It Takes A Village with Delina Medhin

In this solo episode of It Takes a Village, I dive deep into my journey with vitamins and how they've genuinely changed my life and boosted my energy. Honestly, I was super skeptical at first I always had vitamins but never really stuck with them because I didn’t feel immediate results.Everything changed after experiencing intense burnout at the end of 2023. I knew something had to give, so I bravely decided to take a three-month break, completely disconnecting to recharge. During this break, I discovered new passions like adventure, meditation, yoga, scuba diving, and even surfing. It surprised me how much joy and energy these experiences brought into my life.Now, I regularly schedule intentional breaks, including digital detox weekends, magnesium baths, and self-care rituals that genuinely rejuvenate me.It’s time to talk about hormones. Over the past couple months I have improved my hormones tremendously. I have always suffered from a vicious 1-2 (first days) of my cycle and it was time to change things. I needed to. I wanted to and I couldn’t do anything better.Drawing inspiration from Alisa Vitti's book "In the Flo," I've learned to align my tasks with the four phases of my menstrual cycle, menstruation, follicular, ovulatory, and luteal to naturally boost productivity and wellbeing.Join me as I explore embracing feminine energy, respecting the unique rhythm of our bodies as women, and the amazing impact holistic self-care and quality vitamins have had on my health and happiness.Listen to more episodes of It Takes A Village podcast:⁠⁠It Takes A Village with Delina Medhin⁠⁠Stay updated on everything It Takes A Village podcast:⁠⁠@ittakesavillagepod⁠⁠⁠⁠www.ittakesavillagepod.com⁠⁠Connect with Delina:⁠⁠Instagram @delinamedhin⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok @delinamedhin⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube @delinamedhin⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter @delinamedhin⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠www.delinamedhin.com

Franchesca Ramsey, a multifaceted creative force, joins us today to talk all about creating meaningful content, the success of the Leopard Song, the science behind becoming viral, and behind-the-scenes stories from her time on MTV's Decoded. Franchesca also opens up about coming out as queer, and setting boundaries on social media. Plus, she talks about her upcoming masterclass, on April 19th and 26th (click here to sign up). in content creation and shares her secret talent for spotting rising stars and why she's the ultimate connector in the entertainment industry. This conversation is filled with laughter, wisdom, and practical advice for people making an impact online while staying true to themselves. Welcome to It Takes A Village with Delina Medhin, where inspiring founders & creatives share ‘who I built this with’. 00:00 Welcome and Introduction01:26 Meet Franchesca Ramsey02:12 The Beginnings of a Friendship02:58 Career Highlights and Makeup Stories06:54 Personal Reflections and Life Lessons11:34 Navigating Online Presence and Mental Health18:33 Podcasting and Creative Ventures23:29 Dating and Personal Life28:34 Navigating FaceTime Dates30:05 Embracing Self-Love and Friendships32:04 The Power of Calendars and Organization34:45 The Science Behind Creating Viral Content37:31 The Value of Relatable Content45:02 Overcoming Creative Challenges55:39 Supporting Friends in the Industry01:02:04 The Importance of Presentation01:02:38 Punctuality and Professionalism01:05:38 The Viral Leopard Song01:13:07 Coming Out and Queer Identity01:17:42 Balancing Privacy and Public Life01:21:07 Career Advice and Mentorship01:27:01 Shoutouts to Influential People01:32:15 Where to Find Franchesca's WorkLearn more about Franchesca:Franchesca "Chescaleigh'" Ramsey is an actor, writer, sought-after public speaker, and creator/star of the award-winning web series MTV Decoded.  A former writer/correspondent for Comedy Central’s The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore, her first book, Well That Escalated Quickly was nominated for an NAACP award and named one of Amazon’s best books of 2018. In 2020 she served as writer/co-producer on the iCarly reboot for Paramount+ and guest starred on NBC’s Superstore. These days you’ll find her co-hosting the podcast Lemme Fix It! with her best friend De’lon Grant. In 2024 Franchesca’s debut feature was selected for the Sundance fellowship program.Franchesca burst into the spotlight in January 2012 when her video, “Sh*t White Girls Say…to Black Girls” (SWGSTBG) went viral. It garnered over 1.5 million views in 24 hours and 5 million views in just 5 days. It also made a lot of white girls cry.  SWGSTBG currently has 11 million views and has been featured on MSNBC, ABC, The Daily Mail and the Anderson Cooper talk show, to name a few. Over a decade later and the video has been quoted in textbooks, translated into multiple languages and was even the subject of a 20 page graduate dissertation.With nearly 20 years in the online space and over a decade in film and television, Franchesca has carved out a unique lane as a public speaker and consultant.  