Meet Quiana Johnson of Black Girl Sunscreen in Sherman Oaks

Today we’d like to introduce you to Quiana Johnson.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Quiana. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Growing up, I was always inspired by beauty products and making others feel beautiful. I remember playing in my mom’s makeup, having makeover parties, and doing makeup on my friends for fun and special occasions. My passion for beauty entrepreneurship stems from my grandmother being a cosmetologist, my grandfather starting the family business I grew up with, and my mom’s perseverance as a single mother of two.

This spirited passion led me to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles where I received my A.A. in Beauty Marketing & Product Development and B.S. in Beauty Business Management. After gaining beauty industry knowledge and experience working at both start up’s and corporate offices, I became most interested in Marketing and Product Development.

I was soon introduced to Black Girl Sunscreen after networking with the founder Shontay Lundy and I immediately resonated with the brand. I am now the Marketing Coordinator at Black Girl Sunscreen and have the honor of being a part of a revolutionary brand that’s disrupting the sun care industry and providing a solution!

Has it been a smooth road?
This journey has been fun, however there have been many struggles along the way. Moving to a new city without having any family or many friends, it was a challenge making myself feel at home. I often found myself second guessing my decision to move and was challenged with a negative mindset at times. Balancing work, school, and a social life was something I’ve also had to execute especially with multiple group projects and occasional online courses. Not only that, but navigating through your 20’s is a consistent cycle of overcoming obstacles whether it’s financially, spiritually, professionally, or socially.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Black Girl Sunscreen story. Tell us more about the business.
Black Girl Sunscreen is a revolutionary sunscreen made for women of color in mind. Essentially Black Girl Sunscreen is a non-toxic, vegan and cruelty-free synthetic sunscreen that moisturizes and protects the skin without the thick white residue that traditional sunscreens have.

When it comes to my job as the Marketing Coordinator, I oversee influencer relations, marketing campaigns, social media management, and overall brand development. What’s great about working at Black Girl Sunscreen is having the freedom to play multiple roles, meaning that I can assist with Product Development, Trade Shows, and even Fulfillment.

I am most proud of Black Girl Sunscreen shaking up the sun care industry and making a space for us amongst the bigger traditional brands. I’m also proud that we’re educating our community about the harmful effects from the sun and showcasing a preventative healthcare measure. We are talking to an audience of people who have been ignored and deserve to be protected from the harmful sun rays while feeling confident in their skin. I support this message fully because I am a consumer myself and have a need for this product. This makes me feel more devoted to the success and mission of Black Girl Sunscreen!

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The beauty industry is constantly evolving and we are definitely going to see some major changes in trends and product development. Being in the sun care industry it’s evident that safe ingredients are going to be the new standard. For example, Hawaii recently banned sunscreens with toxic chemicals to keep our reefs safe. Black Girl Sunscreen was formulated without the toxic ingredients to begin ​with and we’re already seeing other brands jump on board. We are also seeing sun care brands begin to market to people of color for the first time ever which says a lot about our buying power.

In addition, we are seeing major changes happening to our planet which will affect the way the industry manufactures products. We will start to see more sustainable packaging that can be reused, recycled, or biodegradable. Another trend on the rise is the integration of technology. This will present itself in many way​s whether that’s faster manufacturing, smart services, and even delivery methods. Whatever trend presents itself, we are ready to embrace it and continue evolving while sticking to our brand mission.

Pricing:

• Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30 – $18.99
• BGS Kids SPF 50 – $9.99

Contact Info:

• Website: BlackGirlSunscreen.com
• Phone: (833) 247-4968
• Email: quiana@blackgirlsunscreen.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackgirlsunscreen/ https://www.instagram.com/bgskids/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackgirlsunscreen/?ref=bookmarks
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlkGrlSunscreen

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