Nicol Cancelmo

For those looking to get into Angel investing, this is a great article to read. Brittni A. discusses the top takeaways any Angel should consider.

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How to Raise Money as a Black Beauty Brand - Sheena Butler-Young (The Business of Fashion) Black founders carry a markedly higher burden when it comes to educating investors on the value and viability of their business ideas — but there is an art and science behind knowing when your brand is ready and what kind of investors will be the best fit. There are many reasons driving the dearth of funding going to Black business — but chief among them, experts say, is that Black founders carry a markedly higher burden when it comes to educating investors on the value and viability of their business ideas.

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Black founders carry a markedly higher burden when it comes to educating investors on the value and viability of their business ideas — but there is an art and science behind knowing when your brand is ready and what kind of investors will be the best fit. Black founders in the US raised 0.48 percent of all venture dollars allocated last year, according to the latest data from Crunchbase — marking the third straight year of declines. The only significant bump in recent history came in 2020 when a record-breaking amount of capital went to Black businesses as investors promised to help level the playing field for minorities in the wake of the murder of George Floyd (but even that was less than 1 percent). There are many reasons driving the dearth of funding going to Black business — but chief among them, experts say, is that Black founders carry a markedly higher burden when it comes to educating investors on the value and viability of their business ideas. This challenge is particularly pronounced in industries like beauty, where predominantly white male investors may have limited awareness of the value proposition for products targeting Black or multicultural consumers. What’s more, due to historic exclusion, Black founders often lack experience and the tools to navigate the complex fundraising environment. It doesn’t help that bootstrapping founders tend to only seek funding when they urgently need it, which often puts them at a disadvantage early on. When it comes to raising money, there is an art and science behind knowing when your brand is ready and what kind of investors will be the best fit. Read the the final story in a three-part series, by BoF's Sheena Butler-Young.

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Thank you: James Manso and WWD for being truth tellers. 👊🏾 #REPOST 💛 WWD One step forward, two steps back. That’s the sentiment shared by Black beauty entrepreneurs and executives, who report that the beauty industry has fallen short on its promises to better support Black founders in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. The biggest pain point: Access to capital has dried up considerably. Earlier this year, Crunchbase reported that funding of Black-owned brands dropped 71 percent to $705 million in 2023 — the first time since 2016 that the figure didn’t exceed $1 billion. Funding in the U.S. overall, Crunchbase reported, declined at roughly half that rate. Read more at WWD.com - #linkinbio Report: James Manso

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Who's watched Black Barbie on Netflix? The documentary is interesting, relevant on so many levels, and it hit home. I grew up in a diverse family with three very distinctive-looking sisters. All of us had different hair, skin tone, and eye color. Like many young girls growing up, we had an assortment of dolls and stuffed animals to play with. Barbie never quite resonated with me. I had my preferences, of course. We had fun redressing our Barbies in handmade clothing and cutting their hair into different styles. The Barbie Styling Head was a big deal, playing into my love for beauty early on. However, my favorite was Wonder Woman - Her skin tone was a bit darker than the other dolls, and felt more relatable. She was aspirational. Stronger. A warrior. I admired that. Representation didn't enter the conversation until Black Barbie made her debut, designed by Kitty Black Perkins. Even so, doll diversity took a while to gain traction, a timeline that Black Barbie explores. Perkins paved the way but still operated under Eurocentric Barbie's shadow (a shadow Mattel is still working to break out of.) Nowadays, Barbie comes in 35 skin tones and 94 hairstyles, according to their site. Black Barbie is a must-watch for anyone interested in diversity, equity, and the cultural impact of representation in toys and media on societal perceptions. #Representation #Diversity #Culture

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Thinking of launching your own beauty product business but concerned about the startup costs? With determination, a solid plan, and as little as $1500, you can make your dream a reality!  This article shares actionable steps to get your beauty brand off the ground on a budget. Perfect for Black women entrepreneurs ready to break barriers in the beauty industry! #NANBPWC #BlackWomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #BeautyIndustry #BreakingBarriers https://lnkd.in/gHamru6P

