Shades and Layers is a podcast focused on black women entrepreneurs from across the globe. It is a platform for exploring issues and challenges around business ...
Send us a textAmanda Sebolai is the founder of the South African natural haircare brand, Dignify Afro Beauty and my guest in this episode of Shades and Layers. Amanda's personal journey of embracing her natural hair led her to create a line of innovative haircare products that celebrate African beauty and self-love. Inspired by her daughters, Amanda's products are helping to transform hair care for African women in post-apartheid South Africa. Her story gives insight into how long it takes and exactly what it takes to build a brand step by step.There is no entrepreneurial journey that is totally smooth and Amanda's is no different. In our conversation she highlights some of the bumps she hit while transitioning from homemade formulations to becoming a thriving business that seeks to own its entire value chain. She also credits customer engagement and feedback as the core of Dignify Afro Beauty's success. According to her, one of the most important pillars of her brand is being rooted in cultural identity and empowerment.Amanda wants to build a legacy company and leave a meaningful imprint on the world. Find out how she plans to do it all.Support the showNEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletterSUPPORT this work so that we can keep it free. Become a MONTHLY SUPPORTER LISTEN ON Apple and Spotify FOLLOW US ON Instagram and Facebook
-------- Â
36:41
Transforming Communities Through Art and Empowering Women with Palesa Segomotso Motsumi (S9, E4)
Send us a textPalesa Segomotso Motsumi, a trailblazing creative social entrepreneur, shares her journey from the corporate grind to the exciting world of art and social change. Through her groundbreaking work with Sematsatsa Library and projects like "Hashtag That's What She Said," Palesa uses art as a powerful medium to spark dialogue and transform communities across South Africa. Her story is a testament to the power of art in fostering inclusivity and empowering women, as she highlights the diverse and interconnected nature of visual arts, music, fashion, and architecture.As Palesa tells us in this conversation, passion, resilience and sacrifice are the bare minimum you need to take a leap from corporate to entrepreneurship. But it also takes the support of people who believe in you. Palesa has moved from her hometown of Bloemfontein, through the art scenes of Johannesburg and Cape Town and she gives us a taste of her experiences there. Find out how she moved from reluctant curator to a powerful player with her own arts agency and consultancy. Find out how she has balanced the need for financial stability with her work as a social entrepreneur, and how she advises young artists to create their own sustainable careers in this space. Through her work and connecting with artists and curators who inspire new narratives in the art world, Palesa now has a dream of creating an institution that would give back to the community that nurtured her talent and supported her career. Palesa draws inspiration from figures like Ghanaian artist, Ibrahim Mahama, and her passion for gardening and plants, which also influences her life life philosophy. Don't miss this amazing conversation! LINKS AND MENTIONS Palesa's Social Media Accounts - Sematsatsa Library and Personal ProfileLawrence LemoanaMary SibandeRuth MotauWilliam KentridgeZanele MuholiSupport the showNEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletterSUPPORT this work so that we can keep it free. Become a MONTHLY SUPPORTER LISTEN ON Apple and Spotify FOLLOW US ON Instagram and Facebook
-------- Â
50:37
The Grass Is Not Always Greener: From Zimbabwe to Italy with Serial Startup Founder Tadiwa Mwashita (S9, E3)
Send us a textToday I'm in conversation with Zimbabwean-born and Italy-based serial startup founder and entrepreneur, Tadiwa Mwashita. Her latest venture is the Italian Social Impact Startup, Feedel Africa. They provide services to innovation hubs and non-profit organizations on the African continent, with a special focus on women led startups. Some of the services Feedel Africa offers include fund raising, grant writing and AI education. Join us and hear all about Tadiwa's ability to combine profit with purpose, and how she is elevating African innovation to global heights in the fields of B2B SaaS, fintech, and AI.Our conversations takes us on a journey from Tadiwa’s home country, Zimbabwe, where she stumbled on entrepreneurship as a high school student. We discover that she hasn't stopped experimenting with ideas ever since, and how being in Italy forced her to fully embrace her entrepreneurial roots. It has