Driving the Business: Beauty Brands & Entrepreneurship

Anthony Standifer
  • 5.0 (1)
  • BUSINESS
  • MONTHLY

ATTENTION all beauty brand owners, employees, entrepreneurs, suppliers, influencers or anyone interested in understanding the true BUSINESS of beauty welcome to Driving the Business: Beauty Brands & Entrepreneurship podcast. We're providing the inside tips, secrets and advice needed to move your brand or idea forward in a complex but lucrative industry. We tackle marketing, sales, manufacturing along with the joys and perils of entrepreneurship.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Ep 039- The Real Cost of Going Retail: A Founder's Guide to Big-Box Expansion

    Want your beauty brand in Walmart or Sephora? Here's what you need to know first. Taking your beauty brand from direct-to-consumer (DTC) into big-box retail sounds like the dream. Target. Sephora. Walmart. National shelves. Bigger visibility. Bigger orders. But what most founders don't see is how complex, expensive, and risky that leap can actually be. In this episode of Driving the Business: Beauty Brands & Entrepreneurship, I break down what really happens when a brand moves from DTC into retail, from the two sometimes competing perspectives that show up (the brand founder and the retailer).  We talk pricing pressure, margin erosion, supply challenges, inventory risk, and the unspoken expectation that you, the founder, are still responsible for driving demand once you hit the shelves. If retail expansion is on your vision board, this episode is about preparation, not fear. Knowing the rules before you play the game can save you time, money, and your brand. Lean in, take notes, and listen before you make the jump.

    30 min

  2. 12 JAN

    Ep -38- Get Out of Your Own Way: How Founders Accidentally Stall Growth

    Why does your business still feel stuck when you're working nonstop? What if the problem isn't your team, your market, or your strategy? What if it's you? In this episode of Driving the Business: Beauty Brands & Entrepreneurship, I break down one of the most common and uncomfortable growth challenges founders face. Becoming the bottleneck without even realizing it. We get into the three clear signs that you're slowing your own growth, why control often gets mistaken for quality, and how living in constant reaction mode quietly kills momentum. More importantly, I share a simple, practical framework to help you step out of the way so your business can finally move forward. If everything still runs through you, your days feel chaotic, and growth feels heavier instead of freer, this episode will hit home. Like, comment, and subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next. Let's get into it.

    22 min

  3. 22/12/2025

    Ep 037- 4 Components That Beauty Manufacturers Use for Pricing

    Why does one moisturizer cost $15… while another sells for $65? The answer isn't as simple as it seems. In Episode 37 of Driving the Business: Beauty Brands & Entrepreneurship, I break down how contract manufacturers actually determine pricing and the behind-the-scenes factors most founders never see. From ingredients and packaging to labor, volume, and logistics, this episode walks you through what really drives cost. If you're already working with a manufacturer or thinking about launching a beauty brand, this is a must-listen. Clarity here can save you money, time, and a lot of frustration. Thanks for tuning in. Catch the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and iHeart. Make sure to like, comment, and subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next. Let's dive in.

    23 min
  4. Ep 036- The Comeback Episode:Things No One Tells You Before Starting a Beauty Brand

    24/11/2025

    Ep 036- The Comeback Episode:Things No One Tells You Before Starting a Beauty Brand

    I'm so glad you're here. After a little break, we're back with a fresh new chapter of Driving the Business. In this episode, I'm catching you up on the journey, sharing what's new, and diving straight into the five things every beauty entrepreneur should know before they start. If you're dreaming about launching a brand, stuck in the planning stage, or trying to figure out if entrepreneurship is really for you, this episode will give you clarity, perspective, and a push to finally get in motion. Thanks for tuning in. Catch the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and iHeart. Make sure to like, comment, and subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next. Let's dive in.

