It Takes A Village with Delina Medhin

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

In this episode of It Takes A Village, Delina speaks with Kendra Butler, founder of Alpyn Beauty. After feeling burnt out from the high-powered NYC lifestyle in the beauty industry, Kendra transitioned to a more relaxed pace in life in Jackson Hole. Personally experiencing the challenges of using beauty products in extreme climates, she was inspired to launch Alpyn Beauty, a skincare line blending wild, sustainably harvested plants with natural skincare benefits with clinically proven skincare ingredients. Kendra shares with us her transition from working with beauty brands in NY to living and starting Alpyn Beauty Bar in Jackson Hole. She talks about the challenges of curating and then crafting beauty solutions for extreme climates, getting support from retailers like Credo and Goop before having her own product line, pitching to Sephora, and what partnerships with retailers look like. We dive into the experience of harvesting wild plants in the mountains, creating her own plant-based extracts, and the behind the scenes of her well-loved Alpyn products. Kendra also shares with us the importance of sticking with your skincare routine, understanding skin purging, and what it’s like working alongside her husband. Whether you’re interested in entrepreneurship, beauty, or the journey of turning a passion into a thriving business, this episode with Kendra is filled with valuable lessons and inspiration that will motivate you to just go for it. Learn more about Kendra: A former Manhattanite and 20-year beauty industry veteran, Kendra Kolb Butler first created Alpyn Beauty for the clients at her Jackson Hole apothecary, Alpyn Beauty Bar. She’s led sales, marketing and public relations initiatives at leading luxury beauty companies from Givenchy and Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare to Clarins and Coty, yet her proudest achievement to date has been finding the courage to trade her high-power NYC lifestyle for (quite literally) greener pastures. In 2015, Kendra swapped her high-heels for hiking shoes, moving west to Wyoming in search of open spaces, fresh mountain air, and serenity—husband, baby boy, and German Shepherd in tow. She became instantly enchanted with the wild forests of arnica and chamomile, which make up her new backyard, and became the basis for Alpyn Beauty-a fast-growing skincare brand utilizing hand-harvested Jackson Hole wild plants combined with clinical ingredients. The brand is currently sold in all Sephora's nationwide as well as Amazon, Bluemercury and Credo Beauty. Connect with Kendra: @kendrakbutler @alpynbeauty Get Alpyn Beauty's Clarifying Facial Oil — a two-form retinol paired with salicylic acid + wild red raspberries from the mountains of Jackson Hole at alpynbeauty.com 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

S3. Ep. 51 Wow, I can’t believe we’re here—50 episodes of It Takes a Village! 🎉 I’m sitting here reflecting on everything it’s taken to get to this moment, and I just feel so much gratitude. Gratitude for this journey, for every single guest who has said “yes” to being part of this, and especially for YOU, my village—for showing up, listening, and being part of this village we’ve built together. When I started this podcast four years ago, it was honestly just me trying to figure out how to stay connected during one of the most disconnected times in our lives. It was raw, it was real, and it was just me and my voice—no fancy setups, just heart and zoom. :) And here we are now, 50 episodes later, and I can honestly say this journey has transformed me in ways I never imagined. So today, I’m inviting you into my heart and head space as I share 50 Episodes, 10 Big Lessons: What I Learned About Manifestation, Integrity, and Leadership Might Surprise You. These lessons are personal. They’re moments that changed me, shaped me, and they wouldn’t exist without the incredible people I’ve had the privilege to sit down with. From learning how manifestation really works, to understanding how attachment styles show up in business, to being reminded of the power of storytelling and the importance of staying rooted in integrity—these lessons have been my lighthouses. And because this is a celebration, I have to give a special shoutout to our 50th episode with the incomparable Tabitha Brown and Gina Woods. Honestly, sitting with them was like being wrapped in love and wisdom. It was the kind of conversation that reminds you why you started in the first place. So, grab a cup of tea or coffee (you know I love a good cozy moment), and let’s dive in. This isn’t just about my journey—it’s about OUR journey. This village we’ve built together means everything to me, and I hope today’s reflections remind you of just how powerful, capable, and connected we all are. I love you. Let’s do this. 00:00 Welcome and Milestone Celebration 00:28 Evolution of the Podcast 00:54 The Purpose and Integrity of the Show 02:13 Listener Feedback and Show Impact 03:35 Highlighting the 50th Episode 05:09 Manifestation and Visualization 09:57 Building with Integrity and Standards 13:43 Attachment Styles in Business 19:14 Family and Friendships Matter 23:12 The Power of Storytelling 24:27 The Journey of Improvement 25:40 Mastering the Art of Pitching 28:44 The Power of Vulnerability 31:27 Passion-Driven Ventures 33:17 Understanding Your 'Why' 38:28 The Pitfalls of Flexing 42:15 Final Reflections and Encouragement Instagram ⁠@delinamedhin ⁠ TikTok ⁠@delinamedhin⁠ ⁠ittakesavillagepodcast.com⁠ ⁠delinamedhin.com

