Happy New Year, loves! How did the first few days of 2018 treat you? I have to tell you, being able to wipe the slate clean and make room for growth in the New Year is something I’ll always be grateful for. The first weeks of every year are crucial. And because I believe how you start the year is how you’ll finish, I have been writing down positive affirmations about my life and goals every day since the clock struck 12. So hopefully this year will prove to be more productive and purposeful than years past (#fingerscrossed).
But you know what really fuels me to live with intention and make an actionable plan for what I want to accomplish? Witnessing another women of color make her mark in a complex industry. I’ve talked about my love for black women-owned businesses before. There’s just something awe-inspiring about a person who looks like you, whose hair is like yours, who may come from the same background, breaking down glass ceilings in unimaginable ways. Kinda how Rihanna turned the beauty industry completely on its head last year with Fenty Beauty. It gives me the courage to take a leap ahead in my own life and create without bounds.
And since I am constantly seeking out women who stand in their ventures with passion, I’ve compiled a list of entrepreneurs of color we’ll want to keep on our radar in 2018. Check them out:
1. Nancy Twine
Redefining natural hair care, Nancy Twine is the Founder and Creator of Briogeo, a plant-based line that features naturally derived products and caters to the differences in each woman’s hair. With the belief that haircare products shouldn’t be harmful or limited, Nancy has become an authority on green beauty and even landed her brand in Sephora. And with my personal desire to rid my body, hair and skin from all chemicals. I can’t wait to see all that Nancy does in 2018.
2. Asmau Ahmed
Creator of Plum Perfect, Asmau is revolutionizing the way we buy for beauty products. The beauty app analyzes an uploaded picture of you and helps you find the perfect foundation shade, lipstick color or clothing item in less than a minute. The technology looks at the color of your skin, hair, eyes and lips to find complementary shades and products specifically tailored for your complexion. Yasss for shopping made easier.
3. Haile Thomas
Haile Thomas is the 16-year-old CEO of HAPPY. HAPPY serves as a plant-based kids’ nutrition and culinary education program for at-risk and undeserved communities. The organization offers fun and engaging programs to minimize risks for preventable health issues, and empowers youth and families to make healthy choices, while fully understanding why they should. So important.
4. Saada Ahmed
Blending the culture’s beloved weekly brunching with meeting new individuals, Saada Ahmed founded Everyday People as a monthly brunch and gathering group in NYC. The brand has since exploded and now hosts parties and wellness events across the country, including in Los Angeles and Miami.
5. Rhonesha Byng
Rhonesha Byng is the founder and CEO of Her Agenda, a digital media site that bridges the gap between ambition and achievement for young women. Her site provides career resources, job leads, helpful articles, pretty much everything a millennial needs to venture out into the workforce upon graduation. After being featured on the Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in 2017, it is clear the sky is the limit for how she’ll continue to impact women in the future.
6. Theia Smith
The Founding Executive Director of the City of Atlanta’s Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative, Theia Smith focuses on equalizing opportunities for women business owners in Atlanta and helping them overcome specific hurdles they may face in their startup process. Her goal is to create a sense of community among business owners in the city of Atlanta.
Love this list! Which women are you watching this year? Any inspiring you to act on your dreams? Here’s to making a living that exceeds all our expectations in 2018!
Living My Best Life,
Briea
Giselle Avenue 