Beauty Behind The Brands: Meet The Ambassadors Of ElevateHER 2023
Spread. the good news: ElevateHer is back, and we're highlighting five incredible Black women-led companies to serve as the ambassadors of this year's marketplace!
xoNecole's ElevateHer is back to close 2022 out with a bang, giving you the scoop on the most incredible, well-made, and unique Black woman-owned products to shop for the holidays. We want you to be inspired, not only with the brand new slate of products, but the ambitious Black women behind these brands: Lisette Scott, founder of the Caribbean-inspired jewelry line Jam+Rico, Stefania Okolie of the sleek and sexy athleisure line Solely Fit, the Stirrup sisters who co-founded curl-enhancing comb brand Kazmaleje, Teri Johnson, founder of luxury candle brand Harlem Candle Company, and Savonne Anderson, graphic designer turned founder of stationery company Aya Paper Co. We're excited to delve into all five of these founders and their road to entrepreneurship while discovering their tips for Black women who want to be their own boss.
Every day, Black women are hustling to carve out their own legacy through entrepreneurship. Whether it's in the service industry, e-commerce, or local brick-and-mortar establishments, we're seeing more and more Black women make the decision to become their own bosses and serve their communities by leveraging their talents. And we're showing no signs of slowing down.
In fact, Black women are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in America right now, with 17% currently in the process of starting or already running new businesses, according to research by Harvard Business Review. That number is only expected to increase, as millennial and Gen Z Black women seek flexibility and autonomy in their careers and personal lives.
Our ElevateHer 2022 ambassadors know a thing or two about creating a brand that's built to last. Read their inspiring stories below.
LISETTE SCOTT, FOUNDER OF JAM + RICO
What inspired you to start your brand?
I have always had the desire to start my own business, but it took some time to know what that business would be. Growing up my dad constantly drilled it in my head to become my own boss. So, when I was working within corporate fashion and no longer felt valued as an employee, I decided to think about what the next step would be. I was no longer excited about applying for new jobs within the industry, so I started planning what type of business I wanted to build to become that boss my Dad always pushed me to be. Jam + Rico was born to creatively express myself in the midst of feeling confined within a corporate space. For a few years, I worked full-time and grew the brand until I felt comfortable taking that leap of faith to run my business full-time.
If could pick a favorite product within your line, what would it be?
Our cowrie bangles will forever and always be my answer! I LOVE THEM and wear them every day. I designed this bangle in memory of my grandmother who wore bangles every day. The sweet sound of her bangles jingling as she cooked, danced, and entered a room will always be a fond memory for me. The song that bangles create translated to my customers and their memories of their family members. So many customers have written to me sharing these memories and how they too now wear their Cowrie bangles every day. We will be designing some new bangles in our next collection to add to your stack!
What is the most fulfilling part of being in your industry?
I absolutely love my customers and meeting new people who enjoy what I create. I started the brand by participating in street pop-ups every weekend. What helped shape my brand was the one-on-one feedback I was able to receive weekly. Also, the courage to sell my brand and share my story. This same customer connection will always be a priority within my business. We want our customers to smile and find joy with each piece we create.
What can other Black women entrepreneurs do to elevate their businesses?
I believe setting goals for your brand is essential for elevating your business. I am a strong believer in writing it down and finding out ways to make it happen. Daily, business owners are set with the challenge of managing the business and we can get lost in that process. Weekly if you can set a goal to take your business to the next step, It will only push you forward!
STEFANIA OKOLIE, FOUNDER OF SOLELY FIT
What inspired you to start your brand?
I was inspired to start Solely Fit because I wanted to use this type of platform to bring a community of like-minded women together. For this community, my goal was to design defining pieces in which women would feel powerful, bold, and confident. I was equally inspired to start this brand because I wanted to tell stories through design. I was moved by the idea of different collections telling various stories that women can relate to.
If could pick a favorite product within your line, what would it be?
