In this episode of It Takes A Village with Delina Medhin, we sit down with Angella Sprauve, a leading cosmetic chemist and the force behind The Clean Beauty Atelier and Founder and CEO of Auvê Beauty. With her own lab in the Bay Area and a rich heritage from Guyana, Angella shares her journey into the world of cosmetic chemistry, where she has carved out an extensive career developing award-winning products. From her deep commitment to clean beauty to her passion for wellness and vegetarianism, Angella offers a holistic approach to beauty that extends beyond the products themselves. Angella takes us through the full spectrum of her work, from consulting with brands on concept-to-creation services to leading teams in the development of sustainable packaging solutions and creating quality skincare products. She discusses the importance of being a good people manager and the value of collaboration with clients and colleagues. We also dive into her personal practices of mindfulness and meditation, exploring how these have a profound effect on both skin health and overall well-being. Whether you're interested in the science behind beauty products, the principles of clean beauty, or the intersection of wellness and skincare, this episode is packed with insights and practical advice. Tune in to discover how Angella is shaping the future of the beauty industry with her innovative and mindful approach. Learn more about Angella: Angella helps entrepreneurs, indie brands, and established companies bring their beauty ideas to life. She has developed award-winning products for a range of clean standards and retail outlets. With 15+ years as a formulation chemist and product development leader, she works with clients to create clean, safe, effective products from concept to counter. The Clean Beauty Atelier is a boutique personal care product development group lead by beauty industry innovator and leading cosmetic chemist, Angella Sprauve. We help entrepreneurs, indie brands, and established brands bring their skincare, haircare, color cosmetics and personal care ideas to life. As consulting partners, we provide a turnkey experience to take your ideas from conception to manufacturing and fulfillment. Auvê Beauty is chemistry-driven skincare, inspired by the vibrant essence of Guyana; consciously created with cutting-edge innovation of California. Founded by Angella Sprauve, a female chemist of color and industry leader. Our mission is to champion cosmetic chemistry education and radiant skin for all! Since we relaunched, we've been really proud of our growing #Auvegirl tribe - these are women from all walks of life and backgrounds, and we’re so grateful to be on their skincare journey. Our Porecelain Skin Refining Serum won the Healing Lifestyles Earth Day Award for best pore serum. Connect with Angella: @TheCleanBeautyAtelier @Auvebeauty www.thecleanbeautyatelier.com www.auvebeauty.com Get Angella's new e-book, "Create Your Own Beauty Empire", now available to download on Amazon. 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

Join us in this episode of It Takes A Village podcast as Delina talks to Liz Kennedy, CEO of Beauty Magnet. Known for her authenticity, ease to work with, and vibrant energy, Liz shares her ability to genuinely connect with people and manifest the life that she desires. Liz’ journey of moving to LA, getting on TV, launching Beauty Magnet, and being an excellent mom is nothing short of impressive. Going through pandemic as a new business, experiencing postpartum depression, and being looked down on as she does pitch after pitch to raise funding were just some of the challenges she talks about. Through all these, her strength, spirituality, and positivity are seen as she highlights the importance of your mindset, having a wellness practice, and knowing that you have the power to magnetize success. Words have power and speaking it out loud brings it to fruition. Liz also has a passion for supporting diversity, inclusivity, and doing well by doing good. Beauty Magnet was created to address a need and help women beyond just having easily accessible tools. Whether you’re here to listen to how to launch a business or seek insight on manifesting, you will surely get what you need to be inspired. Tune in and listen to Liz and Delina in this honest conversation on growth and living a magnetic life. Learn more about Liz: Known for her authenticity, ease to work with, and vibrant energy, Liz has the distinctive ability to connect with people from all walks of life and in any situation. Whether she is giving the gift of a makeover to a mom who deserves it more than anyone or is working with one of Hollywood's top celebrities, Liz knows how to spark dialogues that are engaging, entertaining, and most importantly rooted in years of professional experience. Liz also has a passion for supporting diversity, inclusivity, and doing well by doing good. Connect with Liz: Instagram - @lizkennedy TikTok - @beautymagnet Dress Like Liz on LTK 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 podcast, Delina sits with Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye, Founder and CEO of emerging beauty brand, Ami Colé. Diarrha is a first-generation Senegalese-American entrepreneur and talks about the influence of being born and raised in Harlem and growing up in her mom’s hair salon, Aminata Hair Braiding Salon. Prior to launching Ami Colé, Diarrha worked a decade in marketing, communications, social media, and product development for brands like TEMPTU, L’Oreal Paris, Glossier, and more. She shares when and how she decided to put her pen down, taking a well deserved break, and finally developing the solution