

How Rica Elysee Launched The On-Demand Beauty Booking Service We All Need In Our Lives
Have you ever been in need of beauty services and didn't want to have to travel to a salon? Or, have you wished you could find a beauty professional that matched your specific needs and unique styling preferences? Well, Rica Elyseé has a solution for you.
Her company BeautyLynk, an on-location, web-based mobile beauty booking platform, allows customers to receive salon-quality hair and makeup services in their home, office, hotel, or wherever they may be.
What makes BeautyLynk unique is that it collects data points that make appointments more efficient for beauty professionals and customers. Have locs? Only use vegan beauty products? Need someone who specializes in colored natural hair? Pregnant and on bed-rest but need your makeup done? BeautyLynk has you covered.
Courtesy of BeautyLynk
When booking for the first time, customers can note things such as salon visit frequency, skin complexion, hair type, scalp sensitivity, product preference, and can even indicate if they have any special needs or care requests. Customers are able to have a personalized mobile styling experience and work with someone who is prepared to cater to their needs. "The beauty journey and the beauty appointment are all built on these details," explains Rica. Using this data, BeautyLynk creates the perfect stylist-customer match. "We try to give [enough data] to the beauty professionals that will allow them to be successful."
The inspiration behind BeautyLynk came from a family friend with a physical disability who was in need of beauty services. "Independence is huge," notes Rica. "How could I [create something] so that they never needed anybody's help and could [receive] services themselves?" Thinking about the problem at hand and how to create a scalable solution fueled Rica. "Beauty and technology have created an opportunity for me to look through this lens of what it means to create change in the simplest form," she says.
Courtesy of BeautyLynk
Rica realized that she could bring confidence and empowerment to individuals looking to book beauty professionals, and could also support and grow small beauty businesses as well. BeautyLynk professionals receive 80% of revenue from each booking and can control when and what they do as well as their working environments. When Rica launched BeautyLynk in 2015, she only had 25 beauty professionals. Now, the platform has over 16,000, which has all been fueled by organic growth. The site evolved from Rica manually matching stylists with clients and then booking services on the backend. Now, matching is driven by an algorithm and fully automated. Rica calls BeautyLynk, a "really big salon with no walls," a virtual community for beauty professionals and customers looking to find their perfect match.
Rica will tell you in a heartbeat that while there are other booking services out there, even some run by women of color, she's not like any of them.
"I've learned that you can't compare yourself. Execution is always different."
However, she uses competing services as an opportunity to learn important lessons about what to do, what not to do and how to remain humble. Rica understands what it means to be Black, and more importantly, a Black female founder. "The intersection I represent is a wonderful one." As she puts it, "I don't look like the traditional Black woman in business."
Whether it's because of her mohawk or her tattoos, which she proudly rocks at meetings, she's not afraid to stand up for who she is and use her voice to articulate her vision.
Second, she knows that beauty technology hasn't always been inclusive of the Black female experience or perspective. "I've been open to what it means to be a Black woman in tech building something around hair and beauty," says Rica. "From education to regulation, the beauty industry has never been designed for women of color. We have this opportunity to be something bigger and deeper and be the best friend for the woman of color looking for beauty." Though Rica feels lucky to have "wonderful investors," she's always aware that "if you don't come with a certain background, it's very difficult to navigate the highway of fundraising."
Courtesy of BeautyLynk
Learning how to navigate the world of funding is an ever-going, but necessary, process for her. "I live in Boston where a lot of individuals don't know how to talk to me properly as a Black woman. I have to realize that sometimes I'm going to be the only one at the table and what it means to invite someone to the table," reveals Rica. She even admits, "Sometimes tokenism hurts, [but] I understand why it has to happen. I'm still developing and understanding that intersection on a deeper level."
For anyone looking to start their own entrepreneurial venture, Rica has some key advice. There are more obvious points such as "learn the difference between advice and opinions" and "you never know who's watching or listening so be prepared at all times." But, learning to say no and being able to listen seem to be the two that have really had an impact on her business.
"Just because you can do it, doesn't mean you have to do it... I had to get comfortable with using the word no and being confident [the opportunity] would come back." She wants other entrepreneurs to steer clear of the need to say yes and be everything for everyone and everything.
