OurBlk Spotlight X Mahisha Dellinger

Business Expert and Beauty Founder, Mahisha Dellinger of CURLS Beauty brands and founder of Black Women Making Millions Academy is building a New World Order. The business expert and former host of Oprah Winfrey’s highly rated network show, “Mind Your Business with Mahisha”, has mentored numerous Entrepreneurs on how to:

• SCALE and SELL their businesses
• How to prepare for retail 
• Brand strategy 101 for Solopreneurs

Mahisha has singlehandedly taken brand new BIPOC[Black, Indigenous and people of color] founded brands to major retailers within weeks!With her own products (CURLS), on the shelves at ULTA Beauty, just last week, the company said it will spend $50 million this year on diversity initiatives, including starting an accelerator program to support Black founders and putting money toward marketing their brands. Last year, the retailer more than doubled the number of Black-owned brands it carries from 13 to 28.

Dellinger says, retailers must acknowledge and tackle the unique barriers Black founders face — including a long history of getting less venture capital. She is helping black owned women brands of today become tomorrow’s heavy hitters with her Academy, Black Women Making Millions.

Dellinger, a $50 + million-dollar businesswoman from the mean streets of South Sacramento, CA, will continue to make it her mission to make sure female entrepreneurs get the necessary business training needed to be a continued success.

Mahisha is EXCITED to provide tips on starting your own business, how taking a leap of faith could work in your favor and how Entrepreneurs and working moms can continue to run a successful business through any crisis. Mahisha has been featured in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Oprah Magazine, New York Times, MSNBC, Essence, Success Magazine and much more! She most recently spoke with OurBlk Woman to share empowering insight and let us know how taking a leap of faith works in your favor!

Mahisha thank you for taking the time to speak with me! How does it feel to be so impactful to women entrepreneurs?

I feel it is my life’s mission…to whom much is given, much is required.

Why is it important that retailers acknowledge and tackle the unique barriers Black founders face?

The black buying power is substantial enough to warrant the attention of key retailers. These retailers should be invested in businesses founded by African Americans, as we bring the Black consumer to them.

What do you think is the “missing piece” for many brands when it comes to creating sustainability?

The missing piece for most brands is how to go about being sustainable without breaking the bank. Find what is important to their consumer, sustainability wise, and start there.

What inspired you to start Black Women Making Millions Academy?

Did you know that African American, female owned businesses are on the rise, up 300%…but only 4% make it to the million dollar mark? We MUST bridge that gap! The last 12 months I’ve dedicated myself to taking 8 businesses to the next level. At the conclusion of the taping of my show on OWN, I realized that I needed to turn this into an opportunity for all to learn.

And just like that, Black Girls Making Millions Academy was born. We have developed 3 Course Tracks to help women at all stages of their businesses:

• The Start Up – turn your idea into a viable business.
• The Come Up – grow your business and take it to the next level.
• The Blow Up – pitch your business idea to investors for funding.

We have an amazing list of panelists including Julee Wilson from Essence, Kahlana Barfield Brown, Michelle Rice from TV ONE, Dr Lynn Richardson and Tai Beauchamp who will impart their wisdom on all of our amazing participants. There will also be break out sessions, networking opportunities and opportunities to pitch to investors. Our goal is to empower, educate and elevate the next generation of entrepreneurs in our community and create the change the world needs.

I do not believe in leaping into faith, rather faith walking into a prepared entrepreneurial path.

What is next for you?

So much!! Confidentially, I have 2 new businesses that I am starting and a new nonprofit. I have also started a new women’s lingerie line, xScentuals – scented essentials.

Follow her on Instagram @Mahisha_Dellinger