From college campuses to corporate workshops, her super power comes from engaging with audiences in ways that help  them laugh, learn and think. Franchesca is available for public speaking and consulting opportunities for a myriad of subjects including: content creation, social media marketing,  identity/social justice, tv writing, personal branding and more.Connect with Franchesca:Instagram @chescaleighTikTok @franchesca_leighWebsite www.franchesca.netConnect with Delina:⁠Instagram @delinamedhin⁠TikTok @delinamedhin⁠YouTube @delinamedhin⁠Threads @delinamedhin⁠Website ⁠www.delinamedhin.com#chescaleigh, #franchescaramsey, #howtogoviral

In this episode of It Takes A Village, Delina sits with Hannah Diop, co-founder and CEO of Sienna Naturals. Building a clean beauty brand for textured hair takes passion, science, and the right people in your corner—and that’s exactly what Hannah has done. With a background in business strategy at McKinsey & Company and an MBA from Wharton, Hannah fused her expertise with her personal hair journey to create a line of science-backed, wellness-driven haircare products.Hannah shares how the idea started as young as when she was 8 years old, swimming regularly and having frustrations with her hair after training. Since then, she has always had the idea of the right kind of hair product in the back of her mind. Her experiences later on at Howard University, HSBC, Wharton, and McKinsey & Company shaped her confidence in her idea, which eventually led to the launch of Sienna Naturals. We also dive into her partnership with Issa Rae, the development of the Sienna Naturals products, and why wellness is a key ingredient in both beauty and entrepreneurship. Plus, she opens up about the importance of having a strong support system—because building something great always takes a village.If you’re an entrepreneur, beauty lover, or someone navigating the clean beauty space, this conversation is filled with insights on brand building, pitching investors, and creating products that truly make a difference. Learn more about Hannah:Hannah Diop is the co-founder and CEO of Sienna Naturals. To create Sienna Naturals, Hannah harnessed the values of her upbringing and skills of her business background. She spent weekends researching ingredients found in nature and proven by science to improve wellness outcomes for textured hair and scalp. Working alongside cosmetic chemists, she made, tweaked and tested product formulations until a line of clean products that significantly outperform competitors was born. Hannah Diop, holds an MBA from Wharton and was a strategy consultant at McKinsey & Company where she worked for clients in big box retail and OTC Pharmaceuticals. Hannah is also a mother of two young children and is proud to lead a company that is more than 80% BIPOC and woman-led. She lives in Los Angeles, CA.Connect with Hannah:Instagram @hannahdiopLinkedInInstagram @siennanaturalsGet your own Sienna Naturals products at siennanaturals.com and sephora.com!Listen to more episodes of It Takes A Village podcast:⁠It Takes A Village with Delina Medhin⁠Stay updated on everything It Takes A Village podcast:⁠@ittakesavillagepod⁠⁠www.ittakesavillagepod.com⁠Connect with Delina:⁠Instagram @delinamedhin⁠⁠TikTok @delinamedhin⁠⁠YouTube @delinamedhin⁠⁠Twitter @delinamedhin⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠www.delinamedhin.com

Hey y’all, this episode is SO special. I take you back to where it all started, back when I was a wide-eyed college girl obsessed with getting a job at MAC Cosmetics. I talk about how talking to people has been about learning makeup from a random website called Expert Village (shoutout to that mystery woman who saved me!) and somehow landing an interview at MAC, even though I barely knew what I was doing.I share the moments that shaped me and the incredible artists I met-- like my makeup mom, Regina, who literally changed my life, and Edson, who taught me to see makeup as an art form. I talk about the moment I realized that my love for makeup was actually about something much deeper: connection.This episode is a reminder that when something lights you up, follow it. Even if you don’t know where it’s leading, even if it doesn’t make sense to anyone else, trust it. Because that’s how I got here. That’s how I went from holding a makeup brush to holding space for real, deep conversations.If this episode speaks to you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. And if you love the podcast, leave me a review I want to know what resonated, what made you feel something. Y’all know I live for connection. Love you so much, and I’ll see you in the next one. Listen to more episodes of It Takes A Village podcast:⁠It Takes A Village with Delina Medhin⁠Stay updated on everything It Takes A Village podcast:⁠@ittakesavillagepod⁠⁠www.ittakesavillagepod.com⁠Connect with Delina:⁠Instagram @delinamedhin⁠⁠TikTok @delinamedhin⁠⁠YouTube @delinamedhin⁠⁠Twitter @delinamedhin⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠www.delinamedhin.com

