Sharon Chuter on Inclusive Beauty & Holding Brands Accountable with Guy Raz | How I Built This | NPR

Transcript

Hello and welcome to How I Built This Resilience Edition. This is a place where we talk with entrepreneurs and other interesting people about how they're working through this challenging moment in history. Um, inbox next to me is Sharon Chu Chuta. Um, she's the founder of Uma Beauty. It's a cosmetics brand designed for people with all different ski... Read More

Summary

In this video, Sharon Chuter, the founder of UOMA Beauty, discusses her journey in the cosmetics industry and the challenges she faced as a black woman. She also addresses the impact of the pandemic on her business and her recent call to action for corporations to disclose their diversity and inclusion data. She emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability in creating real change.

Questions & Answers

Q: Where is Sharon Chuter based right now?

Sharon Chuter is based in Los Angeles.

Q: How has Sharon been dealing with the last few months of the pandemic?

Sharon describes the last few months as intense, but she approaches each day as an opportunity. She sees this year as an opportunity for growth and evolution in every aspect of life.

Q: What prompted Sharon to start UOMA Beauty?

Sharon was frustrated with the lack of inclusivity in the beauty industry. She wanted to create a brand where everyone can find themselves, offering high-quality products that set a new standard for the industry.

Q: Can you explain the concept of UOMA Beauty's foundation range?

UOMA Beauty offers six different skin families with customized formulas to target the unique needs of each skin type. The website is structured to help customers find their skin family and select the best shades and undertones for their complexion.

Q: Are UOMA Beauty products available in other languages?

Yes, UOMA Beauty products have instructions in English, Spanish, and French. The brand plans to expand translations to include more languages as they expand into Europe and the Middle East.

Q: Are UOMA Beauty products SPF rated and waterproof?

UOMA Beauty products are waterproof, but they do not contain SPF. Sharon explains that SPF can affect the performance of the product, especially for darker skin tones. She believes it is more effective for consumers to use separate SPF products based on their specific needs.

Q: What inspired Sharon to start the #PullUpOrShutUp campaign?

Sharon was frustrated with performative activism from companies following the Black Lives Matter movement. She wanted to hold corporations accountable for their lack of diversity and inclusion. The campaign calls for companies to publicly disclose the percentage of black employees, executives, and board members.

Q: Is Sharon encouraged or skeptical about the possibility of real change in corporate America?

Sharon is encouraged because consumers have the power to affect change. She believes that if people continue to demand transparency and accountability, companies will be forced to make real change within a few years.

Q: How has the #PullUpOrShutUp campaign impacted companies' responses?

Companies are facing pressure and realizing the need for change. Many are reaching out for guidance and solutions, acknowledging that the entire corporate ecosystem needs reform, including rewriting HR models that discriminate against black hairstyles and addressing unconscious bias.

Q: How has Sharon's personal experiences influenced her perspective on racial justice?

Sharon shares her personal experiences with racial bias in the workplace, such as being told not to wear braids and facing microaggressions. She believes that holding uncomfortable conversations and conscious counteraction are crucial in breaking the cycle of unconscious bias.

Q: How does Sharon respond to critics who view the campaign as divisive?

Sharon emphasizes that the campaign is not about dividing people but about addressing a human rights issue. She highlights the need for change and the unconscious bias that permeates society, often leading to discrimination against black individuals.