. They believe in nourishing the skin and soul through rituals of self care. Putting the needs of Black women first, Ode to Self is more than a skincare brand--it is a way to rediscover the luxury of putting personal needs first.
Since launching, Ode to Self has expanded from the direct to consumer space to include partnerships with retailers such as Nordstrom; and has been featured in The New York Times, PopSugar, The Zoe Report and Refinery29 to name a few.
The beauty of Kimberlee’s story involves the highs, lows, the lessons and the victories - and we’re here for it all!
So come join the founders table, where beauty is served. You can sit with us!
So let’s get started…
Kristen Elise Brown
founder of Gold Label Cosmetics
Today’s guest is Kristen Elise Brown, founder of Gold Label Cosmetics which is a cruelty-free, paraben-free color cosmetics company for the beauty enthusiast who seeks opulence and convenience.
Gold Label Cosmetics is heavily influenced by the arts, fashion, travel, affirmations and especially the notion of genuinely loving the skin you’re in. Their mission is to encourage EVERYONE to proclaim THEIR BEAUTY everywhere they go.
Since launching in 2012, Gold Label Cosmetics has been featured in Essence, BuzzFeed, Women’s Health and Refinery29 - to name a few; and is also the recipient of the Brown Girl Jane x Shea Moisture #BrownGirlSwap Grant.
The beauty of Kristen’s story involves the highs, lows, the lessons and the victories - and we’re here for it all!
So come join the founders table, where beauty is served. You can sit with us!
So let’s get started…
Eunice Cofie-Obeng
president and chief cosmetic chemist of nuekie
Today’s guest is Eunice Cofie-Obeng, President and Chief Cosmetic Chemist of award-winning Nuekie - an innovative health and beauty company for people of color.
Named by Forbes as one of the 20 Youngest Power Women in Africa, Eunice is a graduate of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry/molecular biology, she holds a Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences with an emphasis in Cosmetic Science and has completed the Harvard Kennedy School of Government Global Leadership and Public Policy Executive Education program.
Crafted specifically for people of color, Nuekie’s innovative brand of health and beauty products are scientifically formulated with a unique combination of traditional African medicine and cutting edge science.
Since it’s launch, Nuekie has been featured in Black Enterprise and Allure magazine - to name a few, was awarded the Women’s Health Best of Skincare Award for the Moisture Therapy Creme, and is the recipient of the 2021 Glossier Grant Program, as well as Beyonce’s Beygood Small Business Grant.
The beauty of Eunice’s story involves the highs, lows, the lessons and the victories - and we’re here for it all!
So come join the founders table, where beauty is served. You can sit with us!
So let’s get started…
Essence Williams
founder of the established
Today’s guest is Essence Williams, founder of The Established - Clean Body Care for the Minimalist Beauty. The Established was born out of Essence’s long-standing struggle to find relief from keratosis pilaris, resulting in a product line centered around simple science with botanical extracts that work with your skin's natural function to promote long-term skin health.
Since its launch (and they’re now celebrating 3 years!), the award-winning brand has been featured in Essence, Vogue, Poosh, Harper’s Bazaar, Who What Wear, and Cosmopolitan magazine - to name a few; is the recipient of the 2021 Glossier Grant Program; is now also available on ThirteenLune.com and Poosh.com.
The beauty of Essence’s story involves the highs, lows, the lessons, and the victories - and we’re here for it all!
So come join the founders table, where beauty is served. You can sit with us!
So let’s get started…
Kendra Woolridge
Founder of Janet and jo
Today’s guest is Kendra Woolridge, founder of Janet and Jo. - which is a D.C.-based, Black woman-owned company named after Kendra’s two grandmothers. They specialize in non-toxic luxury nail lacquers, that are carefully crafted to educate, inspire, and uplift you, through the stories behind their unique polish names.
Since launching - they’ve been featured in Allure, Nylon, and Cosmopolitan magazines and is a winner of the Black Girl Ventures D.C. Virtual Pitch Competition
The beauty of Kendra’s story involves the highs, lows, the lessons, and the victories - and we’re here for it all!
So come join the founders table, where beauty is served. You can sit with us!
So let’s get started…
Tiffini Gatlin
founder and ceo of latched and hooked beauty
Today’s guest is Tiffini Gatlin, founder, and CEO of Latched & Hooked Beauty which is a 100% Black woman-owned and operated beauty brand offering non-toxic, ready-to-wear synthetic hair extensions that make you look and feel confident.
Since launching - Tiffini has been honored as an Ulta Beauty MUSE100, garnered the support of companies like Visa, Paypal, and Google for Startups, and has been featured in Essence, Black Enterprise, Allure, and Cosmopolitan magazines… to name a few.
The beauty of Tiffini’s story involves the highs, lows, the lessons, and the victories - and we’re here for it all!
So come join the founders table, where beauty is served. You can sit with us!
So let’s get started…
LaToya Stirrup
ceo and co-founder of kazmaleje
Today’s guest is LaToya Stirrup, CEO and co-founder of KAZMALEJE, where they create lifestyle amplifying tools and accessories that empower women, men and kids to pamper and groom themselves with love, care and style.
Launching in Target stores nationwide and online in 2022, you can also find them in Urban Outfitters, HSN and QVC - just to name a few of their retail partners. They’ve been featured in Forbes, Essence, and Vogue - and KAZMALEJE is the first and only hair tool company to be certified Plastic Neutral by rePurpose Global.