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In spite of the strength of Black consumer spending, funding for Black-founded beauty startups remains stagnant, even declining, exacerbated by growing competition for limited grants and venture capital. Investment data from Crunchbase illustrates the dramatic shift. In 2024, Black-founded beauty brands raised just $16 million — 5.36 per cent of total US beauty industry funding — a sharp decline from $73 million in 2022, which accounted for 9.56 per cent of industry investment. This drop-off comes at a time when Black consumers are spending $9.4 billion on beauty products globally, with spending growth outpacing that of the broader US beauty market, according to a 2024 Nielsen IQ report. #fashion #beauty #style #women #cosmetics #startups #funding #venturecapital #business #entrepreneurship

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Women have always led the beauty industry, not just as consumers but as creators, visionaries, and entrepreneurs. From Madame C.J. Walker, who revolutionized haircare for Black women, to our modern hero Bobbi Brown who championed natural beauty for modern women, these pioneers broke barriers and redefined beauty standards. The personal care industry is not only a space where innovation, inclusivity, and empowerment have the potential to create lasting change, but it’s one of the most vibrant and profitable sectors. In 2023, global revenue for beauty and personal care is expected to exceed $646 billion, with U.S. revenue alone surpassing $100 billion. We are creating a community where we can lean in together, learn from each other and build businesses that become legacy. What you’ll get inside The 10th House: 🌟 Unparalleled Industry Growth: This cohort offers you the tools, insights, and connections to not just compete but to collaborate. 🌟 Access to Industry Experts: We’re giving you direct access to key experts like renowned product developers, top retail buyers from stores like Sephora, Ulta, and more. 🌟 Exclusive Industry Events: Specialized events designed to address the most pressing challenges + opportunities in beauty. Engage with experts + gain actionable insights to apply directly to your business. 🌟A Network That Propels You Forward: Your fellow cohort members will become your collaborators, advisors, and supporters, helping you navigate the competitive landscape together. ➡️ Learn more and join: https://hubs.li/Q02PTrJ40  ➡️ Applications are open through October 23

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Thank you Mae for the feature! This article highlights the "WHY" behind my commitment to improving the maternal health journey of Black moms through skincare and holistic wellness. https://lnkd.in/eAHTdgFa #pregnancy #postpartum #skincare #wellness #holisticwellness #postpartumdepression #selfcare

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Let's Talk About Target Audiences & Racism As professionals, it's essential to understand that identifying a target audience does not equate to racism. Miss Chantal J, an Afrocentric jewelry curator, is facing backlash for catering to her community. Let's clarify: celebrating one's culture and having a target audience is not discriminatory. Racism is about denying opportunities and perpetuating harm based on race. Let's educate ourselves and others on the difference. Supporting Black excellence, Afrocentric expression, and inclusivity is crucial. Let's promote respect and understanding in our industries and beyond! #TargetAudience #Racism #Education #Inclusion #BlackExcellence #AfrocentricPride"

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August is National Black Business Month, a time to honor and support Black-owned businesses! ✨ I had to share this exciting news with you! Black-owned retailers can sign up for Amazon’s Black Business Accelerator program. This incredible program offers financial support, mentorship opportunities, and education to enhance your brand and expand your customer reach on Amazon. At IVY, we're dedicated to empowering underrepresented entrepreneurs by offering strategic insights, operational know-how, and cultural understanding to help businesses tackle challenges and reach new heights. ⁠ 🖤 Need support in elevating your business? Check us out - https://lnkd.in/eNqY-_Pt⁠ 🌱 Ready to sign up for Amazon’s Black Business Accelerator program? Eligible businesses must be at least 51% Black-owned, have a Professional selling plan on Amazon, and a product ready to sell. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to grow and thrive in the e-commerce space. Learn more - https://lnkd.in/eDQeMsvA Let's continue to support and uplift our community by sharing this opportunity! 👋 Connect, share, and join the conversation on amplifying BIPOC women in business. Follow me on my official #Instagram (@SaudiaDavi) and #Twitter (@DavisSaudia). #WomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #AmazonBlackBusinessAccelerator #BIPOCWomen #BusinessGrowth #Inspiration #CommunitySupport #NationalBlackBusinessMonth

