Confessions of a Female Founder with Meghan
Episode: From Mama to Mogul with Cécred’s Tina Knowles
Host: Lemonada Media
Release Date: June 3, 2025
Introduction to Tina Knowles
In this inspiring episode of Confessions of a Female Founder, host Megan sits down with Tina Knowles, a trailblazing fashion designer, beauty entrepreneur, and cultural icon. Tina is renowned for her decades-long contribution to black style and her recent ventures, including the renowned hair care line Sacred, which she launched alongside her daughter Beyoncé. Megan sets the stage by highlighting Tina's impressive journey from opening a unique hair salon in the 1980s to authoring her memoir, Matriarch, which delves into her personal and professional life.
Early Entrepreneurship: Founding Headliners Salon
Tina shares her early entrepreneurial spirit, recounting the creation of Headliners Salon in Texas during the 1980s. She identified a significant gap in the market: salons often demanded lengthy hours without considering clients' time constraints, especially working mothers. Tina explains:
"I wanted to start a salon, but I want to really respect people's time. I want to serve wine so that the women can loosen up and have fun."
— Tina Knowles [11:20]
This innovative approach resonated quickly, leading to her salon's swift success. Tina was the first salon to implement a computer system to manage clients' hair care history, setting her business apart from competitors and ensuring a personalized client experience.
Building Sacred with Beyoncé: A Joint Venture
Transitioning from her successful salon, Tina discusses the inception of Sacred, a science-backed hair care line developed in collaboration with Beyoncé. The partnership was driven by a shared vision to provide holistic hair care solutions that cater to a diverse audience. Tina elaborates on the challenges and triumphs of launching Sacred:
"We've been talking about it for years, but Beyoncé was initially hesitant to pursue another business. It took convincing and collaboration, but starting Sacred together has been a labor of love."
— Tina Knowles [15:46]
Sacred has already garnered 30 industry awards within its first year, a testament to the brand's quality and the seamless synergy between Tina and Beyoncé.
Personal Journey and Memoir: Matriarch
Beyond her business endeavors, Tina has authored a memoir titled Matriarch, where she opens up about her family's legacy, her battle with breast cancer, and her quest for a life rooted in pride and purpose. Reflecting on her personal growth, Tina shares:
"It took me till 71 to decide that I am truly enough by myself without a partner. I am whole."
— Tina Knowles [22:05]
This revelation marks a significant milestone in her life, emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance and independence.
Balancing Family and Business
A central theme of the conversation revolves around Tina's ability to juggle her roles as a mother and a businesswoman. She emphasizes the importance of dedicating individual time to each of her children, ensuring their unique needs are met:
"If you have kids, please look at your kids as individuals and give them the attention and confidence they need."
— Tina Knowles [31:03]
Additionally, Tina discusses the struggle of finding personal time amidst her busy schedule, highlighting the necessity of self-care for sustained entrepreneurial success.
Lessons and Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Drawing from her extensive experience, Tina offers invaluable advice to women aspiring to start their own businesses:
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Find Your Niche: Identify a unique need in the market and tailor your business to address it specifically.
"You have to find your niche, your thing that you can give people that they didn't have. And it caught on so fast because there were many women that were like me, that didn't want the rest of that experience."
— Tina Knowles [11:38] -
Trust and Communication in Partnerships: Whether partnering with family or business associates, trust is the cornerstone of successful collaboration.
"She was like, my mom knows what she's doing, so she trusts me on things and I trust her. That's really important."
— Tina Knowles [29:08] -
Maintain Hope and Faith: Perseverance through failures and maintaining a hopeful outlook are crucial for long-term success.
"Hope is having this hope that, yes, my business is going to work... you have to have faith in something."
— Tina Knowles [38:04] -
Self-Care and Balance: Prioritize personal well-being to prevent burnout and sustain your entrepreneurial journey.
"You need to do that for yourself. You need to have date night with your husband completely."
— Tina Knowles [31:08]
Overcoming Early Challenges and Embracing Authenticity
Tina delves into her formative years, highlighting the challenges she faced growing up in a strict Catholic environment that often made her feel like she didn't belong. This early experience instilled in her a relentless drive to prove herself and support her daughters in finding their own paths. She reflects:
"I always have to fight to get a seat at the table. And for my girls, that's why I fight so hard. I tell them every day, you belong anywhere."
— Tina Knowles [24:22]
This mindset has been instrumental in her business success and her ability to create spaces that empower others.
The Journey Continues: Touring and Future Endeavors
As the conversation wraps up, Tina shares updates about Beyoncé's ongoing tour and the positive reception they've received. She emphasizes the importance of enjoying the journey and continuing to strive for excellence:
"Last night was on fire."
— Tina Knowles [41:08]
Conclusion: A Blueprint for Lasting Success
Tina Knowles embodies the essence of a "mama mogul"—a woman who seamlessly blends motherhood with entrepreneurial prowess. Her journey offers a blueprint for building a legacy that transcends generations, emphasizing authenticity, resilience, and unwavering support for others.
Megan and Tina conclude the episode on a heartfelt note, celebrating Tina's achievements and the profound impact she continues to have on aspiring female entrepreneurs everywhere.
Notable Quotes:
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“I wanted to start a salon, but I want to really respect people's time.”
— Tina Knowles [11:20] -
“It took me till 71 to decide that I am truly enough by myself without a partner. I am whole.”
— Tina Knowles [22:05] -
“If you have kids, please look at your kids as individuals and give them the attention and confidence they need.”
— Tina Knowles [31:03] -
“You have to have faith in something.”
— Tina Knowles [38:04] -
“Last night was on fire.”
— Tina Knowles [41:08]
This episode serves as a testament to Tina Knowles' enduring legacy and her continued commitment to empowering women through her entrepreneurial ventures and personal wisdom. Listeners are left inspired to pursue their own dreams with passion and purpose.