Today we’d like to introduce you to Lola Thomas.
Hi Lola, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Growing up in New Orleans (known as the land full of culture, life, and energy) as a kid allowed me to dream big from “nothing to something.” This made me a lover of nature being able to embrace the universe’s composition and everything in its structure. Finding the beauty in life the way I found it in science and art. Understanding the investigation of their properties and the ways in which they interact, combine, and change by creating new substances is what chemistry is all about. Knowing this allows me to embrace a healthy way of life mentally and physically. My grandmother always told me I would be something great while getting fussed at me for mixing up everything together in her bathroom cabinet. That was my first introduction to becoming a Chemist. I wanted to do something my father and mother did not get to do to make them proud—go to college and finish. So, I did just that. I attended Dillard University (HBCU) which my mom once attended but didn’t get to finish due to having to take care of her brother who was disabled. So, it was my motivation to complete that legacy. Along the way, I ran into some great challenges like being a teen mother during my freshman year of college and supporting myself and my son alone by working two jobs at Walgreens as a pharmacy tech and at Forever 21 as a retail assistant. I definitely was fly although the struggle was real. Trying to find my way from scratch was not easy. All this while going to school full-time. I knew I wanted better for my son even though I made things a bit more difficult for my journey I was up for the challenge.
The rough situations I endured in my childhood equipped me for the purpose that God set out for me and the future that was ahead of me. As a first-generation college graduate, attending a historically black college or university (HBCU) was such an honor and the culture of Dillard University embraced my son and me with so much grace and love. While in my undergrad years my mentor/professor named Dr.Sonya Caston motivated me to become a chemistry major. She one day asked me what I aspired to do after school and my answer was I wanted to be the person who made makeup and cosmetic products. And I knew that by becoming a chemist I would always have a job because wherever anything is made they have a chemist. At that time this wasn’t something that was as popular as it is today. So, while in undergrad, I devoted my studies and a lot of research on the steps on how to become a cosmetic chemist and structured my research around that. There was a platform called the chemist corner which made the way for my journey. In 2014, I graduated from DU with a Bachelor’s in Chemistry and a minor in Mathematics and eventually landed a job at a small lab called A&E testing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I commuted an hour and thirty minutes to work to make sure I was providing a life for my son so he could see what success looked like. I worked as a Lead Laboratory Technician in all divisions of that company. Although it wasn’t a well-known company this job ultimately structured me for all my future positions in the biggest companies in the United States. I have worked and interned for some of the biggest fortune 500 companies like Mary Kay Cosmetics, Loreal, Exxon, Intertek, and BASF to name a few.
Later in my career, I decided to pursue an MBA from LSU to give me the best understanding of business which is not something we are taught in the black community. I also made sure I keep up with cosmetic science courses and certifications to stay updated when I was working in other industries. I dreamed of having my own company one day just as successful. The advantage of working for such different companies has allowed me to gain information about all these different industries which has positioned me to be able to open my company Zenistry Labs the first multi-testing, research, and formulation lab in the nation founded and ran by a black woman CEO. Zenistry Labs is advancing to becoming a Globally known and trusted resource with future collaborations like universities and mainstream corporations for 2023 that we have in store. Aside from the industry my passion to help those who aspire to be where I have inspired me to share the knowledge that I didn’t receive earlier in my journey. I am also extending my education about skincare as an Aesthetician so I can better inform my clients by giving consultations about ingredients for better skincare, haircare, and wellness for POC. Being a cosmetic chemist and formulator, it’s my goal is to help formulate for POC and help black beauty brands understand and learn the business that is often not disclosed and help big beauty brands understand that POC shouldn’t be an afterthought but on the forefront as well for those of every complexion.
My beauty products line Zen Haus Beauty which debuted at Essence Fest 2021 are great for POC skin, hair, and wellness. We formulated these products to make sure we are treating the problem while also stimulating our mental health as well. Mental Health is a topic I am very passionate about whether it’s my students or clients I try to address this topic head on. In addition, Zenistry Labs is planning to make some groundbreaking discoveries by conducting clinical research for POC. I know this isn’t a topic that we like to discuss with our past with clinical research but we are lacking data and knowledge when It comes to the cosmetics industry. DNA and allergy testing will be implemented to prove that we aren’t limited to the ingredients we can use but we need to make sure our genetic makeup can withstand certain ingredients that are in our products because you may be allergic hence this is why a product may not work for you or will cause harm to you as well. This research and data will help beauty brands formulate with that data in mind… This is where a chemist comes in handy.
As a black woman in the world of STEM, you don’t often see black women in my position. I am super passionate about increasing our minority numbers in STEM. When you think of a chemist or scientist, you think of a white male. So, I am one of the few Black women Chemists who are an advocate for redefining the image as a woman in STEM. So, when little kids see those who work in STEM they see different shades, ethnicity, gender, and age. Science is not a boy’s game or girl’s game its everyone’s game- Nichelle Nichols, Nyota Uhura in Star Trek. So not having an easy pathway to this journey inspired me to make a program for the future STEM majors of the 21st century by introducing them to my program called STEM Unlimited. My goal is to increase the visibility in this industry and hopes this will make those like myself feel less stressed about what they want and what they can have when it comes to their career path. I feel it is my purpose to help improve the unknown as life goes on there is nothing in this world that should go unanswered especially if you hold the key to the doors of innovation and growth. Making it simple for others with what you know.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As a Black woman in the industry, it isn’t easy dealing with some of the shortcomings that come with working and trying to elevate in Corporate America in STEM. We are often invisible to our other peers, but our knowledge isn’t. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields are male-dominated. As a Black woman, I have dealt with racial and gender discrimination throughout my decade-long career. Despite the roadblocks, many women in STEM contributions are difficult to ignore as our work leads to many groundbreaking discoveries and inventions. The women in STEM are building communities all over and we are definitely some to look out for as we change the world. When I decided to leave the industry, it was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. Because you’re so used to the structure and the stability. I felt like I needed it to be considered someone of worth to the STEM industry.
