OUR STORY
The
Owners
Ieesha - CEO
Ieesha is the Founder & CEO of Uzuri Boutique, a Black-owned beauty product business whose focus is on black owned beauty brand products. Before deciding to step into the business realm of entrepreneurship along with her sister, Ieesha has been the CFO of several Non-profit organizations in Chicago and throughout the Chicagoland area. With such an extensive accounting and business background, Ieesha decided it was time to use her skills and start her own business. After much research on which direction Ieesha wanted to go in and how much of an impact she wants to make in the industry of choice, Ieesha chose to start a beauty supply business.
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One of the things that stood out to Ieesha was the lack of diversity and Black ownership of beauty supply stores that currently generates billions of dollars in revenue, with more than a 3rd in revenue coming from Black people.
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She then asked herself the big question, what kind of brand, focus and direction should Uzuri Boutique go in?” That’s when it was decided that the company will brand it business on helping and supporting black own small business entrepreneurs that are looking to get their name and products out on the market.
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Ieesha didn’t stop at just being the Founder & CEO of Uzuri Boutique, she’s the CEO of her own non-profit organization named Our Home, NFP that help to house the homeless. 10% of the proceeds generated from Uzuri Boutique will be donated to help support the homelessness programs at Our Home, NFP.
Shaunte' is the COO & Co-Founder of Uzuri Boutique.
After the country continued to battle a pandemic and civic unrest in 2020, Shaunte' was approached by her sister Ieesha about starting their own business. Months prior Ieesha consistently would ask Shaunte' how she felt about owning their own beauty supply store. Although hesitant, Shaunte' knew that this was a major opportunity for both her and Ieesha.
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Shaunte' knew that being Black women trying to enter the beauty supply industry would have hurdles. But with the assurance of her big sister, they knew they would be the two to tackle the industry head on.
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Armed with her Bachelors in Journalism/Communications, a Master's in Internet Marketing and years of branding/marketing experience, Shaunte' was ready to put her talents to use for herself.
The goal for both sisters was clear; have a successful beauty supply business while also promoting other Black-owned brands, big and small. And thus, Uzuri (meaning beauty) Boutique was born.
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