"Opportunities will come back if you focus on the need to take care of yourself. Without you, there is no opportunity. "
Cultivating the skill-set of listening is directly tied to BeautyLynk's success. "Listening has given me the key to understanding why data is important for the beauty professionals. I've been able to listen to their stories, dreams, and missions and how I can be part of that." Listening to the voice and needs of your company's target audience is key. Without happy beauty professionals willing to work, Rica would have no BeautyLynk.
Courtesy of BeautyLynk
Interestingly, Rica's biggest business challenges are rather personal. "The biggest conflict for myself is staying aligned to the vision and what I'm doing this for...MY why... Sometimes I want to give up and I think about all the people who decided they wanted to join in on the journey with me and i can't give up." BeautyLynk is more than just a service or a place where beauty and technology come to play. It's leveling the playing field for both beauty professional and beauty connoisseurs.
Like many of us, the everyday struggle to fight doubt and issues with self-worth is real. "Being able to get beyond that and keeping myself in check about that has been a journey. I'm always aware of my self-worth."
"I have to be cognizant of not taking in all of this 'hustle porn' online. Sometimes when I'm hustling too hard, I'm hurting my body and limiting [myself.] I always remember that I'm worthy. In order to be successful, you need to take steps towards your worth."
Rica has a lot cooking for the future of BeautyLynk. The brand recently rolled out a product recommendation flow for customers looking for new items. Skincare services will be available by the end of 2019. Then next, global accessibility is at the top of the list. With so many women of color existing outside of the United States, Rica wants "BeautyLynk to be about being able to provide access to beauty regardless of one of one's gender, race, culture, or capability. That's the big North Star."
For now, Rica plans to launch the Everyone Beauty campaign in September, where BeautyLynk will give away beauty appointments to 16- to 18-year-old girls in developing countries such as Senegal and South Africa. Rica wants to provide confidence to girls early and help them "feel glamorous and not like [beauty] is inaccessible to them because of money or anything else."
Courtesy of BeautyLynk
As our conversation ends, I realize Rica's fierce drive and passion to push the boundaries of of mixing beauty with technology is almost like a premonition on her life revealed. I remember a detail from the beginning of our conversation where when asked about her name, Rica tells me her full name is actually Modjossorica - a homage to (and mixture of) her mother, aunt, and grandmother's names.
"My mother always told me that I was never born to be normal, because she never named be to be normal." says Rica. "[This] same type of attitude has helped me to build my business."
Being "normal" isn't the precursor for impact and innovation. Everything Rica does for and because of BeautyLynk is meant to challenge the status quo.
To learn more about BeautyLynk and how you can book your next hair or makeup service appointment, visit www.beautylynk.com.
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Rana Campbell is a Princeton University graduate, storyteller, content marketing strategist, and the founder and host of Dreams In Drive - a weekly podcast that teaches you how to take your dreams from PARK to DRIVE. She loves teaching others how to use their life stories to inspire action within oneself and others. Connect with her on Instagram @rainshineluv or @dreamsindrive.
Exclusive: Gabrielle Union On Radical Transparency, Being Diagnosed With Perimenopause And Embracing What’s Next
Whenever Gabrielle Union graces the movie screen, she immediately commands attention. From her unforgettable scenes in films like Bring It On and Two Can Play That Game to her most recent film, in which she stars and produces Netflix’s The Perfect Find, there’s no denying that she is that girl.
Off-screen, she uses that power for good by sharing her trials and tribulations with other women in hopes of helping those who may be going through the same things or preventing them from experiencing them altogether. Recently, the Flawless by Gabrielle Union founder partnered with Clearblue to speak at the launch of their Menopause Stage Indicator, where she also shared her experience with being perimenopausal.
In a xoNecoleexclusive, the iconic actress opens up about embracing this season of her life, new projects, and overall being a “bad motherfucker.” Gabrielle reveals that she was 37 years old when she was diagnosed with perimenopause and is still going through it at 51 years old. Mayo Clinic says perimenopause “refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years.”
“I haven't crossed over the next phase just yet, but I think part of it is when you hear any form of menopause, you automatically think of your mother or grandmother. It feels like an old-person thing, but for me, I was 37 and like not understanding what that really meant for me. And I don't think we focus so much on the word menopause without understanding that perimenopause is just the time before menopause,” she tells us.
