Vivian Kaye x Vasavi Kumar: Owning Your Authentic Self, Challenging Racism, and Facing It All As a Successful Entrepreneur

Today I am joined by Vivian Kaye, the Founder & CEO of KinkyCurlyYaki, one of the premier textured hair extension brands for Black women, disrupting a $6 billion industry. 

In this episode, we stay true to Vivian’s “keep it real” approach as we dive deep into the courageous call-out that led me to discover her in the first place, and some deep prejudices people of color face, including those in the entrepreneurial space.

Vivian is a proven trailblazer for her industry and has graced international stages, enlightening entrepreneurs with her sage business advice and riveting stories of overcoming the challenges of running a multi-million dollar eCommerce empire all while balancing life as a single mom. 

She’s been featured by top brands, websites (like Refinery29 and Black Enterprise), conferences, and podcasts across the globe, which I will link below. 

In this episode, you’ll see exactly how this savvy and all-around dope woman has approached some of the controversial conversations surrounding Black Lives Matter with bravery and her perspective on owning your authentic self.

Let’s get to it.

Links to Connect with Vivian Kaye: 

Discover more about Vivian here:

• Her Instagram Stories and her weekly IGTV Show - Mind Your Business
• VivianKaye.com
• KinkyCurlyYaki

Vivian has been featured in:

• Shopify's Expert Academy Series, Course instructor for Shopify Compass, Ted Conference's "The Way We Work," Ezra Firestone’s Blue Ribbon Mastermind conference, and SheaMoisture Canada “Women of Colour stories."
• Print publications such as The Toronto Star and The Globe & Mail, along with digital publications such as Black Enterprise, Ebony Magazine, Refinery21, and Blavity.
• Podcasts such as Shopify’s Vanguard, The Dean Grazosi Show, Side Hustle Pro, Being Boss, The Sakita Method, and She Did it Her Way.

Resources and Links for your host, Vasavi Kumar:
Grab my FREE Guide on 10 Must-Have Habits of Ultra-Confident Women: www.vasavikumar.com/freeguide

Join the MIND Your Own BUSINESS community here: http://vasavikumar.com/membership

Connect with Vasavi on Instagram: @mynameisvasavi



Key moments to tune in for:

• [5:51] Vivian Kaye’s Courageous Call-Out
• [22:14] Language, appropriation, and the why behind why you shouldn’t
• [30:53] Shifting Perspectives: the uncomfortable truth behind truly understanding
• [37:47] Facing everyday prejudice as a successful entrepreneur
• [46:08] Operating at 80% vs 100% - Owning your voice and being yourself

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