Black on Shelf
39 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 17 ratingsThe Black on Shelf podcast episodes will inspire and empower you as Tenaj chats with emerging Black and Brown founders who will share their compelling stories, as well as leading Black and Brown industry experts sharing insights on how to build your brand and get your business retail-ready.Tenaj will also feature a special solo series titled “The Check-out” to share reviews on new, trending, and interesting products that she discovers during her product hunting trips in-stores and online! The Black on Shelf podcast will also open up the floor to the Black on Shelf community to share their personal favorite Black and underrepresented product finds! We tend to go for products and services we can easily relate to...things created with us in mind. It is time to put an end to the struggle of finding these products. It is time to champion and uplift the true VIPs and get all things black and brown on the physical and digital retail shelves!
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Episodes
EP 37: Psyche Terry, Urban Hydration - When Business Creates Global Impact
August 31, 2022 09:00 - 50 minutes - 34.5 MBIt is a beautiful thing to do life with your loved ones while impacting the world. In this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Psyche Terry, CEO and Founder of Urban Hydration, a Black and family-owned beauty brand. Thirteen years ago, Terry and her college sweetheart, now husband, Vontoba, decided to create a solution to address their struggles with dry skin and hair. Their solution was Urban Hydration, effective and affordable clean beauty products. Terry started off by selling ...
EP. 36 Marx & Amber Succes, Côtier Brand - Bringing the Fun and Games to the Party
August 17, 2022 09:00 - 1 hour - 61.8 MBIt is often said that failure is a crucial part of success, and my guests, Marx and Amber Succes, can definitely relate. This dynamic duo shares their story of launching Côtier, a party goods company. Their success story is far from a walk in the park. Through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, Marx & Amber have a lot to say about what it takes to walk the path to finding one’s niche and excelling at it. Marx and Amber started as college sweethearts and have blossomed into great busine...
Ep 35: Renaldo Webb, PetPlate - A Fresh Perspective on Pet Food
August 10, 2022 09:00 - 1 hour - 48 MBA dog is a man’s best friend, and we see that sentiment reflected in how we invest in the care of our pets, from medical care and clothing to accessories and pet food. Today’s guest is Renaldo Webb, Founder and Chief Product Officer at PetPlate, a fresh-cooked dog food company. Today’s episode is filled with insights for anyone who is ready to make a difference in uncharted territory. Renaldo passionately shares how planning, research, mentorship, and collaboration are vital to scaling a s...
EP 34: Brittany Golden, IGL Nails - Press-on for the Culture
August 03, 2022 09:00 - 53 minutes - 36.7 MBToday’s guest is Brittany Golden, and one word that describes her is "survivor". She teaches us that even though life is full of curveballs, and tough times don’t discriminate, resilience will lead you to a state of thriving. That mindset took her through a healing process after a painful series of life experiences that ultimately led to the brilliant idea to start It’s a Golden Life aka IGL nails, a premium press-on nails brand. Enjoy today’s episode and learn how to turn pain points into...
EP 33: Bianca Rush, Sassy Caps - Protecting Hair Versatility
July 27, 2022 09:00 - 58 minutes - 40.3 MBToday’s episode is sure to keep you engaged! My guest Bianca Rush is a go-getter who knows what she wants and goes for it! Her parents were very instrumental in her financial goals, and they ensured that she understood the value of a dollar. By the fifth grade, she already had a financial goal she was determined to reach by a specific age. Sassy Hair Cap produces hair and length inclusive satin caps for all hair textures and lengths. In this episode, Bianca discusses vital information about...
EP 32: Chef Liz Rogers, Creamalicious - Flavor Inspired by Southern Culture
July 20, 2022 09:00 - 1 hour - 42.4 MBIt is not unusual to hear a rallying call for individuality and the message that you have the freedom to become who you want to be. Fulfilling the dream of one’s parents is often frowned upon, but in Chef Chef Liz’s case, it has been one of the best decisions she’s ever made. Raised by a single mother who worked as a welder, Chef Liz described her mother as a hard worker, a strong woman who never gave up and a mother who sacrificed everything to take care of her children. And while her moth...
EP 31: Calvin Quallis, Scotch Porter- Finding Fulfillment in Entrepreneurship
July 13, 2022 09:00 - 58 minutes - 40.2 MBIn this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Calvin Quallis, Founder and CEO of Scotch Porter, a men’s personal care brand. His journey to entrepreneurship can be traced back to his childhood working with his mom who owned a one-stop-shop featuring a beauty parlor, barber shop, and a beauty supply store. He credits the long hours spent doing chores in his mother’s shop as a foundation for what he currently does. After college, while working at a job he didn’t enjoy, he had the bri...
