Creative Marketing SolutionZ, LLC.’s Post

"Tampons are necessary gameday equipment." When Amanda Calabrese and her cofounder, Greta Meyer were at the top of their game, they needed products that performed just as well as they did, yet nothing quite fit that bill. But because they’re *also* mechanical engineers, they got to work, creating Sequel’s spiral tampon, the first redesign of the tampon in 80 years. Yes, you read that right. 80. Years. The reimagined design better absorbs and secures menstrual blood so women can get on with their day (or game, grocery shop, workout, whatever!) worry-free. Research has shown that by the age of 17, 51% of girls will have quit playing sports, many giving them up around the time they reach puberty and get their period. They’re met with shame and stigma around menstruating and fear they’ll have a public period leak. However, Sequel’s design could deliver the security we all want and need in period products, making it a game changer and huge win for women.

Not to be biased, but one thing that lights me up working at a VC firm is coming across founders/startups that are in the beauty & fashion space! ✨ I thought it would be cool to talk more about some of those founders that we’ve invested in since that industry is more in my lane of expertise, so I’m starting things off with a quick rundown on one of my faves: Parfait 💖 For a full case study, you can read one I wrote after speaking with the founders here: https://lnkd.in/eNtWSXbr For the sweet TLDR: In a world where beauty standards are constantly evolving, Parfait is continuously making waves by embracing diversity, authenticity, and innovation in beauty, and combining those sweet ingredients with the use of AI technology. I really love Parfait, not just for their consumer product, but for what they stand for in terms of 1. Their Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity Parfait Hair understands that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, textures and complexions. Their use of AI to perfectly create luxury wigs for consumers is spot on, especially when a big hurdle to get past with most wigs is finding one that will actually fit your head size + look good + match your skin tone. 2. Their High-Quality Products I’m all for women treating themselves, and this is no exception! As someone who notoriously buys $40 wigs from Amazon, I immediately noticed the difference in Parfait’s - not just from the appearance but also the comfort - and loved that they’re walking what they’re talking when it comes to providing a luxe experience. 3. Their Empathy meeting Innovation The fact that they use AI to tackle the hurdles often faced in wig buying is literally *chef’s kiss, and I love that they have taken the time to really tell the stories of Parfait wearers and the different perspectives/struggles women go through with their hair. They’re a high-tech company that is still very much relatable and understanding, and that will always be a big W for me when it comes to meeting founders. Definitely be sure to check out more about Parfait! I’ve also made some content with my beloved Parfait wig - follow myself or Visible Hands on IG to see those! And if you’re a founder or know a founder with a beauty/fashion startup I should investigate, leave a tag in the comments! 😊

Sometimes impactful innovations come from personal experience and a burning desire to solve real problems. Emma Butler's story of creating Liberare is a great example. After watching her mother struggle with chronic pain that made basic tasks like putting on a bra nearly impossible, she recognized an underserved market segment. Liberare sells bras and underwear for women who are disabled, have arthritis, or have recently had surgery, offering easy-on features like front-facing magnet closures on their bras. Butler has also sought to differentiate products from existing medical options with colors like blush and lilac. What's fascinating is how she approached potential investors. Instead of leading with complex business models, she started with a striking statistic: 600 million women worldwide struggle to get dressed daily. By focusing on the human element and backing it with solid data, she made an abstract problem tangibly concrete. Then, she let the product speak for itself through real-world visuals of women with disabilities modeling beautiful, functional intimate wear. She even had two decks: one for general investors and one for those in the retail industry. The key lesson from Butler’s approach is this: when solving a problem, start with the human story, support it with data, and make your solution accessible to everyone who needs to understand it. Whether you're pitching to investors or launching a new product, this framework works. https://bit.ly/4hEkydo #InnovationWithPurpose #inclusivedesign #productstrategy #socialimpact #usercentered