In this episode of It Takes A Village, we have Deepica Mutyala, Founder & CEO of Live Tinted. Deepica shared a beauty hack in 2015 showing how to cover dark undereye circles using red lipstick and the rest is history. Since then, she has been recognized for her achievements in the beauty space, including accolades such as her 2022 dedicated feature as a TIME Magazine Next Generation Leader.Deepica shares with us her story, challenges, and successes from moving to LA, meeting and developing her friendship with Delina, working with Daniel Martin, founding Live Tinted and being a boss, eventually hiring a president for the company, and the importance of Live Tinted’s purpose. She also goes personal as she shares her way of self-love, exploring new hobbies, and meditation. Being single and a founder, Deepica dives into relationships and dating, the reality of imposter syndrome, finding joy and purpose in social media, overcoming event fatigue, the challenges of making your passion your job, and gives us direct advice on authentic influencing. As she grows Live Tinted, being in Ulta and focusing on complexion products and inclusivity, she gives highlight to the importance of her team and her village in executing what needs to be done to scale her business.Whether you are listening as one of her followers or just curious about learning more on series A funding, we’ve got you covered. Tune in to this episode with Deepica Mutyala and follow her journey to revolutionizing beauty.Learn more about Deepica:Deepica Mutyala is the Founder & CEO of Live Tinted, renowned, South-Asian American beauty entrepreneur on a mission to champion multicultural beauty through brand/products, community, conversation, and awareness – working to dismantle colorism with the power and voice of both her personal and Live Tinted platforms.Mutyala rose to the forefront of the beauty industry in 2015 when her YouTube video, depicting a beauty hack to cover dark undereye circles using red lipstick, went viral – now boasting over 10 million views. Since then, Mutyala has been recognized by some of today’s most prestigious publications for her achievements in the beauty space, including accolades such as her 2022 dedicated feature as a TIME Magazine Next Generation Leader.Since the launch of Live Tinted’s first innovation, the HUESTICK, Mutyala & her team continue to expand Live Tinted’s skin care and cosmetic portfolios based on these ongoing, diverse community needs. Today the brand is sold across channels including DTC, on LiveTinted.com, and at top beauty retailers: ULTA.com/ULTA Beauty Stores nationwide – the first South-Asian brand in the prominent retailer, as well as Credo.com/Credo Stores across the country.Outside of innovation, as Live Tinted expands nationwide under Mutyala’s helm, the brand also continues to engage with iconic national partners, such as Barbie, Never Have I Ever, and Phenomenal, as well as receive various notable industry accolades (WWD Best Product Innovation, ELLE Future of Beauty, Allure Best of Beauty, etc.). Mutyala currently resides in Los Angeles, CA. Connect with Deepica:@deepica@livetintedGet your own Live Tinted products at www.livetinted.com!Listen to more episodes of It Takes A Village podcast:⁠It Takes A Village with Delina Medhin⁠Stay updated on everything It Takes A Village podcast:⁠@ittakesavillagepod⁠⁠www.ittakesavillagepod.com⁠Connect with Delina:⁠Instagram @delinamedhin⁠⁠TikTok @delinamedhin⁠⁠YouTube @delinamedhin⁠⁠Twitter @delinamedhin⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠www.delinamedhin.com

In this episode of It Takes A Village, Delina speaks with Annie Jackson, a beauty veteran and co-founder of Credo. With an illustrious career that began at Estee Lauder, Annie played a critical role in launching Sephora in the U.S. and Japan before creating Credo. Annie has fueled a clean beauty movement and changed the way people think about what they put on their skin and by providing cleaner options for everyone.Annie shares her journey from working in global product marketing and merchandising to co-founding Credo with Shashi Batra. We dive into the early days of Credo, the intentional approach to company growth, and the meticulous process of selecting brands that align with Credo Clean standards. Annie also talks about the collaborative efforts behind co-founding PACT with MOB Beauty, Credo’s commitment to eliminating single-use plastics, and the broader quest for sustainability in the beauty industry.Whether you’re curious about launching a mission-driven business, interested in the behind-the-scenes of clean beauty retail, or simply inspired by pioneers changing the world, this episode is packed with invaluable insights and inspiration.Learn more about Annie:Annie Jackson is a beauty veteran that has been a key player in the successes of the industry’s biggest beauty companies. Annie began her career at Estee Lauder and then was later recruited to be one of the early members of the team that launched Sephora USA and Japan. Annie went on to roles in global product marketing and merchandising for Benefit Cosmetics as well as Sephora inside JCPenney. As the Co-Founder of Credo, Annie’s unwavering commitment to change the way people think about what they put on their skin, and a quest for cleaner options for everyone has fostered a new generation of beauty brands and fueled a clean beauty movement.Connect with Annie:@anniejackson_shopgirl@credobeautyWhat's new?