EP 30: Jasmin Foster, Be Rooted - Representation in Business
July 06, 2022 09:00 - 1 hour - 50.5 MBLife does not always go as we plan, but when you are walking on purpose, it will always make sense at the end of the day. For this episode, I chatted with Jasmin Foster, founder of Be Rooted, a stationery company creating a space for women of color to see themselves in places they are not usually represented. Jasmin's love for stationery started as a young girl and she remembers the thrills she felt at the sight of stationary and artwork. Amidst the pandemic and the social injustice move...
EP 29: Brianna Arps, Moodeaux- Pioneering Clean Luxury Fragrance
June 29, 2022 09:00 - 55 minutes - 38.2 MBFailure is never the end. You can turn losses into wins. In today's episode, I chatted with Brianna Arps, Founder of MOODEAUX, a clean luxury fragrance label that combines scent and skincare. After being unexpectedly laid off from her dream job as a journalist, Brianna was depressed. Life as she knew it took a drastic turn, and she turned to a daily self-care routine of applying fragrance to uplift her and ease her stress. During her routine, she realized that putting on perfume always mad...
EP 28: Akua Netty, Berry Bissap- Starting to Scaling in Beverage
June 22, 2022 04:00 - 1 hour - 48.8 MBStarting 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...
EP 27: Jayne Allen, Black Girls Must Die Exhausted - Navigating No
June 15, 2022 09:00 - 1 hour - 46.4 MBDon’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...
EP 26: Wendy & Eugenia, ConditionHER - Inspiration From a Personal Pain - Point
June 08, 2022 09:00 - 1 hour - 48.4 MBWho 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...
Ep 25: Barbara Jacques, JACQ'S Clean skincare- Journey to Sustainable & Self-funded
June 01, 2022 09:00 - 1 hour - 59.2 MBOn 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...
Ep 24: Jory Luster & Resa Luster, Luster Products, Inc - Evolving With Shifting Times
May 25, 2022 09:00 - 1 hour - 52.4 MBBuilding 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 ...
Ep 23: Hannah Diop, Sienna Naturals - Creating Clean High-Performance Hair Care
May 18, 2022 09:00 - 49 minutes - 34.3 MBGrowing 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 D...
Ep 22: Ibraheem Basir, A Dozen Cousins - The Business of Taste, Health, and Culture
May 11, 2022 09:00 - 50 minutes - 34.8 MBOur 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 ...
Ep 21: Nyakio Greico, Nyakio Beauty & Thirteen Lune- Building Inclusive Beauty Brands
May 04, 2022 09:00 - 44 minutes - 30.9 MBNyakio 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 Musi...
Ep 20: Julissa Prado, Rizos Curls - Proudly Leading Latina Curls to the Forefront
November 10, 2021 10:00 - 58 minutes - 40.3 MBThis 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 conduc...
Ep 19: Margaret Nyamumbo, Kahawa 1893 Coffee - Energizing Women's Empowerment by the Cup
November 03, 2021 09:00 - 57 minutes - 39.2 MBThis 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 tu...
Ep 18: Chrishon Lampley, Love Cork Screw - Like Wine, Business Gets Better With Time
October 27, 2021 09:00 - 48 minutes - 33.1 MBThis 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 wi...
Ep 17: Idia Lanlokun, Ola & Mide - Starting up in eCommerce
October 20, 2021 09:00 - 57 minutes - 39.5 MBThis 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 were...
Ep 16: Christian Sargent- Vicky Cakes - Turning up the Heat With Audacious Goals
October 13, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 66.8 MBThis week, I spoke to Christian Sargent, CEO & Co-founder of Vicky Cakes, the first black-owned, dairy-free pancake, and waffle mix made with wholesome ingredients. Vicky Cakes was named after Christian’s mother, who became a single mother of four after a divorce. Due to limited resources, Vicky wanted to offer her children restaurant quality food in the comfort of their homes. She created a recipe out of necessity, and her mission was accomplished! And Vicky’s pancakes were not only hit at ...
Ep 15: Ericka & William, Puzzles of Color - Putting the Process Together
October 06, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 45 MBThis week, I spoke to Ericka Chambers and William Jones, Co-Founders of Puzzles of Color, a company that brings artists of color to thousands of homes through frameable jigsaw puzzles. The company’s mission is to provide tech-free entertainment for people of all ages. Their puzzles are interactive art pieces that create experiences and memories that last a lifetime. Ericka got the inspiration for Puzzles of Color while she was pregnant. A co-worker of hers shared a nursery decor idea of hav...
