On January 20, I awoke to dozens of happy birthday texts and well wishes, looking forward to taking a day to relax and spoil myself. About an hour or so into my morning routine, I received a call from Ulta saying they wanted to feature me during Black History Month as a founder and forerunner in the beauty industry. To say I was surprised and honored is an understatement! 

Starting and maintaining a successful business is a huge task, whether you’re passionate about your products or not, but for me, hair care and beauty is my entire life, my passion, my dream manifested into reality. I started TGIN with the vision to uplift and inspire women of color to embrace their true beauty, whether they wanted to rock their 4c TWA or wear protective styles. And this is something that’s not even limited to me. My fellow Ulta Beauty forerunners are helping me blaze a trail, so up-and-coming Black entrepreneurs can follow in our footsteps, accomplish their goals, and redefine Black beauty.

 Richelieu Dennis

Shea Moisture owner Richelieu Dennis completely changed the natural hair game when he stepped on the scene in 1991. With a goal to produce natural products for women of color, Richelieu went H.A.M., creating the viral #BreakTheWalls campaign that aimed to dismantle the drug store segregation between white and “ethnic” beauty consumers. With an estimated $700 million in value, Richelieu’s hair care companies, including Shea Moisture, have paved the way for other Black-owned beauty gurus to launch their own projects while focusing on organic, fair trade, and community commerce-sourced ingredients.

“When you’re doing something tha

t hasn’t been done before, and you’re trying to build something that hasn’t been built before on a platform that hasn’t existed before, you are going to make mistakes. The biggest advice that I can give is to not run away from issues when they occur. Own it. Your consumers deserve that.” —Richelieu Dennis

Cashmere Nicole

Cashmere Nicole is the founder of the newly popular cruelty-free makeup brand, Beauty Bakerie. In 2011, Cashmere launched her business after battling breast cancer, all while tackling the responsibilities of being a single mother from the age of 16. With zero industry connections, she created a range of functional makeup for busy women like herself. Utilizing social media buzz and a direct-to-consumer business model, Beauty Bakerie became profitable after just a few short years. The company is beautiful in every sense of the word, giving back to charitable oraganizations that help raise funds to end slavery in Libya and  protect animals threatened by wildfires. 

“Our world is made up of diversity. We are a world with colorful hues, different shapes, sizes, thoughts and pursuits. Why would we not represent or honor that in our art? Perhaps a better question is HOW could we not represent all… it is the collective that enhances the art. Not one individual piece.”  -Cashmere Nicole

Cornell McBride

When Cornell McBride, founder of Design Essentials, launched his first hair care product, Sta-Sof-Fro, he did so with the vision of providing healthy hair styling products that address and satisfy everyone’s specific hair needs. With his eye focused squarely on the beauty industry, Cornell knew something was missing. Black men and women had very little knowledge about how to properly take care of their hair and what specific products could help them cleanse, condition, and nourish their unique, natural locks. In 1990, Cornell launched the Design Essentials hair care system, which helped to educate consumers on the effective use of premium-quality hair products from the comfort of their home. Today, Design Essentials, with Cornell as its captain, offers more than 40 high-quality beauty products to its international clientele through e-commerce marketing and direct-to-hair salon networks. The brand also has global ambitions. 

“Compared to our beginnings, we have been widening our geographical footprint beyond our distribution network by partnering with larger chain salons and international suppliers in countries such as Jamaica. In 2011, we took our Naturals line to retail stores which opened up a plethora of distribution channels that we were not utilizing before.” – Cornelle McBride

Sharon Chuter

Nigerian born Sharon Chuter is not only one of WWD 50 most forward-thinking executives, she is on a mission to bend, brand and redefine the rules of beauty with inclusivity. The esteemed industry executive has worked for several big brands such as PepsiCo, Revlon, L’Oreal and Benefit Cosmetics. She now serves as creative director for Uoma Beauty imposing radical thinking and implementation for the well-received brand. Uoma was one of the first beauty brands to prioritize inclusivity for all skin tones and the women that use the products. 

“Many brands try to sell to Black women, but do not know the Black woman. It’s easy to drop a million shades of foundation, but we wanted to come in and drop some truth. You can have a wide range of products, but do you understand the person behind the foundation?” – Sharon Chuter

Michael James

Feeling overlooked as a consumer, Frederick Benjamin founder, Michael James, took the leap of faith from his corporate job at in the beauty industry armed with the vision of providing men with quality grooming products that were not heavily fragranced, drying or excessively greasy. The men’s brand named after James’ late grandfather lives at the intersection of the multicultural and grooming segments that James foresees as a promising future. 

