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A cosmetics brand turns into a six-figure business

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Beauty, skincare, beauty products, entrepreneur, small business, female-owned businesses


It was 2003 when Kimo Bentley created her first soap in her New York apartment. The exfoliating bar soap made with shea butter, oatmeal and brown sugar began not as a business enterprise, but as a desperate Trinidadian mother wanting to assuage her daughter’s eczema.

Bentley poured her heart and soul into creating a natural treatment for her daughter’s skin problems, but little did she know that this humble act of motherly care would sow the seeds for a future successful cosmetics company. Bentley began by freely giving $5 oatmeal and brown sugar exfoliating soap to friends, neighbors and family. She only considered selling the soap when money appeared in her mailbox from people she gave soap to assuage their eczema. Soon gaining fame as a soap star, Bentley decided to transition from her profession at Bosley Medical to a full-time journey into aesthetics entrepreneurship.

Beauty expenses by Black consumers reached $9.4 billion in 2023, a rise of $1.3 billion from the previous yr. Armed with the knowledge that the experience of Black people in the wonder industry is significantly more frustrating, Bentley got down to create a high-quality product (and services) knowing that Black consumers usually tend to be dissatisfied with their hair care, makeup and skincare options than non-black consumers.

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What began as a $5 bar of soap (now retailing for $7.50) has evolved into a full line of skincare products, Kimo Bentley Aesthetic Clinic and Spa Med in Downtown Silver Spring, Maryland, and in 2024, revenues were $800,000.

BLACK ENTERPRISES I recently spoke with Bentley about her business journey within the skincare industry, where she navigated the large challenges of running a sole proprietorship and starting small with one product.

Starting small, dreaming big

Bentley recalls the beginnings of her entrepreneurial journey: “I started with a simple bar of oatmeal soap and brown sugar. I believed in the power of natural ingredients to nourish and rejuvenate the skin and I wanted to cure my daughter naturally.”

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Despite humble beginnings (taking a bar of soap out of the home), Bentley’s commitment to quality and her vision for the brand have never wavered. She adds, “I knew that if I stayed true to my passion and focused on delivering exceptional products, I would be successful.”

In 2006, Bentley decided to change into involved in skincare education. After completing her aesthetic programming and obtaining her skin treatment license, Bentley set two goals for herself. “My goal has been and continues to be to create high-quality skin care products and educate women of color about skin care treatments,” notes Bentley, now an internationally licensed esthetician. “I have been working in the beauty industry for over 20 years, and to this day clients tell me that a service provider has determined that they are not candidates for a specific treatment. And in many cases this is not true.”

Dealing with challenges and supporting development

Like any entrepreneur, Bentley needed to face many challenges. From sourcing high-quality ingredients to navigating the complexities of production and distribution, she encountered obstacles that tested her resolve. However, each challenge became a chance to develop and learn.

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“Every failure is an opportunity to re-evaluate and refine my approach,” Bentley reflects. “I have never lost sight of my goals, which allows me to keep going even in the hardest of times.”

One of Bentley’s most vital challenges and setbacks occurred in 2018 when Walgreens ended its distribution agreement with Kimo Bentley All Natural Beauty Skincare. “I got hurt,” Bentley exclaims. “It was a major blow, especially considering the effort and dedication I had put into developing my products.”

Instead of dwelling on the setbacks, Bentley saw this as a chance to reassess and strengthen her brand. “I saw consistent coaching as an opportunity to grow and scale,” says Bentley. “I was looking for additional educational opportunities and training programs to develop my skills and grow my brand.”

Empowering others, giving back and looking out to the longer term

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Just like Bentley’s business scalesstays committed to giving back to his community and empowering others. Bentley strives to support emerging entrepreneurs, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds in the wonder industry, through mentoring programs and charitable initiatives. “I believe in paying off these debts and using my platform to create opportunities for others,” he states. “Success is not just about personal achievements; it’s about lifting others up along the way.”

With a growing presence in the wonder industry, being named one in every of Essence’s list of 24 Influencers Making Black Beauty History, and the chance to share stages with notable influencers, Kimo Bentley’s journey is much from over. Despite the challenges, it continues to innovate and expand its product line, Medspa and soon-to-open School of Aesthetics. Bentley declares: “I am excited about the future and its possibilities. There are still many things I want to achieve and I am ready to take on any challenges that come my way.”


