Candace Mitchell, founder and CEO of the artificial intelligence-driven beauty tech company MYAVANA, is championing a bold and strategic message for Black entrepreneurs: retain ownership, think generationally, and preserve the cultural foundation of Black-owned businesses.
Speaking on the “Black Tech Green Money” podcast, hosted by AFROTECH™ Brand Manager Will Lucas, Mitchell stressed Black founders’ critical role in building lasting infrastructure that reflects and sustains Black culture.
“Every time a company gets to a tipping point, it’s acquired,” she said. “So what is left for the infrastructure of Black culture?”
Mitchell launched MYAVANA to revolutionize the textured haircare experience using artificial intelligence. The company’s MYAVANA HairAI™ offers instant product recommendations based on individual needs, while its MYAVANA HairSI™ hair strand analysis kit provides users with a customized care plan and access to haircare specialists.
Her company’s reach has grown significantly, including partnerships with Ulta Beauty in 2023 and an expansion to Uganda, where MYAVANA opened a brick-and-mortar retail location that also supports Black-owned beauty brands such as Moisture Love, Texture Crush, Afro Unicorn, U Go Girl Hair, and LushUs Hair.
“From a business standpoint, it made more sense for us to start our franchise in the motherland,” Mitchell explained, noting that Uganda was the starting point for global product distribution of Black-owned brands. “The main purpose for MYAVANA is to reclaim the wealth of the hair industry, which we know has gone to other cultures over the years.”
Ownership Equals Legacy
Mitchell’s broader mission is to establish MYAVANA not only as a market leader but also as a cultural institution akin to Coca-Cola or Chick-fil-A—an enduring, recognizable brand grounded in Black innovation.
“We need to fill every position, every industry,” she said. “I’m building MYAVANA to be a pillar in the beauty industry that can be passed on for generations.”
As a tech-powered brand, Mitchell sees her company as a critical player in shaping how technology impacts the beauty sector and beyond.
She encourages other founders to avoid the temptation of short-term exits in favor of preserving long-term value within the community.