Ep 14: Kevin Curry, Fit Men Cook - Influencer to Brand Dominance
September 29, 2021 09:00 - 57 minutes - 39.3 MBThis week, I spoke to Kevin Curry, founder of FitMenCook. FitMenCook is an online community that inspires men and women to eat healthily and stay fit by providing healthy recipes. Kevin prides himself in creating recipes that are, in his words, “never, ever boring.” Kevin’s mission is to not only help people live healthier but also to be happier. Kevin is a many-sided man who is on a mission to become a household name. He also founded the FitMenCook app, which has garnered more than 7,000 ...
Ep 13: Angela Richardson, PUR Home - Rethinking Clean
September 22, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 58.7 MBThis week, I spoke to Angela Richardson, CEO, formulator, and product developer of PUR Home, an eco-friendly, natural, and non-toxic household cleaning products brand. Angela founded PUR Home in 2017 after realizing that she didn’t see any all-natural cleaning products on the shelf that delivered on efficacy. The inspiration for PUR Home came to her five years prior when she did the “big chop” and embarked on an eco-friendly lifestyle. Angela discovered that most “natural” hair, cosmetics,...
Ep 12: Amin Bahari, Elite Sweets - Building a Better Sweet Life
September 15, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 46.4 MBThis week, I spoke to Amin Bahari, Founder and CEO of Elite Sweets and creator of The Elite Donut, the best tasting gluten-free, keto-friendly donut on the market. The Elite Donut is packed with protein (13g per donut), low in sugar, and naturally sweetened. Made from ingredients like almond flour, eggs, and whey protein, these donuts are superior to your typical chalky protein bars. Elite Sweets is now redefining the health food game, showing people that you don’t have to cut out decadent...
Ep 11: Beatrice Dixon, The Honey Pot Company - An epic dream and daring to be different
September 08, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 53.6 MBThis week, I spoke to Beatrice Dixon, CEO and Co-Founder of The Honey Pot Company, a plant-derived vaginal wellness line. Beatrice suffered from bacterial vaginosis for months until a visit from her grandmother in a dream led to the end of her struggles. In the dream, her grandmother gave her a list of ingredients that helped her develop the formula for a herb-powered vaginal wash. The mixture worked like magic, and Beatrice chose to share her discovery with the world with a goal to provide ...
Ep 11: Beatrice Dixon, The Honey Pot Company - An epic dream and daring to be different
September 08, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 53.6 MBThis week, I spoke to Beatrice Dixon, CEO and Co-Founder of The Honey Pot Company, a plant-derived vaginal wellness line. Beatrice suffered from bacterial vaginosis for months until a visit from her grandmother in a dream led to the end of her struggles. In the dream, her grandmother gave her a list of ingredients that helped her develop the formula for a herb-powered vaginal wash. The mixture worked like magic, and Beatrice chose to share her discovery with the world with a goal to provide ...
Ep 10: Emile Johnson, Goode Foods & Pic Select Fresh - Building a black-owned legacy
September 01, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 48.4 MBThis week, I spoke to Emile Johnson, CEO of Goode Foods and Pic Select Fresh. Emile’s companies are committed to delivering quality, nutritious, and delicious food products that lack preservatives and added sugar. His food products are also low in sodium, and high in protein and fiber. Their mission is to bring better nutrition to the country through proper education while providing the highest quality canned beans, vegetables and baby foods. Goode Foods has been on shelf for about ten year...
Ep 9: Sherrel Sampson, Canviiy - Differentiating and protection through proprietary ownership
August 25, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 46.4 MBThis week, I spoke to Sherrel Sampson, Founder and CEO of Canviiy, an innovative health & wellness brand focused on scalp care. The inspiration for Canviiy came about when Sherrel experienced an unbearable itchy scalp that would not go away. After many disappointments with several market products, Sherrel desired to formulate organic botanical-based scalp care products that address the root of the problem for millions of people. Canviiy has successfully pioneered the ScalpBliss Collection...
Ep 8: Hector Saldivar, Tia Lupita - From barriers to breakthrough
August 18, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 55.1 MBThis week, I spoke to Hector Saldivar, CEO, and Founder of Tia Lupita® Foods. When Hector moved from Mexico to San Francisco 15 years ago, his mom Lupita sent him with the family hot sauce recipe. Back in Mexico, she was called Tia Lupita and was well known for her homemade hot sauce. After receiving his mother’s blessing, Hector bottled the hot sauce for all to enjoy, and now the brand has a loyal following. Hector prided himself in working hard and always putting his best foot forward wit...