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Today is #SmallBlackBusinessSaturday! 🛍️ Let’s come together to celebrate and support Black entrepreneurs who play a vital role in our communities and economy. By shopping small, we’re not just making purchases — we’re investing in dreams, families, and futures. 💡 How to support today: • Shop at a local Black-owned business. • Share your favorite businesses with your network. • Post photos and tag them to spread the word. Together, we can make a big impact. Let’s show love to the businesses that make our communities thrive! #NCBWSupportsSmallBusinesses #NCBWSBS24 #SupportBlackBusinesses #ShopLocal #EconomicEmpowerment

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Many black entrepreneurs face unfair business practices, such as false promises and non-delivery of goods. Local businesses, like the Queens Beauty Supply and Fragrances, open for just 10 months, are now struggling to survive. If you are an entrepreneur of color who’s experienced similar challenges, Growmetix® is here to offer you our support in helping you build your business from the ground up. Go to www.growmetix.com/about-us to learn more and like, comment, and share this post. #buildyourbusiness #blackentrepreneurs #protectyourbusiness

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“Do you, it’s your superpower. No one can do you better than you.”  Esi Eggleston Bracey Esi is a trailblazer who is redefining what it means to lead with purpose, authenticity, and creativity. As Unilever’s first Black female Chief Growth and Marketing Officer, Esi’s journey is one of courage, resilience and impact. She’s not just breaking barriers; she’s building bridges—empowering others to bring their whole selves to the table. Esi’s mantra is, “Keep your feet on the ground, eyes on the horizon, and dreams in the clouds.” As I watched her on stage at Ad Age’s Leading Women event, where she was honored with the well-deserved Vanguard Award, I had my feet on the ground and my head in the stars. Here is just some of Esi’s inspirational rocket fuel: ✨YOU IS YOUR SUPERPOWER✨   “Do you, it’s your superpower.”   “Make a conscious choice to be yourself.”   “I made a choice to be myself and it was the hardest thing I had to do. I felt exposed. I brought more and more of myself to the work and that’s when my career took off.”   “Know yourself, choose to be yourself and share yourself with others for impact.”   ✨MANAGE YOUR ENERGY WITH INTENTION✨ “Energy mgmt has been the unlock for me (versus time mgmt).”   “Be intentional and deliberate about what gives you energy.” “Energy expands your capacity.” “Energy is not finite, time is finite. Summarize your energy domains. Get more capacity through more energy rather than trying to squeeze more into the finite time.”   ✨INSPIRE GREATNESS✨   “Break barriers and inspire our collective greatness.” “Be excellent in all that you do, make a difference in all that you do.” “Others success is dependent on your success.” “It’s not about winning today, it’s about year after year after year of impact.” “Seek to help people day in and day out.” “Life is not tidy, it’s dynamic. You never know what’s going to happen.” “Stand in faith not fear.”   ✨LEARN WHEN TO SAY YES AND NO✨ “Learn when to say yes and when to say no. Distinguishing between the two is difficult.” “I say yes when I’m scared and no when I’m clear.” “Most of the things I was afraid to do have been the biggest game changers.” “Be grateful for progress.” Let’s all take a page from Esi’s playbook: Be bold, be brave and never underestimate the power of being unapologetically you. Esi Eggleston Bracey, thank you for being an inspiration and a bold disruptor with a kind heart. What resonates most with you? Share with us in the comments below👇

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Honored to be part of EBONY Media's Truth v. Power series for #BlackBusinessMonth. My article, "Brand Before Bucks," examines the power of funding in creating sustainable pathways for Black entrepreneurs. List of funding resources included ⬇️ #Funding #BusinessResources #BrandBeforeBucks #Marketing #BrandStrategy

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