Today on the Friends in Beauty Podcast Akua takes some time to reflect on what experiences she had in 2020. Can you believe that we’re already approaching a New Year...again? 2020 was definitely the year of clarity like we never imagined. It allowed us to pause and really think about what we’ve been through and how we want to show up going forward. This has been a crazy year! We empathize with those who have lost loved ones and those whose businesses had to close their doors due to lack of resou...
Dec 23, 2020•25 min
Today on the Friends in Beauty Podcast I welcome my #FriendinBeauty + real life friend, Xena Nevils, to the guest chair. Xena, is a Makeup Artist and Master Esthetician out of Hampton Roads Virginia and had been servicing the wedding and beauty industry particularly for over 10 years. She focuses on the health & beautification of the skin for everyday Women & Brides. "Creating The Luxury Skin Experience from Yes, to I Do." I was excited to have the opportunity to interview Xena for the F...
Dec 16, 2020•1 hr 7 min
Today on the Friends in Beauty Podcast Akua shares with you 5 Ways To Self-Motivate Yourself During Difficult Times. #FriendsinBeauty Have you been feeling unmotivated lately? Do you know that you can do more than what you’re doing and you’re just not satisfied? Well, Episode 37 of the Friends in Beauty Podcast is just for you! As much as this year has been positively transformative for some of our #FriendsinBeauty, Akua is also aware that this year has been extremely difficult for others. If yo...
Dec 09, 2020•22 min
Today on the Friends in Beauty Podcast Akua gives you a little storytime about how she was stood up on a photoshoot. Have you ever been stood up before? It’s not something that you forget. In the beauty industry Akua has encountered this trend several times. Bad news travels fast and before you know it you have a reputation for being unreliable. She’s seen it time and time again. Akua shares her story to encourage you to know your value and know that your time is important no matter how short or...
Dec 02, 2020•17 min
Today on the Friends in Beauty Podcast Akua shares 10 beauty and business podcasts that she regularly tunes into that she knows you will find valuable for your beauty business. As a freelance beauty professional we spend a lot of time commuting from client to client. What better way to be productive and pass the time than to listen to a podcast? If you’re a fan of podcasts then you will definitely enjoy this episode because you might learn about some podcasts that you can add onto your list. In ...
Nov 25, 2020•20 min
Today on the Friends in Beauty Podcast we welcome Montie Green to the Friends in Beauty guest chair. Montrelle "Montie" Green founded Velvet Wax and Beauty, Hampton, VA's first unisex waxing and sugaring salon in 2014. Velvet now has two locations, one in Hampton, VA and the second in Alexandria, VA opens December 1, 2020. Montie loves to share insights on entrepreneurship, beauty and social media with aspiring professionals. Montie holds a B.A. in Public Relations from Howard University and a M...
Nov 18, 2020•1 hr 5 min
Today on the Friends in Beauty Podcast Akua shares her tips for curing comparison syndrome This something that we all go through from time to time. I mean, we’re only human right. It’s hard to resist the urge to compare ourselves to others. But there’s a thin line between healthy and unhealthy comparisons. If you’re observing someone in admiration & using them as motivation to step up your game that can be considered a healthy comparison. However, when the thoughts turn inward and become neg...
Nov 11, 2020•19 min
Today on the Friends in Beauty Podcast we welcome Derricka & Erricka Traylor, owners of Transformations Beauty Studio, to the guest chair. Transformations Beauty Studio (TBS) started in 2016 by twin sisters Derricka and Erricka Traylor in Atlanta when they turned their personal experience of mental health battles and self-love into a Transformation studio for black women. TBS was formed after both sisters dealt with emotional and mental trauma they never thought they’d grow from: In 2015, De...
Nov 04, 2020•1 hr 4 min
Today on the Friends in Beauty Podcast Akua shares her tips for dealing with unsupportive family and friends. As a #FriendinBeauty you may have had your fair share of unsupportive family and friends and I can admit, it can be quite discouraging. The people who are the closest to you are the ones who you would expect to be there to help promote your brand, share your services, or purchase your products, but that’s not the case a lot of the times. One thing to keep in mind is that you’re not alone...
Oct 28, 2020•21 min
Today on the Friends in Beauty Podcast we welcome Vee Kelly to the guest chair. Vee teaches Female Leaders how to build a Scalable Brand from Passion to Profit thru Passive Income + High level Marketing Strategy. As a Makeup Artist turned business coach, Vee Kelly has learned the ins and outs of standing out on social media and creating an impactful brand. She has helped numerous women create passive income by teaching them how to create signature courses about the things they are passionate abo...
