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Shop and Watch mom turned Entrepreneur, Cora Miller as she talks about starting the Young King Haircare line and how she expanded to skincare to answer the plea of her loyal customers all on this week’s episode of Shop Essence Live
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00:00Hello, hello, and welcome to Shop Essence Live. I am Noni Donovan, Vice President of Video here at Essence, and it's another episode of Shopping along with our partners at the New Voices Foundation.
00:12We are excited once again to bring you another Black-owned business that you can shop live right here with us.
00:19Today, I have the pleasure of being joined by Cora Miller of Young King Hair Care, also newly the owner of Young King Skin Care.
00:31Now, if you have a young king in your life, make sure that you tune into this, right?
00:36I am a mom. My son just started high school a few days ago, and we're trying to teach our young kings how to take care of themselves, how to get into some skin care.
00:45So this, if you fit that scenario, you're a mom, you got a young king or a grown king, definitely tune in.
00:52Also, if you're an entrepreneur or you know someone that is an entrepreneur, please send them this stream because I will be revealing at the end of the show how you could possibly be featured on a future episode of Shop Essence Live.
01:05So right now, right now, I am going to go and find Cora. Cora, I hope you're in here waiting to go live with me so we can shop these amazingly beautiful products.
01:19All right. I don't see her yet, but I am, just to let you guys know, next Monday, as we wait for Cora to join us, next Monday, we will, oop, I see her right here.
01:34Hold on. Okay. I got an announcement about next Monday, but let me go live with Cora. I don't want to keep you guys waiting anymore.
01:43Let's add her in here. Hi, everyone. And again, tag somebody if they got a young king at home or a grown king and you want to see some of these skin and hair products just for our young boys.
01:55And then also, you want to make sure that you are tuning in or tag someone that you know that is also an entrepreneur because I'm going to be sharing a little bit later how we can, you can also be a part.
02:10Here she is.
02:11Shop Essence Live in a future episode.
02:13So we're going to be joined by Cora Miller right now.
02:15We're going to get into all these products.
02:17We got a lot going.
02:19Cora.
02:20Hi.
02:21Hello.
02:22How are you today?
02:24I'm doing well.
02:25How are you?
02:26I'm amazing now that I got you on and I'm so excited.
02:29We have so much to cover on this episode and so much to shop.
02:34First, I'd love for you to just talk a little bit about how you came up with the concept, Young King Hair Care, and then we're going to get right into these products.
02:44Yeah, happy to.
02:45So it's kind of crazy because I never, ever thought in a million years that I'd be on this entrepreneur journey.
02:53I actually was inspired simply by my son.
02:57He was born with a head full of hair.
03:00And everybody that knows me knew I wanted a boy because I didn't want to have to deal with all the hair.
03:04And then I get a boy with all of this beautiful hair.
03:07It's on you.
03:08Right.
03:10And so as he was getting older and I was starting to search for products to really help me care for his just beautiful curls, I quickly recognized that in the market there wasn't anything specifically that felt made for a young man of color.
03:26And for me, representation is so important.
03:30I believe that anyone should be able to see themselves in the products that they use.
03:34And so for me, I wanted my son and boys who look like them to feel empowered by their beauty and their grooming journey.
03:43And so that's how Young King Hair Care came to be.
03:46And it's just been a crazy, crazy ride these past almost three years.
03:51But so glad we're able to create products for our boys.
03:55I hope that you guys heard that, right?
03:58She said in the past three years, she saw a problem.
04:02It was not in the market.
04:03She saw that there was a lack of representation.
04:05And then you went.
04:06And three years later, in big box brand stores, featured on Shop Essence Live, a part of the New Voices family.
04:13Like, you are absolutely incredible.
04:15And we're going to get more into your story and the products.
04:18But first, I want you to just start introducing your products.
04:21Remember, everybody at home, if you have any questions at all about her products, about her journey, please do drop it in the comments.
04:27And I will make sure I ask the questions.
04:30Yes.
04:31So, yes, we have our hair care line, which we started off with our three, we call them our OG products.
04:39So we started when we first launched with three styling products.
04:42We have our leave-in conditioner and essential oils and a curling cream.
04:47Sorry if you can't really see these.
04:50And then we also added a shampoo and conditioner.
04:54So we call that our King's Court Bundle, which you can see if you go to the shop, Young King Essence Collection, you'll see our King's Court.
05:01So that includes our two kind of wash day essentials as well as our three styling products.
05:07We also have a few other stylers that we just added last year, a pomade and a mousse.
05:13And those products came about, again, we always listen to our community and our customers and they're like, we want more and we want it for these specific things.
05:21So that's why we now have a mousse and a pomade.
05:24And then, excitingly enough, we just launched our skincare line.
05:29So that launched this past spring.