- Get the new Credo Skincare line launched just last September- Learn more about, Pact, the beauty collection non-profit; our goal is to divert beauty packaging waste from going into the landfill.- Credo has also expanded into home with these brands: Caftari, Siblings, Vitruvi, DedCool, Intentional Goods, Atmo- Credo 4 Change - Credo transitioned a couple of years ago away from being a brand founder accelerator to being a career accelerator for BIPOC students. They found their network lacked diversity, the industry lacked diversity, and if they could create a more equitable network for students interested in making a career in beauty after graduation, they could accomplish that.Listen to more episodes of It Takes A Village podcast:⁠It Takes A Village with Delina Medhin⁠Stay updated on everything It Takes A Village podcast:⁠@ittakesavillagepod⁠⁠www.ittakesavillagepod.com⁠Connect with Delina:⁠Instagram @delinamedhin⁠⁠TikTok @delinamedhin⁠⁠YouTube @delinamedhin⁠⁠Twitter @delinamedhin⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠www.delinamedhin.com

Join us in this episode of It Takes A Village as Delina sits down with Laney Crowell, founder and CEO of Saie, the clean beauty brand redefining high-performance cosmetics. With a background as Estée Lauder’s first Executive Director of Online Global Communications and a career that goes from beauty editor to founder, Laney shares how her adventurous upbringing, global perspective, and passion for clean beauty led her to create Saie. In this conversation, Laney dives into her early experiences with acne and how it shaped her approach to beauty. She reflects on her career path leading to launching Saie after listening to her community’s desire for clean, chic, and sustainable makeup. Laney also gives us a behind-the-scenes look at pitching to Sephora, navigating fundraising, and facing tough moments as a founder. Plus, we explore Saie’s commitment to eliminating harmful ingredients, promoting sustainability, and creating a global community rooted in wellness while caring for Mother Earth. Whether you’re passionate about clean beauty, curious about launching a brand, or eager to learn from a founder who balances it all, this episode with Laney will leave you inspired and motivated. Learn more about Laney: Laney Crowell is the founder & CEO of Saie, a clean beauty brand dedicated to making high-performing products that are elevated, effortless, and always easy to use. Prior to founding Saie, she held the role of Estée Lauder’s first Executive Director of Online Global Communications, where she worked at the forefront of the digital, content creation, and social media landscapes when it was still new and uncharted. After Estée Lauder, Laney launched her own beauty and wellness blog called The Moment. While chatting with her blog’s community on Instagram one night, she realized there were thousands of others who desired clean, cool and chic makeup, which sparked the idea of Saie. Laney created Saie to raise the standard in clean cosmetics, offering superior, yet fun products. The brand is committed to using only the purest, safest formulas and has banned the use of 2,000 harmful ingredients commonly found in cosmetics. Through Saie, Crowell was able to create not just a beauty brand, but an entire community centered around wellness. Laney received her B.A. in Mathematical Economics from Pomona College, but fell in love with her minors in Psychology and French studies. The daughter of a diplomat, she was born in Colorado, but traveled around the globe as a child, having lived in China, France and Washington D.C. She is a wife and proud mother of two, residing in the Hamptons with her family. Connect with Laney: @laney What's new? - Learn more about Saie Climate Initiative and The Saie Way. - Saie recently expanded to Sephora Middle East in October. - Sign up for Lunch Break, Laney's Newsletter, a free Wednesday substack column about beauty, fashion and feeling good. And maybe some business insights sprinkled in here and there. If you want more Saie news, subscribe to Saie's substack, From the Office. Listen to more episodes of It Takes A Village podcast: ⁠It Takes A Village with Delina Medhin⁠ Stay updated on everything It Takes A Village podcast: ⁠@ittakesavillagepod⁠ ⁠www.ittakesavillagepod.com⁠ Connect with Delina: ⁠Instagram @delinamedhin⁠ ⁠TikTok @delinamedhin⁠ ⁠YouTube @delinamedhin⁠ ⁠Twitter @delinamedhin⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠www.delinamedhin.com

