Podcast Summary: James Reed: All About Business
Episode 29: From Nail Art in Dalston to Global Beauty-Tech Icon | Sharmadean Reid MBE
Release Date: May 26, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 29 of "James Reed: All About Business," host James Reed engages in a candid and insightful conversation with Sharmadean Reed MBE, an accomplished entrepreneur, creative consultant, and advocate for women's empowerment. Sharmadean shares her inspiring journey from launching a nail salon in Dalston to raising over a million pounds for her tech startup, Beauty Stack. The episode delves into entrepreneurial intuition, effective networking, and innovative business development strategies.

Early Career and the Birth of WA Nails

Sharmadean Reed began her entrepreneurial journey while studying Fashion Communication at Central St Martin's in London. Balancing work with her studies, she amassed experience with renowned fashion designers, which ignited her passion for creating unique experiences.

Key Moments:

• Starting WA Nails (2009):
  At 24, Sharmadean founded WA Nails in Dalston, initially envisioned as a clubhouse for magazine readers. Drawing inspiration from her experience in high fashion and downtown hip-hop culture, she created a nail salon that resembled her teenage bedroom, offering a social and aesthetically pleasing environment.

Notable Quote:
“At university, I saw a gap in media for women and hip-hop. WA Nails stood for 'We Ain't Hoes,' embodying a collective energy where women could engage in hip-hop culture without being objectified.”
— Sharmadean Reed (04:09)

Growth and Global Success

WA Nails quickly gained popularity, leveraging early social media platforms like Tumblr to showcase innovative nail designs. This strategy made WA Nails a viral sensation, attracting clientele from around the world and leading to collaborations with major brands.

Key Achievements:

• Topshop Partnership:
  Opening a salon in Topshop, Oxford Circus, transformed WA Nails into a high-traffic hotspot. This association with a renowned brand elevated the salon's status and attracted high-profile clients.

• International Expansion:
  Collaborations included setting up nail bars for British Airways in New York, Ferrari at the Grand Prix in Moscow, and participating in Tokyo's Opening Ceremony—highlighting the global appeal of WA Nails.

Notable Quote:
“We were probably the first viral nail salon on the Internet. Brands like British Airways and Ferrari wanted us to bring our unique nail art experiences to their global events.”
— Sharmadean Reed (08:47)

Challenges and Impact of the Pandemic

Despite the overwhelming success, Sharmadean faced significant challenges balancing her burgeoning career with motherhood. The COVID-19 pandemic struck at a critical juncture for Beauty Stack, her tech venture aimed at revolutionizing beauty bookings through visual systems.

Key Challenges:

• Pandemic Impact:
  With lockdowns and health concerns, Beauty Stack couldn’t operate at full capacity, leading to financial strain. Additionally, social movements such as protests following George Floyd's murder highlighted systemic inequities, further complicating business operations.

• Burnout and Reflection:
  Overwhelmed by rapid growth and the pressures of entrepreneurship, Sharmadean experienced burnout by age 28, prompting a temporary retreat to her hometown, Wolverhampton, to reassess her business strategy.

Notable Quote:
“I was working like a maniac and realized I needed to take time out to reflect on the bigger picture. The pandemic hit at the worst possible time, and I didn’t know how to pivot.”
— Sharmadean Reed (20:25)

Pivoting to Beauty Stack: Innovating in Beauty-Tech

Undeterred by setbacks, Sharmadean pivoted to develop Beauty Stack, a tech platform enabling beauty professionals to book appointments using visual references instead of text descriptions. This innovation aimed to streamline the booking process and leverage computer vision to identify and suggest trends.

Key Innovations:

• Visual Booking System:
  Beauty Stack allowed users to book services based on JPEG images, enriched with trend analysis and personalized recommendations.

• Collaborative Development:
  Partnering with tech enthusiasts and leveraging grassroots development methods, Sharmadean built Beauty Stack with minimal resources, contrasting with larger companies' extensive engineering teams.

