Black Girl Ventures Foundation, Rare Beauty Brands and JCPenney Reveal 2023 National Competition Finalists

Black Girl Ventures Foundation (BGV), Rare Beauty Brands (owners of Patchology and Dr. Dana Nails), and JCPenney announced the finalists of the 2023 National Beauty Pitch Competition. 

 

The contest, founded in 2020 by BGV and Rare Beauty Brands, invites Black and Brown women-identifying founders in the beauty industry to compete for a grand prize that includes a $10,000 grant, retail distribution, mentorship with key executives at Rare Beauty Brands, additional capital from crowdfunding, and more. This year’s winner will be featured nationwide in JCPenney stores and online.

 

Black Girl Ventures Foundation, Rare Beauty Brands and JCPenney announced the finalists of the 2023 National Beauty Pitch Competition. This year’s winner will be featured nationwide in JCPenney stores and online.

 

“The ability to shine a light on Black and Brown women in the beauty industry in a way that propels their business ventures forward is an honor,” said Lisa Green, vice president, merchandise at JCPenney. “We are proud to be able to maximize both our retail and ecommerce reach on behalf of these incredible startups while helping to amplify the conversation around diversity and inclusion.”

 

The yearly competition is open to qualifying founders across the US who generate revenue under $1 million. The program includes pitch practice, a live pitch competition, and a crowdfunding campaign. In 2023, the competition received 255 applications, with seven founders being selected as the finalists.

 

“At Rare Beauty Brands, we are extremely passionate about the life and world-changing power of entrepreneurship, and we have been extremely inspired by all of the entrepreneurs who have entered this pitch competition over the past three years,” says Rare Beauty Brands CEO Chris Hobson. “It has been incredible to work closely with past winners, and we’re excited about the new crop of founders this year. We’re thrilled to partner with Black Girl Ventures and JCPenney on this mission to lift up underrepresented founders in the beauty industry.”

 

The next phase of the contest will take place on October 12 with the broadcast of the pitch competition between the seven finalists in front of a judging panel called Champions that includes Aishetu Fatima Dozie (founder of Bossy Beauty), Daren Curry (VP of Digital Acceleration at Rare Beauty Brands), and Leslie Roberson (founder of Black Beauty Collective). Viewers will be able to “vote” through making financial contributions to each finalist’s crowdfunding campaign. All finalists will receive the money raised, and the founder who has raised the most money will be declared the winner.

Canita Worth, Founder of Nita’s Nails Galore, Gastonia, NC – Nita’s Nails Galore is a nail supply company that offers self-leveling acrylic powders to educate nail technicians on how to properly maintain natural nails with acrylics.

 

Halima Hubbard, Founder of Bath Notes, Los Angeles, CA – Bath Notes is a Sensory Bath & Body line curated to stimulate the senses of touch, smell, and sound through body care and tech for the ultimate beauty fusion of wellness for the Mind, Body & Soul.

 

Kaylah A Joseph, Founder of LAID Hair Care, Huntsville, Alabama – LAID Hair Care believes that every style should be a protected style. The brand boasts the only salon-quality multivitamin scalp and hair health system powered by clean ingredients and clean manufacturing.

 

Keta Burke-Williams, Founder of Ourside, New York, NY – Ourside crafts award-winning luxury fragrances for free spirits, dreamers, and outsiders. They rewild your spirit one conscious small-batch scent at a time.

 

Orion Brown, Founder of BlackTravelBox, Denver, CO – BlackTravelBox is a visionary brand created to meet the specific needs of the $129 billion Black travel market. Their mission is to provide clean and effective hair and skincare essentials, ensuring every traveler looks and feels their best on their journey.

 

Rachel Zeigler, Founder of Naked Chemistry Skincare, Los Angeles, CA – Naked Chemistry Skincare is a conscious skincare company started by a licensed cosmetologist who was looking for vegan and effective skincare to prevent, heal, and alleviate ingrown hairs.

 

Whitney McElwain, Founder of Daybird, Austin, TX – Daybird is an anti-beauty brand creating clean functional makeup for a one step routine, giving you back your time and mental space to do what matters most with your morning. Our hero product is a makeup, skincare and suncare hybrid: two clinically active skincare serums, moisturizer, mineral SPF 50 and sheer tint in one multitasking product that works with every wear.