Meet Brittney Ogike, a champion of inclusivity in the beauty industry! Brittney is the owner of BEAUTYBEEZ and is building a community that celebrates multicultural beauty. A self-described "beauty junkie," Brittney spent much of her professional career in sports management; however, after a disappointing experience at traditional beauty supply, she committed herself to building a brand that elevates the shopping experience. Offering the best in natural hair care, melanin skincare, and brown girl beauty BEAUTYBEEZ was created so women of color could shop, explore, and play in a world full of beauty.
Brittney Ogike, Founder of BEAUTYBEEZ
MJ: What was missing from the market that inspired you to create BEAUTYBEEZ?
BO: The multicultural beauty market was missing an elevated shopping experience with products inclusive of shade ranges and hair textures. Stores that catered to multicultural hair and beauty lacked the customer service that we are afforded in prestige beauty retailers. The neighborhood beauty supply was inferior and needed a major upgrade in design, product offerings, and service.
BEAUTYBEEZ is located at 6522 Laurel Canyon Blvd. North Hollywood, CA 91606
MJ: Why was it important to you that BEAUTYBEEZ be a physical location and not just an online store?
BO: E-commerce is growing at an accelerated pace. However, when it comes to certain industries like beauty, consumers still want that physical interaction with the products they are purchasing. That’s why it was necessary to have not only an online presence but also a storefront. Throughout the design process, I tried to provide solutions to all of the pain points I experienced shopping for beauty as a Black woman. For example, instead of trying on a wig out in the open in front of customers, we offer private wig suites with a personalized approach to finding the perfect wig. There are many new advances in virtual reality that are meant to mimic these in-store experiences; however, as consumers, we want to feel the hair before making a purchase or inspect the different ranges of colors to find the perfect match. Nothing compares to that live, in-person experience.
MJ: One lesson you’ve learned as an entrepreneur and business owner?
BO: The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that being an entrepreneur does not mean you are your own boss. I’m constantly trying to meet the needs and demands of my customers. I have, but ultimately, the driving force behind the brand’s success is customer satisfaction.
MJ: On average, how many hours of sleep do you get?
BO: I love to sleep! I average about 7-8 hours a night.
MJ: The first thing you do in the morning?
BO: The first thing I do in the morning is to check my phone (cringe!). I know it goes against everything they tell you about productive mornings, but I can’t help it. I check my calendar, emails, and texts and really plan my day based on what I read first thing in the morning.
MJ: Coffee or fresh-squeezed juice?
BO: Coffee!
MJ: Bubble bath or shower?
BO: Shower
MJ: Bold Lip or Smokey Eye?
BO: Bold Lip
MJ: If you had to give one piece of advice to someone aspiring to follow in your footsteps, what would it be?
BO: In terms of starting a business, my advice would be to solve a problem that’s bothering you. Oftentimes, people create businesses with products or solutions that already exist. Unless you’re someone with an established following, there’s nothing that will differentiate you from the existing brands, therefore, your business will fail. Instead, find something that’s broken, and fix it. Your solution should be unique and identifiable. I think that’s where your foundation should begin.
MJ: Now that Summer is approaching, what are the three beauty products you recommend to
get us through the warm Summer months?
1 . I swear by the Even Tone Super Glow Serum by Urban Skin Rx for glowing skin.
2. For a Bold lip I love the color Tyler S+M Lip Gloss by AJ Crimson. It stays on even with a
mask.
3. To keep the edges laid during the summer heat, I love Black Panther Edge Control. It’s great
for all hair types and keeps edges in place for 24 hours!
For more information on Brittney and BEAUTYBUZZ visit www.beautybeez.com