We recently connected with Cyntiria Lockley and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Cyntiria, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

As a wife, mother and entrepreneur, I ​understand the challenges that life throws at ​us. It was my own journey of overcoming ​generational curses and embarking on a path ​of self-healing and self-discovery that led me ​to where I am today. I’ve learned to live with ​intent and purpose, and I’m passionate about ​helping others do the same.

Cyntiria, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Above all things, I am a black or preferably melanated woman first raised from the common generational curses that most people in our community encounter. When I became a mother, I knew that I wanted to provide my daughter with a different background and legacy. This led me to shift my perspective from an employee corporate mindset to an entrepreneurial corporate building mentality. So, I decided to focus on fashion and self-care products to ensure that my child grew up with styles that celebrated the positivity of her melanated culture, along with holistic self-care products that wouldn’t harm her well-being. I started our fashion designs with imagery that reflected us as royalty in our natural state, then incorporated symbolism from our African roots and topped it off with affirmations to help us reaffirm our positive energy from within each day.

When it comes to self-care, I initially focused on using natural skin products such as oils, sugar scrubs, and holistic healing creams. As this was a new territory for me, I had to learn the processes and skills of creating my own recipes from scratch. However, I was shocked when my clients began to test my products and praise the results they offered. At the beginning of my entrepreneurial journey, I was afraid because I knew I wanted to offer something different, but I didn’t have a specific hobby I could turn into a business. I decided to keep it simple and focus on creating skincare products when I realized that my skincare routine was always at the top of my self-care list. It was motivating for me to see that my clients loved and found my products effective. I even have one particular client who was taking medication for her skin problems for over twenty years. She attested that my products cleared her up better than her prescribed ointments.

Our vision for Melanated Luxury is for it to become a brand that showcases the best of melanated people worldwide. It is a joint family venture where my husband and daughter are responsible for designing while my daughter and I work on the self-care products. This way, my daughter can grow up in an environment where she sees that there are more options than just working for someone else. She can use her creative equity to invest in herself. Our goal is to create a designer brand that will bring a sense of pride in our lost heritage, starting with our home and spilling over into our communities. Our collections and products are designed to empower people of all skin types and tones to feel confident and proud to be who they truly are.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

I acquire most of my clients through personal connections. Aside from my attractive display set up at pop-ups, expos, or festivals, I get attention and sales through general interaction with patrons who pass by. I provide a testing area where I can engage with a potential client, mainly discussing their day or plans, background, and where they are from. Once they try my products while we chat, the quality of the product speaks for itself. Even though I offer many free samples, they immediately inquire about purchasing. For me, it is more than simply selling a product. It provides an authentic experience and genuine care that attracts people of all backgrounds to my brand, even though it is marketed to a melanated demographic.

I also challenge myself within online mommy and sisterhood support groups by providing complimentary skincare products to those in need. When they receive their package and try my goods, they are instantly impressed and become recurring clients. Their testimonials serve as one of my best marketing tools by encouraging others to try my products. I also provide apparel for boys to promote positivity and affirmation building, as this focus is often only on Black girls and women. As my company slowly grows, we are filling genuine needs in the market, even with the diversity of options available nowadays.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

Adaptability and perseverance are two of the most important traits one should possess, both in business and in life. I had to demonstrate perseverance during a project where we faced unexpected challenges. Despite careful planning, we encountered unforeseen obstacles that risked the project’s completion. Instead of giving up or getting frustrated, I motivated the team to reassess our approach and develop innovative solutions to overcome each hurdle. This required persistence, willingness to think outside the box, and effective collaboration with team members. Ultimately, our determination paid off, and we delivered the project on time and within budget. This experience taught me the significance of resilience and adaptability in navigating complex situations, whether in our professional or personal lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://melanluxury.com/
• Instagram: @melanated_luxury
• Facebook: facebook.com/melanluxury