The beauty of LaToya’s story involves the highs, lows, the lessons and the victories - and we’re here for it all!
So come join the founders table, where beauty is served. You can sit with us!
So let’s get started…
Aishetu Fatima Dozie
founder of bossy cosmetics
Today’s guest is Aishetu Fatima Dozie, founder and CEO of Bossy Cosmetics - which is described as a women's empowerment and mission-driven business that masquerades as a beauty company. Bossy Cosmetics' mission is to empower women to look, feel and do good.
Since its founding, all of its products have been cruelty-free and Leaping Bunny certified, and are available on BossyBeauty.com, Amazon and JCPenney Beauty. Selected as one of Oprah's Favorite Things for 2021, Bossy Cosmetics has been featured in Cosmopolitan magazine, Well + Good, USA Today, Sweet July, and Glamour magazine - to name a few; and was Fast Company's 2021 Innovation By Design Awards Award Winner in the packaging category.
The beauty of Aishetu's story involves the highs, lows, the lessons and the victories - and we’re here for it all!
So come join the founders table, where beauty is served. You can sit with us!
So let’s get started…
She’Neil Spence and Nicolette Graves
Founders of base butter
Today’s guests are She'Neil Spence and Nicolette Graves, founders of Base Butter, which is a leading skincare brand that is redefining the perception of beauty and its impact on our relationship with our skin.
The high-performing, intentionally clean products, and simple-to-use routines are designed to nourish, protect, and maintain healthy, happy skin - ensuring that you always put your best face forward
Since its founding Base Butter has been selected as a New Voices + Barefoot #WeStanForHer Grant recipient; featured in Vogue, Essence, Allure, The New York Times and Beyonce’s The Black Parade - to name a few amazing features.
The beauty of their story involves the highs, lows, the lessons and the victories - and we’re here for it all!
So come join the founders table, where beauty is served. You can sit with us!
So let’s get started…
Blair Armstrong
founder of gilded body
Today’s guest is Blair Armstrong, the founder of Gilded Body. Gilded Body was created to share awareness of body skincare. Their team gets personally involved in every step of the way, designing their featured products with a great focus on ingredients, each curated to unveil your skin’s true soft to the touch glow. Gilded serves as a reminder that good skincare doesn't stop with beautiful face washes, luxurious serums and face masks.
Since its founding, Gilded Body has been selected as a 2020 Allure Best of Beauty award winner and is now also available at Thirteen Lune, Saks Fifth Avenue and Goop.
The beauty of Blair’s story involves the highs, the lessons and the victories - and we’re here for it all!
So come join the founders table, where beauty is served. You can sit with us!
So let’s get started…
Lianne Dobson
founder of gemini naturals
Today’s guest is Lianne Dobson, founder of Gemini Naturals, which is vegan temporary hair color makeup for the natural in you.
The coveted hair color gel is an aloe vera-based curl-defining gel that adds a temporary pop of color to your natural curls + kinks. And the best part - it rinses out with shampoo on your next wash day without damaging your luscious curls.
Celebrating its 4th year, Lianne recently completed the prestigious New Voices Foundation Madam CJ Walker Institute Pace Bootcamp and was accepted into the 2022 Target Takeoff Beauty accelerator program.
The beauty of Lianne’s story involves the highs, the lessons, and the victories - and we’re here for it all!
So come join the founders’ table, where beauty is served. You can sit with us!
So let’s get started…
Arielle Brown
founder of bea’s bayou skincare
Today’s guest is Arielle Brown, founder of Bea's Bayou Skincare, created for the exhausted product-lover who just can't find relief for their troubled scalp and skin.
Named after Arielle’s Louisiana-born, maternal grandmother, Beatrice, and the bayou she played in as a child around her home, Bea's Bayou Skincare was named the winner of the 2022 Aveeno x Essence Skin Health Accelerator Pitch!
Arielle completed a crowdfunding campaign with Fund Black Founders, and recently participated in Amazon’s Black Business Accelerator Inaugural Cohort, Founder Gym, IDEA Fuel and the BASF Inclusive Beauty Accelerator in partnership with StitchCrew.
The beauty of Arielle’s story involves the highs, the lessons and the victories - and we’re here for it all!
So come join the founders table, where beauty is served. You can sit with us!
So let’s get started…
Lesley Thornton
holistic esthetician and founder of klur
Today’s guest is Lesley Thornton, Holistic Esthetician & Founder of KLUR. Since her inception of KLUR, Lesley’s vision has been to cultivate a brand that reflected the values of clean, ethical, and inclusive beauty.
For nearly a decade she’s concentrated on helping others achieve skin wellness through personalized treatments and the creation of products defined by simplicity and usability.
She’s always treated people with a holistic approach to skin health; prioritizing minimalistic regimens that deliver multiple benefits and long-term results. This philosophy eventually led her to formulate a modest range of offerings for a devoted clientele of over 2500 people.
The independent, self-funded, Black woman-owned and operated beauty brand has been featured in Vogue, Allure and Harper’s Bazaar - to name a few; and is now available at Credo.
The beauty of Lesley’s story involves the highs, the lessons and the victories - and we’re here for it all!
So come join the founders table, where beauty is served. You can sit with us!
So let’s get started…