Beyoncé's Haircare Line, Cécred, Is Not Only 'Validated by Science' But Also Self-Funded With No Partnerships Or Backing From Outside Investors. By AfroTec Beyoncé has released her next labor of love beyond the realms of music. Throughout her time in the limelight, the songstress and mother of three has never failed to disappoint behind the microphone or with her hair game. This is in part because of her mother, Tina Knowles, who once owned and operated hair salon Headliners in Houston, TX, according to Texas Monthly. “Hair has always been a very big part of our lives,” Tina told Essence. “Just as fashion saved our family, hair is how we made a living.” “I think as an artist, so much of my bold experimentation with hair comes from being inspired by art and sculptures; getting creative with braids; figuring out new techniques; and exploring ways to maintain hair growth with protective styles and wigs, while still feeling fabulous. It all stems from my experiences growing up in my mother’s salon,” Beyoncé told Essence. Over the past six years, Beyoncé has been quietly working on a haircare line that prioritizes the textured hair community, a vision that was first planted when she was a teenager. Cécred is now her latest venture, brought to light with the help of her mother, who serves as the company’s vice chairwoman, according to a press release. #StartupToScaleUp #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #Changemakers #LearningFromTheBest #entrepreneurship #BusinessOwners #diverseentrepreneurs #diversityandinclusion #Entrepreneurs #disabled #disabledentrepreneur #inspire #mindset #business #NYAE2024 #neurodiversity #longtermhealthconditions #businessprogram #creativity #Dyslexia #Dyspraxia #education #Dyscalculia #Diversecreative #TDC #ADHD #training #learning #disabilityawareness

A message from our CEO and Founder Christiana Osawe: Hey friends! I have something super exciting to share! In 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic, I started Touched Beauty Studios, LLC. Fueled by my love for all things hair and beauty, my main goal was to help the girlies feel cute and confident as they left my chair. But after battling a silent health struggle and hearing countless women complain that their hair just wasn’t flourishing, I realized there was a serious gap in the industry. So, I stopped taking clients and went back to the drawing board, determined to design a program that considers aspects of health, heart, and habits to truly help hair thrive. After testing the program on myself and a select few clients, I knew the only way to solve this problem for women like me—struggling to find real solutions to their hair health—was to build something that supported not only the women with these challenges but also the professionals who serve them. I gathered an amazing team, established a board of trusted advisors, and we got to work! And let me tell you, we knew what we wanted to build would not happen overnight. We wanted our solution to be accessible, equitable, and efficient. And we realized there was only one way to get this done... With this launch, we announce our transition from a hair care service company to a tech start-up company! Our brand new website, https://lnkd.in/gwnZupQ6, is live, and we’re just getting started. This is step one in our mission to bring innovation, simplicity, and ease to the hair care industry! ...but we can’t do it alone. We need your help to gather research and support to turn this program into a fully functioning platform. As you explore our site, stay a while—soak in our mission, take our survey, and join the community! And, if you know anyone who should be a part of this journey with us, send them our way! We’re looking to reach: - Women with hair health challenges, - The doctors, specialists, stylists, and professionals who serve them, and - Investors and partners ready to grow with us! Are you still here? What are you waiting for?! Hop over to our site, https://lnkd.in/gwnZupQ6, and let me know you believe in what we are doing by dropping an emoji that expresses your excitement and tagging a friend who would appreciate what we are here to do! 

1. Slim women are usually found attractive They have thin legs and arms, tight body and absolutely no folds. You bet they are indeed attractive. They are able to slay body fit dresses effortlessly, rock high heels like crazy with their straight posture. And not to mention when they are in lin,,gerie… (ok, bye) 2. Slim women are perceived as sekzually agile Ok, not hating on my plus size queens but let us face it, slim girls r0ck them fellas really good. You know, they are lighter in weight, easily controllable in bed and all that stuff. So the guys who are equally active in bed wouldn’t want to be cheated. Its like Game of Thrones (think about it). 3. Slim women are usually seen as healthy I know you might be surprised because probably you know a slim girl who can’t even walk 3 blocks and eats junk like no body’s business. Yeah, my bestie is just like that. But since they are the ones with the flat bellies and smaller waistlines, brisk walks like they are on the Victoria Secret runway and so on, guys naturally want to think they are healthier than the plus-sized ladies. (I know you rolled your eyes again) 4. Slim women seem healthier for having babies Slim women are perceived healthy, it is like the system is prepared for anything and they have lesser fat, it is believed that the womb is stronger and can easily carry the fetus with no complications. Thanks for reading. Leave your vote if you like it! Follow for more...❣️

