Sheena Butler-Young’s Post

Mielle Organics’ origin story is by now the stuff of legend among Black female entrepreneurs: In the early 2010s, Chicago nurse Monique Rodriguez was frustrated with the available range of multicultural hair products. She whipped up her own concoction in the kitchen, shared it with friends, gained a loyal following and soon attracted the attention of major investors and international beauty conglomerates. But though dozens, if not hundreds of Black women have undertaken a similar journey, the number who found even a fraction of Rodriguez’s success — or even made it past the kitchen counter stage — is vanishingly small. A decade after launching her first product — a blend of scalp-stimulating peppermint and amino-acid rich almond oil — and a year since becoming one of the few Black women to achieve a lucrative exit by selling her business to Procter & Gamble in 2023 — Rodriguez remains in a rare class. Her peers include Carol's Daughter founder Lisa Price, who sold to L'Oréal in 2017, and Sundial’s Richelieu Dennis, who sold SheaMoisture and several other multicultural hair brands to Unilever in 2014. (Rodriguez and her husband Melvin remain actively involved as chief executive officer and chief operating officer of Mielle, respectively.) In 2021, Rodriguez was one of fewer than 100 Black women to have ever secured over $1 million in venture capital funding (Berkshire Partners invested a reported $100 million into Mielle that year.) Instead of opening doors, that year proved to be a high water mark for Rodriguez and her peers. After edging up only slightly in the immediate post-George Floyd era, funding for Black female founders remains less than one percent of total start-up investment each year, according to data from the nonprofit advocacy group Digital Undivided. Read the the first story in a three-part series, by BoF's Sheena Butler-Young.

A very interesting 3 part series developed by Businessoffashion.com. So far, part 1 sets a good stage on how big the market is in the US, $6.6 billion, and the lack of venture capital. "Despite the $6.6 billion spent by Black American consumers on beauty in 2021, Black-owned brands earned just 2.4 percent of revenue, a June 2022 study from consulting firm McKinsey & Company found. In 2021, Rodriguez was one of fewer than 100 Black women to have ever secured over $1 million in venture capital funding (Berkshire Partners invested a reported $100 million into Mielle that year.) Instead of opening doors, that year proved to be a high water mark for Rodriguez and her peers. After edging up only slightly in the immediate post-George Floyd era, funding for Black female founders remains less than one percent of total start-up investment each year, according to data from the nonprofit advocacy group Digital Undivided."

Exciting news from PuffCuff! This May PUFFCUFF on HSN for our debut showcase. Our journey to this moment began last February when I attended the Women in Retail Leadership Circle Conference in Arizona last year, securing pivotal connections with influential buyers from HSN, Forever 21, and meeting the inspiring Arlan Hamilton. A year of hard work and strategic networking has prepared us for this significant opportunity. PuffCuff is set apart by its unique design, tailored for thick, curly, or textured hair, providing a non-binding, no-tension grip that ensures styling is comfortable and damage-free. As we prepare for our HSN debut, we owe immense gratitude to Mindy 🌟 Tobin, A.J.P. (GIA), and the entire dedicated team, whose expert guidance has been crucial in refining our presentation and readiness for this big event. This milestone is not just a chance to showcase PuffCuff to a wider audience but also underscores a compelling investment opportunity. With only 8 days remaining in our WeFunder campaign, your investment can help propel us toward greater innovation and market expansion. Join us in transforming the way people manage and appreciate their natural hair. INVEST TODAY: https://lnkd.in/eCx6x2dS Tune in to HSN this May to see PuffCuff in action and consider investing in our vision for a simpler, more stylish future! #PuffCuff #HSNDebut #CurlyHairSolutions #StyleWithoutDamage #EmpowerYourStyle #RetailLeadershipSuccess #NoTension #NonBinding #InvestInPuffCuff #WeFunderCampaign

I was so privileged to be on a panel with three incredible female founders: the ‘queen of denim’ Donna Ida Thornton, Monique Vega Hodgson the mastermind behind the incredible community Mumble Forum  and Amanda Cronin, luxury high performance skincare brand. ⁠ We delved into the core of branding and examined the intricate dance between a founder’s identity and their public brand.⁠ ⁠ But what struck me, in a world with platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn, is that everyone could be considered a personal brand.⁠ ⁠ They're stages for self-expression and opinion, sculpting both our professional journeys and personal narratives.⁠ ⁠ A key word that resonated deeply was ‘authenticity.’ If being authentic means being open, honest, and transparent, it also means sometimes, being vulnerable. ⁠ ⁠ But how do we balance this when we can feel pressured to maintain a certain, even at times, ‘perfect’ image? ⁠ ⁠ To that I say, let’s be our true and most powerful selves and let that guide our public persona. ⁠ ⁠ Believe in ourselves and our unique voices. Don’t let stereotypes define us or our brands. The most powerful brand you can build is one that is unapologetically you!⁠ ⁠ Here’s to ALL of us - and all incredible women: Rene Macdonald Hala Sayess Cheffie Fiona Lambert Heidi Fossali Millie Carr Katerina Astrella JOANNA VALENCIA Natasha Kaye Luella Carr Sydney Clark Astra Tsangaris Atosa Anzalchi Larah Winfield Alyson Lowe Emma-Jane Gardiner Phoebe Ayrton-Grime Rebecca McGee Tansy Boyd #femaleleaders #femeconomy #womeninbusiness #proage #genderfundinggap #personalbranding #branding #empower #publicspeaking #womensupportingwomen

