image
image replacement
Brian Smith, Bree Renee, Maya Smith
image size
Landscape-Medium
Hair care is one of the world’s largest and most lucrative industries, but it also has strong cultural meaning for the Black community. Married couple Maya and Brian Smith, co-founders of The Doux hair care brand, sit down with host Bree Renee on the 2024 REVOLT WORLD on Saturday (September 21) to discuss the relationship between Black consumers and Black businesses in depth. We discussed. In “The Business of Beauty Conversation,” Maya defended Black-owned brands that face backlash for selling to big corporations and urged the community to understand more about the nature of business.
“It’s very dangerous to bully each other and frown upon each other at the moment of success,” said an audience member who was sold out or supported by some brands after they were sold to conglomerates. she said, noting that she has been accused of failing to respond to. Doo’s CEO empathized with other Black business owners, deploring the reactionary nature of social media and saying, “These are hard-working people who have sacrificed a lot.”
The mother of five also pointed out that the goal for many business owners is to increase their capital in order to earn more profits. “If we don’t grow our businesses, we can’t build community centers, schools, beauty schools, vocational training programs, we can’t support bus routes, we can’t build housing developments,” she said. . . Maya acknowledged that if black consumers continue to see large companies withdrawing their support after acquisitions, it will discourage them from continuing to invest in black brands. Instead, the qualified hairdresser encouraged the community to direct their energies toward understanding more about “how business actually works,” and encouraged people to “support each other and sell to each other.” “We want them to be able to learn how to hold corporations accountable…by also holding onto the conglomerates they acquire.” “
Her husband and chief operating officer, Brian Smith, also offered advice to entrepreneurs, encouraging them to be prepared when an opportunity arises and saying, “The most important thing is… It’s about making sure your brand is authentic.” Like when you watch The Doux and see us, it makes sense. When I looked at some of the brands, I found that it really came from a place of wanting money. ”
This panel discussion is part of the 2024 REVOLT WORLD, which will feature further conversations with top executives, performances by hip-hop stars such as Offset and BIA, live shows such as “Caresha Please,” and entrepreneurs from various industries. It’s a three-day event packed with opportunities. Learn and network.
