Myleik Teele is a Black woman who has built a name for herself in a number of areas. Not only has she revolutionized the way women address their curly hair needs as the founder of curlBOX, she’s also worked with brands such as Calvin Klein Cosmetics, The Grammy Awards, American Idol and Nike, as well as music artists Prince, Linkin Park and Travis Barker. Much of that was done through the creation of Art of Facts Public Relations, an agency that grew at a rapid speed and was recognized as one of the top boutique public relations firms in the industry during its short existence. This conversation features Myleik’s journey from service based business to subscription product business and highlights the lessons she’s learned on that journey.

What is a subscription based product business?

Myleik’s journey led her to create a premier hair sampling box that’s developed a cult following of savvy women. The brand has amassed over 300k Instagram followers and created the popular web series, curlBOX TV, that gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at their favorite hair care brands. It’s an “out of the box” product business that enables people to receive their desired products like clockwork without hassle through a simple subscription service. On this episode Myleik shares some powerful lessons she’s learned and the adjustments she’s had to make in order to confidently stand in the power it takes to be so successful.

What kind of mindset does it take for a Black woman to be so successful?

When you look at the prospect of being successful, it’s one thing to plan and work for what you want, but there are very particular and powerful mindsets you have to develop in order to rightly handle that success. It may sound crazy but it’s true. Myleik Teele shares with Rosetta how difficult it was for her to be comfortable in the level of success that’s come from her hard work and the adjustments she had to make in the realm of her thinking to make it possible. You’ll gain a lot from this episode if you’ll take the time to listen and apply it to yourself.

Do you have a trusted 3rd party to give you feedback as you succeed?

Success can be lonely. It sounds like an unbelievable thing but it’s true. Myleik Teele discovered that as she’s become more and more successful the people in her life began to assume that everything in her world was OK, and as a result she began to withdraw from her in terms of emotional and personal support. There was no harm meant, it just happened as an outgrowth of how success changed those personal dynamics. Myleik discovered that she needed a trusted 3rd party to help her assess her own emotional and mental health so she could stay on the right track. You can find something to help you on your journey in this episode.

You need good things to do great things as a black woman entrepreneur.

Though a support network is very important to any successful entrepreneur, there are also things you need to pay attention to in terms of self care. Myleik Teele has discovered that some of the good things she needs in her life is good food, rest, good boundaries, and much more. You want to hear what she’s got to share on this episode so that you don’t have to learn these lessons the hard way. Myleik has a very refreshing and honest perspective on this issue and can give you some great insight into yourself and the things you’ll have to navigate on your journey to success.

Outline of this great episode

• [0:30] Rosetta’s introduction of Myleik Teele of CurlBox.
• [1:47] How Myleik came to be where she is.
• [5:08] The transition from a service based business to a product based business.
• [7:10] Surprises along the way of making the transition.
• [10:41] What mindsets does it take to run a business like this?
• [16:11] The benefit of having a completely unbiased 3rd party for input.
• [18:52] The power of a support network of real friends and support staff.
• [24:17] Things Myleik does to stay focused and on track.
• [28:03] Important issues Myleik is working on currently.
• [32:09] How brutal honesty has impacted Myleik in a positive way.
• [35:00] How you can connect with Myleik.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• CurlBox website
• http://www.mytaughtyou.com/ – Myleik’s website
• BOOK: Tiny, Beautiful Things

About Myleik Teele:

California-bred innovator, Myleik Teele, has revolutionized the way women address their curly hair needs. As the founder of curlBOX, an exclusive monthly subscription box full of amazing products, the stylish entrepreneur has garnered partnerships with Procter & Gamble, Carol’s Daughter, Walmart, Target, SheaMoisture and OGX.

Before creating curlBOX, the San Francisco State University graduate honed her talents for a decade in public relations, working with brands such as Calvin Klein Cosmetics, The Grammy Awards, American Idol and Nike, as well as music artists Prince, Linkin Park and Travis Barker. In 2010, she launched her own agency, Arts of Facts Public Relations, and quickly became one of the top agencies in Atlanta.

Naturally, Teele’s zeal for building brands would lead her to create the premier hair sampling box that’s developed a cult following of savvy women. The brand has amassed over 300k Instagram followers and created the popular web series, curlBOX TV, that gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at their favorite hair care brands. Teele also led the charge in 2014 for a massive St. Jude Children’s Hospital fundraiser in cities all over the nation. The 5k walk has become an annual curlBOX tradition, which brings together hundreds of multi-cultural women. To date, the brand has raised over $40,000.

Teele’s influence remains ever-strong in her personal brand and website, MyTaughtYou.com, with over 80k Instagram followers and a thriving podcast series, which garners millions of downloads. Teele has fashioned herself the millennial girl’s big sister, dishing out spot-on entrepreneurial advice, as evidenced by the success of her two journals Learn More to Earn More and This Is My Year. She’s been featured in ESSENCE Magazine’s 2016 Power Issue and #BlackGirlMagic digital interview series, and was a featured speaker at Starbucks’ 100,000 Opportunities Initiative.

Teele has, almost effortlessly, delivered the blueprint for marketing both your talent and persona. Her scores of young female supporters stay hungry for her insightful anecdotes and tips, and absolutely won’t be going anywhere any time soon.

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