Oct 21, 2020•45 min
Today on the Friends in Beauty Podcast Akua shares a powerful step that you must do before setting your goals that she learned from her business coach. As you may or may not know, the 4th quarter of the year is when businesses start to reflect on the current year and plan/set goals for the upcoming year. Gone are the days of waiting until January 1st to set your goals for the New Year. Do it now (because we’re currently in the 4th quarter)! The 4th quarter is designated for planning ahead, comin...
Oct 14, 2020•15 min
Today on the Friends in Beauty Podcast we welcome Jaya Bolden. Jaya Bolden, is a young, vibrant serial-entrepreneur and mentor who is a self-motivated growing powerhouse in the Lifestyle and makeup industry. With a passion for makeup, instructing and all things beauty, Jaya Bolden possesses the skills, passion, and professionalism to make sure every face and life touched is done to perfection. Growing-up entrepreneurship wasn’t a skill that was taught to her, fortunate enough she was involved in...
Oct 07, 2020•1 hr 4 min
Today on the Friends in Beauty Podcast Akua talks about The Importance of Setting Boundaries In Your Business and gives you tips on how to go about setting your boundaries ASAP. “A lack of boundaries invites a lack of respect.” It’s important to set boundaries, not only when it comes to personal or romantic relationships, but also in your business. When you become great at setting boundaries you will find yourself finally running the business of your dreams. You work for yourself so you’re respo...
Sep 30, 2020•23 min
Today on the Friends in Beauty Podcast we welcome Makeup Artist Sunni. Sunni was first introduced to makeup by his grandmother when he was very young. He would travel with her to various facial and makeup appointments and it opened him up to the world of beauty. Being a young male growing up in Roxboro, NC it didn’t seem possible for him to follow his beauty industry dreams. So in 2014 he decided to move to New York. After working with prestigious brands such as Inglot, MAC and Kevyn Aucoin and ...
Sep 23, 2020•1 hr 13 min
Today on the Friends in Beauty Podcast Akua talks about Imposter Syndrome and gives you 5 ways to overcome it so that you can begin to feel confident and deserving of your accomplishments. Statistics show that 70% of people experience imposter syndrome at some point in their lives. It may show up as feeling like you got lucky, not feeling deserving, feeling like you deceived people and will soon be exposed, and much more. Usually people who suffer from imposter syndrome are people who hold thems...
Sep 16, 2020•26 min
Today on the Friends in Beauty Podcast we welcome Monae Everett. Monaè Everett is a celebrity hairstylist, author, and public speaker with two decades of experience in the beauty industry. Monaé Everett is an American Board Certified Haircolorist with a diverse educational background. Additionally, she earned degrees in Communications and Sociology from George Mason University. As a major force in beauty, Monaè has worked under top global hair care brands, such as Wella, Sebastian, and Mizani, w...
Sep 09, 2020•1 hr 22 min
Today on the Friends in Beauty Podcast Akua talks about the book The Energy Bus - 10 Rules To Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team With Positive Energy. It’s a captivating story about how your life can be turned around when you are mindful of the energy that you are bringing to situations. The story takes place on a Monday morning when this guy George walks out the house on his way to work to find his car with a flat tire. But that’s really the least of his problems. His home life is in shambles and h...
Sep 02, 2020•25 min
Today on the Friends in Beauty Podcast we welcome Vivian Wynter. Vivian is a Beauty, Lifestyle, and Motivation Professional who has spent nearly two decades as a licensed Esthetician & Makeup Artist, Fashion Stylist, educator, and coach; motivating high-profile clients and audiences to be the best they can, and love themselves inside and out. Her truest passion is deeply connecting with people, creating and engaging with audiences in a vulnerable, informative, and fun way! Although she has a...
Aug 26, 2020•1 hr 20 min
Today on the Friends in Beauty Podcast Akua talks about “Dealing With Grief As A Creative.” This episode is dedicated to her late sister, YaaYaa, who passed away in December 2019. Dealing with grief as a creative is not easy. It’s hard to operate from a creative space when you don’t feel inspired. Due to the climate of the world right now with social injustices, the Coronavirus, and just living our everyday lives a lot of #FriendsinBeauty have lost loved ones. Death is never convenient and grief...
Aug 19, 2020•31 min
Today on the Friends in Beauty Podcast we welcome Halle Deneen. Halle Deneen is a nationally signed and published plus size model, Celebrity TV host, and Public Relations Specialist from Baltimore, MD. Halle is a Howard University Alumna where she earned a B.A in Strategic, Legal, Management Communications with honors. Halle has been published in many notable magazines such as British Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, BTFL Mag, Plus Model Magazine, and Black women Style Report Magazine. In addition, sh...