to her constant challenge of getting the perfect shade for her skin. She also sheds light on the difficulties of funding and investments, making sure you’re well stocked to address product demands in online and Sephora stores, and the importance of leadership when you’re running an emerging beauty brand. Whether you’re an avid makeup enthusiast, or seeking to quit corporate to turn entrepreneur, this episode is full of valuable insights and wisdom that will guide you. Join us as Diarrha shares her real life experiences, decisions, and village that have brought her to her beauty brand, Ami Colé. Tune in and listen as Diarrha continues to demystify stereotypes, shatter glass ceilings, and redefine the often-tainted perception of Black Beauty. Learn more about Diarrha: Born and raised in Harlem, U.S.A., Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye is a first-generation Senegalese-American entrepreneur. Over the past decade, Diarrha has worked in marketing, communications and social media for multi-million dollar brands such as Rebecca Minkoff, VIBE Magazine, and L’Oreal Paris. She then began to lead and execute new product launches while working in product development and innovation at Glossier. Bringing her 8+ years of experience, today she is the Founder and CEO of emerging beauty brand, Ami Colé, a "better-for-you" brand made to celebrate melanin-rich skin. Diarrha is laser-focused on continuing to demystify stereotypes, shatter glass ceilings, and redefine the often-tainted perception of Black Beauty. Connect with Diarrha: @diarrhaxo Get the new Aysha Harun Collaboration - Lip Treatment Oil in Happy at amicole.com or at a Sephora store near you. 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

Join us as we dive into the entrepreneurial journey of Sharon Pak and Jordynn Wynn, the co-founders of INH Hair (Insert Name Here). From their college days at Pepperdine University, where they balanced studies and part-time work, to launching a multi-million dollar hair brand, Sharon and Jordynn have transformed the beauty industry with their innovative approach. They share their experiences from working on ColourPop right out of university, their journey from color cosmetics to hair, and how they navigated the challenges of starting a business together with their investor partner. In this episode of It Takes A Village with Delina Medhin, we explore the evolution of INH Hair, from making mistakes in the early days to becoming the first hair brand in every single Ulta store. Sharon and Jordynn discuss their strategy for expanding their product line, which is designed to bring confidence and transformational self-expression to their customers. They also touch on the importance of hair stylists in product recommendations, the role of influencer marketing, and the impact of having Ariana Grande use their ponytails in her “In My Head” music video with Vogue. Whether you’re interested in starting your own business, improving your social media presence, or learning how to manage co-founder relationships, this episode is packed with actionable insights and personal anecdotes. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at building a successful beauty brand, the importance of communication and wellness, and tips for making your mark in the industry. Learn more about Sharon and Jordynn: We, Shordynn (Sharon & Jordynn) became best friends & realized we loved building brands together after growing one of the biggest ecommerce beauty brands from the ground up. While our journey started in cosmetics, we found our real passion was hair after listening to the concerns of our friends, family & social community (and experiencing more than a few bad hair days & products ourselves). It seemed obvious to us that hair is the ultimate source of self-expression, confidence, and transformation…but we struggled to find high-quality, on-trend products at accessible price points. Our connection to our community and fulfilling their needs was the concept that became the north star for our relatable & accessible hair brand. After a chance meeting with our co-partner Kevin & a lot of wildstorming, we finally moved past our fears & fully embraced our start up adventure. INSERT NAME HERE is rooted in connection, positivity & self-expression. With our team’s collective years in the beauty industry, our 24/7 service team & community of INH Babes— you have expertise at your fingertips, always. Connect with Sharon and Jordynn: @immbunny @jordynn.wynn Get the New Dry Shampoo at https://inhhair.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 with Delina Medhin, we welcome back Yanely Espinal, a financial educator and storyteller who’s transforming the way we think about money. Yanely is known for her popular YouTube channel MissBeHelpful and her bestselling book Mind Your Money, where she shares her journey from paying off $20,000 of debt in 18 months (on a 40k/year salary living in NYC) to becoming a leading voice in financial education. Her mission is to make financial concepts accessible and actionable, and she brings that same energy to our conversation. Yanely breaks down key financial topics including saving and investing, the benefits of high-yield savings accounts, and various types of investments. We dive into the differences between stocks and bonds, explore the advantages of having a certified financial planner or advisor (and why they should be fiduciaries), discuss Roth IRA as an investment and how your taxes are affected. She also offers insights into investing specifically for creative entrepreneurs, showing how you can build wealth while pursuing your passions. Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your investment strategy, this episode is packed with practical tips and inspiring advice. Tune in to learn how to manage your financial health, embrace a growth mindset, and make smart decisions to secure your financial future. More about Yanely: Yanely Espinal is a Brooklyn-born ball of energy! She's an educator with a gift for storytelling and a passion for explaining financial concepts in a straightforward way.  While working as an elementary school teacher, she decided to change her financial life by paying off $20,000 of debt in just 18 months. In 2015 she started MissBeHelpful, a YouTube channel that now has over 4 million views, to help others learn the money skills she never learned in school. Her book, Mind Your Money, was released in May of 2023 and quickly became an Amazon Bestseller, with thousands of copies sold in the first month. Yanely is the Director of Educational Outreach for Next Gen Personal Finance, a nonprofit working to ensure that every high school student gets a full semester of personal finance education. She's also the host of Financially Inclined from Marketplace, a video podcast for teens about money lessons for living life your own way! Connect with Yanely: @missbehelpful Get her book at mindyourmoneybook.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, Delina has a conversation with Ashunta Sheriff-Kendricks, a trailblazing makeup artist with over 20 years of experience in the beauty industry. Known for her signature “Glow” and “less is more” approach, Ashunta has worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Zendaya, Alicia Keys, Rihanna, and Taraji P. Henson. She shares her journey from learning under industry legends like Laura Mercier to launching her own brand, Ashunta Sheriff Beauty, and the challenges she faced in building a business from the ground up. We explore Ashunta’s experiences as a celebrity personal makeup artist and her exciting venture into entrepreneurship, including launching on QVC, where she showcased Ashunta Sheriff Beauty to a wider audience. Ashunta also opens up about her commitment to wellness, the importance of healing, and the power of speaking your truth—key lessons she’s embraced throughout her career. We also discuss how going viral can change your life in an instant and the resilience needed to navigate those pivotal moments. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a beauty enthusiast, or someone seeking inspiration, this episode is packed with valuable insights and heartfelt advice. Join us as Ashunta shares the wisdom she’s gained from her incredible career and how she continues to innovate, heal, and empower others in the beauty industry. More about Ashunta: Ashunta has over 20 years creating her own signature flawless clean beauty technique. Some of Ashunta’s teachers and mentors are Vincent Longo, Laura Mercier, Charlie Green and Pat McGrath where she assisted on their teams for high fashion runway shows world-wide. The tools she’s learned have been invaluable making her one of today’s top makeup artists constantly sought out to report the hottest trends in beauty as well as give expert beauty tips. She has also worked with companies like Dior, Biore, Codex Beauty, Armani Beauty, Mary Kay, Cover Girl, Nair, Simple Beauty, Milani, Elizabeth Arden, Loreal, Smashbox, Jane Iredale and many more from collaborations to product development, making her a Global Makeup Educator and TV Personality. Ashunta’s work has graced the covers of top worldwide publications, every major red carpet event, #1 shows on TV, Major blockbuster movies, TV commercials, Music videos and the list continues. Ashunta has worked with some of today’s hottest and biggest stars such as Zendaya, Janelle Monae, Rihanna, Taraji P. Henson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Alicia Keys, Tessa Thompson, Tika Sumpter, Jennifer Hudson, Sharon Stone, Marisa Tomei, Ciara, Jazmine Sullivan, P.Diddy, Usher, Jay Z, Swizz Beatz, Denzel Washington, and Basket Legend Michael Jordan. Ashunta is most proud of being a mentor to many of today’s top makeup artists. She is not only passionate about her work, but equally passionate to give back to young artists and especially women of all walks of life. Ashunta has worked in all mediums of makeup from Broadway, Fashion, Editorial, and Red Carpet. Ashunta is amongst the leaders in the “New School” of makeup talents creating timeless beauty and fun new trends with every brush stroke. Connect with Ashunta: Instagram @ashuntasheriff TikTok @ashuntasheriffkendricks Shop @ashuntasheriffbeauty at www.ashuntabeauty.com and in select stores: Black Beauty Collective (Chicago and LA) Manhattan Wardrobe supply (NY) Makeup alter in Nashville (TN) glow +Flow Beauty (LA) Friends in Beauty (LA) Shop the Diamond 3-pc sponge set at Marshall’s and TJ Maxx. 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, listen to a heartfelt conversation with Delina's best friend and soul sister, Ruthie, a seasoned Leadership Coach and Business Developer who's spent over 12 years working with some of the biggest names in global media, like NBC Universal, Discovery Communications, and National Geographic. Ruthie opens up about her journey from the fast-paced world of advertising to helping people lead with intention and authenticity. Her story is a powerful reminder that true leadership starts from within. Ruthie shares her thoughts on the importance of friendships, particularly those low-maintenance connections that bring joy without the pressure. We also dive into the deeper aspects of personal growth, exploring spirituality, the Akashic Records, and healing practices like transcendental meditation and astrology. Ruthie