The C&C 100 Beauty Honorees on Inclusion, Building From Scratch & What Beauty Brands Won't Admit
The beauty industry's long-standing obsession with narrow, exclusionary standards is being dismantled by a new generation of founders who aren't just selling products—they're building cultural movements. In this special episode of Work Party, five C&C 100 honorees—Tony Bravo, Mae Kwok, Gloria George, Danessa Myricks, Monique Rodriguez, and Claudia Sulesky—reveal the raw truths behind the glamour: from the emotional trauma of not seeing oneself reflected in beauty ads to the relentless behind-the-scenes battles to get formulas right while protecting margins. They expose how 'inclusion' is often performative, how young teams run brands with little oversight, and how even 'self-care' routines are shaped by systemic pressures. What emerges is not just a call for more diverse shade ranges, but a radical redefinition of beauty as a space of safety, authenticity, and self-ownership—where 'glowing' means feeling seen, not just looking polished.
The beauty industry is built on invisible labor and countless 'no's' from suppliers, packaging engineers, and regulators before a product even launches.
True inclusion means Black women in every role—not just as models, but as decision-makers, chemists, and executives.
Skincare isn't just about products—it's a daily ritual of self-acceptance, especially when you've never seen yourself in beauty ads.
Founders like Danessa Myricks and Monique Rodriguez built brands as safe spaces for people who were excluded by traditional beauty standards.
Heatless curls aren't just a hack—they're a rebellion against the idea that you need tools, time, or makeup to feel put together.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Welcome to Work Party: The New Era of Work
Hosts Jacqueline Johnson and Marina Middleton introduce Work Party as a podcast celebrating women redefining work on their own terms—blending ambition, authenticity, and joy.
Introducing the C&C 100 Beauty Honorees
The episode sets the stage by celebrating the 2026 Create and Cultivate 100 list, spotlighting 10 women across industries who are shaping culture and moving markets.
Tony Bravo: The Value of Vintage and Mindful Splurges
Tony Bravo shares his love for vintage handbags, reflects on bad financial advice from college, and reveals how mindfulness practices like jade stone smoothing are trending on his For You page.
Mae Kwok: From DJing to Doon Sung Care’s Ulta Breakthrough
Mae Kwok recounts her career milestones, including DJing for celebrities and landing a major retail partnership with Ulta Beauty, and shares her journey into financial literacy.
Gloria George: Challenging Beauty Standards, One Unapologetic Post at a Time
“You may be trying and you may be thinking that you're doing the best when it comes to inclusion, but you're not. And there's always some more work to be done.”
“So this brand is essentially a safe place to land in beauty.”
“You may be trying and you may be thinking that you're doing the best when it comes to inclusion, but you're not. And there's always some more work to be done.”
“to hear so many no's, there are so many sacrifices that are being made to protect your product margins.”
Hosts
Guests
Gloria George
person
Danessa Myricks
person
Create and Cultivate
organization
Monique Rodriguez
person
Mae Kwok
person
Tony Bravo
person
Claudia Sulesky
person
Jacqueline Johnson
person
Marina Middleton
person
Doon Sung Care
brand
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