05:31We have a cleanser, a toner, a serum, and also a moisturizer.
05:41Again, that literally came about from our community.
05:44We asked our community, what products do they want from Young King?
05:49And 72% of those we surveyed say, give us a skincare line for our boys.
05:54And we did.
05:54Oh, my God.
05:56Wait, can we pause right there?
05:57Right.
05:58That shows you just how limitless you are.
06:02The fact that you have a line called Young King Hair Care.
06:06And then the community asked this of you and you completely flipped it on its head and came up with a skincare line.
06:12And I absolutely love it.
06:14Because I have a 14-year-old going through that change.
06:17And, you know, I want to nurture him.
06:20And I wanted to find something or a system where he felt comfortable taking care of his own skin.
06:26And when I tell you I absolutely love this face bundle, first of all, it smells amazing.
06:32It's not overwhelmingly like, you know, how it's like toxic smelling sometimes with skincare.
06:37It smells absolutely amazing.
06:39And it's so easy for him to do on his own.
06:43And I just love that.
06:44I wonder from you, was there any like fear or hesitation going from the hair space into skincare?
06:50Like, what was that process like for you?
06:53Oh, 10%.
06:54I mean, being an entrepreneur half the time is very scary.
06:58So we just always live with much.
07:00But, no, I just think, you know, for us, we took a step back and thought about Young King and what we were trying to build.
07:07You know, we're more, we see ourselves more than a personal care brand, right?
07:12We're a brand rooted in self-esteem and confidence.
07:15And for us, it made sense as we think about grooming holistically, making sure our boys feel good from head to toe just seemed like a transition for us.
07:26So, yes, it was scary that I'm like, oh, I'm leaving, you know, the world of hair, my comfort zone to go into skin.
07:32But it made so much sense, especially when our community was saying, hey, give us this.
07:37But it makes so much sense when you just think about, you know, how can we provide these great, easy, simple products for our young men to really find the power to take care of their whole self?
07:52First of all, thank you.
07:54I absolutely love it.
07:56Would you want to talk through a couple of the components of that skin bundle that you have?
08:02Yeah, absolutely.
08:03So, you know, the first step out of every good skin care routine is cleansing, right?
08:09So we have our face cleanser.
08:11And I should say that all of our products are plant-based, naturally derived, and green, green, any active chemicals.
08:18We feel like at this age, you don't need all of that.
08:22You need a simple process and routine to get you started and provide a great foundation for great skin care.
08:29And so we start with cleanser.
08:30We always recommend that you use a penny to a, you know, dime-size amount.
08:36And you just put warm water on your face, rub it in really good, and rinse.
08:41So, sorry, you can't really see it that well in my hand, but you don't really need that much.
08:46Put it on, and then you just rinse.
08:50And then you follow with our toner.
08:52That's the exfoliation piece.
08:54We always say to put a little bit on a cotton swab and rub it in your face.
09:01That will get rid of excess oils, just the remaining dirt that the cleanser didn't pick up.
09:08So make sure that you're doing that exfoliation with the toner.
09:11And then you simply end with our moisturizer.
09:15And that provides your skin that great hydration that it needs after you're done cleaning your face.
09:20And so you just put a dollop of moisturizer.
09:24Our moisturizer is really lightweight.
09:26This is the one that smells so good.
09:29Yes, it smells good.
09:30You really don't need that much.
09:32And just put it all over your face and neck.
09:35And that's it.
09:36One, two, three step.
09:37Really easy as my five-year-old easy mac and cheesy.
09:41That's what we're doing.
09:43So I see some questions coming in.
09:44Someone earlier did ask, do you ship to Canada?
09:48We actually do ship to Canada.
09:50Yes, we do.
09:51Come on, girl.
09:52I also want to note, right, on Shop Essence Live, anytime we have a Black-owned business up here,
09:57or any business up here, when you buy these products, you are buying direct from the brands, okay?
10:03So none of this is going to me or Essence.
10:05So make sure if you are interested, I can see every time someone's adding to their cart and wishlist.
10:11And that's what we love to see.
10:12So make sure that you are supporting and buying these products if you have any interest.
10:15She has these amazing mini sizes as well.
10:18So if you want to try it out, that's absolutely incredible.
10:22I do see another question from Carrie who wants to know, is this for dry skin?
10:28Yes, definitely.
10:29So we formulated this line really to focus on melanin-rich concerns.
10:35Like, what are those sea skin concerns that impacts people of color?
10:40Of course, that's dry skin, that's hyperpigmentation, that's eczema, like you name it.
10:45And that's why our line specifically has more of these plant-based ingredients like aloe vera, marshmallow root, to really address that.
10:54So we're really focused on that hydration piece that comes from, you know, making sure that your skin is just moisturized and hydrated.
