By: Brianna Rhodes

For beautypreneurs Patrice Chappelle and Janelle Norris, motherhood became the inspiration behind their skincare brands that promote self-confidence, representation, and wellness for people of color. 

Chappelle created her skincare line to address the needs of kids with sensitive skin and skin conditions, while Norris developed her line to pour into herself and show that women–especially mothers—you can be multifaceted. 

Through the support of WACIF’s Ascend.Her Beauty program, both women continue to champion why people should love the skin they’re in, while also building generational wealth for themselves and their communities.

Chappelle and Norris were two of 10 beautypreneurs in the program’s latest cohort who are cultivating the necessary skills to redefine beauty, legacy and entrepreneurship in the DMV and beyond. 

Learn about their business, what beauty means to them, and the insights they gained from the program below:

The quotes have been condensed, rearranged, and edited for clarity.

Patrice Chappelle, Co-Founder/Co-CEO – MelanBrand Skin

Based in: Northern Virginia

About The Company: MelanBrand Skin is a pioneering skincare brand dedicated to the unique needs of young melanated skin. Co-founded by Patrice and her son Bron Echols, the company’s mission is to create non-toxic, gluten-free, cruelty-free, and vegan skincare solutions that promote self-love, confidence, and generational wealth for Black and Brown children.

What Beauty Means To Her: “It’s representation and inclusivity. It’s making sure everybody feels included and has access to products they need.”

Reflections on Ascend.Her Beauty Experience: “It’s greatly impacted us because it gave us an opportunity to learn firsthand from industry experts about the information that we need [for our business].

We’re two years in, so we’re still ironing [things] out and making sure that we’re getting it right the first time so that way we don’t have to double back and try to correct mistakes.

It was good to be able to have that access to WACIF, Rahama, and being able to step into her Makerspace before it opened.

I think it was really good to hear from her [Rahama] experience and understand the different fundamentals of being in the beauty industry and having access to someone who could sit before us and really teach us the ins and outs, and the do’s and don’ts of the industry.”

Janell Norris, Founder and CEO – SelfieSkin Co.

Based In: Washington, D.C.

About The Company:  SelfieSkin Co. offers plant-based skincare products that are specifically designed for people of color. The company is passionate about revolutionizing skincare for melanated skin. Its unique approach combines the power of plant-based microorganisms and enzymes to deliver clean and non-toxic acne and hyperpigmentation centered skincare for melanated skin, allowing individuals to confidently embrace their radiant and filter-free selfie, without compromising their health. 

What Beauty Means To Her: “To me, beauty means making your outward appearance reflect your inner feelings, emotions and being.

We believe that skin health equals mental health. The more you feel confident with your “selfie,” the better you are and vice versa.”

Reflections on Ascend.Her Beauty Experience: “The Ascend.Her Beauty program really pushed me to pivot. I was on the fence about it, but being able to think and be coached on some of the strategies when it comes to running a beauty business really clicked for me and made me confident about it.

SelfieSkin Co. [originally] started out with skincare for your face, but I had launched a body serum that sold out twice, and was featured at Essence. And, I was kind of like, ‘Do I do this? Am I making the right decision?’

All of the insights from the speakers, mentors, and other cohort members confirmed it was time to make that pivot. I knew that I had something that was different that was designed for us and is not your typical body care product.

[The program] helped me to navigate that and I used the surprise funding they gave us to help me get started with formulations for additional, body products to join the lineup.”