e.l.f. Cosmetics has launched an eye-catching campaign highlighting a startling statistic: there are more men named Richard, Rich, Rick, or Dick on corporate boards than a significant number of minority groups. e.l.f. Cosmetics, however, stands out as one of only four U.S. publicly traded companies with a board that's two-thirds women and one-third diverse. Huge ads around Wall Street, including the Fulton Street station, feature the provocative slogan, “It’s ok to be a Dick. But America’s Boardrooms need more of everyone else.” The campaign has sparked excitement across e.l.f.'s social channels, with followers praising its boldness and commitment to diversity. It's a powerful reminder of the importance of diversity and representation in corporate leadership. As one Instagram follower put it, “The approach. The tenacity. The accuracy. 🔥🔥🔥🔥.” For brands, this should be another great example of how genuine diversity initiatives resonate deeply with consumers, and taking a stand can lead to significant brand loyalty and admiration. #DiversityInLeadership #CorporateDiversity #ELFCosmetics #BoldCampaign #InclusionMatters

I'm always amazed by how powerful and influential women are as a demographic and the power of influence to drive product led growth… Here's a pretty incredible example: Stanley’s business grew from a business making $70M in annual sales to one projected to top $750M this year, by doing one thing… appealing to women! Actually, all it took was one woman to get the ball rolling, Ashlee LeSuerer, founder of the Buy Guide who fell in love with the product and quickly began recommending it to friends and followers. Bottom line: When a woman loves and recommends a product, it translates into dozens, if not thousands and in this case, millions of transactions. Did you know that women are actually the best sharers of financial products?

Grace Gamboa, senior marketing major, blended her entrepreneurial spirit and love for fashion to create her business, Reclamation. When asked about the name, Gamboa said, "Reclamation means 'cultivation of the wasteland'. I want this brand to create a sense of belonging and redemption by clothing women in beauty and reminding them that their story is not over." Learn more about her business and the Samford startup here: https://lnkd.in/efi2tb76

🌟 NEW JOURNAL DROP 🌟 At Fearless Foundry, we're committed to amplifying the voices and contributions of Black entrepreneurs, fostering equity, and driving positive change in the world of business. In our latest blog “Empowering Black-Owned Brands: A Guide to Conscious Consumerism,” we shine a spotlight on ten remarkable Black-owned brands that are not only producing exceptional services but embodying values of inclusivity, innovation, and social responsibility. From SlickFace Beauty's transformative makeup services to The Honey Pot Company's revolutionary approach to menstrual hygiene, each brand featured in our guide is making waves in their respective industries. Whether you're looking for skincare, CBD products, streetwear, parenting resources, or fitness inspiration, our curated selection has something for everyone. But our support doesn't stop there. We believe in the power of informed consumer choices. By consciously choosing to support Black-owned businesses, we can collectively drive economic empowerment, dismantle systemic barriers, and create a more equitable future for all. Join us in celebrating diversity, championing inclusion, and making a difference, one purchase at a time. Check out our blog post to discover these incredible brands and start your journey towards conscious consumerism today! ✊🛍️🌟 https://lnkd.in/gWsFK3A9 #ConsciousConsumerism #FearlessFoundry #FearlessFoundryJournal #BlackOwnedBrands #BlackEntrepreneurs #EquityInBusiness #PositiveChange #SupportBlackOwned #AmplifyBlackVoices #MakeADifference #DiversityInBusiness #InnovationAndInclusion #ShopWithPurpose #EmpowermentThroughCommerce

This is both bad business and not yogic

What’s going on in fashion and sustainability this week? 🤫 Heard of greenhushing? There's a similar trend when it comes to brands’ DEI efforts. (https://lnkd.in/giX5FR3m) 👜 Chanel won a closely watched case against reseller What Goes Around Comes Around, raising the legal risks for resale businesses. (https://lnkd.in/g3pPDqnE) 🇪🇺 The EU has postponed a decision on a landmark due diligence law that would make companies more accountable for labour abuses and environmental damage in supply. chains. (https://lnkd.in/gPQ8mZ27) 💲Pangaia, once fashion’s hottest start-up, lost $50 million in 2022. (https://lnkd.in/ghyjtPDW)