Shades & Layers
Shades and Layers is a podcast focused on black women entrepreneurs from across the globe. It is a platform for exploring issues and challenges around business ownership, representation and holistic discussions about the meaning of sustainability in an increasingly complex global context. Conversations are wide- ranging and serve not only as a Masterclass in Entrepreneurship but also provide wisdom and tools for Successful Living. It is a space for meaningful conversation, a place for black and other women of color to be fully human and openly share their quirks and vulnerabilities.
Guests include prominent figurers in the beauty, fashion and wellness industries both in the Northern Hemisphere and the Global South.
Dr. Theo Mothoa-Frendo of USO Skincare discusses her journey from being product junkie to creating an African science-based skincare range. Taryn Gill of The Perfect Hair is a brand development whizz who discusses supply chain and distribution of her haircare brands. Katonya Breux discusses melanin and sunscreen and how she addresses the needs of a range of skin tones with her Unsun Cosmetics products.
We discuss inclusion in the wellness industry with Helen Rose Skincare and Yoga and Nectarines Founder , Day Bibb. Abiola Akani emphasizes non-performance in yoga with her IYA Wellness brand and Anesu Mbizho shares her journey to yoga and the ecosystem she's created through her business The Nest Space.
Fashion is all about handmade, custom made and circular production with featured guests like fashion designer Maria McCloy of Maria McCloy Accessories; Founder and textile/homeware designer Nkuli Mlangeni Berg of The Ninevites as well as Candice Lawrence, founder of the lighting design company Modern Gesture. These are just a few the conversations on the podcast over the past three years.
Shades & Layers
Otrium with Zuhairah Washington (S6, E4)
SAVING WALLETS AND LANDFILLS
We are continuing with our focus on fashion and this week my guest is Zuhairah Washington, President and COO of Otrium, a Dutch-born end to end marketplace that she calls, the best kept secret in fashion.
Otrium is a digital platform where you can buy end of season clothing at accessible prices.
What does that mean?
All those clothes that brands were unable to sell for whatever reason, can be discretely uploaded onto the platform and given a second chance at finding their way to being bought and used, rather than ending up in a landfill or a burning pile.
This of course should give you a hint that sustainability is one of the topics I discussed with Zuhairah. It is one of many huge problems associated with fashion, but things are starting to move in the right direction, and she will explain a bit more in our interview.
Zuhairah started her career in private equity, she has founded her own tech company, had a stint at Uber as well as at Expedia and now here she is telling us about how she’s leading Otrium’s expansion into the US market.
LINKS AND MENTIONS
Use the code SHADES20 and get 20% off at checkout when shopping on Otrium.com
Uber
TJ Maxx
Nordstrom
Expedia
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