speaks candidly about her own experiences with trauma, pain, and depression, shedding light on the vital role of mental health in our lives. Whether you're looking to grow your business or simply want to become the best version of yourself, this episode offers a wealth of insights and inspiration. Join us for a conversation that’s sure to leave you feeling empowered and ready to lead with purpose and heart. More about Ruthie: Ruthie is a certified Leadership Coach and Business Developer with +12 years of international experience in digital media and global advertising sales. She's worked for global brands such as NBC Universal, Discovery Communications and National Geographic. Ruthie added Leadership coaching to her professional tool belt in 2017. Through her boutique global coaching and consultancy practice she coaches, educates and trains individuals, entrepreneurs and businesses around the globe on self-leadership, success creation, and how to live and lead powerfully and effectively from the inside out. As a proud daughter of Eritrean immigrants who is trilingual (in swedish, english and tigrinya - eritrea’s national language)., Ruthie is a culturally competent coach with a global mindset that connects with people from all walks of life easily. Ruthie’s bi-cultural experience is central to her work as a Leadership Coach. Ruthie is a native of Stockholm where she was born and raised, she obtained her Masters in International Management from King's College in London where she lived and worked for over 10 years. Ruthie also hosts the podcast Zanta on all things self-development and growth. Listen to Ruthie's podcast: Zanta podcast Connect with Ruthie:@ruthiezerai www.ruthiezerai.com LinkedIn 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

“Cutting sponges is nothing new, but what I did was build a business from it.” Dive into the inspiring journey of Rea Ann Silva, the brain behind the game-changing Beautyblender brand, in this episode of "It Takes A Village To Raise An Entrepreneur." Get ready to hear the incredible story of how Rea Ann went from doing makeup for music videos in the MTV era to becoming the Founder and CEO of the category creator Beautyblender.  In this podcast, we talk about her journey with experimenting with various sponge shapes and stumbling upon the accidental yet iconic neon pink color, which ultimately became Beautyblender's pivotal marketing strategy. She also shares the raw, unfiltered moments of entrepreneurship - from working with the one person who believed in her, to the nerve-wracking decision to mortgage her house to kickstart Beautyblender. We'll explore how Rea Ann navigated the beauty industry, Beautyblender’s influencer marketing strategy, her journey of refocusing during COVID, and the most challenging part of entrepreneurship: managing a team. Come along for an honest, inspiring chat about the adventurous journey of Beautyblender, Rea Ann's incredible leadership, and the vital lessons she's learned about entrepreneurship and the beauty industry.  Connect with Rea Ann on Instagram @reaannsilva and visit beautyblender.com to learn more about the brand’s latest offers.

In this "It Takes A Village To Raise An Entrepreneur" podcast episode, we explore the captivating journey of Danessa Myricks, a makeup artist whose career took a transformative turn when she opted to leave the corporate world following the closure of her company. Juggling life as a single mother and drawing inspiration from her upbringing in a large family, Danessa shares invaluable lessons she learned from her parents, particularly creating and sustaining something as your own. Amidst her journey, Danessa emphasizes that much of her career has unfolded through unexpected opportunities, encouraging a mindset of saying "yes" even when unsure of the outcome. She also reflects on the impact and importance of having people around you who also journey with you. Danessa candidly shares the journey and growth of Danessa Myricks Beauty, emphasizing the importance of hard work and creation. She also touches on her experiences and strategies in building her brand alongside her team as well as her insights and lessons from her background in photography. To learn more about Danessa Myricks Beauty, head over to danessamyricksbeauty.com. To stay updated with Danessa, follow along on @danessa_myricks.

In this episode of "It Takes A Village To Raise An Entrepreneur", we sit down with Yanely Espinal, a Brown University graduate, Brooklyn native and trailblazer who's making personal finance engaging and accessible. As the first college graduate in her family, Yanely realized the stark absence of financial education in her academic journey. This revelation led her on a mission to empower young individuals with the financial knowledge they need to succeed. Yanely's remarkable career journey took her from Teach For America to creating a YouTube channel, where she breaks down budgeting, credit management, savings, investments, and more. She serves as the Director of Educational Outreach at Next Gen Personal Finance and contributes her expertise to CNBC's Financial Wellness Advisory Council. Join us as we explore Yanely's inspiring story as a first-generation achiever, her transformative understanding of money psychology, and the profound wisdom found in her book, "Mind Your Money," filled with stories and strategies to guide you on your financial journey. Join us as we dissect our own spending habits, taking on Suze Orman's "90 Days of Spending Habits" challenge and gain valuable insights from the concepts and tips shared in her book. For more financial wisdom and inspiration, follow Yanely at @missbehelpful on Instagram.