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What if business success isn't about endless growth? Sundra Essien, co-founder of Isang's Hair and Body, returns to Shades and Layers for our 100th episode for this discussion. Sundra and I first spoke in 2020 during the first season of the podcast and a period of uncertainty in the world. Today, she returns to once again challenge everything you think you know about entrepreneurship, sustainability, and success.

Sundra's Copenhagen-based personal care company manufactures hair and body products using organic, fair-trade ingredients in an open workshop where customers can witness production firsthand. Their true mission, however, extends far beyond making and selling body care products. Isangs is a platform for addressing critical issues from supply chain transparency to social justice. As Sundra explains, these everyday products provide the perfect vehicle for sparking deeper conversations: "It's a space where people aren't expecting to have discussions about de-growth and justice and politics."

Today’s conversation serves as a reflection on how far Isang's has come since our last conversation, how they’ve leveraged social media not only to stay in business, but to continue addressing all the issues that are central to the company's founding philosophy. The company's philosophy centers on de-growth—the radical notion that businesses should question the imperative for constant expansion.

Listen now to discover how rethinking success might lead to greater satisfaction in business and life. Follow Isang's at @Isangs on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook to learn more about their mission-driven approach.

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BONUS EPISODE

📣 INTRODUCING our new podcast bestie Madame Speaker Says hosted by Magogodi oaMphela Makhene.

For this special bonus episode, we did a podswap and the featured guest is skin educator, beauty editor and founder of ThisThatBeauty, Felicia Walker.

The skin is your largest living organ and Felicia believes it is not vanity to care for your skin. It needs care like any other part of your body and she'll tell you how you can radiate beauty from the inside out in every space you enter.

You'll love this episode which is about a personal and professional journey, because it features all the themes you've come to expect from and love about Shades and Layers: being seen, representation, authenticity and successful living.

✨ GET: Your Glow Up Guide
📲 FOLLOW Felicia: @thisthatbeauty

ABOUT MAGOGODI AND MADAME SPEAKER SAYS

Author, Speaker and Storytelling Coach Magogodi oaMphela Makhene helps helps women founders become famous experts.

She knows that being an "expert" isn't about being perfect - it's about being brave enough to share what shaped you, often the experiences that felt most shameful.

🎧 Listen to Magogodi’s podcast, Madame Speaker Says and subscribe to her newsletter for bare truths, storytelling tips and plenty of F-bombs.

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We celebrate five years of Shades and Layers by reflecting on the top entrepreneurial lessons from dozens of women who have shared their journeys on the podcast. This special birthday episode distills key insights that transcend industry, geography, and experience level to help entrepreneurs at any stage of their journey.

• Embrace change - the pandemic forced entrepreneurs to adapt, from converting to remote work to pivoting business models
• Don't reinvent the wheel - learn from others' experiences and adapt their playbooks to your context
• Experience is the best teacher - no amount of planning substitutes for hands-on work in your business
• Don't walk alone - find community through co-working spaces, industry events, and online networks
• Take care of the back end - ensure financial and legal foundations are solid, using available tools and support

Thank you for listening! If you found this episode useful, please share it with your friends. If you have a moment, please give us a five-star rating and review wherever you're listening, so that others can find the podcast.

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NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter

SUPPORT this work so that we can keep it free. Become a MONTHLY SUPPORTER

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