I'd say the Kandake bodysuit. This bodysuit was a part of our first capsule collection, "The Black Collection." To me, this bodysuit speaks to everything I feel represents my brand: boldness, edge, confidence, sexy, multifunction, and power. In other words, it was designed for women who want to feel and look like a superhero.
What is the most fulfilling part of being in your industry?
The most fulfilling part of this industry is having the power to make a woman feel confident and strong through design and storytelling. Every collection carries a certain energy and a storyline, considering these aspects is how I create designs. When I create, I have a strong woman in mind. It is challenging because you can't make everyone happy, but it is fulfilling because when you do realize who you are making happy. That's all the fulfillment you need.
What can other Black women entrepreneurs do to Elevate their businesses?
Stay the course and be patient. It is frustrating, we are overlooked, we are left out of funding conversations, and we are not taken seriously. But when you stay the course and show others what your creativity and production and drive looks like, not only does it help you scale your business, but it makes others a believer as well.
THE STIRRUP SISTERS, FOUNDERS OF KAZMALEJE
What inspired you to start your brand?
"I was inspired by my own wash day experience," says LaToya Stirrup, co-founder, and CEO of Kazmaleje. "I was tired of having excessive breakage when detangling my hair and seeing more hair in the comb than I was comfortable with. Instead of waiting for a larger brand to provide a solution, I started Kazmaleje (cos-mol-o-gy) with my two sisters to bring game-changing solutions to market - like our patent-pending, 5-star customer-rated, KurlsPlus Detanglers. These are hair tools that we designed to minimize breakage and reduce detangling time, all while being gentle on your hair and scalp."
If you could pick a favorite product within your line, what would it be?
"My personal favorite is our KurlsPlus Pick! It works as a great detangler for my short hair. It can add volume to my curls. And the best part of all, it fits in all of my bags so I can take it with me on-the-go. It’s great for my son’s hair too."
What is the most fulfilling part of being in your industry?
"The most fulfilling part of being in the beauty industry is being able to reimagine how women, men, and kids care for and experience their hair. To some, they may look at our brand and just see a line of combs. But to us, these are tools that we designed with specific features to address certain pain points and make caring for textured hair easier. Knowing that our hair tools have improved someone’s hair care routine truly makes it all worthwhile."
What can other Black women entrepreneurs do to Elevate their business?
"Connect, build and leverage their community. Many of the opportunities that have come our way were passed to us by someone we knew. Whether it was another founder sharing a resource or a customer sharing an Instagram post to alert us of a new grant opportunity, it all came by way of our connection to that person. Oftentimes, we as founders tend to feel like lone wolves, but we don’t have to be. Great things happen when we connect and share with those we meet on our journey."
TERI JOHNSON, FOUNDER OF HARLEM CANDLE COMPANY
What inspired you to start your brand?:
I've always been very fascinated and obsessed with beautiful fragrances. I used to buy beautiful and luxurious candles, and that was sort of my affordable luxury back in the day. Candles really enhanced my mood and my space ,and I just felt at peace when I always had a beautiful candle lit. So it really started from just being my own customer and thinking about what I would love to buy. I'd love to buy a scented candle that was very inspired, a candle that told a story. I decided to create Harlem Candle Co because I felt like we could do better in terms of the scented candles that were available. I felt like it was missing something that was evocative, especially of a time period that left such a mark in history.
If could pick a favorite product within your line, what would it be?
It's a scent called "After Dark." We just released it. It is really very sensual. There's something very sensual about this scent and you light this candle that makes you really want to curl up next to your significant other and just have a good time. You know? It's the kind of candle that I would tell people to light with intention. I think it's the perfect candle of the season when it's getting colder outside, so you're having more of those nights laying on the couch, listening to music, and having your favorite beverage... It's that kind of scent.
What is the most fulfilling part of being in your industry?
The most fulfilling part of me being an entrepreneur in home fragrances is my ability to be able to inspire other people. It makes me really happy knowing that I've influenced other people who have dreams of creating their own brands. And there was really no one else doing it before me, who looked like me. If my presence can open up the doors for other people and open up the windows of possibilities for people to see that it can be done, that makes me happy. That makes me very, very satisfied.
