Rachel Zeigler’s journey is a testament to walking in one's purpose, where the resounding echoes of her heart's desires drown out doubt and settling becomes a distant notion. As the visionary founder of Naked Chemistry, Rachel transforms challenges, from navigating microaggressions in the corporate world as a Black woman to pivoting her career as a licensed cosmetologist during the pandemic.

Beyond its initial focus, her vegan skincare brand, born out of a keen concern for ingrown hairs, has blossomed into a testament to Rachel's dedication to quality, sustainability, and multifunctionality. The core message is clear: prioritize quality over quantity, view self-care as non-negotiable, and embrace the transformative power of turning personal challenges into purpose-driven ventures.

Quote from interviewee for callout box: “I realized at the end of the day, you have to make success your own and put your own determination on what is success to you.”

Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss:

• In the realm of skepticism and discouragement, let unwavering self-belief in both your personal worth and the potential of your business be the guiding light that propels you forward.
• It’s important to give yourself grace and recognize that self-compassion is essential for personal well-being and for positively interacting with others.
• Seeking investments and aligning with platforms that champion and support Black businesses can be crucial for growth in the entrepreneurial landscape.

Check Out These Highlights:

• Rachel shares her dissatisfaction with the corporate environment, pursuit of beauty school, and skepticism from her traditional Black parents and societal expectations (3:40)
• Rachel emphasizes the significance of using vegan skincare and talks about the ingredients in her products (19:49)
• Rachel passionately delves into the art of weaving self-care seamlessly into the fabric of her life. (26:00)

Quotes:

• “Vegan skin care helps, and you know everything that we put in our body and on our body matters.”
• “I'm happy that I'm living a life that's authentic to me and I'm living a life that's true to me and I think that that's more important than having what you're supposed to have or having accolades that people want you to have”
• “Taking care of yourself is in vanity. Beauty is in vanity. Because when you look good, you feel good. When your hair is done, or when your skin looks good you feel good and when you feel good, you project that onto other people.”

Linda embarks on a deeply resonant journey, one that mirrors the intricate tapestry of our own lives. Linda, the visionary founder of Malkia, exudes an unwavering commitment to natural skincare, bringing forth a remarkable vision where every individual, especially Black people, can experience the beauty of healthy, glowing skin naturally.

Her mission extends beyond products; it's about fostering a genuine connection to the community, leading to the powerful potential of giving back. Linda's story is a beacon of authenticity, reminding us that we can instigate profound change when we choose to invest in our well-being and the betterment of our world. It's a testament to the transformative magic that personal choices and intentional endeavors can wield, proving that each step we take can be a profound stride toward lasting and impactful transformation.

Quote from interviewee for callout box: "This is your life, this is your health, this is your wellness. Take that extra time to understand what natural means and what these companies are putting in their products."

Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss:

• "Malkia" means queen in Swahili, and the brand's logo features a stylized double M, originally named Malkia Mweusi, meaning the Black Queen.
• Linda's commitment to authenticity and intentionality in her brand's growth demonstrates the value of staying true to one's vision and being purposeful in business decisions.
• It’s important to be diligent in reading labels, researching product ingredients, and understanding what goes into your skincare items for the sake of your overall health and wellness.

Check Out These Highlights:

• Linda sparks an impactful conversation on the importance of traveling and share valuable insights on embracing the diversity and richness of other cultures (14:11)
• Linda discusses the misrepresentation of Africa and the need to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about the continent (17:20)
• Linda shares her vision for her brand and emphasizes the importance of helping people see that they can have healthy, natural, and beautiful skin without resorting to expensive and chemically loaded products (25:10)

Quotes:

• “You become such a well-rounded open person but so receptive to other cultures and other types of people and other types of circumstances when you travel.”
• “I do feel like over the last 10 years or maybe like 5 to 8 years, there's been a paradigm shift and especially the African American community in wanting to understand more about their roots.”
• “Really take your time and read the labels and understand what natural means. It's not a regulated term, so really anyone can claim their natural and what they're using is not natural or naturally derived.”

Step into the realm of inspiration with Lori and Lauren, the unstoppable mother-daughter team driving the vision of Vitavate dietary supplements. Their journey is a testament to the extraordinary, where backgrounds in food science and procurement merge to craft a product that transcends the ordinary - a vegan, gluten-free, and sugar-free marvel that bestows sustained energy without the dreaded crash.

Their passion for empowering women to "fill their cup first" and their affiliation with the game-changing platform, Black and Green, beckons listeners to a community of thriving black artisans and visionary entrepreneurs. It's a narrative of unwavering support, tenacity, and the transformative force of Black entrepreneurship that promises to leave you both captivated and inspired.

Quote from interviewee for callout box: We're looking to create a Fill Your Cup First universe. We want to be the go-to supplement for women as they try to fill their cup first. It's central to our brand." – Lauren

Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss:

• Prioritizing self-care and filling your own cup first is the vital foundation for offering genuine and sustainable support to others, ensuring you can give from a place of abundance, rather than depletion.
• The dynamic mother-daughter duo showcases the strength of working together, emphasizing that collaboration can lead to remarkable achievements.
• The natural energy boost in the Vitavate energy supplements are achieved through ingredients like green tea extract, ginger root, and magnesium.

Check Out These Highlights:

• Lauren reveals the driving force behind diversifying their product range with custom powdered formulas to meet the ever-changing needs of women (7:40)
• Lori and Lauren discuss the challenges of getting people to try their product and the importance of attending events and getting their product in people's hands. (13:30)
• Lori discusses her background in food science and her experience in the food quality and food safety industry (17:35)

Quotes:

• "The biggest challenge, as an entrepreneur, is just getting people to try the product. Once they try it, they love it. But getting the product into people's hands." – Lori
• "The vision is to continue to expand our product line with specific powdered formulas to address the needs of women as they go throughout the various stages of their lives." - Lori
• "The physical aspect, whether that be exercise, the spiritual aspect, meditation, prayer, and then the mental aspect, you know, making sure we're mentally sound and making sure we're taking care of our mental health as well." - Lauren