We recently connected with Ivory Bryan and have shared our conversation below.
Ivory, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
The inspiration for BlackGirlChemist Cosmetics came from being involved in arts, education, and science. Basically the framework of COAS (College of Arts and Science). I, well ‘BlackGirlChemist’ because that’s what everyone calls me. Just forget my actual name at this point lol…. I am kidding. My name is Ivory. I am a small town county girl from Vanceboro, NC. I feel my upbringing contributed a lot to the woman I am today. I come from a family full of integrity, kindness, gifts, and talents. I have always adored learning, creating, and working with my hands. I feel all of those things are incorporated into the products and personality of BlackGirlChemist Cosmetics.
I knew this was a worthwhile endeavor because BlackGirlChemist Cosmetics provides a safe space for me to be true to myself while also being true to others. It is who I am at the core. Me being authentically me is extremely important.
You know what is funny? When being asked am I solving a problem so many people expect me to say yes! I solve that hair issue, that skin issue, that breath issue, and more. Do not get me wrong, all of that is good and yes, I do work diligently in solving those things, but you know what? You know what the cosmetics industry and the world in general is lacking that I also solve? Accountability, compassion, grace, honesty, integrity, kindness, openness, respectability, understanding. Those things. It is a beautiful thing when you get messages from supporters that reads (and this is a real message from IG), ‘I learn a lot from you, not just about cosmetics. You understand? We learn a lot about life from you, I don’t know if you realized that.’ See? It is so much bigger than me. THAT plus the hair issues, skin issues, breath issues, etc. are all of what I solve with BlackGirlChemist Cosmetics. No one else is doing that. Then for it to be genuine and not forceful. Man! Authenticity. I would say that is a pretty unique approach to me.
Ivory, 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?
Those around me can attest to me being the 5Ws type of individual because I want to know and understand the who, want, when, where, why, and how of certain processes. I love information. I love sorting things out. I recall being the girl in the lab who always wanted to formulate. If my Dad showed me something whether it was involving car parts or woodwork, I would soak it up like a sponge. He also showed me what it meant to be a protector of those you love. My Mom showed me what being a cheerful giver was and taught me how and when to show up for others. My brothers taught me how to advocate for others and to love deeper than myself.
Although, I did not see it much in my family or had much representation in the areas of where I am from, I have always had aspirations of being in the science field, but it was not until two (2) people outside of my parents and brothers who sat me down and asked me what I wanted to do. They created a safe space for me to express my desires. The first person was a pharmacist (Vanceboro Pharmacy located in Vanceboro, NC) by the name of James Michael “Mike” Morton. Mike is now deceased, but man was he tough! I did not understand it at the time, but he was harder on me than he was on other technicians. He would give me homework assignments and work assignments. Those assignments consisted of learning the pharmacy’s entire OTC items, DEA information, Drug Classifications, FDA, CFR, compliance, regulations, and more! The second person was Camille Cooper. She worked as an advisor at Craven Community College located in New Bern, NC. She believed in me as I questioned the transfer from Craven Community College to Howard University, Washington DC. She trusted the vision even when I was unsure of myself.
And no, the journey hasn’t always been pretty. The first 11-12 years of my life was muffled. I was born deaf. That alone came with a lot of personal challenges such that bullying, loneliness, self-esteem, wanting to fit in, etc. Even in that, I continued showing up for myself. I did not want to be seen as different. Ivory is my name. Not disabled black girl. That is partially why I made the bold move of naming my brand BlackGirl______ because go right ahead and fill in the blank, but ultimately it is up to me to make a name for myself and no one else. As Lisa Nichols once stated, ‘other people’s perception of me is none of my business.’ Well, against all odds, I continued to believe that I would hear someday. At the age of 12 years old, I gained my hearing. Yes, the roads were filled with speed bumps, but my foot stayed on the gas pedal. The perseverance is what I am most proud of.
What I and BlackGirlChemist Cosmetics provide is a space of encouragement and inspiration! Aside from creating personal care items for dealing, I provide DIY recipes that is kid friendly, adult friendly and is safe to make in the comfort of your home. On Fridays there is a segment called, ‘BlackGirlChemist Nerdy Friday!’ It consist of corny yet funny chemistry jokes and skin science. I created an acronym and saying that goes, ‘Hello S.O.A.P. Friends! And you know I call you that because you are (S)pecial, (O)ustanding, (A)mazing, and (P)henomenal. Don’t you ever forget that!’
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I had to unlearn hiding. Yes, hiding. I tried to be humble and quiet and allow others to have their moments as I suppressed mine. For so long, I watered myself down and I silenced my own voice. Mind you, I was used to silence due to being deaf so I thought it was normal. However, being too humble was my issue. Here is why being humble or TOO humble was a bad thing for me- it birthed a lack of boundaries. I allowed people to walk all over me and I allowed people to say whatever they wanted to me out of humbleness. Listen, that had to stop. The motto you’ll hear me often say is, ‘you are owed what you give out and what you give out, you are owed. So let it be good.’ I concocted that quote myself lol.
I had to grow into who I was hiding from. This is how I used BlackGirlChemist Cosmetics to do just that. I showcase myself, speak up, and seize the opportunity to lead and teach. Just as I hold myself accountable, I do the same for others because I deserve that type of care.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy for growing your clientele is to show up! Not just for others, but show up for yourself as well. I say that because entrepreneurship is a space where you are constantly giving, growing, and learning. If you are not then you have to evaluate the issue. The ways I show up is by keeping up on social media, being responsive, being transparent, being vulnerable, being creative in business matters such that packaging, brand colors, etc. because those things represent you and your brand even in moments you are unable to physically show up.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://blackgirlchemistcosmetics.com/
- Instagram: iamblackgirlchemist_cosmetics
- Facebook: BGC Cosmetics
- Linkedin: iamblackgirlchemist_cosmetics
- Twitter: iamblackgirlchemist_cosmetics
- Youtube: BlackGirlChemist Cosmetics
- Yelp: BlackGirlChemist Cosmetics
- Other: Email: [email protected]
Image Credits
Ivory A. Bryan