“There was definitely resistance. There were a lot of people walking into barber shops selling CDs and candy or raising money for this that or the other, but no one going in with a haircare line speaking to the issues — dry scalp and hair, in particular — they saw time and time again. It was a different pitch,“Half were receptive and half told me they use what’s in the drugstore. The no’s pushed my confidence up. I knew how to respond to objections.” – Michael James

When I began TGIN in 2002, I had no idea what I was in for. Learning the ins and outs of the beauty and business worlds was a challenge on its own, but adding in the demands of customer requests and feedback kept me on my toes, as well. I’m truly grateful for the blessings I’ve been given, and I’m incredibly proud that my hard work over the years is paying off. My hope is that my love for beauty leaves its mark on each and every product I create. Thank you for being a part of this journey with me; your support and love mean everything!

Today’s beauty industry is always in need of fresh, talented individuals who will bring their A-game each and every day. However, in such a cutthroat industry, it can be hard to find dedicated team players who hold themselves accountable, and it can be even harder as an applicant to break into the industry and establish a career.

1) Comb Your Hair

Break out the toothbrush and edge control, girl! Protective styles are always encouraged to keep your hair nice and healthy, but beauty businesses, especially those in the natural hair realm, want to see your real hair! It’s important to show your future employers that you understand their customers’ needs and can advocate for the products or services they are selling. So let those curls fly free, and rock them with confidence!

2) Apply Some Makeup

Lipstick, eyeliner, and nicely arched brows can go a long way in impressing your future employers. Although you may think no one is paying close attention to your makeup, beauty professionals definitely are! Coming to your interview with a beat face will no doubt show your future employer that you understand the nuances of the industry and strive to take care of yourself each and every day. Adding some press-on nails or a fresh manicure is also a plus!

3) Wear Something Cute Yet Professional

You can never go wrong with a blazer, a silk camisole, and a nice pair of pants. This is even true for video interviews! First impressions are everything, especially when it comes to the interview process, so it’s imperative that you put your best foot forward and come dressed to impress! Of course, comfort is also key, as interviewing can be super stressful. Just make sure that your desire for comfort does not override your overall professional look.

4) Clean Up Your Social Media Accounts

Although the beauty industry is more laid-back and accepting of certain lifestyles than the average corporate business, a certain level of professionalism must be maintained, especially on social media. When interviewing, it’s important that you remove all content from your social media accounts that may be considered inappropriate (i.e. photos of you in revealing clothing or videos of you taking shots at the bar). It’s common practice nowadays for hiring personnel to go through all of your social media pages with a fine-tooth comb, so make sure everything is clean and portrays you in the best light possible!

5) Research The Company

With so many beauty companies out there, it can be difficult to decide which companies are worth your time and energy. It can be even more difficult to stand out among the dozens of other applicants going through the same process. Proper research allows you to determine which brand is a good fit for you. Authenticity is more detectable than one may realize. Too often, people make the mistake of blindly applying to any and every company without the knowledge of its values and how it competes with other businesses, ultimately showing up to the interview with little to no knowledge of the company itself. It’s important for you to take the time to figure out what sets certain companies apart from others and bring up those points during your interview. This will show the interviewer right off the bat that you take the initiative in all that you do and that you care about the team’s mission. 

6) Be Yourself

Companies are looking for smart, innovative workers who are assertive, love beauty, and know how to have fun. To truly be successful, you must love working in teams, be open to constant feedback, and be a multi-tasking ninja, but above all, you must be yourself! The beauty industry boasts many companies that take pride in hiring brilliant and enthusiastic individuals who think outside of the box. The days of stuffy, cookie-cutter employees are over. Show off your unique perspective unapologetically!

7) Send a Thank You Email 

Thank you emails are definitely not required, but it is a nice touch to show that you appreciate the company’s time and consideration. Make sure to briefly mention a few standout moments/key points from the interview to show that you were paying attention and truly absorbed the information. Want to really impress your potential employer? Send a handwritten note. The beauty industry is super competitive, so this simple gesture is a great way to set yourself apart from other applicants.

What are some strategies you use to make sure you nail your interviews?

Stay Hydrated

Water is everything when it comes to health, but definitely skin! It’s the easiest and purest way to cleanse your body, after all – we’re mostly made of water. I try to drink at least 32 oz of water before I head out for work in the morning, and while I love the occasional Coca-Cola, I try to limit my intake of sugary beverages. When I’m craving something with a little fizz, I down a sparkling water and keep it moving.

Whether it’s face or body, a good cleanser is always a staple.

For my face, I’ve been a long time user of Origins products. At the moment, my routine is simple.