In 2021, I decided to bet on myself and create my own legacy. Because I knew I had something great to offer to others. I was only giving a piece of myself to my business and giving my all to someone else’s dream. Where my effects were not celebrated. As we feel sometimes in the world already. All the research didn’t go in vain. Becoming a serial entrepreneur leads to many ups and down of emotions. But knowing who and what your purpose is for has pushed me to some great opportunities. Even though you have roadblocks and obstacles, you have to bet on yourself. Knowing that ideas are not just coming to you just because the wind blew. But because there is purpose in everything we do. If I had to struggle and sacrifice to make a change in someone else’s life then I feel purposeful. Because we all can win. I look back at when I was in undergrad catching 3 buses with my son to get to school feeling like I’m never going to graduate and win. I did. Trying to find a job because the technology wasn’t what it is today. I did. The most successful people still have challenges at their height of success understanding that obstacles never stop but just preparing you for what is to come so you can handle it like a winner. Keep going.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Known as the Brown Skin Chemist on social media platforms. Lola Thomas in the industry I specialize in the cosmetic formulation in the beauty industry. I wanted to bring awareness to the beauty industry to inform and improve the knowledge about cosmetic products and ingredients for POC because we often ended up as an afterthought to big beauty brands. This ultimately made me redirect my focus to skincare, haircare, and wellness while formulating with POC in mind and providing knowledge for small black beauty brands. After giving a great amount of knowledge and time to the big brands and corporations. I wanted to be one of the few black woman chemists who was known for putting a microscope on issues everyone are having with cosmetics products and their ingredients and changing lives by doing so. I understand what feelings can transpire when struggling with damaged skin, damaged hair, and your physical health and mental health firsthand affecting your everyday life because of lack of knowledge. Having an inside look at this industry and witnessing the lack of reception for POC. After leaving, I wanted to step up to the plate as Black Woman in Stem. I became the founder and CEO of Zenistry Labs one of the first multiple testing, research, and formulation labs owned by a black woman that helps multiple industries like cosmetics, food, clinical, pharmaceutical, environmental, etc make sure we are helping the nation and not harming consumers with products we call necessities every day.
As an influencer I try to use my platform to connect experts in the STEM and beauty industry with all my brands in particular my podcast, You Glow Girl Podcast, to show women your confidence comes from within and embrace our exterior as well with or without beauty serves and products. This is important when it comes to self-love. I promote this heavily with my slogan ‘Let’s glow and grow together because holistic health is important to me for a long-lasting life. Starting a journey and sharing it with others can save someone’s life. My membership group for beauty, business and stem professional woman Glow and Co collective outlines how important this new space is. I am most proud that I can share my story with others while being transparent because there are others like me who share my journey. I am a mom of three, I am a wife, I am an entrepreneur, showing my journeys and ups and downs so others don’t have this perception that social media portrays making the world believe everything is perfect. You win some. You lose some. Even in a bigger capacity in life, not just business. Saying I have skin issues, I had a hysterectomy at 30, I have anxiety, but I also have faith. I am driven. I have overcome all stereotypes and past obstacles. Making it out of the storm is the biggest flex. The bad seasons don’t last forever if you don’t let them. Seeing is believing. No one else can see that only you have to see it. I’m proud of where my brand is going and who it will help. I’m proud of the generational curses we are breaking. And what is in store for the future?
What sets me about is turning my weakness into my strengths, I am wiser than my years, I step up to the mic and speak, I show my individuality and intention in my work, and my confidence comes from being broken to make myself whole for everyone else. When I put my mind to something it will prevail, I’m Kind, and I am passionate about what I do. I’m a go-getter. Black women don’t get the option to be mediocre, so we already are destined to be set apart. I am God-fearing and science is my art. Showing that to others sets me apart. I am black girl magic. I am me. Finding yourself will set you apart because what’s for you is for you only.
What does success mean to you?
Success is not what you are going to do but whom you are going to be. It’s about how you live life every day. Success isn’t about business. Success is about purpose. When you are down who will you be? When you’re up who will you be? The moments that define you are the moments when you don’t get what you set your heart on. How will you react?! Will you lay out in defeat? The moments that make you fight for your dreams are what will build your legacy. Wondering if you should keep going. Success can easily be defined as a promotion or a professional highlight but what did you do to get yourself there? What did it take? Ask yourself who you will be?! You build resilience and conscientiousness, and vulnerability in the most difficult moments. When you build yourself and your character up, you will see that test scores and what school you went to do not define your success. The journey of success knowing how to pick yourself back up after each punch is one of the keys to success because if you don’t build yourself up, you will not last the fight to celebrate those accomplishments. Fulfilling your purpose whether it’s becoming an artist or a CEO. It’s your story. Whom are you going to be? And that will show you what you’re going to do. If you are willing to dig deep into yourself. Picking yourself up when you fall. Show yourself self-love and grace. If you work hard to turn those weaknesses into strengths, you will be able to apply those skills you have built to anything you do in life. That’s success to me.
Pricing:
- Glow and Co Collective membership – $99
Contact Info:
- Website: TheBrownSkinChemist.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/brownskinchem
- Youtube: youtube.com/brownskinchem
- Other: bio.site/BROWNSKINCHEM
Image Credits
Third Eye Vision {Derek Barnhill}
