Advertise on podcast: Black on Shelf

Starting small is not a crime! In today’s episode, I chatted with Akua Kyerematen Nettey, Founder and CEO of Berry Bissap, a company producing all-natural West African spiced hibiscus drinks. Akua’s story is one for the books. Simply put, starting small is not a crime! Born in Oklahoma City to Ghanaian immigrants, Akua grew up cooking Ghanaian meals with her mother and the meals were often accompanied by a refreshing glass of bissap. A drink that not only tastes good but is also good for you because it is rich in antioxidants. The desire to share the goodness of bissap, bring African representation to the shelves and create generational wealth, which Akua describes as the freedom to live the life of your dreams, gave birth to the idea for Berry Bissap. For the full show notes, visit our website: https://www.blackonshelf.com/episodes Stream Black on Shelf NOW on Apple Podcast, Spotify, YouTube, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, Stitcher, iHeartmedia, and Pandora! To connect with Berry Bissap: Visit the Berry Bissap website: https://berrybissap.com/ Follow Berry Bissap on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/berrybissap/?hl=en Follow Berry Bissap on Twitter: https://twitter.com/berrybissap?lang=en Follow Berry Bissap on Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Berry-Bissap-106212731094619 Follow Akua on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/akua-a-kyerematen-nettey-0064a5182/ Follow Akua on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/akuanettey/?hl=en Connect with Black on Shelf: Follow BOS on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackonshelf/ Connect with BOS on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-on-shelf/ Connect with Tenaj on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tenajferguson Follow BOS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Blackonshelf/ Visit the Black on Shelf website: https://www.blackonshelf.com Watch the full interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/rOJWJoQiux8

Don’t take no for an answer! Bridge the gap between your dreams and your reality. In today’s episode, I chatted with Jayne Allen, a writer, serial entrepreneur, and Harvard-trained attorney. I am almost certain that you may be wondering how one person could do and be so much! During our amazing chat, she shared her unconventional path to bringing her dreams to life. Jayne is a go-getter who does not accept “no” once she catches a glimpse of her vision. For Jayne as an entrepreneur, getting a “no” is part of the journey. Her unique journey from being an attorney to becoming a writer is proof that nothing is impossible if you keep going until the “nos” transforms to resounding yeses! For the full show notes, visit our website: https://www.blackonshelf.com/episodes Stream Black on Shelf NOW on Apple Podcast, Spotify, YouTube, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, Stitcher, iHeartmedia and Pandora! To connect further with Jayne Allen: Visit Jayne Allen’s website: https://jayneallen.com/ Follow Jayne Allen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayneallenwrites/ Follow Jayne Allen on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jayneallensaid Follow Jayne Allen on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JayneAllenWrites/ Connect with Black on Shelf: Follow BOS on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackonshelf/ Connect with BOS on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-on-shelf/ Connect with Tenaj on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tenajferguson Follow BOS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Blackonshelf/ Visit the Black on Shelf website: https://www.blackonshelf.com Watch the full interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/ac-zF-uy5DE

Who would have ever thought a night out with friends could inspire a revolutionary intimate skincare brand? In today’s episode, I chatted with Wendy Rose Berry, CEO and Co-founder of ConditionHER, and Eugenia Marshall, COO and Co-founder of ConditionHER, an intimate skincare brand that features a natural moisturizing cream that reduces ingrown hairs and chafing irritation, soothes razor burns, and treats vulvar dryness. Wendy and Eugenia are a dynamic duo who shows us how you can work with your best friend, and thrive as professional working women while wearing many hats. This episode will have you laughing while educating you on intimate skincare, business building and making boss moves while working in corporate America. For the full show notes, visit our website: https://www.blackonshelf.com/episodes Stream Black on Shelf NOW on Apple Podcast, Spotify, YouTube, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, Stitcher, iHeartmedia, and Pandora! To connect further with conditionHER: Visit the conditionHER website: https://conditionher.com/ Follow conditionHER on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conditionher/ Follow conditionHER on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConditionHer Follow conditionHER on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/conditionHER/ Follow Wendy Rose Berry on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mswendyrose/ Follow Eugenia Marshall on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eugeniamarshall/ Connect with Black on Shelf: Follow BOS on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackonshelf/ Connect with BOS on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-on-shelf/ Connect with Tenaj on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tenajferguson Follow BOS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Blackonshelf/ Visit the Black on Shelf website: https://www.blackonshelf.com Watch the full interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/O-j2a98NuhM

