Beauty Behind The Brands: Meet The Ambassadors Of ElevateHER 2023
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.
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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6 Flexible Entry-Level Remote Careers That Truly Require No Experience
It’s always frustrating when you’re new to the job market, transitioning into something new, or you’ve taken a few gap years to care for children, and a so-called entry-level opportunity actually requires experience. If you’ve just graduated from your program or you’ve been working in another field for years, how is this possible?
Well, there are job opportunities, according to the experts at FlexJobs, that require no experience and are perfect for those who are looking to make a change or are new to an industry or role. And many of these roles are fully remote, allowing you to make money while at home (or almost anywhere in some cases.)
Here are six remote jobs that require little to no experience to help you get an idea of where to start:
1. Administrative
According to FlexJobs, there’s a demand for virtual and executive assistants who can provide support to others using the transferable skills they’ve learned either working in another industry or that they’ve been trained to do in college or a trade school. These roles require “clear communication skills and efficiency will impress potential clients and employers.” And the fun factor: You can choose what type of company or type of assistance work you want to do, oftentimes can set your own hours, and if you find purpose in helping a visionary reach their vision, this is a hit.
2. Language & Translation
Working as a translator involves “translating verbal files into written documents, using video to interpret virtually, or proofreading and cleaning up translated files.” You can also use these skills in education or for corporate communications, so if you have certifications or you’re fluent in multiple languages, this might be a good fit.
Maca and Naca/Getty Images
3. Social Media
We all know social media is here to stay, and there are lucrative ways to leverage. Brands and larger companies need passionate professionals to manage their pages, automate posts, or provide strategy, and while some professionals bring marketing degrees to these jobs, this industry is wide open for those who have skills in using popular platforms, videography, art direction, and creative voice.
4. Sales
For those who have worked in retail, have a natural gift of gab, or are motivated by the hustle, this career lane is a hit, especially when it comes to online sales jobs. Some entry-level sales positions involve working in a call center, but if you’re able to sell your transferable skills well, you can apply for sales jobs at various companies with experience from another field or a college degree from a CG in a call center environment and either taking inbound calls or making outbound calls in order to sell a product or service.
5. Customer Service
While this one can get a bad rap, it’s a great opportunity for someone looking for a change who loves serving others. Oftentimes, you can find gigs that are web-based, and several openings require no previous customer service experience. There’s also potential for growth and thriving in customer service if you’re great at sales and you land a gig at a company that rewards meeting goals every month or year. Skills in communication, typing, and professional conflict resolution are valuable in this field.
6. Travel & Hospitality
Jobs like being a travel agent allow you to help vacationers and corporate leaders alike plan, book, and troubleshoot trips, whether for business or pleasure. You can also find opportunities to work for a hotel or resort or even for small businesses that specialize in offering Airbnbs. For this job, you’ll typically need to have “good people skills and the ability to easily learn new software programs.”
Find out more about remote jobs where you need little to no experience via FlexJobs or follow them on Instagram.
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