Today we’d like to introduce you to Cori Saulsberry.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have always gravitated towards all things beauty since a young age. I remember helping my grandmother and her friends pick out nail polish colors before I was in 1st grade. I would try to recreate my mother’s hairstyles on my Barbie mannequin head while in elementary school, and by the time I was in high school, I was styling my friend’s hair before we went out to dances and parties. I slowly came to realize that this passion deserved to be pursued. I took a leap of faith and pushed my collegiate applications to the side and enrolled into the cosmetology program at Pivot Point International, much to my family and peers surprise.
Looking back, I believe I have become a woman that continues to bet on herself. This year marks 20 years that I have been working in the beauty industry. Within this time, I have built and sustained a thriving clientele and business, working behind the chair as a hairstylist, specializing in natural hair styling and maintenance, and color for textured and curly hair. Being able to provide a service that uplifts people has been my motivation. In 2020, when we were mandated to stay home due to the pandemic, my first reaction was shock. Not knowing when you will be able to return to your business or if your business will survive a disruption of this kind is scary for any business owner. Instead of wasting my energy on worrying, I decided to focus that energy into a new endeavor. I now possessed the time needed to extend a dream that was already realized. The pandemic magnified the importance of overall health and self-care for me. I wanted to take everything I have learned working behind the chair and use that knowledge to develop a clean skincare line made with melanated skin in mind.
After over a year of research and testing, Bronze Glory was born! Bronze Glory is an organic lifestyle brand. Our goal is to bring clean, luxury, yet affordable products to market. Bronze Glory launched with 5 essential skincare products along with self-care tools and accessories to bring the luxury spa experience home. We specialize in creating formulas with melanated skin in mind because working in the beauty industry has allowed me to see the disparities within the industry when it comes to the Black and Brown communities.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have been many challenges while launching Bronze Glory, but I look at them more as growing pains. Most things were out of our control, so I learned early on to just keep working and trust God and the timing of your life. We dealt with supply chain delays, exorbitant shipping costs, and production delays. I often remind myself if I can launch a new business in the middle of a pandemic, then I can do anything!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Bronze Glory is a clean, organic lifestyle brand. We have 5 skincare products, to date, that aid in cultivating and maintaining your most healthy and radiant complexion. We also offer facial tools and accessories to bring our luxury spa experience home. Our formulations are all organic and ethically sourced. Bronze Glory’s formulations are also PETA certified, meaning we do not test on animals. Our formulations are also made with melanated skin in mind, we have incorporated ingredients to help with common skin concerns, such as hyperpigmentation, dullness, and dryness.
Our name represents our mission. Bronze is the example of healthy radiant skin and Glory is the action word. I want customers to feel great about who they naturally are; to #findyourglory. Our name also pays homage to my maternal grandmother, Gloria. She taught me beauty regimens and how to use natural elements for health and beauty.
Bronze Glory is committed to a social mission as well. As I mentioned before, the disparities among the Black and Brown communities when it comes to health are staggering. Our skin is our largest organ, so what we use on it is just as important as what we consume. Black and Brown communities can oftentimes be a resource desert when it comes to food and lifestyle products. These communities are marketed products with harsher ingredients and chemicals. Bronze Glory is working to change that narrative with not only offering clean options but also providing wellness events for self-care and education. Our one-year anniversary is approaching and we are celebrating with a wellness event featuring yoga, cold press juices, nail design, massages and more for our community.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is to get out of my own way. As a licensed cosmetologist, I have been comfortable operating as a team of me. Launching Bronze Glory has taught me how to properly delegate tasks and to be open and willing to receive help. It was difficult, at first, trusting others with what I lovingly refer to as “my baby”, and accepting help and sound advice has been a weight lifted from my shoulders.
Pricing:
- Bronze Glory Experience Kit $275
- CLNSR: Glycolic Exfoliating Wash $30
- TNR: Active Botanical Astringent $30
- SRM: Vitamin C Serum $35
- Must-Haves Kit $125
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bronzeglory.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/bronzeglory/
- Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/bronzeglory
Image Credits
Charles Andre Thomas (@charlesandrethomas) IG
