Business of the Beat Mean Ole Lion Media

Join us as Rhonda Daniels, Co-Founder and CEO of Natural Radiant Life, shares her inspiring journey from selling pickles as a child to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Rhonda recounts meeting her long-time business partners at Florida A&M University, launching her first beauty business in 2001, and navigating a diverse career in the skincare industry, including roles at Avon and Rodan + Fields.
In 2020, Rhonda co-founded Natural Radiant Life during the pandemic, introducing clean beauty products for women of color. She highlights the importance of continuous learning, community support, and strategic financial management, discussing her financing journey, including securing an angel investor and a crucial grant.
Discover Rhonda's strategies for growth, participation in Amazon's Black Business Accelerator, and her focus on customer retention and wholesale opportunities. Rhonda’s story is a testament to perseverance and data-driven decision-making.
Follow @NaturalRadiantLife or visit https://naturalradiantlife.com/

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Kene Onuorah, founder and CEO of Comme Homme, opens up about his personal journey of hair loss, sharing the emotional toll it took and his eventual embrace of baldness. He discusses how Comme Homme empowers men through their hair loss journey and emphasizes the importance of instilling confidence. Drawing from his background in venture capital and entrepreneurship education, Kene shares valuable insights into building a brand and navigating the world of venture capital. He highlights the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, stressing the need for perseverance and staying true to one's vision. Kene also shares the importance of starting his own podcast, Bald 2 Bold focused on being a safe space for men to revisit the ups and downs of their own hair loss journey as a reminder that Bald is Bold.

Follow @CommeHommeCo or visit https://commehomme.com/

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Leona Dondi, Founder and CEO of Uzima, shares her inspiring journey from academia to entrepreneurship, fueled by a passion for solving problems and addressing the unique needs of textured hair. The discussion spans her background as a Kenyan immigrant, her academic research on implicit bias, and her unexpected entry into the cosmetics industry due to personal skincare needs. The unveiling of the story behind UZIMA, a beauty brand committed to empowering Black women and revolutionizing hair care rituals, forms a significant part of her narrative.
Exploring topics such as the intersection of bias, beauty standards, and hair care, she emphasizes the importance of education in understanding scalp health and the significance of inclusive product formulations. Throughout, Leona offers invaluable insights into the entrepreneurial journey and the power of research-driven innovation, drawing from her experiences at Netflix and outlining her vision for UZIMA's future expansion.

Follow @Uzima.Co or visit https://uzima.co/

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Cindy Tawaih, Chief Healing Officer of Diva By Cindy, shares her remarkable journey from nursing to entrepreneurship, revealing pivotal moments that shaped her path. From a teacher's encouragement to pursue beauty products to opening her own salon, Cindy's story is one of perseverance and passion.
Cindy discusses her transition from salon owner to creator of Diva By Cindy, a beauty brand focused on restoration and giving back to domestic violence survivors. Discover how Cindy's mission to serve women in need led her to bring beauty treatments and support to homeless shelters, touching the lives of hundreds of women.
Despite facing setbacks, including the loss of her first airport store, Cindy's unwavering determination propelled her to launch a vending machine business for her products, further expanding her reach. This episode highlights Cindy's dedication and the transformative power of her mission including the importance of perseverance, adapting to challenges, and staying focused on making a positive impact beyond product sales.
Follow @DivaByCindy or visit https://divabycindy.com/

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Mimi Johnson, Founder and CEO of The Glamatory and Grind Pretty, shares her transition from a corporate IT job to a flourishing entrepreneur in the beauty industry. Reflecting on her upbringing and passion for makeup artistry, Mimi opens up about the challenges she faced, including financial setbacks and navigating the impact of COVID-19 on her business.
Despite this, Mimi's story is one of resilience and determination. She emphasizes the importance of learning from mistakes, staying adaptable, and being open to pivoting strategies to achieve success. Through insightful anecdotes, Mimi unveils her growth strategy, which involves data analysis, focusing on what works, and fostering collaborations to build her beauty empire.
She also discusses the evolution of Grind for Good, her nonprofit initiative dedicated to providing resources for mental health and moms with children on the spectrum. With a personal motivation rooted in her experience as an Autism Mom, Mimi's commitment to service shines through as she strives to build a supportive community.

Follow @TheGlamatory or visit https://theglamatory.com/

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Roger Dupé, the founder and CEO of Melyon, recounts his extraordinary journey from aspiring soccer player to accomplished model and entrepreneur. In this insightful conversation, Roger delves into his background as a Swedish-born individual of West African descent, shedding light on his experiences in the fashion industry. As a recipient of the Beauty Matter Next 2023 grant, Roger shares the challenges he faced as a black model and his observations regarding the lack of inclusivity in skincare and beauty products.
Discover Roger's driving force behind the creation of Melyon, a skincare line that specifically addresses the unique conditions often associated with darker complexions, yet it remains adaptable for various skin types. Despite obstacles in finding suitable packaging and formulators, Roger remains steadfast in his commitment to simplicity, natural ingredients, and high-end aesthetics in product design. Roger discusses navigating industry standards while staying true to his unique vision. Through his perseverance and dedication, Roger exemplifies the resilience required to succeed in the competitive beauty landscape.

Follow @OfficialMelyon or visit https://www.melyon.co/

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