Join us in this episode of It Takes A Village as Delina sits with Tabitha Brown and Gina Woods, co-founders of Donna’s Recipe. Tabitha, known as “America’s Mom”, is an Emmy award winning actress, NYT bestselling author, and executive producer and host of Food Network’s “It’s CompliPlated.” Gina is a serial social entrepreneur, investor, and business mentor, leading a business mastermind program empowering women to kickstart and expand their ventures and has advised multiple businesses to multi-million dollar companies. Together they make up Donna’s Recipe, which consists of nutrient-rich, clean, vegan ingredients that will keep you coming back and staying consistent on your hair care journey. Tabitha and Gina take us with them to the beginning of their friendship, Tabitha naming her hair Donna, developing their partnership, and the exciting story of creating Donna’s Recipe together. We get to learn about their journey together in creating content, community building, decision making in their business, making Sweet Potato Pie, challenges of going direct to consumer sales, making products affordable, being self-funded, and their roles and responsibilities as co-founders. Whether you are one of Donna’s Cousins or eager to learn more about direct to consumer strategies, this episode is for you. Tabitha and Gina will inspire you and give you the push you need to start that business you’ve always wanted to. Learn more about Tabitha: Tabitha Brown satisfies the hunger of millions with her unique approach to veganism and her wholesome, comedic personality. From teaching people new recipes, giving a word of wisdom or enjoying a good laugh, she has become “America’s Mom” to her 13 million plus followers. The North Carolina born, Emmy award winning actress, vegan food personality, mother and wife is a three-time, New York Times bestselling author, multi-NAACP Image Award Winner. She has acted in notable theatrical features on major networks such as Showtime’s, “The Chi", Executive produced and hosted Food Network’s first-ever, vegan cooking competition show, “It’s CompliPlated” and co-created and hosts her own children’s show, Tab Time. Learn more about Gina: Gina Woods is a social entrepreneur, investor, and business advisor with a 15-year track record of creating and developing successful beauty brands that prioritize community reinvestment. As a business mentor, Woods leads a business mastermind program empowering women to kickstart and expand their ventures. She has advised multiple businesses to multi-million dollar companies. Additionally, Woods established the LA Kids Entrepreneur Camp, an in-person hands-on educational program for young minds to engage with accomplished entrepreneurs and delve into the essentials of entrepreneurship. Connect with Tabitha and Gina: @iamtabithabrown @ginalosangeles Get their NEW Whipped Vanilla Cream Styling Collection with real vanilla and biotin at www.donnasrecipe.com 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 sits with long-time friend and colleague, Felicia Leatherwood. Felicia is among the world’s most celebrated and acclaimed beauty professionals in natural hair care and education. Counting notable clients such as Issa Rae, Lenny Kravitz, Simone Missick, Ryan Michelle Bathe, Sonequa Martin-Green, Ava Duvernay, and Viola Davis. Felicia also developed Texture Management and invented and founded her critically-acclaimed, award winning and patented product line, Brush with the Best. Felicia shares with us her extensive experience being on set, doing international films, traveling for work and developing a love for travel, prepping before a big job, learning from all the people you work with, and giving back to the younger generation of artists. She tells us of Jill Scott and Lenny Kravitz’ impact in her career and how she stays grounded and close to hairstyling. We will also learn all about her starting Brush with the Best and Texture Management. With everything she has done and is doing, her learnings on self-worth and spirituality will also resonate with anyone who listens. Continuing her mission to spread her message of self-love ever further, Felicia is set to release her highly anticipated book with Simon & Schuster titled Root Therapy. Whether you are listening as a fan of Felicia or simply wanting to absorb all the knowledge that comes with her experience in the industry, tune in to this episode. It has everything you’d expect and more coming from a full-fledged global hair guru and business founder. Learn more about Felicia: As the leading expert in natural hair, Felicia Leatherwood’s larger-than-life career goes beyond just Hollywood – she’s a full-fledged global hair guru. Numbering among the world’s most celebrated and acclaimed beauty professionals, Felicia’s well-established career is built on her fluency in – and deep love for – natural hair care and education. Counting notable clients such as Issa Rae and Emmy nominated productions such as Insecure, American Fiction and Barbie, Grammy winning Lenny Kravitz, Simone Missick (All Rise), Ryan Michelle Bathe (The Endgame), Sonequa Martin-Green (Star Trek: Discovery), Oscar-nominated director Ava Duvernay, and Oscar winner Viola Davis. In between conducting hair care workshops for audiences around the globe, Felicia developed Texture Management, a collective of premiere hair and makeup artists around the country specializing in celebrity clientele in the entertainment industry. Felicia also invented and founded her critically-acclaimed, award winning and patented product line, Brush with the Best, which has earned accolades from customers and industry pros alike. Continuing her mission to spread her message of self-love ever further, Felicia is set to release her highly anticipated book with Simon & Schuster titled Root Therapy. Connect with Felicia: IG: @Felicialeatherwood FB: @Lovingyourhair Brush with the Best and the Felicia Leatherwood Detangler Brush was the FIRST brush invented by Felicia that was strategically designed around the flexibility necessary to work with kinkier hair. Get yours at www.brushwiththebest.com. 