On today’s episode, I chatted with Barbara Jacques, Founder and Creative Director of JACQ'S, a vegan and clean beauty skincare line for women of color. Barbara shared how her childhood, past experiences, and a health diagnosis propelled her into founding JACQ'S. Her journey to a sustainable and self-funded brand is genuinely inspirational. Through the ups and downs of each phase of the brand, Barbara has kept her eyes on the prize - creating clean products for women of color. Barbara shares her experiences building a sustainable and self-funded brand and her wisdom for turning losses into life lessons. From creating products in her kitchen to becoming one of the first Haitian brands on Target shelves, you are guaranteed to learn a thing or two. For the full show notes, visit our website: https://www.blackonshelf.com/episodes Stream Black on Shelf NOW on Apple Podcast, Spotify, YouTube, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, Stitcher, iHeartmedia, and Pandora! To connect further with JACQ’s Skincare: Visit the JACQ’s Skincare website: www.shopjacqs.com Follow JACQ’s Skincare on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopjacqs/ Follow JACQ’s Skincare on Twitter: https://twitter.com/shopjacqs Follow JACQ’s Skincare on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shopjacqs Follow JACQ’s Skincare on Ticktock: https://www.tiktok.com/shopjacqs Follow Barbara Jacques on Linkedin: Barabara Jacques Connect with Black on Shelf: Follow BOS on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackonshelf/ Connect with BOS on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-on-shelf/ Connect with Tenaj on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tenajferguson Follow BOS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Blackonshelf/ Visit the Black on Shelf website: https://www.blackonshelf.com Watch the full interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/RZdGkYwK4w8

Building a multi-generational business takes intentionality and an unrelenting vision. In today’s episode, I chatted with Jory Luster, President and CEO of Luster Products, Inc., the world’s leading African-American-owned manufacturer of premium personal care products and Resa Luster, Senior Brand Manager of Luster’s Pink. If you’ve been around for the last sixty-five years, I am almost certain that you’ve heard of Luster’s Pink Lotion! It was a staple hair product for me while growing up in the Bahamas. It is amazing that they have lasted for three generations! Sixty-five years later and still going strong. Luster Products, Inc is a prime example that family and business can mix as long as respect and business goal alignment exist. For the full show notes, visit our website: https://www.blackonshelf.com/episodes Stream Black on Shelf NOW on Apple Podcast, Spotify, YouTube, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, Stitcher, iHeartmedia, and Pandora! To connect further with Luster Products Inc.: Visit the Luster Products website: https://lusterproducts.com Follow Luster Products on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lusterspink/ Follow Luster Products on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LustersPINK Follow Luster Products on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lusterproducts/ Follow Luster Products on Ticktock: https://www.tiktok.com/@lusterspink Follow Resa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resabluster/ Connect with Black on Shelf: Follow BOS on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackonshelf/ Connect with BOS on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-on-shelf/ Connect with Tenaj on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tenajferguson Follow BOS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Blackonshelf/ Visit the Black on Shelf website: https://www.blackonshelf.com Watch the full interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/Fimrh6D4VTw

