We were lucky to catch up with Cori Saulsberry recently and have shared our conversation below.

Cori, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I have always had a love for all things beauty, whether it was hair, makeup, or fashion since a young age. I was able to nurture my love and talent by working in the beauty industry for over 20 years as a licensed cosmetologist. My passion allowed me to build relationships with my clientele where I encouraged them to love who they are naturally. Stepping into the world of skincare was such an organic flow of bridging together everything that I’ve learned while working in the beauty industry and aligning that with my true passion and purpose. I have always had a dedicated skincare regimen, and overtime I became more intentional about the products I was using and found that most OTC skincare lines are formulated with harsh ingredients and didn’t necessarily provide what my melanin rich skin needed. I began researching the needs of melanated skin and found that although the Black community makes up a huge consumer percentage in the beauty industry, most products are not made with us in mind and we also lack representation in the industry when it comes to leadership roles and ownership. Thus, Bronze Glory was born!

After meticulous research and formulation testing I was able to create a line of ethically sourced, cruelty free, luxury organic skincare products that help cultivate and maintain your most radiant complexion. When I began this endeavor my greatest concern was for women like me, who were looking for clean products they can trust and that work, and I also wanted to encourage them to take time for themselves. Hustle culture has made us look at slowing down or taking a break negatively. It’s our personal mission, at Bronze Glory, to embrace the idea that self care isn’t selfish, it’s necessary. You can not be your best self when you are depleted.

While I was testing formulations, my whole family became product testers. I thought, I don’t just want this to work for me, I want this to work for everyone. Not only did I want to promote clean healthy skin, I wanted to assist in changing the self care narrative for Black and Brown people.

Cori, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a wife and mother first. My husband and I have three children, a son in college and two daughters, high school and middle school age. My family has played such an integral part in bringing this idea to life and I am so thankful for all of their encouragement, love and support.

As I mentioned previously, my career in the beauty industry, as a hair stylist, laid the foundation for Bronze Glory. I have worked with natural ingredients and formulas to help build and maintain my clientele’s hair health. So naturally, taking the knowledge of formulating and ingredient efficacy helped me develop a skincare line that has proven results. Bronze Glory is made with melanated skin in mind, but works for everyone, and the majority of our formulas are family friendly. Everyone in my close extended family uses Bronze Glory, from our 12 year old to my 83 years young grandmother.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Building your reputation within the beauty industry takes consistency and authenticity. Remaining true to yourself and your purpose will garner following. Showing up each day, especially when you don’t feel like it, takes discipline. Motivation will come and go, instead I adopted the mindset that if I take even one small step each day then I am progressing. Your audience will see your consistency which helps build brand reliability. I try to remain faithful to myself and what I believe Bronze Glory represents and anything that doesn’t align with those principles, I don’t waste effort or time on. Remember ‘Faith without works is dead.’ Continue to do the work and you will see a difference from the first day to the next.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Imposter syndrome is real. I had to unlearn personal unhealthy habits. At times, we can be our own worst enemy. I, for sure, can by my own worst critic. I began to realize the power in thoughts and words and began to speak life and positivity over myself and my business. Self-doubt can become a cancer and can color everything around you and how you perceive even the purest of intentions. I was having a tough time the first 6 months after Bronze Glory launched. Every ‘no’ I received, was taken personally. I began journaling and talking to God more intentionally. I continued to work, because giving up was never an option, and the more I worked and prayed, the more the figurative cloud of doubt lifted. I have learned to celebrate the smallest of accomplishments and to look at every ‘no’ as a lesson. And now I have come to see that sometimes a ‘no’ can be a not right now. I am trusting the timing of my life and remaining faithful that everything is in God’s timing.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bronzeglory.com
• Instagram: @bronzeglory
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BRNZGLORY
• Twitter: @BronzeGlory
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bronzeglory

Image Credits
Photographer: Charles Andre Thomas