What can other Black women entrepreneurs do to Elevate their businesses?
You might have something that is just so beautifully created with so much intention, but if you don't have good product photography that can really capture the essence of the beautiful thing you made, then people are not going to see it in an elevated way. So if you have [a product] really invest in good product photography. Also, have a really solid bio. Hire a writer if you aren't great at writing. If there are certain things that you are deficient in, such as If you would get a B in that subject, then you need to find someone who would get an A and have that person do it. Everything needs to be tight because when they look at us, they already want to think that what we have is not good enough. They think that what we have is lesser than because of the color of our skin. So we have to be better than everyone.
What inspired you to start your brand?
I founded Aya Paper Co. in 2019 while working as a graphic designer at a New York City art museum and looking to pivot into entrepreneurship. As a lifelong lover of greeting cards and stationery, I was too familiar with the feeling of walking down the greeting card aisle and not finding anything that looks or sounds like me. And as an advocate of environmental justice, I was also aware of how much waste product-based businesses create. Aya was how I would meet a need for folks like me and make an impact on the world.
If could pick a favorite product within your line, what would it be?
The Kinfolk collection is definitely my favorite part of our line. These greeting cards feature bold illustrations of Black family life: a mother styling her child’s hair, a father holding his children, lovers cuddling on a sofa. The series was inspired by my own family photo archives in an effort to showcase the beauty and love in our everyday experiences.
What is the most fulfilling part of being in your industry?
Being in the greeting card industry is fulfilling because I get to see the impact our designs are having on people’s lives. Black people don’t really get to see ourselves, our culture, and our relationships represented in the greeting card aisles. So when they see a card from Aya, the joy is tangible! It feels great to create products that help Black folks celebrate authentically.
What can other Black women entrepreneurs do to Elevate their businesses?
My biggest piece of advice is to never be ashamed to ask for help for your business. Sometimes it can be hard to admit that you don’t know what you’re doing, but the faster you set your ego aside, the faster you can get the support you need. Whether it’s help with financial forecasting, advice for retail placement, or how to trademark your brand, there are people who have the resources and information you need to level up. So make that call, send that email, and give that elevator pitch whenever you are feeling stuck.
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Anyway, I personally think that the less shallow folks out here may contemplate calling things “quits” or they at least distance themselves a bit from their partner (and what I’m referring to is serious relationships) due to all of the stress and strain that oftentimes comes with the holidays whether it be financial, familial, due to their tight schedules or something else.
Listen, I would hate for you and your man to miss the fun and happiness of experiencing this time of year, all because you are so overwhelmed or irritated that you can’t really enjoy it. That’s why I have a few practical tips for how to avoid allowing the typical holiday season stress from INFECTING your relationship.
Manage Your Expectations
GiphyUnmanaged expectations. If there is a main reason why the holiday season tends to be so stress-filled for so many people, I’d bet good money that this is the cause. And when you’re in a long-term relationship, expectations can manifest themselves in all sorts of cryptic and/or unexpected ways. You might have relatives who assume that you are going to be with them for Thanksgiving or Christmas when you have other plans in mind. You might be thinking that you are going to spend one amount for presents while your man is thinking something totally different. When it comes to scheduling, your signals may be crossed.
And you know what? To all of these scenarios, this is where clear and consistent communication come in. Don’t assume anything. Don’t dictate anything either. From now until New Year’s, mutually decide to check in once a week, just to make sure that you are both on the same page as it relates to the holidays and what you both are thinking will come along with it. The less blindsided you both feel, the less stressed out you will be. Trust me on this.
Set (and Keep) a Budget
GiphyOkay, so I read that last year, 36 percent of Americans incurred some type of holiday-related debt. Hmph. Last year, there was still some sense of normalcy in this country, chile, so I can only imagine what finances are gonna look like over the next several weeks. That said, since I don’t know a lot of people who don’t find being broke stressful, make sure that you and your bae set a budget and then stick to it this year — no ifs, ands or buts.
