Shades & Layers
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.
Shades & Layers
Eve Milan New York with Eden Gilliam (S4, E2)
EVE MILAN NY
Today’s guest on Shades and Layers is Eden Gilliam, founder of the award-winning luxury skincare brand, Eve Milan New York.
Eden is an esthetician and went all the way to London to study skin nutrition during the past decade or so of her practice as a skincare professional.
There are two factors that contributed to the start of Eve Milan New York. First came the need to provide for a baby. Eden was 19 years old when she had her first daughter and like she says, this put a fire underneath her to make something of herself.
Second: while helping her clients to reach their skincare goals, she also wanted to offer them luxury products with no toxins or harmful ingredients. And when she heard her customer’s concerns, she coined the phrase, “ Wear Make Up because You Want To, Not because you have to.”™
In 2021, the sheet mask (first product she launched) won a Best In Beauty Award from ALLURE magazine and she’s been growing from strength to strength since then.
Our conversation centers around the work that she’s been doing to establish and grow her brand, we explore some industry trends and the importance of being realistic and patient while building a legacy.
I was so glad to finally connect with Eden after three failed attempts and I hope you enjoy our conversation.
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