Notable Quote:
“The idea of booking from a picture was simple yet groundbreaking. It was about making the process intuitive and capitalizing on the visual nature of beauty trends.”
— Sharmadean Reed (17:59)

Reflections on Leadership and Systemic Challenges

The pandemic and social upheavals prompted Sharmadean to reassess traditional notions of leadership and entrepreneurship. She expressed frustration with the gender equity gap and the challenges women of color face in securing venture capital and navigating corporate structures.

Key Insights:

• Leadership Redefined:
  Sharmadean shifted her focus from traditional leadership archetypes to fostering independence and autonomy among women entrepreneurs, advocating for building businesses that align with personal values and lifestyles.

• Systemic Barriers:
  Highlighting the persistent gender and racial inequities, she criticized the venture capital ecosystem for its lack of support for diverse founders and emphasized the need for systemic change.

Notable Quote:
“I no longer want to teach women how to perform in a system that doesn’t serve them. Instead, I encourage women to build independently and design lives that work for them and their families.”
— Sharmadean Reed (29:32)

Future Endeavors: 39 BC and Beyond

Looking ahead, Sharmadean is channeling her passion for history and empowerment into her latest venture, 39 BC—a brand inspired by ancient rituals and designed to empower women through storytelling and product innovation.

Key Projects:

• 39 BC Product Line:
  Combining ancient bathing rituals with modern cleansing products, 39 BC aims to retell historical narratives that empower women and people of color.

• Media and Literature:
  Sharmadean is developing a TV show about female founders, a book proposal on women and work theories, and a content library through Stack World to support women's networking and empowerment.

Notable Quote:
“39 BC is about retelling historical narratives to empower women. It’s about creating products that not only cleanse but also connect women to their ancestral strength.”
— Sharmadean Reed (43:57)

Commitment to Community and Legacy

Sharmadean emphasizes the importance of creating multi-generational impact through her ventures. She aspires to build businesses that provide lasting value and inspire future generations, reflecting her belief in the power of shared experiences and community support.

Key Reflections:

• Multi-Generational Impact:
  Sharing stories of how WA Nails inspired young women underscores her commitment to fostering long-term positive change.

• Community Building:
  Through her business practices and future projects, Sharmadean aims to build communities that support and uplift women across generations.

Notable Quote:
“My greatest satisfaction is knowing that something I built inspired someone else to see themselves differently and find their place in the world.”
— Sharmadean Reed (62:17)

Conclusion

Sharmadean Reed MBE’s journey from a Dalston nail salon owner to a global beauty-tech innovator exemplifies resilience, creativity, and a profound commitment to empowering women. Her reflections on leadership, systemic challenges, and future projects like 39 BC offer valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs seeking to create meaningful and impactful businesses.

Final Words:
“Creating something that impacts a community for more than one generation is my greatest ambition.”
— Sharmadean Reed (61:24)

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Sharmadean Reed (04:04):
  “WA stood for We Ain't Hoes… a collective energy to be like, actually we are here as women doing things in this world that don't involve taking our clothes off.”

• Sharmadean Reed (17:59):
  “We were probably the first viral nail salon on the Internet… brands like British Airways and Ferrari wanted us to bring our unique nail art experiences to their global events.”

• Sharmadean Reed (29:32):
  “I no longer want to teach women how to perform in a system that doesn't serve them…”

• Sharmadean Reed (43:57):
  “39 BC is about retelling historical narratives to empower women… connecting women to their ancestral strength.”

• Sharmadean Reed (62:17):
  “My greatest satisfaction is knowing that something I built inspired someone else to see themselves differently.”

About Sharmadean Reed MBE:
Sharmadean Reed MBE is a distinguished entrepreneur and advocate for women's empowerment. She founded WA Nails and Beauty Stack, merging creativity with technology to revolutionize the beauty industry. Recognized for her contributions, she continues to inspire through her innovative ventures and commitment to creating lasting community impact.

Connect with Sharmadean Reed:
For more information about Sharmadean Reed and her ventures, visit Sharmadean Reed’s Website and follow her on LinkedIn and Instagram.

This summary captures the essence of Episode 29, providing a comprehensive overview of Sharmadean Reed MBE’s entrepreneurial journey, insights, and future aspirations.