Because really, y’all — it doesn’t make sense to deplete savings and/or max out credit cards for a few days of giggles only to be damn near losing your mind because you don’t know how to make ends meet come Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
And by the way, this tip doesn’t just speak to things like food and gifts; I also mean travel. If it doesn’t make a ton of sense (or cents) to be all over the place this year — DON’T BE.
Keep Matthew 5:37 at the Forefront
GiphyIf off the top of your head, you don’t know what Matthew 5:37 says, no worries, here ya go: “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” That verse right there? Oh, it’s a boundaries lifesaver! I say that because do you see “maybe” or “I’ll think about it” in there? Nope. LOL. It says that you should tell people “yes” or “no” and leave it at that — and that complements Anne Lamott’s quote, “’No’ is a complete sentence” impeccably well. Yeah, you’ve got to remember that anything beyond a yes or no to a request is privileged information; you don’t owe anyone details or an explanation.
Besides, if you are really honest with yourself, when someone asks you something and you give a “Umm, let me think about it” kind of reply, more times than not, you already know what your answer is going to be — so why not let you both off of the hook? Give your response. Commit to that. And let everyone (including yourself) get on with their lives and schedules.
I promise you that when it comes to those holiday parties, you are pissing more folks off by not RSVP’ing or doing so and not showing up than just saying, “Thank you but not this year” off the rip.
Remember That Your Personal Space Is Privilege Not a Right
GiphyA friend of mine recently bought a new house and invited me over to come see it. He’s a single man with no children, so as I was taking in all of the space that he had, especially as I walked through his finished basement, I joked about relatives coming to live with him. “Hell no” and “absolutely not” were pretty much his immediate responses as he went on to say that some folks even had the nerve to be offended when he told them that he had no intentions on taking DNA in.
Ain’t it wild how people think that your stuff is their right? And yes, that brings me to my next point. Your home is your sanctuary space. If you want to host folks this year — cool. If not, ALSO COOL. Please don’t let folks (family included) guilt you into how they want you to act or even into what they would do if the shoe was on the other foot. You are not them — and as one of my favorite quotes states, “If two people were exactly alike, one of them would be unnecessary.” (A man by the name Larry Dixon said that.)
Hell, my friends? They know that I am good for sending them random things that they need or even want all throughout the year. Coming over to hang out at my pace, though. Uh-uh. Chalk it up to being a card-carrying member of the ambivert club yet I like keeping my living space personal — and I sleep like a baby, each and every night, for feeling that way.
Always remember that your space, your time, your resources, your energy and shoot, yourself period (including your relationship), are all things that are your own. You get to choose how, when and why you want to share them. The holiday season is certainly no exception.
Cultivate Some “You Two Only” Traditions
GiphyIt’s not uncommon for some couples to hit me up after the holiday season to “detox.” Sometimes it’s due to the financial drama (and sometimes trauma) that they experienced. Sometimes it’s because they allowed their relatives (especially in-laws) to get more into their personal business than they should’ve. More than anything, though, it tends to be because they didn’t get enough quality time together and so ended up feeling “disconnected.”
Please don’t let that happen. Listen, I’m not even a holidays kind of woman and yet, I will absolutely sit myself down with some hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies to enjoy a Hallmark holiday film or two. Aside from the fact that most of them are lighthearted and sweet, I also like that they usually focus on couples loving on each other amidst all of the holiday beauty and ambiance — which is something that all couples should set aside some time to do.
Maybe it’s a vacation. Maybe it’s a staycation. Or maybe it’s my personal favorite, A SEXCATION. Whether it’s for a few days, the weekend or even overnight — don’t you let the holidays go by without setting aside time for you and your man to celebrate one another. Don’t you dare (check out “Are You Ready To Have Some Very Merry 'Christmas Sex'?”).
GET. SOME. REST.