Aug 19, 2020•1 hr 15 min
Today on the Friends in Beauty Podcast Akua shares her tips for “How to Stand Out In An Oversaturated Market. As a #FriendinBeauty I’m sure you’ve noticed that there’s no shortage of beauty industry creatives. It seems like more than ever everybody and their Momma is a Makeup Artist, Photographer, Hair Stylist, Model, etc. The question then becomes, how do I stand out amongst the crowd? How will people be able to differentiate themselves from the next artist? Well, this episode of the Friends in...
Aug 12, 2020•13 min
Today on the Friends in Beauty Podcast we welcome Shavon Dotson. Not only is she the host of the Makeup and Mindset Podcast, Shavon is a professional Makeup Artist and a Beauty Educator who specializes in creating a natural beauty look by focusing on glowing skin that doesn't feel heavy or greasy. She believes in the healing power of makeup and the power of touch. She uses her talents to create a serene and calming environment for her clients that allows them to get into a positive space so that...
Aug 05, 2020•1 hr 16 min
Today on the Friends in Beauty Podcast talks to you about one of the things she sees her #FriendsinBeauty neglect when building their businesses and that's, knowing their audience. Having You Been Struggling With: -Low engagement on social media -Inconsistent bookings -Clients debating with you about your rates -Getting frustrated and discouraged when potential clients don’t want to pay your rate ....then it may be time to revamp and get to know your audience better. Knowing your audience all bo...
Jul 29, 2020•21 min
Today on the Friends in Beauty Podcast you get to learn the story behind the brand as Akua shares the process behind creating Friends in Beauty. Friends in Beauty was created as a way to support beauty industry creatives on the quest to connect, network, and build genuine relationships within the beauty community. With over 100 attendees present at the first event, Akua knew she was onto something. Friendships, collaborations, jobs, connections and so much more are amongst the rewards for attend...
Jul 22, 2020•20 min
Today on the Friends in Beauty Podcast we welcome Photographer, Antwon Maxwell. Antwon Maxwell’s journey into photography began while traveling throughout Asia on a work assignment. Passionate about well, everything, Antwon utilized his drive to immerse himself in learning everything he could about photography. Shortly after beginning his photography journey, his skills advanced to the point that seasoned photographers were asking him for advice on lighting and retouching. During his time in Sou...
Jul 14, 2020•1 hr 2 min
Today on the Friends in Beauty Podcast Akua is dropping gems and giving you her “Top 3 Tips for Writing Captivating Captions” for social media. Writing captions is one of those things that gives us #FriendsinBeauty a lot of anxiety when it comes to posting on our social media pages. “What do I say?” “How do I even write what I’m thinking?” “How do I make this post interesting?” “Did they even read my caption or did they just like the picture?” Captions play a big role in social media engagement ...
Jul 08, 2020•12 min
Today on the Friends in Beauty Podcast we welcome Matia Johson. Matia Johnson is a native Washingtonian, strategic communications specialist, visual design guru, screenwriter, and newlywed! She has an undergraduate degree in English and Communications, and a masters in Producing Film and Video. Since entrepreneurship has always been a core desire for Matia since her early 20s, she decided to act on this desire. With over 10 years of experience in publications, program development, and communicat...
Jun 30, 2020•48 min
Today on the Friends in Beauty Podcast Akua discusses knowing when to pivot and if the pivot is worth it for your business. She shares 3 reasons why it may be time to pivot, how to know if it’s worth it, and some pivots that she has seen over the last few months in the #FriendsinBeauty community. Pivoting is nothing new. All business models pivot at some point in order to stay relevant and keep their audience engaged. Have you ever thought about an idea that sounds so good, but when you begin to...
Jun 24, 2020•15 min
Today on the Friends in Beauty Podcast we welcome Shawntia Jones, The CEO of Promise Quest Sisters. When Shawntia started her business in 2018, she came across individuals using her slogans and designs and she couldn't legally do anything about it. At that moment she realized she did not own her brand! So, she decided to do her own research to trademark and protect her brand. Shawntia currently has 4 federally registered trademarks and 3 pending trademarks and wanted to let other business owners...
Jun 17, 2020•1 hr 3 min
Today on the Friends in Beauty Podcast Akua shares her top 10 resources that keep her business running and how she uses each one in her business. As a working Makeup Artist, Beauty Educator, podcast host, event host, and creator of a lifestyle brand, Akua has several resources that she uses in order to connect with her audience, deliver content, create graphics, sell items, and so much more. She had to find systems that were effective and easy to use so that she can operate her business on a pro...
Jun 10, 2020•20 min