In this next episode of It Takes A Village, Delina speaks to long-time friend and colleague, Yene Damtew, a renowned beauty expert, industry leader, and salon owner in the haircare industry. With nearly two decades of experience, Yene has blended artistry, education, and business strategy to redefine beauty standards and empower clients through knowledge. Known for her work as the personal hairstylist to the Obama family, Yene’s influence extends far beyond celebrity clients to mentoring the next generation of beauty professionals. In this conversation, Yene shares the story of opening her renowned Aesthetics Salon in Arlington, VA, and the challenges of finding the right location and building a team that aligns with her values. We also discuss her experience working with high-profile clients, including celebrities and Jeannette Reyes, and the trust required in those partnerships. Yene opens up about the unique aspects of being Habesha in the beauty industry, how she balances being a mom and wife while working alongside her husband, and the lessons she’s learned negotiating and running a successful business. Whether you’re an aspiring salon owner, a beauty enthusiast, or someone looking to balance entrepreneurship and family life, Yene’s journey will inspire and motivate you to think big and lead with purpose. Learn more about Yene: Yene is a renowned beauty expert, industry leader, and salon owner with nearly two decades of experience. Her impact on the beauty industry goes far beyond hairstyling; Yene is on a mission to reshape the landscape of beauty through her innovative 360-degree approach, which blends business acumen, education, and artistry. Best known as the personal hairstylist to the Obama family, Yene has built an influential career that continues to evolve. She founded and operates Aesthetics Salon in Arlington, VA, where she leads a team of top-tier stylists dedicated to delivering expert hair care while educating clients on the science and artistry behind healthy hair. Yene’s leadership has fostered an inclusive community of professionals who are redefining beauty standards and empowering clients through knowledge. A thought leader and sought-after voice in the beauty industry, Yene’s expertise has been highlighted in publications such as Allure, GQ, NPR, and Vogue. She was also honored as a “Hair Raiser” on Ulta Beauty’s prestigious Muse 100 list, celebrating the most inspirational Black voices in beauty. Beyond her accomplishments in the salon, Yene is passionate about mentoring the next generation of stylists, addressing gaps in traditional cosmetology education, and equipping her mentees with both technical skills and business savvy. As she continues to innovate and influence, Yene is expanding her reach into lifestyle spaces, with a vision to drive lasting change in the beauty industry for years to come. Her ultimate goal? Empowering clients, championing diversity, and crafting a legacy that extends beyond hairstyling—shaping the future of beauty and entrepreneurship. Connect with Yene: @yenedamtew Listen to more episodes of It Takes A Village podcast: ⁠It Takes A Village with Delina Medhin⁠ Stay updated on everything It Takes A Village podcast: ⁠@ittakesavillagepod⁠ ⁠www.ittakesavillagepod.com⁠ Connect with Delina: ⁠Instagram @delinamedhin⁠ ⁠TikTok @delinamedhin⁠ ⁠YouTube @delinamedhin⁠ ⁠Twitter @delinamedhin⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠www.delinamedhin.com

In this episode of It Takes a Village, Delina welcomes Issa Rae for a candid discussion covering various facets of her life and career. Issa Rae is a dynamic force in entertainment, known for creating and starring in the Peabody-winning series, Insecure, and for her roles in Barbie, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and American Fiction. As the founder of HOORAE Media, Issa champions diverse storytelling across film, TV, and music. Issa’s commitment to her community in South LA shines through her investments in local businesses, including Hilltop Cafe + Kitchen, Somerville, and Sienna Naturals, a Black-owned vegan hair care line.Issa discusses her creative journey, from the early success of Awkward Black Girl to becoming a creative producer, and shares insights into the challenges of the industry, including casting, auditions, and balancing creative control on set. Rae talks about her entrepreneurial ventures and how she navigates business, and the importance of choosing investments that align with her values. Rae also shares stories about her family background, creative process, waking up early, and balancing multiple projects, painting a comprehensive picture of her approach to both her professional and personal life.Listen to Issa Rae’s inspiring story of innovation, perseverance, and creative excellence. As she says, "I’m committed to breaking boundaries and pushing the envelope," and this episode is full of wisdom for anyone striving to make