been nothing less than a complex journey of navigating language barriers and prejudice that has led her to the level of nimbleness and adaptability you will hear about. She also discusses her latest and soon-to-be launched venture in the pet space, which she created using a methodology she has mastered: .the magic of turning local insights into innovative business solutionsDon't miss this inspiring conversation with one of the most creative and resilient entrepreneurs you will meet. LINKS AND MENTIONS Tadiwa's LinkedIn ProfileFeedel Africa - Social Impact Startup founded by TadiwaFeedel Ventures - The Investment company that funds and provides other resources to Tadiwa's ventureSupport the showNEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletterSUPPORT this work so that we can keep it free. Become a MONTHLY SUPPORTER LISTEN ON Apple and Spotify FOLLOW US ON Instagram and Facebook
-------- Â
40:11
Authenticity and Triumph in the Beauty Industry with Editorial Hairstylist Naeemah LaFond (S9, E2)
Serena Williams Made Me Tacos with Barbara Clarke Ruiz (S9, E1)
Send us a textSUMMARYThis week, I'm speaking to Barbara Clark Ruiz, a multifaceted solopreneur known for her activewear designs and dog treat brand 'Lick You Silly.' Barbara shares her journey from childhood in Portsmouth, Virginia, to designing for global brands like Ralph Lauren and Adidas, and collaborating with Venus Williams on her activewear brand Eleven by Venus. During the pandemic, her dog treat business rose in rankings on the Amazon platform and this opened opportunities for growth and naturally, challenges that come with a sudden need to scale.Emphasizing love and kindness, Barbara discusses her ventures in pitching reality shows, animated shorts, and working with Amazon's Accelerator for Black businesses. Barbara works hard and plays hard. She also networks like a boss and takes care of her professional relationships. In our conversation, she also talks about personal experiences like meeting the Obamas, sharing a blanket with Star Wars creator, George Lucas in Oprah Winfrey's backyard and eating tacos with the Williams sisters.TAKE AWAYS-There are many pathways to a creative career-Multiple streams of income are the way to go-Easy does it - take your time and do what you love LINKS AND MENTIONSBarbara's Website - https://barbaraclarkeruiz.comBarbara's LinkedIn Profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbaraclarkeruiz/Barbara's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/barbaraclarkeruiz/Lick You Silly - https://lickyousillypetproducts.com Pratt Institute - https://pratt.eduGive Butter Fundraising - https://givebutter.comSavannah College of Art and Design: https://www.scad.edu/Support the showNEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletterSUPPORT this work so that we can keep it free. Become a MONTHLY SUPPORTER LISTEN ON Apple and Spotify FOLLOW US ON Instagram and Facebook
Shades and Layers is a podcast focused on black women entrepreneurs from across the globe. It is a platform for exploring issues and challenges around business ownership, representation and holistic discussions about the meaning of sustainability in an increasingly complex global context. Conversations are wide- ranging and serve not only as a Masterclass in Entrepreneurship but also provide wisdom and tools for Successful Living. It is a space for meaningful conversation, a place for black and other women of color to be fully human and openly share their quirks and vulnerabilities. Guests include prominent figurers in the beauty, fashion and wellness industries both in the Northern Hemisphere and the Global South. Dr. Theo Mothoa-Frendo of USO Skincare discusses her journey from being product junkie to creating an African science-based skincare range. Taryn Gill of The Perfect Hair is a brand development whizz who discusses supply chain and distribution of her haircare brands. Katonya Breux discusses melanin and sunscreen and how she addresses the needs of a range of skin tones with her Unsun Cosmetics products. We discuss inclusion in the wellness industry with Helen Rose Skincare and Yoga and Nectarines Founder , Day Bibb. Abiola Akani emphasizes non-performance in yoga with her IYA Wellness brand and Anesu Mbizho shares her journey to yoga and the ecosystem she's created through her business The Nest Space. Fashion is all about handmade, custom made and circular production with featured guests like fashion designer Maria McCloy of Maria McCloy Accessories; Founder and textile/homeware designer Nkuli Mlangeni Berg of The Ninevites as well as Candice Lawrence, founder of the lighting design company Modern Gesture. These are just a few the conversations on the podcast over the past three years.Â
South Africa