Tracee Ellis Ross on Beauty, Advocacy & Joy

Establishing safe spaces within your team fosters collaboration and innovation.

"I want to create a space of belonging... The value of people in achieving any kind of meaningful success and having a good day."

• Foster an inclusive and supportive company culture.
• Recognize and value each team member's contributions.
• Build environments where people feel they belong.

Infusing joy into your brand can enhance marketing efforts and customer loyalty.

"At the core of pattern is... we are centered around the celebration of Black beauty."

• Use positive messaging to connect with customers.
• Let core values guide your marketing strategies.
• Joyful branding can create a strong, loyal customer base.

Recognizing that organizations are made up of people influences hiring and team culture.

"The world is run by people... The learning of that really does change your relationship to everything you do."

• Humanize your business relationships and interactions.
• Foster empathy and understanding within your team.
• Build organizational structures that value individuals.

Redefining traditional notions of success can aid in finding true product-market fit.

"I really wish culturally that we would do better at supporting young girls, young children in dreaming in different ways."

• Challenge conventional definitions of success in your industry.
• Encourage innovative thinking in product development.
• Empower your team to dream beyond traditional confines.

Embracing the unknown can foster better team dynamics and learning.

"Some of it comes from being open to knowing I don't know everything. And who do you ask, who are those people who you trust?"

• Encourage a culture of continuous learning and humility.
• Seek advice from trusted mentors and colleagues.
• Recognize that diverse perspectives strengthen the team.

Hiring and collaborating with the right team is crucial for scaling a startup.

"The biggest learning curve is making sure that the correct people are around you in order to find those spaces of safety."

• Prioritize building a team that aligns with your values.
• The right team provides support in critical decision moments.
• Employee alignment enhances company culture and resilience.

Building a strong support network is vital for team building and personal growth.

"You have held space for me and you've held dreams for me that I never would have dared to hold for myself."

• Surround yourself with people who believe in your vision.
• Use trusted relationships as sounding boards for ideas.
• Support networks can enhance leadership and decision-making.

Aligning your startup's mission with personal values can strengthen brand authenticity.

"We are centered around the celebration of Black beauty... Our mission is to dispel the myth that Black hair care is a niche market."

• Ensure your company's mission reflects your core values.
• Authentic missions resonate more deeply with customers.
• Personal passion can drive business success and differentiation.

Reimagining marketing approaches can improve distribution and customer connection.

"I never understood why marketing was based on this idea that we have to make you feel bad in order to go buy something. I felt it was contrary."

• Shift marketing from problem-focused to celebration-focused.
• Engage customers by validating and empowering them.
• A positive message can differentiate your brand in the market.

Solving your own unmet needs can lead to discovering product-market fit.

"I came to entrepreneurship and business building from a perspective of being a consumer, which was incredibly helpful. I didn't join or decide to become an entrepreneur because I wanted to make money."

• Identify gaps in the market based on your own experiences.
• Build products that you personally need and can validate.
• Authenticity in addressing your own problems can resonate with customers.