Transforming Ideas into Success: Aisha Crump on Beauty Brand Growth

In this episode of the Brand Blueprint podcast, host Dana Ammons interviews Aisha Crump, a serial entrepreneur and beauty industry expert.

Aisha shares her journey from chemical engineering to founding successful beauty brands Honey Baby and Botanika Beauty. She discusses the importance of vision, practical business planning, and the challenges faced by minority-owned beauty brands. The conversation also explores retail expectations, pivots in business strategy, and the debate around selling out versus maintaining brand ownership.

The episode includes personal insights, practical advice, and fun segments, providing a comprehensive guide for aspiring brand founders.

00:00 Introduction to the Brand Blueprint

00:38 Meet Aisha Crump: Entrepreneur and Visionary

01:39 Quickfire Questions: Getting to Know Aisha

02:05 Aisha's Morning Routine and Family Life

03:56 Brand Loyalty and Personal Preferences

05:26 Retail Preferences and E-commerce Insights

06:23 Pet Ownership and Hip Hop Preferences

09:28 Diving into Aisha's Founder Journey

11:25 The Turning Point: From Corporate to Entrepreneur

19:05 Building a Multicultural Beauty Brand

24:31 The Importance of a Five-Year Plan

25:51 Learning from Mistakes and Planning for Growth

27:17 The Reality of Business Partnerships and Funding

29:36 Navigating Challenges and Pivoting Strategies

31:58 Branding and Market Positioning

36:17 Retailer Expectations and Market Dynamics

39:36 Debating the Future: Selling Out vs. Staying True

45:50 The Struggle for Market Presence and Community Impact

50:09 Fun Segment: Brand or Band

54:09 Conclusion and Final Thoughts