My experience at the largest-ever small business summit in the U.S.
Two weeks ago, I had the honor of joining 2,200 small business owners in Washington, D.C. for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Summit—the largest gathering of its kind in U.S. history. The goal? Advocacy. Action. Access.
As a licensed esthetician, founder of Oh Be You Facial Bar, and creator of UDODI Skincare, my work may start with skin—but it doesn’t stop there. I’m building an ecosystem where beauty is accessible, education is prioritized, and representation is non-negotiable.
At Capitol Hill, I met with policy staff from the office of Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, amplifying the real challenges small business owners like me face every day—from funding access to federal contracting. This isn’t just business—it’s a movement for economic equity.
And yes… I met her. Anastasia Soare, the iconic founder of Anastasia Beverly Hills, shared her journey of building a billion-dollar beauty empire. Watching her sign my copy of "Raising Brows" and hearing her story affirmed everything I believe: "Master your craft, success will follow."
This experience reminded me that the beauty industry deserves a seat at the policy table, and black women entrepreneurs like myself will continue showing up, creating jobs, and changing the narrative—one client, one product, one policy meeting at a time.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Whether you’ve booked a facial at Oh Be You, used a product from UDODI, or cheered from the sidelines—you’re part of the glow-up. And trust me… we’re just getting started.
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