Karen Young, the visionary behind the beauty brand ‘OUI the People’, has transformed a modest $1,500 into a powerful force in the beauty industry, with her products now proudly featured on Sephora’s shelves.
But her journey is more than just a success story—it’s a testament to perseverance, innovation, and the unwavering belief in the value of self-care.
Growing up, Young’s mother banned beauty magazines from their home, believing their language was harmful to women’s self-esteem.
This early lesson instilled in Young the importance of defining beauty on her own terms, a principle that would later become the foundation of her brand.
OUI the People began with a single product: razors, inspired by the meticulous skincare routines of Young’s family in Guyana.
Her grandmother and uncles treated self-care as a ritual, a way to express love and respect for oneself.
“OUI the People is a celebration of that softness and strength,” Young tells Entrepreneur, reflecting on how these intimate moments shaped her approach to beauty.
However, the road to success wasn’t without its challenges. As a Black woman entrepreneur, Young faced significant obstacles, including the stark reality of limited funding for Black-owned businesses.
Despite these hurdles, she remained steadfast in her mission to disrupt the beauty industry by creating products that nourish the body and soul, free from the unrealistic standards often perpetuated by the industry.
Young’s journey offers valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs:
- Perseverance Through Adversity: Young said resilience is an important trait for business success, especially for Black women founders who face unique challenges in the startup world. Despite a significant decline in funding for Black-owned startups, Young continues to push forward, proving that determination can overcome even the most daunting obstacles.
- The Power of Packaging: With her background in packaging design at Estée Lauder, Young understands the critical role packaging plays in a product’s success. She advises founders to invest in thoughtful, impactful packaging, as it often determines whether a consumer will make a purchase.
- Focus on Quality Over Quantity: Young learned the hard way that launching too many products at once can dilute a brand’s impact. She now believes in perfecting one product before expanding, ensuring that each release is meaningful and aligns with the brand’s values.
Today, ‘OUI the People’ is on track to double its growth, expanding from 260 retail locations to over 600.
Despite the challenges of securing additional funding, Young remains optimistic, choosing to pace the brand’s growth strategically rather than overextending.
Young’s story is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved with vision, dedication, and a deep sense of purpose.
This story has been culled from an article first published by the Entrepreneur.