their mark. Tune in now for an unforgettable conversation with one of today’s most influential creators.Learn more about Issa Rae:With her own unique flare and infectious sense of humor, Rae first received attention for her award-winning web series and the accompanying New York Times best-seller, “The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl.” She created and starred in the Peabody-award-winning HBO series, INSECURE, which garnered her multiple Emmy® and Golden Globe® nominations. Rae has also made her mark on the big screen, co-starring in Greta Gerwig’s BARBIE, which dominated theaters as the biggest box-office hit of 2023, SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE, Sony’s highest-grossing animated release in history and the award-winning AMERICAN FICTION.In 2020 Rae formed HOORAE, a multi-faceted media company that develops content across mediums in an effort to continue to break boundaries in storytelling and representation. HOORAE is comprised of HOORAE Media for film, tv and digital; Raedio, the music label, music supervision and "audio everywhere" company; ColorCreative, its management division; and FÊTE its marketing arm.Rae's commitment to South LA is evident in both her personal and professional pursuits. After planting roots near her childhood home, Issa set up the HOORAE headquarters in the heart of South LA. Her participation in the non-profit organization Destination Crenshaw furthers her mission of celebrating Black Angelenos and her ownership in Hilltop Cafe + Kitchen provides much-needed jobs and opportunities for local residents as well as a space for creatives to unlock their potential. Additionally, as co-owner of the Black owned and operated vegan hair care line, Sienna Naturals, Rae intends to continue to reimagine Black wellness and beauty. Rae recently launched Viarae Prosecco, a sparkling wine that's perfect for any occasion and represents the freedom to let loose and be authentic.Connect with Issa Rae:@issaraeListen to more episodes of It Takes A Village podcast:⁠It Takes A Village with Delina Medhin⁠Stay updated on everything It Takes A Village podcast:⁠@ittakesavillagepod⁠⁠www.ittakesavillagepod.com⁠Connect with Delina:⁠Instagram @delinamedhin⁠⁠TikTok @delinamedhin⁠⁠YouTube @delinamedhin⁠⁠Twitter @delinamedhin⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠www.delinamedhin.com

Join us in this episode of It Takes A Village as Delina sits down with Chelsea, Sade, and Glynn, the women behind Black Girls Texting podcast and founders of Blue Water Girls, a skincare brand celebrating sunkissed skin. With their innovative tan accelerant and glow serum, Blue Water Girls advocates for responsible sun exposure and the unique beauty of all skin tones. Their journey is about building community and fostering connection, whether through their podcast or skincare brand. In this conversation, Chelsea, Sade, and Glynn share how they met, the origins of their group chat, and how they turned their bond into real-life collaboration. We explore their creative process, from brainstorming the concept to designing sustainable, skin-loving formulas and eye-catching packaging. They also talk about self-funding their business, shooting a campaign in Cuba, and launching in New York and Los Angeles. Through it all, they emphasize the importance of meeting their customers face-to-face and the challenges of navigating the retail world. Whether you’re dreaming of starting a skincare line or simply love hearing about the power of collaboration and community, or just fans of Black Girls Texting, this episode offers inspiration, real talk, and a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to bring a brand to life. Learn more about Black Girls Texting/Blue Water Girls: At Blue Water Girls, we are pioneering a new era of beauty that celebrates sunkissed skin. We are a premium skincare brand specializing in a unique tan accelerant and glow serum designed to help customers achieve a beautiful, glowing tan with minimal sun exposure. We envision a world where individuals of all skin tones from deep to fair embrace the beauty of their sun kissed complexion. In a landscape of anti-sun messaging, we promote balanced and responsible sun exposure. Our nurturing, naturally derived, skin-loving formula, paired with sun protection will enhance your natural glow. Connect with Black Girls Texting/Blue Water Girls: @forbluewatergirls @blackgirlstexting @chelspinky @osaremisade @bedstuybrat Listen to the Black Girls Texting podcast and also check out Blue Water Girls Private Island Glow now available to purchase on the site - https://bluewatergirls.co/. Listen to more episodes of It Takes A Village podcast: ⁠It Takes A Village with Delina Medhin⁠ Stay updated on everything It Takes A Village podcast: ⁠@ittakesavillagepod⁠ ⁠www.ittakesavillagepod.com⁠ Connect with Delina: ⁠Instagram @delinamedhin⁠ ⁠TikTok @delinamedhin⁠ ⁠YouTube @delinamedhin⁠ ⁠Twitter @delinamedhin⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠www.delinamedhin.com