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 we are joined by one of Delina’s good friends, Kayla Greaves, one of the most sought-after and authoritative voices in the beauty and wellness sector. From starting as a writer and editor in Bustle and InStyle interviewing celebrities to working with SheaMoisture, Ulta, and Augustinus Bader in brand campaigns as well as being an expert commentator on HBO’s The Beauty of Blackness and Netflix’s the Black Beauty Effect, Kayla has without a doubt established how her voice has weight in influencing the industry. Kayla shares with us her experience growing up in Toronto and being encouraged to write from the support of one of her teachers. From writing in the classroom to becoming a successful journalist, getting her Extraordinary Ability Visa and moving to New York, working in Bustle and InStyle, she takes us with her through it all. We also learn a thing or two about being a writer, editor, journalist, and also how developing relationships and your network is important when getting expert sources for your work. As she continues on her journey, we pick up tips on transitioning to becoming an influencer and now an entrepreneur and working for herself. Learning all sorts of skills from all her careers has brought Kayla to now having a product collaboration with Brown Sugar Babe called It Girl. Whether you are in the middle of a pivot in your career or interested in working in the media space, Kayla’s expertise and inspiring stories, coupled with her gift for storytelling, this episode is for you. Listen in and be part of this captivating conversation. Learn more about Kayla: With over 12 years of media experience, Kayla Greaves has become one of the most sought-after and authoritative voices in the beauty and wellness sector—both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. Kayla can be seen in brand campaigns for major companies like SheaMoisture, Ulta, and Augustinus Bader as well as an expert commentator on HBO’s The Beauty of Blackness and Netflix’s The Black Beauty Effect. Starting her career as an editor, Kayla has interviewed dozens of notable celebrities over the years, like Tracee Ellis Ross, Pharrell, and Naomi Campbell, just to name a few. Previously holding the title of Executive Beauty Editor at InStyle—and with bylines at prestigious publications such as Vogue, ELLE, and Allure—Kayla’s expertise, coupled with her gift for sparking fun and captivating conversations, has launched the next phase of her career as a true multi-hyphenated storyteller, on-camera talent, and beauty authority. Connect with Kayla: @KaylaAGreaves 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 with Delina Medhin, we have Brooklyn native and Los Angeles-based Denise Vasi, founder of Maed Beauty. Denise has been known for her modeling and acting career before she pivoted to the digital sector and now as a brand founder. Her influence in the beauty and wellness spaces has brought her awards from Create & Cultivate’s Top 100 to Boss Women of the Year, paving new paths for all women to succeed. Denise shares with us her journey as a young model and actress and how her experience also led to meeting her husband. She talks about the importance of networking and relationships in the industry and adapting to changes that happen in your life, including pivoting to social media and digital when the time called for it. As a great storyteller, we are captivated by her recalling every pivot of her journey from modeling, to acting, to growing her own community, creating Maed Beauty, creating a product, building her team, overcoming challenges in producing her formula, and manifesting getting in the Sephora Accelerate Program on her first try. Whether you start listening to the episode as a fan or interested in learning how to pitch and get into programs like Sephora’s, this episode is meant for you. Denise’s life story, led with authenticity and passion, continues to inspire us and everyone around her. Learn more about Denise: Brooklyn native and Los Angeles-based Denise Vasi is the founder of Maed Beauty, a clean beauty brand that centers the importance of daily beauty rituals for people who lead multifaceted lives. Everything Maed Beauty creates and champions is through an elevated, experiential lens. The debut collection prioritizes the ritual of lip care with a modern, skincare-first approach. Denise’s career began in the fashion industry, where she graced the pages of iconic magazines such as Vogue, Glamour, and Elle. She also made her mark on television as the star of VH1’s scripted show “Single Ladies.” Her successful pivot into the digital sector has further solidified her influence in the beauty and wellness spaces. In 2018, Denise was recognized as one of Create & Cultivate’s Top 100, an annual list honoring 100 inspiring and successful women disrupting the digital industry. She was further celebrated in 2020 as one of the Boss Women of the Year, highlighting female entrepreneurs of color who are paving new paths for all women to succeed. Denise’s latest venture, Maed Beauty, set to debut in 2024, marks a significant milestone in her career. This new chapter is underscored by her inclusion in Sephora’s prestigious Accelerate program, which supports and amplifies the work of innovative beauty entrepreneurs. Denise uses social media to share her expertise in clean beauty, health and wellness routines, and self-care rituals with an ever-growing, dedicated audience. Her honest and intentional approach has attracted partnerships with like-minded brands such as Sephora, Amazon, Pampers, and American Express. Denise splits her time between Los Angeles and New York City with her husband, Anthony, and their two children, continuing to inspire and lead with authenticity and passion. Connect with Denise: @denisevasi @maedbeauty Sign up at maedbeauty.com for invites to community events + early product testing as well as launch news! 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