Fashion Fair CEO asks consumers to buy from Black companies

Desirée Rogers is the co-owner and CEO of Trend Truthful Cosmetics, and the CEO of Black Opal.

Rolling out caught up with Rogers throughout the Essence Pageant of Tradition weekend in New Orleans to talk together with her about reinvigorating the long-lasting model and her function within the multi-billion greenback Black magnificence trade.

Rogers enthusiastically shared what led her to turn into a magnificence government and aspiring ideas for these focused on doing the identical.

As a CEO, are you able to inform us a bit bit extra about your day-to-day?

I consider a lot is going on on the planet, comparable to what occurred not too long ago on affirmative motion. One of many issues that we do within the magnificence trade is spend seven billion {dollars}, solely of which 0.5 p.c goes to firms which might be run by people who appear to be me. So I’m asking, what’s Black in your bag? It doesn’t should be Trend Truthful, however let’s purchase Black. Let’s make sure that we’re supporting Black magnificence firms across the nation and let’s get a few of that cash again into our neighborhoods.

What led you to turn into a magnificence government?

I simply know that we spend a lot cash on magnificence, nails, hair, make-up, shampoo, curls, and all of these items. I simply really feel so strongly that we’ve a possibility to have a few of that cash coming again to us. We’re additionally delighted to assist the City League. Ten p.c of our gross sales [went] again to the City League throughout Essence Pageant weekend.

What affect does the fourth annual Nationwide City League Ladies In Concord occasion have on the Black group?

Once we can assist and salute our personal, it’s all the time a beautiful factor. It’s all the time a beautiful time to be collectively sharing. There are such a lot of people who have come as much as say they wished to assist us within the work that we’re doing. We need to assist others within the work that they’re doing. It’s simply an incredible skill to … speak, chit chat, inform tales, and be supportive. All of us have to assist each other, particularly [with] how the world is altering so rapidly round us.

What are some ideas you can provide to these aspiring to work within the magnificence trade?

The primary tip is it’s important to need to do that … it’s not simple. There’s numerous work concerned for any entrepreneur, whether or not you’re in magnificence or one thing else. You must be obsessed with that work and it’s important to know that there are going to be occasions when issues don’t go nice, and there are occasions when issues go wonderful. So, you simply should preserve at it.