Diary of A Founder: Shifting Consciousness

We can all think back about a person, an event, or an experience that sparked a personal passion.? For me, my passion for leadership and influence was peaked when I was in 6th grade and the President of the U.S.A. was giving a speech. Someone approached him on the podium and handed him a piece of paper.? I turned to my mom and said: “Who was that?” My mom replied: “The Press Secretary! ” It was at that moment that I knew I wanted to be in PR-- I wanted to influence the most powerful person in the room, be their voice and drive their narrative.? That passion comes out every day in my work and why I love what I do--using my brain and business acumen to help my clients tell their stories, build their brands and act as their sounding board.? I went to college to study the art of PR; I worked at one of the largest PR agencies in the world and when it was time to shift; I started one of the earliest influencer management agencies to unlock the true power of storytelling.?

Amber Makeupson, Founder of Meraki Organics, was touched by a few transformational experiences: growing up valuing her hair care routine, experiencing a chemical burn from an over-the-counter product, and the birth of her daughter. In this Sunday’s Business of the Beat conversation, Amber takes us through the full story of her brand, starting with the hair care process that her aunt modeled and that Amber adopted in childhood. It was the connection to the mindful self-care practice that first resonated for Amber.? Amber did not choose to become a hairstylist; instead, her passion translated into her consistent search for the right, non-toxic products, the styling of her own hair, and the valuing of her own wellness routines.?

When Amber became a girl-mom, she accelerated her research on plant-based, clean and vegan source ingredients and stumbled upon a renewed spark that rebranded her holistic approach to feeding beauty and wellness within. She used her extensive knowledge and skills as a trained aesthetician and made her own effective, clean products. These were coveted by friends and clients and Amber started her business, Meraki Hair Care. Amber’s quote on her website bio sums up her “why” and the brand’s core message:

“Meraki for me was created around the idea of self-love, finding my passion for life, and being fearless in the pursuit of the things that set your soul on fire. The word “MERAKI” is a Greek word that means to do something with love, soul, and creativity - to put the essence of yourself in your work.”

In part, Amber’s continuing success as a Founder is in identifying the holistic ingredients that offer the experience of love, affirmation, and self-elevation that she intends for her supporters and consumers.? She matches crystals with her products based on the benefits of the crystal properties. This differentiation resulted in a collection that appeals to a market of consumers seeking an efficient, botanical product and another seeking an elevated spiritual experience --often they are one of the same. That consumer appeal is fluidly organic and inspired by Amber’s Founder story as she essentially packaged her own journey as inspiration for others:

“It’s part of my role in the brand and being a Founder. I come from a very religious background. As my brand is evolving, I am evolving. I am continuing to walk in my truth.”

One could say that Meraki’s rebranding around an ethos of personal wellness and connectivity in March 2020 was timely as the world flung into lockdown mode--forcing a shift in lifestyle that increased market interest in natural goods consumption, and self-care practice.? In the past year and a half, the demands for Meraki products surged fueled by media exposure, unprecedented interest in Black-Owned brands, and the personal connectivity of long-time customers.? Amber nods at the timeliness but credits the divine alignment. The journey and process of creating and producing Meraki sum up her Founder expertise, talents, creative passion, and joy.

Meraki Organics is a brilliant example of a Black Founder collection that caters to a gender-neutral, multicultural demographic and that has garnered opportunities for exponential growth including visibility in retail spaces--Meraki is sold at Anthropologie! Amber leveraged her network, education, and resources to scale; however, there continue to be hundreds of Black Founders holding brands that can enhance and change the landscape of the beauty and wellness industries. These valuable brands stem from transformational points of view, collective stories, untapped benefits, scientific expertise, and a resounding message from Black Founders who want to do their part in affirming and healing.?

Ultimately, like Amber, my passion is to shift consciousness, to reimagine the storytelling and the influence that a group of historically marginalized Founders can contribute together as a community,? powered by passion, drive, and their voices.? It has always been about more than just a single product. It’s about the collective vision of founders like Amber who make a difference.?

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What sparked your passion or your own shift in consciousness?