11:01And so definitely, definitely is for dry skin.
11:06Incredible.
11:06And the comments are going crazy.
11:07I need to show my nephew this.
11:09This is for my grandson.
11:10Y'all, if you're watching live, if you're watching on the replay, she has laid it all out for our young kings so simply.
11:17And we want to make sure that we're allowing them to take care of themselves, right?
11:23That's the biggest thing for me right now.
11:25I got a brand new high schooler.
11:27And I know mommy's not always going to be there to remind him to do X, Y, Z.
11:31So the fact that you have created this complete line, you know, taking care of our young kings from head to toe.
11:38Thanks.
11:38Kudos for Cora.
11:40I love that.
11:41You're also a part of our New Voices family.
11:43I'd love for you to touch on kind of what that journey has been like for you, being a part of our New Voices family and to now being featured on Shop Essence Live.
11:54Yeah, it's just so crazy when I think about my journey, especially with New Voices.
12:00We actually launched, literally, we received products the week before we participated in the Essence Target Holiday Festival that happened here in Atlanta in December 2019.
12:13This was a sponsor of that.
12:15So that was like our first big showing, like presenting young king to everybody.
12:20That was our first time doing it.
12:22And while we were there, New Voices hosted a pitch competition.
12:26So, of course, I ran over there.
12:27I had my notebook, y'all.
12:29I was taking notes.
12:30And I was like, I am going to do that.
12:31I'm going to be on that stage.
12:33I'm going to be pitching for young king.
12:35And crazy to think that less than a year later, I was literally a part of the New Voices pitch competition.
12:41Came in second.
12:42Woo, woo, woo.
12:43Young King.
12:45And so my journey with New Voices has just been amazing and incredible.
12:49They've been such supportive partners to us.
12:52Really great champions.
12:54And just providing us with the resources, the support as we think about growing and scaling this business.
13:00You know, both from just, you know, being a part of their pitch competitions to, you know, educational events.
13:06And now actually one of their portfolio companies.
13:08It's just been, I would say, the biggest kind of accelerant and blessing that we could have ever had for a young king.
13:17Oh, I absolutely love that.
13:19And I hope y'all caught this, right?
13:21She was selling at the holiday market that we had in Atlanta in 2019.
13:27That's actually when Shop Essence Live was born.
13:30I was going around and interviewing all of the Black-owned businesses.
13:34And our owner, Rich Lou, was like, this needs to be a show.
13:37You need to do it.
13:38And I am so grateful for that moment.
13:41But I want everybody to catch this, right?
13:44If you're watching this and you're an entrepreneur or you have an idea for a product that's going to change the game or something that's not out there yet.
13:50But she was there selling her product at the very beginning and then saw a pitch competition and was inspired and said, she claimed it and said, I'm going to do that.
14:00Blame it.
14:00I'm going to say the same thing here.
14:02If you are watching this and you're inspired and you have an idea and you have a business you're trying to get off of the ground, don't look at that like it's unattainable.
14:09You claim it and I could be talking to you.
14:11It happens all the time.
14:13So I am a New Voices family.
14:15They are in the comments right now.
14:17So definitely follow them.
14:19I'm going to talk you guys through at the end of the show.
14:22If you're interested in being a part of the New Voices family and being featured on Shop Essence Live, I'm going to tell you at the end of the show.
14:29It could be you.
14:30Don't ever limit yourself.
14:32All right.
14:33So, Corey, you got quite a bit.
14:34Is there anything else that you want to go through?
14:36I know you have a ton of bundles here for everyone.
14:40I'm going to fly up.
14:41You have an amazing – it was a bundle with hair and skin.
14:45Let me fly that up a little bit.
14:47So if you want everything, you can get everything.
14:50Yes, if you want – yes.
14:51We have a whole gamut, y'all.
14:52So if you would like hair care products, we have a bundle that includes all of our hair care products plus our skin care line.
14:59Again, holistic grooming from head to toe.
15:03So you can try all of that.
15:04But I want to talk about our samples.
15:07You mentioned just our mini sets.
15:09I get that some people are like, I don't know if it really works.
15:13Believe it.
15:13It works.
15:14But if you want to try it out for yourself or you just are on the go and just want something you can throw in, throw in your Young Kings travel bag, we have some mini sets.
15:24We have them both for the skin.
15:25And, oh, yeah, you know, there you go, modeling them.
15:30The skin mini set as well as, yeah, the hair set, which includes all seven of our products.
15:37So you get to try all seven, our wash products and all of our styling products in one little cute bundle.
15:44So definitely check those out.
15:46There's lots of options and there's a lot of items for the Young Kings, all the Young Kings.
15:51And her sample sizes, these are really good sizes.