    16 min

  5. 26/07/2023

    Ep 035 - Interview with Jason Mercer: Key Insights from a Venture Capital (VC) Investor for Raising Money

    As business founders raising money can sometimes feel like a complex mystery with lots of questions.   What do investors want to see from a business owner?   How do investors evaluate who to invest in?   Should owners expect to give away equity when raising money? If yes, how much?   Well I managed to book time with a venture capital (VC) investor who reviews and assesses deals for a living.   Jason Mercer is a Principal at Cleveland Avenue, a Chicago based firm doing great work for local businesses.   I sit with Jason who gives a graduate level walk through on the questions above and much more.   If you want key insights that investors look at when investing in beauty and consumer good brands then this is the episode for you.   Find Jason Mercer on Linkedin.    Find Clevelend Avenue website.

    1h 3m

  6. 24/06/2023

    Ep 034 - Interview with Winnie Awa: Why Brad Pitt Should Not Launch in Beauty & The Journey to Data Driven Haircare

    I love bold people! Winnie Awa is a bold Black woman doing amazing work in the beauty space as the founder of an AI driven platform that is serving curly haired women in the UK.   She is also someone who understands what it is like to pivot your professional career to pursue her passion.   She also is confident enough to speak her mind when something does not line up and gave her opinion when Brad Pitt launched a skin care brand.   I have a full candid conversation with this entrepreneur to talk all of the above as well as what the human journey towards today's greatness has been.   You do not want to miss listening to this episode.   Follow here beauty platform @HeyCarra and find Winnie Awa on LinkedIn.   Find today's episode of Driving the Business on Apple Podcast, Spotify & iHeart Media. Search for Anthony Standifer.

    1h 2m

  7. 24/03/2023

    Ep 033 - Interview with Justin Dawkins: Silicon Valley Bank & Its Impact on Beauty

    Does the Silicon Valley Bank or SVB discussion completely confuse you?   This is the podcast episode for you.   Do you see the direct impact of how the tech community's turmoil is going to impact beauty and consumer product good investments?   This is the podcast episode for you.   Would have a simple explanation of what's happening in the financial world help you?   This is the podcast episode for you.   I snagged time for the very knowledgeable Justin Dawkins who lives inside the investment community as managing partner of Collab Capital who raised an incredible $50M during the pandemic with the sole purpose of investing in Black founders.   He and I break down the very nature of what a bank does and how the banking ecosystem is supported. We then go step by step through how Silicon Valley Bank ended up running out of money and why the government stepped in.   There is also an impact on how the down turn in the tech community hits beauty industry investments this year and beyond.   Follow Justin Dawkins on IG & Twitter @JDawkinsATL and his investment fund @Collab.Capital. You can also email Justin directly at Justin@Collab.Capital. Mention the Driving the Business podcast when emailing.

    1h 8m

  8. 21/02/2023

    Ep 032 - 8 Incredible Lessons After 8 Years of Entrepreneurship

    Things rarely turn out exactly like how I think they should when planning big things in life. For me starting a business meant the promise of ultimate freedom, success and tons of money. Managing a whole damn beauty manufacturing company has given me insight and taught me lessons that have been eye opening and incredibly helpful.   I'm sharing 8 key insights as a reflect back on the last 96 months.   If you're someone thinking of starting a business lean in closely as these are tips that I wish someone had shared with me before starting my own journey. If you're someone who has already started your own business lean in even closer as these are likely reflections that may explain some of what you're experiencing. Lastly, even if you're someone with no desire for entrepreneurship yourself, I share the value I found in working for other for over a decade.   This is a catch up episode and one to enjoy.

    42 min
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About

ATTENTION all beauty brand owners, employees, entrepreneurs, suppliers, influencers or anyone interested in understanding the true BUSINESS of beauty welcome to Driving the Business: Beauty Brands & Entrepreneurship podcast. We're providing the inside tips, secrets and advice needed to move your brand or idea forward in a complex but lucrative industry. We tackle marketing, sales, manufacturing along with the joys and perils of entrepreneurship.

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