Gabrielle Union
Photo by Brian Thomas
"But you can experience a lot of the same things during that period that people talk about, that they experienced during menopause. So you could get a hot flash, you could get the weight gain, the hair loss, depression, anxiety, like all of it, mental health challenges, all of that can come, you know, at any stage of the menopausal journey and like for me, I've been in perimenopause like 13, 14 years. When you know, most doctors are like, ‘Oh, but it's usually about ten years, and I'm like, ‘Uhh, I’m still going (laughs).’”
Conversations about perimenopause, fibroids, and all the things that are associated with women’s bodies have often been considered taboo and thus not discussed publicly. However, times are changing, and thanks to the Gabrielle’s and the Tia Mowry’s, more women are having an authentic discourse about women’s health. These open discussions lead to the creation of more safe spaces and support for one another.
“I want to be in community with folks. I don't ever want to feel like I'm on an island about anything. So, if I can help create community where we are lacking, I want to be a part of that,” she says. “So, it's like there's no harm in talking about it. You know what I mean? Like, I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change. I'm just getting better and stronger and more intelligent, more wise, more patient, more compassionate, more empathetic. All of that is very, very welcomed, and none of it should be scary.”
The Being Mary Jane star hasn’t been shy about her stance on therapy. If you don’t know, here’s a hint: she’s all for it, and she encourages others to try it as well. She likens therapy to dating by suggesting that you keep looking for the right therapist to match your needs. Two other essential keys to her growth are radical transparency and radical acceptance (though she admits she is still working on the latter).
"I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change."
Gabrielle Union and Kaavia Union-Wade
Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images
“I hope that a.) you recognize that you're not alone. Seek out help and know that it's okay to be honest about what the hell is happening in your life. That's the only way that you know you can get help, and that's also the only other way that people know that you are in need if there's something going on,” she says, “because we have all these big, very wild, high expectations of people, but if they don't know what they're actually dealing with, they're always going to be failing, and you will always be disappointed. So how about just tell the truth, be transparent, and let people know where you are. So they can be of service, they can be compassionate.”
Gabrielle’s transparency is what makes her so relatable, and has so many people root for her. Whether through her TV and film projects, her memoirs, or her social media, the actress has a knack for making you feel like she’s your homegirl. Scrolling through her Instagram, you see the special moments with her family, exciting new business ventures, and jaw-dropping fashion moments. Throughout her life and career, we’ve seen her evolve in a multitude of ways. From producing films to starting a haircare line to marriage and motherhood, her journey is a story of courage and triumph. And right now, in this season, she’s asking, “What’s next?”
“This is a season of discovery and change. In a billion ways,” says the NAACP Image Award winner. “The notion of like, ‘Oh, so and so changed. They got brand new.’ I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
"I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
She continues, “So I'm just trying to figure out what's next. You know what I mean? I'm jumping into what's next. I'm excited going into what's next and new. I'm just sort of embracing all of what life has to offer.”
Look out for Gabrielle in the upcoming indie film Riff Raff, which is a crime comedy starring her and Jennifer Coolidge, and she will also produce The Idea of You, which stars Anne Hathaway.
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Feature image by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images
Jada Pinkett Smith & Why Authenticity In Black Women Sparks Controversy
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith went to social media to share their Thanksgiving holiday with followers. The pair were surrounded by family and friends Thursday, and both posted how grateful they were to be with the ones they loved. Yet this comes on the heels of Pinkett Smith’s whirlwind of negative opinions and critics forecasting her book would be a flop.
Despite the negative feedback she received, Worthy, Pinkett Smith’s memoir, still debuted at #3 on the New York Times’ Best Seller list on October 25. The greatest backlash she received was centered around her relationship with Smith and the fact that the two had been living separate lives since 2016.
The commentary about their marriage overshadowed the reality that this book is ultimately about her journey to self-worth and the path she’s had to take in order to get there.
Social media comments about her book tour ranged from, “Me counting all the times Jada woke up and chose to embarrass Will Smith,” to podcasts like The Joe Budden Podcast saying, “Take me out the group chat,” which was a sentiment shared by many celebrities and fans alike. Yet, a point made by comedian KevOnStage proved that even though people say they don’t want to know about the Smiths, they’re secretly interested and want to know more.