15:55So you'll be able to really get a feel for how to use them.
16:00I would like to, going back to the skin care for our young boys, how often should they use all three?
16:07Is it all three steps every day or there are certain things that you want to kind of spread out?
16:12Yeah, no.
16:13So we recommend three steps.
16:16We recommend, again, cleansing, exfoliation, and doing your moisturizer.
16:23You know, we each were purposely and very intentional to make it super simple and easy process to follow.
16:29We're literally thinking, think of us as building the foundation for our young men.
16:33As you mentioned earlier, we want to start their routines early so that they get into that good cadence.
16:38And by the time they are teens and young men and older men, that they already have a good understanding of their skin type and what they need.
16:48And they can add, you know, extra enhancements.
16:50And maybe they do need something more with active ingredients.
16:53But at a younger age, just getting them that foundation of what a good skin regimen is.
17:00And hopefully it'll ward off some of those problems that they'll have down the line.
17:03And like, you know, super clawed pores and, you know, really, really bad acne.
17:09So starting them off early by having just a simple one, two, three step.
17:13Doing it daily.
17:14We recommend twice a day.
17:16But, you know, give us daily.
17:17I'm trying to get on every day.
17:22But yes, okay, twice a day.
17:23Got it.
17:24And not soap and water.
17:26Like, do the, doing this routine.
17:29We could hope for the soap.
17:30Right.
17:33Exactly.
17:35Absolutely.
17:36And I see energy.
17:37Energy's like, how much ballon?
17:39He's like, Chris Rock.
17:40Chris Rock in that movie.
17:41How much ballon are you?
17:42If you click on the store, you'll see the gambit of everything.
17:46And you can also go to Young King Hair Care on Instagram.
17:49And they have their full store there.
17:51So you can have the bundles.
17:52You can have the minis.
17:53You can also buy the products individually.
17:56So I definitely encourage everyone to click through to the full store to see all that she has to offer.
18:03Cora, you are so incredible and inspiring.
18:06And I cannot wait.
18:07If this is what you do in three years.
18:09Sure.
18:10I cannot wait to see what is in store for you.
18:14You are absolutely inspiring.
18:16I'd love for you to leave everyone with a positive note.
18:19We always end with a positive note.
18:21If there is someone that has their own business, they hit a roadblock, they're feeling discouraged.
18:26What would you say to them so that they can keep going?
18:29I would say believe in yourself and remember your why.
18:34I think that is important when you start a business is always centering back on why you're doing it in the first place.
18:41For me, it's always been about my son.
18:44And so it's so easy for me to go back and remember why I'm doing this, especially when times get really hard.
18:51I mean, as entrepreneurs, we go through all of the ups and downs, like every single day.
18:56It plays with our emotions.
18:58And so it's just centering back on your purpose and your reason of why you're doing it in the first place.
19:05You'll never fail and you'll never give up because you know what your end goal is and why you're doing it in the first place.
19:12Absolutely.
19:15You guys heard it there.
19:17Cora, you're incredible.
19:19Thank you so much for being on this episode of Shop Essence Live.
19:24And good luck to you.
19:25I appreciate you all.
19:28Appreciate you.
19:29So I did tell you guys that I would walk you through step by step.
19:34If you wanted to be on a future episode, Cora, you do not have to hang out for this.
19:37Okay.
19:37I just like to be here.
19:39So if you want to be featured or for a chance to be featured on a future episode of Shop Essence Live, make sure you go to New Voices Family, their Instagram.
19:49There's a link in the bio.
19:50They're also in the comments now.
19:52But if you're watching on the replay, go to New Voices Family, their Instagram.
19:57There's a link in the bio.
19:58And then there you can find out how you join the New Voices Family.
20:03And then you can be considered to be on a future episode of Shop Essence Live.
20:08Remember, there's a community there.
20:11New Voices has Lit Bar.
20:13Everyone that's been featured on Shop Essence Live thus far.
20:16Black Girl Sunscreen.
20:18These are businesses.
20:20New Voices is from 2018.
20:22It launched.
20:23Right?
20:23And imagine over 30 Black female millionaires were made since then.
20:28That could absolutely be you.
20:30Do not ever limit yourself and think that it could not.
20:32It just takes to actually claim it and work towards it.
20:38So follow New Voices Family for more information on that.
20:42Also, we'll be back next week two times.
20:45On Monday, Essence has Essence Fashion House happening all day long.
20:50Look out because we're going to be having a shoppable stream, a shoppable fashion on Monday.
20:56So stay tuned for that.
20:57Also, we'll be back next week with more Black-owned businesses right here for Shop Essence Live.
21:03My name is Noni Donovan.
21:04You can find me on Instagram.
21:06Follow me.
21:07And I will see you next week.
21:09Bye.
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