We had the good fortune of connecting with Hannah McCall and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Hannah, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” – Maya Angelou
This quote means everything to me & the nonprofit I started. The harm personal care & beauty products are causing Black women’s health is something we have spent years being unaware of on a large scale. So what can you really do if you simply don’t know something? You do the best you can. Then when you learn that 75% of products marketed to Black women include ingredients that are directly harmful to our health, you become a different version of yourself. A more education version. So what do you do now that you know something new? You do better. You do the best you can.
This quote means grace to me. Keep growing. Keep pushing. Keep evolving. But at all times, do your best. Your lessons are meant to be applied. That’s how we get better.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Clean Beauty for Black Girls Co brings awareness and education to a community that is provided with less options for safer and cleaner personal care products. By providing insight into why certain ingredients should be avoided, our services create a positive change through knowledge empowerment – something the consumer deserves.
With this power of knowledge, members of the Black community can make purchase decisions that are best for themselves and their health. Clean Beauty for Black Girls commits to going one step further and connecting the Black community with brands and companies who can be trusted to create safer products in the name of supporting Black women’s health. The byproduct of this service is a boost to small Black-owned businesses and their economic position within local communities.
What sets me apart from others is I cared enough to fill a gap. It’s not easy. I’m constantly wondering if I’m capable. And Google is literally my best friend. But I care enough. You hear people talk about having a “big enough Why”, and I can’t emphasize that enough. What are you trying to prove? Change? Grab on to that. Remind yourself every day. I truly believe there are ideas sitting in all of our heads that deserve to be businesses. That deserve to be making you money – supporting your lifestyle. And you do have what it takes – because often all it takes is the willingness to learn along the way & find joy in celebrating the actual journey.
The only thing missing is the audacity. You to have the audacity to say to yourself “Yes, I can.” Then get to steppin.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Brunch. Do I need to say more?
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Honestly? Beautycounter – the company & the family of consultants. I love what they are doing & their willingness to listen in today’s changing climate. But I will also say starting out with them and seeing another sea of white faces while reading these statistics about Black women, I was discouraged. But ENCOURAGED enough to start something of my own – for US.
And my community – the family I’ve chosen. You need people in your life – especially when starting a business on your own – who say “You are a badass” & “You’re inspiring. You’re brave & amazing”. Because there are days you won’t feel it, and getting reminded is crucial to taking that next step.
Website: cleanbeautyforblackgirls.org
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleanbeautyforblackgirls/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahcmccall/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cleanbeautyforblackgirls