Since the Smiths were wed in 1997, people have been fascinated with their marriage, and rumors about their marital arrangement have always been a topic of conversation. People continue to speculate that the pair is gay and swingers, and even new allegations have come out that Smith and Duane Martin shared an intimate relationship at one point.
However, despite their consistent united front throughout their marriage in recent years, Pinkett Smith has borne the brunt of backlash in the couple’s relationship, from her entanglement with August Alsina to Smith slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards to the recent truths she’s shared about the couple’s marriage in her memoir.
Individuals are consistently running to the internet to support Smith and villainize Pinkett Smith, from podcast guests saying things such as “She doesn’t like Will, she likes the lifestyle” to deeming her “mean” or "manipulative" because of her facial expressions and demeanor.
Likewise, when you have hosts of daytime talk shows such as Ana Navarro saying, “I think she’s having a relationship with her bank account,” insinuating Pinkett Smith only shared stories about Smith to increase her book sales, it begs the question of where was this same energy when Smith released his memoir?
In Will, Smith discusses both of his marriages and how, in relationships, because of his upbringing, he needed constant validation and praise from his partners to feel secure. He also shared the reality that Pinkett Smith never wanted to be married, just as she never wanted the huge estate they share in California, but he wanted to give it to her despite her feelings about it.
Smith admitted to creating this family empire that only further boosted his ego and what he wanted his legacy to be instead of actually asking his family what they wanted or needed. People praised him for his vulnerability and said his book was an inspiration.
So how is it that one book about a person’s family, upbringing, and journey to self is praised, and another is villainized? The glaring thought that comes to me is, does likability often trump accountability?
People love Smith and his “good guy” persona; he’s always been an attractive, charismatic man that people can relate to, so even when he speaks about the way he mismanaged his marriage and family, it’s seen as growth. On the contrary, because Pinkett Smith doesn’t constantly fawn over him and shares how miserable she was in their marriage, she’s the villain.
People still blame her for not stopping Smith from smacking Rock at the Oscars and share their sentiments about how she embarrassed Smith with her entanglement with Alsina. Though this is a celebrity couple we’ve all followed for years, the question must be asked, how much accountability must Black women be subjected to in relationship to their partners' actions?
Why is it that the media is more interested in the marriage between Smith and Pinkett Smith than her childhood, or the fact her memoir consists of writing prompts, meditations, and methods for other women to find their sense of worth?
Could it be that the larger society doesn’t value Black women having the tools to find their own sense of worth? Or is it that Black women are expected to accept whatever is given to them regardless of how they feel or what they want?
The exclusive interview with Eboni K. Williams (@ebonikwilliams) and Dr. Iyanla Vanzant about if she would date a bus driver seems to have a lot of people talking. You can watch her response tonight on #theGrio. Catch the full interview, here: https://t.co/ctxE0zKFWj pic.twitter.com/BhIO52T2fg
— theGrio.com (@theGrio) May 2, 2023
When Eboni K. Williams shared that she wasn’t interested in dating a bus driver, the internet blew up with individuals saying that Black women need to be less selective with their dating prospects. The commentary around this conversation shed much light on the reality that this demographic is expected and invited to settle in love if they actually want a life partner.
Black women aren’t often given the space to find their joy, fulfillment, or even self-worth because of the responsibility they’re forced to acquire in order to support their families and communities. Yet, “high value” Black men speak vehemently about Black women’s masculinity and inability to submit. We’re often inundated with podcast guests sharing that they’re not impressed by our success and are uninterested in our aspirations.
Black women, from a young age, are taught to place their community first and cater to the men around them regardless of what they do or how they behave.
We see this when young girls are told to put on pants when male relatives come around, we experience it when domestic violence survivors are encouraged not to press charges against their perpetrators, and we even see it when Black women face backlash for dating outside of their race.
The way Pinkett Smith has been treated since sharing the truth about her life and journey of discovering her self-worth is another example of how the world isn’t receptive to Black women being their most authentic selves.
It’s another example we can hold up to illustrate how Black women are expected to be magical but not human.
Even with this article, I’m sure there will be many who want to argue why Pinkett Smith was wrong in her narrative, but at the end of the day, it was her story to tell, and no one has more authority to share her lived experience than her.
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Featured image by James Devaney/GC Images