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This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com

Business and Finance

Annual women’s salaries narrow the gap. But men are still ahead of women with an average of USD 547 per week

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Women’s annual earnings are closed to men, and the difference in sex salaries in the Australian private sector decreases from 14.5% to 13.6% last yr.

This everlasting improvement, in comparison with 15.4% gap two years ago.

While women work and earn greater than ever before, they are now entitled to much more information to barter wages and judge which firms.

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This information is especially helpful on the tight labor market, z unemployment rate On just 4.1%, because firms are fighting for the best talents.

This is the second yr Gender Equality Agency in the workplace (WGEA) published the company Differences in gender salaries, responding to fears that progress in the scope of gender equality stuck.

Transparency in payments solves the problem of “asymmetrical information”, wherein employers know where every worker sits on a salary scale, but employees don’t.

Data from 7,800 private firms

Typical full -time women’s salaries amounted to USD 72,638 in 2023–24, in comparison with USD 84,048.

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Although narrowing, it’s still a niche of USD 11,410 per yr, i.e. about USD 220 per week.

The difference is far higher after bonuses, time beyond regulation and pension are included: USD 18,835 or a complete salary gap of 18.3%.

All private firms in Australia from at the very least 100 employees must report their data of the Federal Agency. This includes 5.3 million employees in 7,800 firms, which is a fantastic expansion in comparison with 5000 firms last yr, because more firms will improve data reporting.

Employees can Look at the Agency’s website To discover a difference in the gender salary of your employer from the private sector – or one they give thought to joining.

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This yr’s calculations of the company’s differences in the company’s salary also include salaries of the highest management staff.

When general directors and business bosses participate, the difference in the average salary of men and women rises to USD 28,435, i.e. 21.8%.

All this consists of men overtaking women by an average of $ 547 per week.


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A more in-depth take a look at the gaps in the genital wages at the company level

In all firms, the average gender difference in total salary is 13.0%. But size differs significantly in numerous firms.

About 2,200 firms (a couple of quarter) have a niche exceeding 20%. Of these, about 250 firms have a niche exceeding 40%.

On the other hand, a couple of quarter of firms has a niche that’s either zero or negative, which implies in favor of women.

The agency considers the difference in gender salary in the negative scope of 5% to a positive 5% as a legitimate measure to which it needs to be sought.

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WITH The largest organizations (Out of 5,000 or more employees) Airlines are amongst the worst contractors. Virgin has an average gender difference in total salary of 41.7%, while Qantas reports a niche of 39.2%.

Among the banks, Commonwealth Bank and Westpac report an average difference in sex salaries of 22.4%. GAP Suncorp is nineteen.3%, the NAP is nineteen.0%, and Anz has a niche of 18.8%.

Progress happens

The purpose of the Pay Gap publishing home is given to drive progress in the field of gender equality in Australian workplaces.

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He follows in accordance with prescribed reforms to motivate employers to listen to their difference in gender salaries and have taken more actions.

Comparisons with last yr’s data suggest that this is occurring. The agency informs that just over half of all employers (56%) reduced the difference in gender salaries. And 68% conducted an evaluation of its difference in gender salaries, which is an vital first step in making progress.

Greater transparency makes the employer more liable for improving working conditions.

It can also be a technique to recognize firms that improve with time and learn from their success.

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Correct interpretation is crucial

The difference in sex salaries, measured as the difference between the earnings of men and women, is just not the same as the equal remuneration for equal or comparable work. For over 50 years, he has been contrary to the law in Australia to pay for men and women otherwise for performing equal value.

Luki at the employer’s level In earnings, the combination of aspects, including gender patterns in various types of professions, wherein men and women are in the company. But these gender patterns in the types of tasks don’t explain the entire image.

Prejudices and barriers Stay, including unconscious favors, sex imbalance in life duties and consolidating sex stereotypes.

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It can also be not a niche that will be explained by women working lower than men. Calculations include part -time employees, whose remuneration is transformed into an annual full -time equivalent.

Every employer He has a probability to present a deeper evaluation and explanation of their differences in genital salaries and their actions of their official statements of employers, which are also available on the Agnece website.

This information will strengthen not only current employees, but in addition potential employees, clients, business partners and a wider community of their elections, wherein firms should work, do business and support – which are not.