Ep 7: Shontay Lundy, Black Girl Sunscreen - Growing a brand and community as a suncare pioneer
August 11, 2021 16:00 - 1 hour - 46.5 MBThis week, I spoke to Shontay Lundy, creator and founder of Black Girl Sunscreen. In 2016, when Shontay became tired of using sunscreen that left a white residue; She created Black Girl Sunscreen (BGS), a 30 SPF lotion infused with natural ingredients and formulated for women of color. Black Girl Sunscreen has not only provided women with darker skin tones a healthy option to protect their skin, but the brand has cultivated a strong reputation for empowering black women. The goal of BGS is...
Ep 6: Derin Oyekan, Reel Paper Co - Channeling marketing expertise to stand out with sustainability
August 04, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 49.1 MBThis week, I spoke to Derin Oyekan, Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Reel, an eco-friendly paper brand. Reel specializes in toilet paper and paper towels made of 100% bamboo. These products are the most sustainable and eco-friendly paper products on the market. Reel is more than a paper company; it is on a mission to give American households a way to reduce their carbon footprints and help others worldwide eliminate the threat of illness posed by a lack of access to toilets while ...
Ep 5: SaVonne Anderson, Aya Paper Co. - Meeting the moment with creativity through sustainability and representation
July 28, 2021 09:00 - 53 minutes - 36.9 MBThis week, I spoke to SaVonne Anderson, Founder, and CEO of Aya Paper Co, a sustainable stationery brand that creates greeting cards and gifts to celebrate the people and moments that matter most. SaVonne’s dream for Aya Paper Co was for it to be large and accessible. She quit her full-time job in February 2020, then everything shut down a month later due to the pandemic. At that moment, she made a pivotal decision to go back to the drawing board; she revamped her website and increased co...
Ep 4: Jake Deleon, Fila Manila - A strategic saucy leap of faith
July 21, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 51.2 MBThis week, I spoke to Jake Deleon, founder of Fila Manila, the first modern Filippino-American food brand. His products consist of a range of authentic Filippino simmer sauces inspired by the rich flavors of the Philippine islands. He created Fila Manila to celebrate and share the joy of the Filipino family, culture, and delicious cuisine with the world. Jake founded his first startup, Origin Almond, a line of functional almond-based beverages, and received investment from the Kraft Heinz...
Ep 3: Kayla Castañeda, Agua Bonita - Accelerating through the power of partnership
July 14, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 42.3 MBIn this episode of Black on Shelf, I welcome my new friend, Kayla, CEO and Co-Founder of Agua Bonita, a women-owned beverage brand, producing authentic Mexican agua frescas. Kayla and her Co-Founder Erin PonTell are inspired by perfectly delicious, fresh produce that would otherwise go to waste, and fueled by a passion to create something culturally authentic, unique, better for the planet, and beautiful, hence Agua Bonita was born. Agua Bonita has recorded a lot of accomplishments and rece...
Ep 2: Myles Powell, 8 Myles Homestyle Mac N' Cheese - Persisting through humble beginnings
July 07, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 43.9 MBIn this episode of Black on Shelf, I welcome my first guest, Myles Powell, founder of 8 Myles. 8 Myles is a comfort food brand that prioritizes clean ingredients and key nutrients without compromising on flavor. He shared his journey to getting on the shelf; and all the rejections and learning curves. Today he is into mass retail, with his product featured on Target and Whole Food shelves. Myles speaks about navigating the corporate world and entrepreneurship, and experiencing burnout. He...
Ep 1: Introducing Black on Shelf with Tenaj Ferguson, Founder and Host
July 07, 2021 08:00 - 14 minutes - 9.93 MBIn this first episode of Black on Shelf, I share my vision for the podcast, what you can expect, and a little about myself. During the day I work in brand strategy as a brand manager for a grocery retailer, by night I am your favorite podcaster. Black on Shelf was born from my desire to leverage my time and talents to lift up Black and Brown brands as I climb the Corporate ladder. The Black on Shelf Podcast aims to champion Black and Brown Entrepreneurs on the digital and physical retail sh...
Welcome to the Black on Shelf Podcast!
June 18, 2021 20:00 - 3 minutes - 2.29 MBThe Black on Shelf podcast episodes will inspire and empower you as Tenaj chats with emerging Black and Brown founders who will share their compelling stories, as well as leading Black and Brown industry experts sharing insights on how to build your brand and get your business retail-ready. Tenaj will also feature a special solo series titled “The Check-out” to share reviews on new, trending, and interesting products that she discovers during her product hunting trips in-stores and online! ...