GiphyI once read that 8 out of 10 people get stressed out over the holidays and 3 out of 10 lose sleep during to it — and when you’re stress-filled and sleep-deprived, that can absolutely lead to hypersensitivity, making mountains out of molehills and even not being in the mood for sex.
Your relationship can’t afford to go through any of this, so definitely make sure to prioritize rest. I don’t care how unrealistic it might seem during this time, sleep should never be seen as a luxury; it will always and forever be a great necessity.
That said, try to get no less than six hours of shut-eye in (check out “6 Fascinating Ways Sex And Sleep Definitely Go Hand In Hand”) and even ask your bae to take a nap with you sometimes (check out “Wanna Have Some Next-Level Sex? Take A Nap, Sis.”). Not only will sleep help to restore your mind, body and spirit but, when it’s with your partner, it’s an act of intimacy that can make you both feel super connected, even in the midst of what might feel like chaos.
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Holiday season stress is real. Still, never give it the permission or power to throw your relationship off. Put you and your man first and let the holidays be what they are gonna be, chile.
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Using the same material from the interior of the Volvo EX90, Hudson crafted a wool-blend car coat and waistbelt that combine the vehicle’s Scandinavian design with his signature tailoring and intention. The exclusive collection launched on October 20, and each piece is made-to-order by Sergio Hudson Collections.
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In October, I traveled to Charleston with a group of journalists to get a firsthand look at Hudson and Volvo’s location. During a fitting, Hudson said his goal is to make “great work that can stand the test of time.”
“People can look back on and say, ‘I remember when Sergio did that collaboration with Volvo,’” he continued. “Thinking about aligning yourself with classic brands that speak to where you want to go. And I think that's what this collaboration kind of means to me and my business.”
Hudson pinpoints his mom as the biggest influence for his designs. This collaboration was no different.
“This particular coat reminded me of the swing coats that my mom used to wear in the early 90s. You know, diva girls in the early 90s had Sandra suits,” he said, referring to Jackée Harry’s character in 227. “My mom wore those and she would have these matching swing coats to go over them. And that's where the initial idea came. This would be around the same time that we had our Volvo. So she would put on her suit, her swing coat, get in that red Volvo, and go to church.”
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With this capsule and beyond, Hudson wants to see more staples rotating in and out of closets this fall. He advises fashionistas to build her closet out with essentials to mix and match that aren’t just stylish but also sustainable.
“It's just those special pieces,” he said. “You can wear the same shirt and pants every day and nobody will notice. But if you have a special boot, a special coat, a special bill, a special bag, that kind of speaks to everything that your style stands about, that is something you should focus on.”
These are the same kind of staple pieces that return to our Pinterest boards and TikTok feeds season after season. Fast fashion has never been Hudson’s aim. “I'm trying to create a special pieces that can stand the test of time,” he said in his warm, Southern accent. “I'm only creating those kind of pieces from here on out.”
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For Hudson, this collaboration is revolutionary. It’s his first time working with a car company and experimenting outside of his wheelhouse in this way.
“This is a Scandinavian brand, and, you know, it's 70 years old. I'm an African-American boy from South Carolina that has had a brand for 10 years. So I think bridging those two worlds and seeing the similarities was the beauty of this project,” he explained.
Though Hudson and his partner and CEO of Sergio Hudson Collections Inga Beckham have made massive strides in just 10 years, Hudson said the industry is far from where he wants to see it when it comes to Black representation. He pointed to how few Black designers were at this year’s Met Gala despite the theme being Black dandyism.
“The fact that I dressed 18 people speaks to how many of us weren't there,” he said. He implored more of industries, fashion and beyond, to collaborate with Black designers often.
“Allow mentorship. Allow funding. Allow great design to shine through,” he implored. “When it comes to being a designer of African descent, when you can't get the funding that your counterparts have, you can't compete. When you get opportunities like doing a collaboration with Volvo, or you get opportunities to be at the Met Gala, that's putting us on the equal playing field, but really the funding behind it is what we need to take it to that desk level.”
Featured image courtesy