Today we’d like to introduce you to Kennedy Dior.
Hi Kennedy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey started long before I had a business — it really began when I was 17 and out on my own. I had to figure out how to survive at a young age, and that meant doing whatever I could to keep the lights on and bills paid. I dropped out of school to provide for myself financially, and from 17 to 21, I was in pure survival mode. I’m not proud of everything I had to do, but it all shaped me into the woman I am today. Every hard moment is part of my story.
When I finally reached a place where I could create something from passion instead of pressure, I started Barbie Palace. I wanted it to be more than just a beauty brand — I wanted it to be a space that celebrated femininity, confidence, and self-expression. In just seven months, Barbie Palace made over six figures and surpassed 13,000 orders, something I could’ve only dreamed of back when I was struggling just to get by.
It hasn’t been easy — I’ve been homeless, running my business out of a hotel room. I’ve been sad, broke, lonely, even cancelled. But I never gave up. Every setback just proved how much I wanted this life and how deeply I believed in my purpose.
Beyond business, I make it a priority to give back. Twice a year, I host my Less Fortunate Givebacks — events where I use my own money, funds from Barbie Palace, and donations from my amazing supporters to feed the less fortunate and provide essentials like toiletries, gloves, socks, coats, hats, towels, and water. But more than anything, I try to give people love and confidence — because sometimes, that’s what someone needs most.
Outside of my brands, I also started a podcast called What’s Tea With Kennedy, where I open up about my past, share what I’ve learned, and give tips, tricks, and real talk on everything from business to personal growth. It’s another outlet for me to connect with people on a deeper level.
I’m truly a multifaceted woman, and I embrace that. I’m a business owner, a creative, a storyteller, and a woman who’s still evolving. Every chapter of my life — the struggles and the successes — has built me into who I am today, and I’m proud of that.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Honestly, my journey has been anything but easy. There were so many moments where I wanted to give up — times when I didn’t know how I was going to make it to the next day. I’ve been broke, homeless, and running my business out of a hotel room. I’ve experienced heartbreak, depression, and even being “cancelled” online.
What a lot of people don’t see behind the pretty packaging and success stories are the sleepless nights, the tears, and the pressure of keeping everything together when you’re the only one you can depend on. There were times when orders were delayed, products didn’t come out how I envisioned, or I simply didn’t have the resources I needed. But every single challenge taught me something — patience, resilience, and how to keep showing up even when I was scared or unsure.
I learned that purpose comes with pressure, and sometimes the struggle is what prepares you for the blessing.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Barbie Palace?
Barbie Palace is your new one-stop online beauty supply shop. We have everything your local “hurry up & buy” store has — just Black-owned, with cute pink packaging, amazing customer service, and super-fast shipping. What really makes us different is that Barbie Palace is the first online beauty supply store to do the kind of numbers we’ve done, and most of it came from organic promotion on TikTok.
I built the brand by showing up every day — doing daily lives, behind-the-scenes videos, and letting my customers have a say in what I created. I wanted people to feel like they were part of something, not just buying from me. One of our biggest hits was Sweet Roller Saturday, where every Saturday I’d mark down our Sweet Rollers — my signature roll-on oils — to $5. That promotion became a movement and some of our highest-selling days came from it.
Sweet Rollers are a huge part of the Barbie Palace identity now. They come in 30+ scents for men, women, and unisex wearers, and they’ve helped redefine how people view roll-on oils. I think it’s so important, especially with the way politics and the economy are set up right now, that we put our dollars back into the Black community and support businesses that represent us.
My dream is to eventually open Barbie Palace beauty supply locations all over the world — while keeping the strong online presence that built us. I want Barbie Palace to always be that space where beauty, empowerment, and community meet.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
The most important quality that’s contributed to my success is resilience. No matter what I’ve been through — from being on my own at 17 to running a business out of a hotel room — I never gave up. I’ve learned to keep showing up for myself, even when things don’t look promising, and that mindset has carried me through every setback.
Another big part of my success is authenticity. I’ve always been transparent with my audience — whether I was up, down, winning, or rebuilding. I think people connect with that. They don’t just see a brand; they see a real person behind it.
Lastly, I’d say faith. Even when I didn’t have a plan, I always had faith that I was meant for more. That belief kept me pushing when I could’ve easily stopped. I truly believe that resilience, authenticity, and faith are what made Barbie Palace what it is today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://BarbiePalace.Com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekennedydior/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KennedyDiorScott
- Youtube: https://YouTube.com/kennedydior
