How to Build a Beauty Brand People Believe In (ft. Tower 28, Danessa Myricks Beauty, Crown Affair)

In this episode of Aspire, Emma Grede hosts a roundtable with three prominent beauty brand founders: Danessa Myricks of Danessa Myricks Beauty, Amy Liu of Tower 28, and Diana Cohen of Crown Affair. The conversation sheds light on the mindset required to lead with conviction and how personal experiences influence business decisions. Each guest shares her distinct journey in the beauty industry, highlighting the challenges of sustaining a brand in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Myricks emphasizes a broader conversation around beauty that includes underrepresented voices, while Liu explains her focus on safe, high-performance products for sensitive skin, grounding Tower 28 in community values. Cohen expresses the need to redefine the relationship with hair, creating a narrative that promotes care and self-expression. The founders discuss the difficulties of growing in an industry obsessed with viral trends yet facing overwhelming competition.

Throughout the discussion, themes of trust, community, and the importance of understanding the customer journey come to light. They touch on their experiences with mentoring one another, the evolution of their brands, and the strategic decisions around funding. The episode underscores the role of integrity and purpose in building a brand that resonates deeply with its audience.