where did the idea come from
I never dreamed of becoming an entrepreneur. I loved having a corporate job where I could leave at 5pm and have great dental care. However, I encountered the same problem every time I went on vacation. I spent a considerable amount of that time taking care of myself on the go. Most of the items in the travel aisle didn’t work for me and I was at a loss, having to refill them into smaller bottles and having my favorite items confiscated by his TSA. After doing a little research, I found out I’m not alone. In 2019, Black travelers spent $109.6 billion on leisure travel alone, and Black women spent nine times more on beauty and personal care than other ethnicities.So I decided to launch black travel box.
the goal
Building the #1 beauty and personal care brand on the go, look Black women, meet your needs and exceed your expectations. I want to be a brand that customers can find in airports, hotels and retail stores around the world. We believe that it can go beyond beauty and become a travel lifestyle brand.
first step
I have been thinking about Benjamin Button throughout my life. I registered his BlackTravelBox as a business long before there was a product or logo. From there, I created a vision of what I wanted the brand to be, what it would be like, and who it would serve. I started researching what brands were already out there, how travelers were tackling this challenge, and what Black travelers were looking for in travel products. We started by searching online, then conducted consumer interviews, and ended up doing extensive research. What I learned influenced the design of the brand and the first iteration of the product.
the most difficult moment
The biggest challenge is getting out of your own way. Being an entrepreneur is more than just starting a business. It’s a way of thinking.In my case, it was just my imagination reset. Recently, I had to take time away from my day job to be with my dad in the hospital. That was one of those moments in my personal and professional life when it felt like it was raining. What I entered was Botox Cosmetics and the IFundWomen Grant ProgramI was with him when I found out I was a finalist. I immediately felt a huge sense of relief. It felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I was confident that the grant would allow us to continue operations while I was away and ensure that we were able to develop towards the start-up of our hospitality business. When I told his father what he had provided for me, he smiled for the first time in several days. That was very valuable.
The moment I thought this might work
In 2018, I was invited as a plus one to the Inc. 5000 conference and attended the event speakers’ dinner. I was sitting next to then-editor-in-chief Jim Ledbetter. Co., Ltd. A magazine asked me to tell them about BlackTravelBox. I came up with his pitch for the elevator only a week or two before he did it, but he was thrilled. He introduced me to someone on the team. The person heard that the brand was in beta and said he would get in touch with me once it officially launched. forbes Shortly after, I got a call from Travel Noire and I knew this was what I was meant to do.
result
We are now in our 6th year in business. We’re proud that BlackTravelBox is still here, winning global awards and becoming perhaps the only black-owned supplier of in-room amenities for major hotel chains.
next step
We have partnered with a hospitality startup to serve as the primary in-room amenity provider for five of its hotels, offering our best-selling BlackTravelBox product. hair balm— as an upgrade. We’re also highlighting the famous Miraval Resort and Spa in Tucson, Arizona, and are working towards listings at properties nationwide.
Genesis Rivas is Oprah Daily’s beauty editor, covering hair, makeup, skin, nails, and more. Before joining her team at Oprah Daily, she wrote for several publications including InStyle, Real Simple, and Shape. When she’s not testing, researching, and writing fun and educational beauty content, she can be found dancing and eating all over New York City.follow her Instagram or tick tock