As a part of Authority Magazine and their series “Why We Need More Women Founders,” I shared all about the importance of women-led innovation and what it took to create a whole new category in the hair industry. When I launched RobeCurls back in 2020, there was nothing like it on the market. Women were curling their hair with anything they could find. With curling irons being invented over a century ago and rollers being stagnant since the 80s, we were long overdue for innovation. I created a new category in hair care that blends together functionality and style with a heatless hair curler design that empowers women in their everyday routines. From women’s unique life experiences and insights comes groundbreaking products and services. I even wrote a book about it showcasing the incredible patents that women have had over the last century. One simple idea can change life as we know it for the better. We need more women founders because women have the power to inspire change, create jobs, and lead companies. At Emikeni, we are breaking down the barriers to get there, because women make waves of change wherever their ideas thrive. Read the full interview on Authority Magazine here: https://lnkd.in/e8tqF74E

18/11/24 - Monday Motivation with Women in Technology Spotlight - Yinka Ogunbiyi Yinka Ogunbiyi is an accomplished entrepreneur and engineer, widely recognized as the founder and CEO of Halo Braid, a groundbreaking startup revolutionizing hair braiding technology. Yinka’s journey blends innovation, technical expertise, and a commitment to addressing long-standing challenges in personal grooming and hairstyling. With a background in mechanical engineering and robotics, Yinka became inspired during the COVID-19 lockdown in the UK. Struggling with the time-consuming task of braiding her own hair, she envisioned a solution. Leveraging her technical background, she identified a significant gap: while hair braiding remains a popular cultural practice among millions globally, it often requires hours of labor. Her innovative device, Halo Braid Pro, automates the braiding process, reducing the time from several hours to just minutes. This tool not only empowers hairstylists to serve more clients efficiently but also enhances the overall experience for customers. Yinka’s dedication and vision have earned Halo Braid widespread recognition. The company secured over $1 million in funding, including $170,000 from prestigious competitions such as the Harvard Business School New Venture Competition and the Amika x SoGal Foundation Rooted in Growth Grant. The success of Halo Braid reflects Yinka's ability to merge deep technical innovation with the cultural and commercial needs of her target audience. Her achievements are underpinned by resilience and determination. Building Halo Braid required assembling a multidisciplinary team and creating over 100 prototypes to perfect the device. Through her leadership, the startup stands as a "deep tech company with a beauty finish," offering transformative tools for hairstyling professionals and customers alike. Yinka’s entrepreneurial journey is further enriched by her experiences at Harvard Business School, where she honed skills in financial planning, design thinking, and marketing strategy. These learnings helped her navigate the complexities of launching and scaling a tech-driven venture. Yinka Ogunbiyi’s story is a testament to the power of identifying opportunities for innovation, leveraging technical expertise, and persevering through challenges. Her work not only modernizes hairstyling but also creates economic opportunities, making her an inspiring figure for aspiring entrepreneurs worldwide.

It's hard to understand Black hair. When Black hair is: ➞ Not something you see everyday ➞ It's not yours to touch ➞ You don't see enough ➞ Afraid to ask... Your curious: "How long is your hair?" "Do you straighten your hair?" "Did you cut your hair?" All valid questions in a world where Black hair is either: ➞ Politicized ➞ Not seen (including leaders on a big stage). Studies have shown people with afro-textured, curly hair spend A LOT of money on hair. Because it's not just shampoo and conditioner. (Oh no!) It's: ➞ Leave-in Moisturizer ➞ Protein treatment ➞ Pomade ➞ Butter ➞ Gel And it goes on. Why? Our hair needs LOTS of moisture. So, if you're an entrepreneur, you can already calculate the number of products and dollars to that effect. If you still believe Black hair isn't a profitable market, I dare you to YouTube "black hair" and binge-watch the auto plays to discover a whole new world. Love travelling? (Yes, you said?) ➞ Travel into that world. #MyHairMyCrown

Fiona, Youthforia, I know you'll do the right thing. .............................. 𝘍𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢, 'We spoke before you launched Youthforia. Ever since, I have been in awe of how intently you listened and went on to show all the Indie Beauty founders and stakeholders how winning is done! I offer the recommendations below, in all sincerity, to help you emerge stronger from the current turmoil. Indie Beauty needs gutsy and humble doers like yourself. We all make mistakes, but what matters is bouncing back as an evolved version of ourselves and never stopping from blazing your trail." 𝘙𝘰𝘩𝘪𝘵 𝘉𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘢, 𝘍𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳, Jump Accelerator .............................. Click below to read the 2 PATHS Youthforia can take to emerge stronger! #inclusivity #purpose #personalbranding #makeup #branding #founders