Growing up in a community where textured hair is misunderstood and labeled difficult to tame is an experience many textured hair women can relate to. In today’s episode, I chatted with Hannah Diop, Founder, and CEO of Sienna Naturals, a clean, planet-based textured haircare brand. Hannah’s story is quite intriguing, and we chatted about how her hair care journey led her to create a solution for the challenges many textured hair women experience. In today’s episode, I chatted with Hannah Diop, founder, and CEO of Sienna Naturals, a clean, planet-based textured haircare brand. Hannah’s story is quite intriguing, and we chatted about how her hair care journey led her to create a solution for the challenges many people who have textured hair experience. I call Hannah and her brand sleeping giants because she has been in business for about nine years and still going strong. She is the prime example of a forerunner. She dared to be different and brought her vision of revolutionizing the textured hair industry to life. For the full show notes, visit our website: https://www.blackonshelf.com/episodes Stream Black on Shelf NOW on Apple Podcast, Spotify, YouTube, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, Stitcher, iHeartmedia, and Pandora! To connect further with Sienna Naturals: Visit the Sienna Naturals website: https://www.siennanaturals.com/ Follow Sienna Naturals on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siennanaturals/?hl=en Follow Sienna Naturals on Twitter: https://twitter.com/siennanaturals Follow Sienna Naturals on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SiennaNaturals/ Connect with Sienna Naturals on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sienna-naturals/ Connect with Black on Shelf: Follow BOS on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackonshelf/ Connect with BOS on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-on-shelf/ Connect with Tenaj on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tenajferguson Follow BOS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Blackonshelf/ Visit the Black on Shelf website: https://www.blackonshelf.com Watch the full interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/IXalDvwMtyA 

Our childhood experiences have major influences on our present and future, and although some of our childhood experiences were not pleasant, we can always chart a new course by learning from the past and shooting for the stars aiming for greater days ahead.  Our guest’s on this episode is Ibraheem Basir, founder of A Dozen’s Cousins, a brand bringing you yummy, good for you, and soulfully seasoned beans, bone broth rice, and seasoning sauces all while retaining authenticity Ibraheem and I chatted about the role of food in his big family while growing up. He has nine siblings and a good meal was their way of showing love and celebrating milestones. Nothing beats a good home-cooked meal bursting with authentic flavor. Ibraheem Basir combined inspiration from his upbringing and knowledge from work experience in corporate America to found A Dozen Cousins. For the full show notes, visit our website: https://www.blackonshelf.com/episodes Stream Black on Shelf NOW on Apple Podcast, Spotify, YouTube, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, Stitcher, and Pandora! To connect further with A Dozen Cousins: Visit the A Dozen Cousins website: www.adozencousins.com Follow A Dozen Cousins on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adozencousins/ Visit the Project Potluck website: https://www.potluckcpg.org/ Connect with Black on Shelf: Follow BOS on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackonshelf/ Connect with BOS on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-on-shelf/ Connect with Tenaj on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tenajferguson Follow BOS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Blackonshelf/ Visit the Black on Shelf website: https://www.blackonshelf.com Watch the full interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/9ppYixPBVUs 

Nyakio Greico, is a serial beauty Entrepreneur, Founder of Nyakio Beauty  and Thirteen Lune. In this episode, Nyakio and I talked about her resilient twenty-year journey in the beauty industry, and how she is not afraid of making mistakes, because pitfalls and blunders are essential for growth and can inspire creativity. For the full show notes, visit our website: https://www.blackonshelf.com/episodes Stream Black on Shelf NOW on Apple Podcast, Spotify, YouTube, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, Stitcher, and Pandora! To connect further with Nyakio Grecio and her Brands: Visit Nyakio Beauty websites: https://www.nyakio.com/us/en  Visit Thirteen Lune website:  https://thirteenlune.com Follow Nyakio Grieco on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nyakio/?hl=en Follow Thirteen Lune on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thirteenlune/?hl=en Follow Nyakio Beauty brand on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nyakiobeauty/?hl=en Follow Nyakio Grieco on Twitter: https://twitter.com/nyakiogrieco?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor Connect with Black on Shelf: Follow BOS on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackonshelf/ Connect with BOS on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-on-shelf/ Connect with Tenaj on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tenajferguson Follow BOS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Blackonshelf/ Visit the Black on Shelf website: https://www.blackonshelf.com Watch the full interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/CWJoKMPfe50

