Here's Why This Black Woman-Owned Feminine Hygiene Brand Is Trending
Beatrice Dixon wanted a seat at the table, so she built one with the launch of her plant-based, feminine hygiene company in 2014 that has since gained the attention of major retailers like Whole Foods and Target.
But for every table where there is bread broken, there will be less than grateful spectators with an opinion you probably didn't ask for. That's exactly what happened to Beatrice when The Honey Pot's 30-second advertisement for Target's "Founder's We Believe In" segment dropped and all hell broke loose.
In the ad, the entrepreneur made an important argument for the funding of Black woman-owned businesses that went a little something like this:
"The reason why it's so important for Honey Pot to do well is so that the next black girl that comes up with a great idea, she can have a better opportunity. That means a lot to me."
The statement, one that was seemingly triggering to a number of politically correct Patty's, later inspired a number of Internet trolls to flood the company's Trust Pilot page with negative, inaccurate comments about the company that did not go unnoticed by Black Twitter, who came to The Honey Pot's defense expeditiously.
Up until now, the company had not made an official statement about the controversy, but Beatrice recently sat down with ESSENCE to reveal that she is not only aware of the commercial's backlash, but she's totally here for it. In response to the company's recent influx of negative comments, the business owner had this to say:
"I wasn't necessarily blindsided [by the negative reactions], but I also didn't have an expectation. This was not Honey Pot's commercial, it was Target's commercial. It was shot during Black History Month and for Women's History Month. They chose that particular clip for a reason. I'm here for that story and that's why I said it. I know that there's a huge disparity when you look at the funding of businesses. I'm always going to be a proponent of us doing what we have to do so this isn't even a conversation. The only thing we as Black women business owners can do is make really successful businesses."
As the first and only Black-woman owned feminine care system that's powered by plants, Honey Pot's website says that their hygiene products are made "for humans with vaginas, by humans with vaginas" and if that isn't inclusion, I don't know what is. Featuring three unique systems and a number of feminine care projects catered to your body's specific needs, The Honey Pot just gave us an excuse to toss our Tampax and support a Black-owned business in the process.
Since the controversy, Bossip and Buzzfeed reported that the company's sales have DOUBLED, proving that every attempt to block your blessing is an opportunity to secure a bag.
Featured image courtesy of The Honey Pot.
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Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage