On International Women’s Day 2021, we want to celebrate empowering and inspirational women. Cashmere Nicole is a female entrepreneur and founder of Beauty Bakerie, a baking-themed makeup brand that was launched to cater to women of colour.
Nicole is a true groundbreaking CEO when it comes to starting her business. She was battling a double mastectomy in 2014 when she was asked to interview for Beyoncé’s website about her brand. Despite her illness, she agreed and put her all into it.
Nicole always had dreams of running her own business. She recalls how she would pour over library books from the age of 8 trying to find innovative ways to upsell her lemonade stand. She fell pregnant at 16 and all these goals changed; working multiple jobs to keep her daughter in school and trying to finish school herself. She decided to take the risk and put her daughter in private school and vowed to do anything necessary to keep her there. Sometimes, she would pay school fees before the rent. “I lived in this survival mode… As a single mom, you don’t really have a choice. If you don’t keep going, if you stop today, it’s a matter of if you eat or not.”
At the age of 22, Nicole’s financial situation had settled and she could run Beauty Bakerie as her side job. The name derived from her love of sweets and all things baking!
The brand Beauty Bakerie has been dubbed by many as “activists in beauty” since they do so much for those in need. In recent years they have supported charities and movements such as Black Lives Matter and The Dream Act. Nicole seems to always have been a selfless soul but when she started Beauty Bakerie in 2011 it seemed important to her to donate, always. She donated much to those who were suffering in Africa and chose to donate to breast cancer charities since she believed the beauty world to be so self-centred. She wanted to find a way to give back and take care of others.
In 2014, Nicole discovered a lump. Breast cancer. Although during this time she caught the attention of huge music mogul Beyoncé, the brand was still struggling for sales and it took its toll. Nicole however, was determined; believing that if she could reach Beyoncé, she could reach anybody. She committed to five years before giving up on the brand, and she got to work.
Starting with a simple Instagram advertisement valued at $50 where they didn’t get the money back in a week; over time the brand gained traction and had a large online following. The brand went viral in 2018 for its Cake Mix Foundation which was the first of its kind to label its shades from darkest to lightest and the best part… there was 58 of them!
“Our mission is to be sweet and sweeten the lives of others. We are committed to encouraging men and women to feel both empowered and beautiful. Beauty Bakerie is a direct reflection of my perseverance and passion for great quality products that enhance the beauty in everyone, every day.” – Cashmere Nicole
Now, Beauty Bakerie has moved beyond an indie brand, is worth $40 million and is ever-growing. Cashmere Nicole is an inspiration to young, female entrepreneurs everywhere.
Happy International Women’s Day 2021!
IWD2021 #ChooseToChallenge