This week, I spoke to Julissa Prado, Founder and CEO of Rizos Curls, a clean hair care line aimed at embracing and celebrating the beauty of curls, coils, and waves. Julissa was born and raised in Los Angeles; she is a first-generation American, her parents are from Mexico. Early in life, Julissa noticed the various textures of Latina hair amongst members of her family and community; yet one thing was consistent, everyone went through great lengths to straighten their hair. Her cousin conducted her first hair straightening experience with a clothes iron. She received so many compliments about her hair that day, all the attention got her hooked to the straightening bandwagon. However, she soon discovered that the straightening process led to hair damage. With the desire to repair and restore her curls, Julissa saved up money and bought many curly hair products, but none worked. She decided to create a curly hair cocktail using natural ingredients and became her community’s “curl whisperer.” Julissa was the go-to person for hairstyles for special events and celebrations; her homemade hair product was indeed a hit. Rizos Curls’ products ship to over 57 countries; they are also available at Target, Sally Beauty, and Alta. At Alta, it is the first curly hair product to be featured on their shelves. One of Julissa’s most recent milestones is having Mexico be the first country outside of the United States to sell her products at a major retailer and becoming the first Mexican-owned curly hair product line in the country. It was a full-circle moment for her as she reminisced about her father once working as a shoe shiner in Mexico, and now she is making waves in that same place. She describes her success as being bigger than her. For the full show notes, visit our website: https://www.blackonshelf.com/episodes Stream Black on Shelf NOW on Apple Podcast, Spotify, YouTube, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, Stitcher, and Pandora! Connect with Rizos Curls: Follow Rizos Curls on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rizoscurls/Follow Rizos Curls on Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rizoscurlshairVisit the RIzos Curls website: https://rizoscurls.com/Connect with Black on Shelf: Follow BOS on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/blackonshelf/Connect with BOS on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-on-shelf/Connect with Tenaj on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tenajfergusonFollow BOS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Blackonshelf/Visit the Black on Shelf website: https://www.blackonshelf.comWatch the full interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/8crodQ0UTfk

This week, I spoke to Margaret Nyamumbo, Founder and CEO of Kahawa 1893 Coffee, a brand of Kenyan coffee ethically sourced by women farmers. The heartbeat of Kahawa 1893 Coffee is Margaret’s passion for empowering women and ending the cycle of poverty. Margaret is a third-generation coffee farmer who immigrated to the United States from Kenya, searching for greener pastures. After earning an MBA from Harvard, she went on to get a dream job on Wall Street. However, Margaret kept feeling a tug to something familiar. She found herself being lured to conduct coffee taste tests on her days off. Her passion for coffee was reignited. “You cannot do something that you are not passionate about for so long.” - Margaret Margaret wanted to do more than sell coffee; she founded Kahawa 1893 with a goal to bridge the gender gap in the coffee sector. African farmers produce what is considered the best coffee in the world, yet their compensation is not commensurate with their hard work. Furthermore, women are at an even greater diadvantage as they comprise 90% of the workforce yet own 1% of the farmland. For the full show notes, visit our website: https://www.blackonshelf.com/episodes Stream Black on Shelf NOW on Apple Podcast, Spotify, YouTube, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, Stitcher, and Pandora! Connect with Kahawa 1893 Coffee: Visit the Kahawa 1893 website: https://kahawa1893.com/ Follow Kahawa 1893 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kahawa1893 Follow Kahawa 1893 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kahawa1893/ Follow Kahawa 1893 on Twitter: https://twitter.com/kahawa1893 Connect with Black On Shelf: Follow BOS on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/blackonshelf/ Connect with BOS on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-on-shelf/ Connect with Tenaj on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tenajferguson Follow BOS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Blackonshelf/ Visit the Black on Shelf website: https://www.blackonshelf.com Watch the full interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/cqPcW2H67d0