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This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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Business and Finance

Hot Girl Spirl

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Megan Thee Stallion just isn’t only the lover of Tequila – he’s now a tycoon of Tequila. The three -time Grammy winner and licensed Hot Girl adds further flexibility to his CV with launch Funny girlsThe Premium Tequila brand designed to bring an event. Is there a greater option to rejoice 30 years than with a bottle (or two) of your personal alcohol?

Chicas Divertidas, which translates into “Fun Girls” in Spanish, hopes that he’ll bring all of the fun to the subsequent meeting. Star tequila is Apparently fabricated from simultaneous100% Agave Blue Weber, collected in the highest maturity from the red volcanic highlands in Mexico. Available in each Blanco and Reposado styles, Megan describes the recipe Chicas Divertidas as “light”, making it ideal for sipping, shooting and making memories.

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“As someone who values ​​good vibrations and wonderful memories, I knew that I wanted to create a tequila, which was designed to share and enjoy my hottia,” said Megan Thee Stallion in a press release. “Smooth, stuffy and premium. This process lasted many years and I am very proud that I can take another step as an entrepreneur. I know that hotties are ready – it’s time to give them a drink made by me! “

For the rapper “Hot Girl Summer” the standard of the brand shines through the product and its packaging. Inspired Angel’s trumpet flower – beautifully alive but fatal– Each bottle has sharp cuts and grooves resembling agave plant with shades of orange, pink, red and purple. The heart pierced with a dagger is on top, embodding the brand’s energy: sweet, elegant and the correct amount of cutting.

“The bottle is beautiful. It looks almost like a mixture or potion. This is a very high quality bottle; Has nice color gradients; My heart with a dagger upstairs; Golden accents. I think quality looks like. “She said Forbes.

This just isn’t just one other alcohol supported by a star. The star says that Chicas Divertidas is its extension.

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“I’m not a brand ambassador for alcohol. I don’t only put my face on someone’s brand. This is my tequila – she explained. “I devoted time to making a liquid and a bottle. Everything on this represents me. This is my business; This is my company. And this distinguishes me from other alcohols with endowed celebrities. “

She continued: “Everyone knows that I am a culture of a hot girl. I like to play. I am a curator. When you go to parties, my experience shows that the drinker is tequila. It seems to me that this is only a universal happy drink. And I’ve always loved good reposado. This is my favorite. So I decided that I had to bring a climate for parties – with gifts. That’s how I came up with Chicas. “

And when you are wondering the right way to sustain, it has one easy advice: “Drink water after each shot. Stay hydrated. “
Funny white girls ($ 70.00) and Resto Chicasdivertidastapila.com AND Respertbar.com. It can be expected that the brand will soon start with chosen American retail sellers.

(Tagstransate) Megan thee stallion (T) Business

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This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Business and Finance

Unemployed claims reach the largest weekly

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The variety of unemployment claims increased greater than expected last week, because more candidates for the first time applied for unemployment profit.

According to CNN, It is estimated that 242,000 unemployment claims were made last weekAn increase of twenty-two,000 in comparison with the previous week. Apparently, economists expected about 220,000 claims to land.

The variety of unemployment claims submitted last week has been the largest weekly for over 4 months. Weekly claims have also been at the highest level since December.

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Despite the growth, the American Department of Work The aforementioned snowstorms in some parts of the country and holidays on the occasion of the Presidential Day are guiltyWhich could cause some variability, informs.

“Extreme winter weather was mainly responsible for receiving in the initial claims last week,” said Samuel Tombs, the most important economist of the USA at Pantheon Macroeconomics.

How mass exemptions at federal level affect unemployment

It stays unclear how mass exemptions at federal level, directed by billionaire technology Elon Musk, who supervises the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (dog), will affect claims. According to Reuters, federal employees submit a separate compensation of unemployment, which, as stated, has a weekly delay. The latest data from February 15 show 614 people submitted to acquire advantages, which is barely one among the previous week.

“We will have to wait another week for details exactly how many initial claims were made throughout the country by former federal civilian employees, but this number was 614 in the week ending on February 15, only one – this is not a mistake – last week” – wrote Tombs in a note for investors on February 27. “It will take another week or two so that work reductions in the middle of the month will fully go into the given claims.”

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The work report in February is to be published on March 7. Economists reportedly expect a rise in employment, predicting that the USA adds about 160,000 jobs in February.

(Tagstranslat) feet of unemployment

This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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