Melanin Magic Club - Female Entrepreneur Spotlight

The Female Entrepreneur Spotlight is a way for us to highlight successful upcoming black women who are committed to shaping our communities.

Today's addition is Lauren McLean, she is a creative with an extensive background in education, and with a genuine passion to improve the self-perception and development of young black children.

We asked Lauren: Who are you, and what do you do?

My name is Lauren and I am a creative who works in the education sector. My life work has been in education and working with young people. I have worked in a variety of different educational settings and on different educational programmes for children of all ages.

I am extremely passionate about the education and self-development of young black children.

What business do you run, and what does your business do?

On black Friday last year I launched The Melanin Magic Club, which is a children's play and learning brand featuring black animated characters with the aim to normalise diversity within children’s learning, play, and entertainment aimed at building the confidence & self-esteem of young black children.

I decided to utilise my creative skills and experience as a teacher to create learning materials and workshops.

These workshops give black children and parents the confidence, tools, and strategies they need to navigate through a world that can be hard on them; and encourage non-black children to respect and celebrate diversity and inclusiveness.

What inspired you to start your business?

As a black woman, I was saddened whilst scrolling through social media just last year to see viral videos of little black girls as young as 4 years old crying because they are battling insecurities with their looks, skin colour, and afro hair.

As I watched the videos of these girls, I was reminded of the memories of my own experiences and the experiences of my fellow black women friends growing up and how we felt.? I and many of my friends struggled with a lack of self-esteem, insecurity issues and a lack of confidence. Due to the consistent undermining, undervaluing and misrepresentation of our existence.

I realised when watching these videos it is the same narrative, just a different year and something must change.

What was the biggest "win" in your business' history?

Creating my first event ‘Melanin Magic Mini Fest,’ and it was for 25 primary aged brown girls.

Melanin Magic Club Mini Fest was a day for young black & mixed girls to engage in specially designed confidence boosting workshops, and provide them with a safe space to talk, socialise & have fun whilst learning new things about their history and culture.

The impact of the event was remarkable. The girls had never experienced a setting that was created just for them. A space where all the attention is on who they are, how they are, beautiful, brown and unique. Parents told us how their children couldn't stop speaking about their love for their hair and skin. The Affirmation jar they made has been used daily to affirm; “I am beautiful and black.’ We were told how the girls didn't stop talking about ‘Melanin Magic Fest’ and they can’t wait for the next one, begging their parents to make sure that they go. We were told that they usually have problems getting their girls to embrace themselves, but the event caused a shift. A shift where they are celebrating themselves out loud, proud of who they are, thick haired, brown skinned and glorious.

What three things would you say to your younger self or someone who's just starting out?

1. Push past your limiting beliefs and always think big in everything.

2. Don't compare yourself to others because you'll start to lose confidence in yourself.

3. Be authentic and stay true to yourself and you will always win eventually.

What's the biggest lesson you have learned from running a business?

The biggest lesson I've learned is to keep going, even when it doesn't feel like things are moving. People are watching that you don't even know. Success takes time, it can be easy to fall into the trap of comparison but that will lower your self-esteem. Just keep remembering your "Why" and keep marketing yourself.

Keep creating new ideas, keep growing. Everything is a lesson, be resilient and don't give up!