This week, I spoke to Chrishon Lampley, négociant and CEO of Love Cork Screw, a wine and lifestyle brand. Love Cork Screw is an unconventional brand that is committed to producing a quality experience. It is more than just wine; it is a movement. Love Cork Screw is dedicated to providing its consumers with the ultimate experience in wine, entertainment, other products, and services. Chrishon wants her products to be an adventure for all five senses; that is why her brand is not limited to wine. Love Cork Screw is on the path to becoming a household name, as its products range from wine-scented candles, wine-scented body butter, apparel to accessories. One word accurately describes Chrishon -  relentless! Her extensive background has been a bedrock for her success so far; Chrishon worked in sales and marketing for twenty-five years. She developed communication skills while working in the industry, which she asserts has enabled her to sell anything to anyone. She combined her experience with her knack for entertaining people, which led to her co-owning a bar and art gallery for three years until she lost it all in a flood.  This seemingly incalculable loss drove Chrishon into depression for about a year and a half. She not only lost her business but was also on the verge of losing her home. With encouragement from friends, she had a wake-up call and realized that her passion may not necessarily be her purpose. Even though she considers herself an awful writer, she started a blog inspired by what she was going through in that season of her life. Hence the brand name: Love Cork Screw. Her blog instantly became a hit and transitioned into a radio show. It served a dual purpose, helping her to relieve her stress and meeting the needs of others. For the full show notes, visit our website: https://www.blackonshelf.com/episodes Stream Black on Shelf NOW on Apple Podcast, Spotify, YouTube, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, Stitcher, and Pandora! Connect with Love Cork Screw: Follow Love Cork Screw on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovecorkscrew/ Connect with Love Cork Screw on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lovecorkscrew/ Follow Love Cork Screw on Facebook: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lovecorkscrew/ Follow Love Cork Screw on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LoveCorkScrew Visit the Love Cork Screw website: https://www.lovecorkscrew.com/ Connect with Black on Shelf: Follow BOS on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/blackonshelf/ Connect with BOS on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-on-shelf/ Connect with Tenaj on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tenajferguson Follow BOS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Blackonshelf/ Visit the Black on Shelf website: https://www.blackonshelf.com Watch the full interview on Youtube:https://youtu.be/eBGMQlmUUoI Resources: https://ifundwomen.com/

This week, I spoke to Idia Lanlokun of Ola and Mide, a sustainable children’s brand that specializes in silicone bibs, spoons, and bowls that honors all shades of melanin. Ola and Mide’s brand name is inspired by her children’s names Olawale and Olamide, which come from the Nigerian Yoruba language meaning ‘my wealth has arrived.’ Being an enthusiastic millennial mom, Idia went out of her way to purchase various tools to facilitate her motherhood journey. She soon discovered that there weren’t many products that celebrated children of color. Idia had an idea to end that discrepancy and ruminated on starting the Ola and Mide brand for three years before launching. Her goal was to create functional products that complemented melanin skin color. On today’s episode, Idia speaks about her first year in business. She talks about the highs, lows, and future goals. Idia gives insights into working with vendors based abroad and emphasizes the importance of communication across the board - both with vendors and customers. She also speaks about how her experience in the retail industry has helped her to be organized and effective. After listening to this podcast, you will be encouraged to pursue your dreams and be a solution provider to your world. For the full show notes, visit our website: https://www.blackonshelf.com/episodes Stream Black on Shelf NOW on Apple Podcast, Spotify, YouTube, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, Stitcher, and Pandora! Connect with Ola and Mide: Visit the Ola and Mide website: https://www.olaandmide.com/ Follow Ola and Mide on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olaandmide/ Connect with Black on Shelf: Follow BOS on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/blackonshelf/ Connect with BOS on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-on-shelf/ Connect with Tenaj on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tenajferguson Follow BOS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Blackonshelf/ Visit the Black on Shelf website: https://www.blackonshelf.com Watch the full interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/sG3HVHKhHRA