Diary of A Founder: Thank You, Celessa!

In 2020, Julee Wilson invited me to be part of the Essence Magazine Digital Cover and feature of Black Executives Redefining the Face of Beauty . The shoot was an amazing experience, I had my mom by my side and was in the company of the smartest and brightest Black Women in beauty.?

Many blessings came from that shoot--among these blessings was meeting Celessa Baker, Vice President Marketing Makeup & Hair Care at Sephora. Our haphazard meeting was transformative. Unbeknownst to me at the time, Celessa would become the catalyst for Business of the Beat, my beauty and wellness podcast focused on diversifying the voices of leaders and Founders who disrupt the beauty industry.?

Celessa and I immediately hit off effortlessly and I valued being able to simply connect on our phone calls.? We chatted about motherhood, our shared experiences, and brainstormed ways to work together. One day, she called me about an opportunity to host a beauty podcast that her friend was putting together. My immediate reaction was ‘I cannot host a podcast’, and if I did agree to do it,? I would need a co-host.? Celessa coached me into agreeing and meeting the producer, Ken Johnson. That “YES” to take the meeting turned into one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling projects of my career! I could not have predicted the joy of hosting a podcast that allows me to dig into people’s stories, and the weekly fulfillment that listening intently and learning bring.?

Every week, I’m immersed in the journey of a fellow Executive/Founder and through our conversation, I’m inspired to dream big.? I’m reminded to turn fear into faith and my soul is nourished by stories of encouragement, perseverance, and tenacity.?

As a community, our lives are interconnected in so many ways.? The people we meet along our journey can leave profound effects. If we are willing to see their gifts, receive their gifts, or manifest the gifts they inspire, then we begin to weave their tapestry of lived experience and wisdom into purpose in our own lives.?

Moj Mahdara is another gift in my life. This Sunday’s podcast will feature Moj telling her story and her outlook on the future of our industry. Our scheduled recording for the podcast landed on the week of the BrainTrust Founder Studio launch. In our chat, Moj said that she hoped that I took some time to ingest the magnitude of the moment because “it’s well over a decade in the making.”? I credit Moj, in large part, for unlocking my passion to dive into the beauty and wellness industry. BeautyCon, led by Moj, was the most magical place where many Founders, Creatives, and other influencers in beauty and fashion were empowered to be themselves. That freedom of expression has always represented the goodness of our industry.? At some point in our conversation, Moj said to me:?

“People in the industry would say that you and I always colored outside of the lines. We’ve always pushed the boundaries...we always knew something more was possible.? BrainTrust Founders Studio is about that expressiveness; it’s about that agency, that creativity, that entrepreneurism coming to the cap table, coming to ownership.”

Several inaugural Founders and other experts in our field map their journey on the podcast and share deep lessons beyond coming to ownership, scaling their business, or ascending in their career path. The podcast’s conversations are a rich and deep dive into identity formation, self-discovery, spirituality, loss, gains, and resilience.

As we celebrate the 50th podcast episode, I give thanks to Celessa for seeing a gift in me that I had not unlocked fully. I thank Ken Johnson for starting Mean Ole Lion Media, my podcast network focused on Black and Brown creators, and for trusting me to host my own show. I am THANKFUL for the 50 guests who said “YES” to giving their time for a new podcast and adding another “to do” on their full calendars! I thank them for their openness and transparency. Thank you to Nyakio Grieco, my first guest who shared so freely, and set the tone for what the podcast would become - a safe space to teach, learn and share insight for others striving for clarity, and success.?

And THANK YOU to the listeners who subscribe, like, and tune in weekly to show their support!?

Cheers to Season One and our 50th episode! Here’s to another 50 more…?

Tune in every Sunday for Business of the Beat on Apple Podcast, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere else you listen to podcasts!?

Past 50 guests:?

About Business of the Beat?

Business of the Beat is an innovative podcast for the next generation of multicultural beauty and wellness leaders. Every Sunday, Kendra Bracken-Ferguson connects with industry entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs about their stories, personal journeys, business pivots, and expansion.? Kendra and her guests explore what it takes to build a brand through grit, tenacity,? courage, and faith. The rich dialogues focus on sharing tips, tools, and words of wisdom on leading, building, and self-care. The goal of the podcast is to offer a safe platform for the mostly untold stories of change-makers who are diversifying and disrupting the exciting, and ever-changing beauty and wellness industry.

About Mean Ole Lion Media:?

We are a megaphone for established and new voices in the Black and Brown Culture. We are committed to the stories and ideas from a new class of newsmakers and influencers in America and help them speak up and stand out.

Carpe Diem!