Cleanse daily with Checks and Balances frothy face-wash
Purify with a toner
Moisturize my face with the Perfect World Moisturizer

As for the body, I stick with the Thank God It’s Natural all natural body soap. Lately, I’ve been rocking with the unscented, but some of my favorite scents are Sugar Pear and Black Raspberry Vanilla.

Moisturizer

A good moisturizer seals the deal. Not having a good one is like not drinking water. Having a base regimen is always key. Once I hop out of the shower, I always apply our super soft and moisturizing Organic Shea Butter to help lock in the natural oils and keep my skin soft and supple.

What are your favorite skin care products?

Let’s take a peek into my fall regimen.

The TGIN Shampoo and Conditioner are forever staples. I use this duo year round to keep my hair and scalp clean and moisturized.

Hair tip: When shampooing, make sure that you concentrate on your scalp. Though it’s tempting to lather your entire head, start with clarifying the roots! Healthy scalp = healthy hair.

Next, I naturally use the Honey Miracle Hair Mask. This is great when keeping moisture locked in during the cooler months. If you’re looking for something that’s not too thick, yet still very moisturizing, this is your best bet!

Third, Argan Replenishing Hair & Body Serum to seal the deal. Typically when applying oil I add to my scalp in moderation and concentrate on my ends, as they tend to suffer most during this time of year. As it gets cooler, I moisturize my ends daily to get the best results.

Hair Tip: Watch out when using oils that harden, such as coconut oil, in the colder seasons. It tends to harden in your hair, making the hair look flaky.

I find that keeping it simple is key. Fall/winter shouldn’t be a time that you pile on tons of products. You should be able to transform your staples and use a few of your favorites that keep your hair moisturized. Hair regimens are less about following a set of rules and more about flowing with the state of your hair and taking care of it accordingly. Keep a mental calendar of what works best for your hair or feel free to just go with the flow!

Hair, always.

I’m a woman of many styles so I’m always finding ways to switch up and have fun with my hair. I love to play with extensions, whether I go with short or long – it’s all fun to me! Versatility is key. And guess what? It looks completely natural and perfect for on the go. Lately, I’ve been rockin’ the Her Given Hair clip-ins paired with my TGIN staples. Just recently I grabbed longer clip-ins, which turned out to be great for the transitioning cooler weather.

A moisturizing lippie.

Let’s be honest, this is a year-round type of thing – but the fall is no time to ease up. My go-to is the TGIN Natural Shea Butter lip balm in peppermint. I love chapstick that gives my lips that plump moisturized look and leaves my lips soft, yet not greasy. It’s also perfect for prepping for lipstick that goes on smooth.

Lipstick staple.

Speaking of lipstick, Curlfriend by The Lip Bar is great for the fall. It’s that perfect nude matte lipstick with a hint of pink. I also find myself layering this lipstick with other lippies to give off that nude undertone. This is one you’ll get tons of use out of.

Candles galore. 

Last but not least, is it really fall is you don’t have a fall scented candle? I am in love with candles. I place them all over my home for a relaxing feel. If I’m not grabbing candles from Ikea, Bath & Body Works is another great spot to grab them. and when they’ve got a great sale going on – I rack up even more!

What are your fall favorites?

The trip was nothing short of spectacular and a great way to connect with our customers on the ground.

This is our second trip to the City of Lights and we hope to be back next year.

Overall, this was an amazing opportunity for me and my team to connect with our customers, and learn more about doing business abroad. I even took three French lessons to help me remember all that I learned in high school and college, so that I could at least attempt to connect with the audience on a personal level.

When traveling internationally for tgin, I’m starting to realize that if we stay in the same location each time, we have a better sense of our surroundings, which allows us to hit the ground and get more accomplished while we’re there.

Check out the pics from this beautiful event held at the Parc Floral below.

We. Work. Hard. We stand to earn what’s rightfully ours.

Here’s what I’ve noticed in 2018.

Black women are prioritizing themselves and their health. We are collectively owning and being the best version of ourselves. From Soul Cycle (one of my favs) to yoga, to having cleaner eating habits, it’s safe to say – we’re out here living our best life.

Black women are starting businesses. Nothing makes me happier than supporting my sisters in their ventures. We’re giving back to ourselves. In a world that has a history of tearing us down, we’ve managed to build each other back up. Side hustles, full-time entrepreneurship, and careers – we’re doing what it takes to increase our streams of income.

Black women are paving the way for other black women. We’re actresses, influencers, producers, directors, mayors, senators, and everything in-between. We’re sharing how we did it and the aha moments that got us there along the way. We know that history has shown us that we’re better together than we are apart.