Podcast Summary: Sabrina Elba on Empowering Beauty and Confidence, Building Her Brand and Embracing Self-Love

Podcast Information:

• Title: Life with Marianna
• Host: Marianna Hewitt
• Episode: Sabrina Elba on Empowering Beauty and Confidence, Building Her Brand and Embracing Self-Love
• Release Date: November 12, 2024

Introduction

In this engaging episode of Life with Marianna, host Marianna Hewitt sits down with Sabrina Elba, the co-founder of Sable Labs. Sabrina shares her inspiring journey from aspiring lawyer to successful entrepreneur in the beauty industry, emphasizing themes of self-love, empowerment, and community.

Early Dreams and Career Path

Exploring Aspirations
Marianna opens the conversation by asking Sabrina about her childhood dreams.
Sabrina Elba [00:46]:
"I always thought I'd be a lawyer... I did my LSAT, but then I ended up deferring from law school, met Idris, moved to London, and I landed so far removed from where I thought I would be. And that's life, isn't it?"

Transferring Skills:
When probed about how her early aspirations influence her current endeavors:
Sabrina Elba [01:27]:
"Idris does call me the logic police. I'm always looking for things to make sense... It's not something I aspire to be at the moment, but working for ourselves shapes us more than working for a corporate firm."

Relocating to London

Transitioning from Vancouver to London
Sabrina discusses her move from Vancouver, Canada, to London eight years ago and how the change in environment influenced her lifestyle and social habits.
Sabrina Elba [02:16]:
"London makes you want to stay at home and not go out, especially in certain areas. Being a homebody has been a shift from the sunny, outdoor-centric life in Vancouver."

Impact on Personal Style:
Marianna inquires about changes in Sabrina's style post-move.
Sabrina Elba [03:28]:
"When I first moved, I tried to fit into a British conception of fashion, but I realized the importance of being comfortable and confident in what I wear. Now, my style is all about comfort and confidence."

Building Sable Labs

Founding the Brand
The conversation shifts to the inception of Sable Labs. Sabrina explains how frustration with existing skincare products led her and Idris to create a brand that caters specifically to melanin-rich skin.
Sabrina Elba [07:56]:
"We realized the industry doesn't cater to melanin-rich skin. So, we decided to be the change we wanted to see and started Sable Labs to fill this unique gap in the market."

Challenges in Starting the Brand
Sabrina delves into the difficulties of sourcing responsibly and ensuring transparency in their supply chain.
Sabrina Elba [09:26]:
"Incorporating responsible sourcing took us two years. We met farmers one-on-one, ensuring they received fair wages and safe working conditions. Transparency was everything for us."

Self-Care and Confidence

Embracing Self-Love
Sabrina discusses her journey toward self-confidence, highlighting the importance of internal validation over external approval.
Sabrina Elba [17:49]:
"I used to seek confidence from others, but now I give myself confidence. Looking in the mirror and affirming 'You are a bad bitch' has been transformative."

Balancing a Busy Life with Self-Care
She shares her self-care routines, such as calling her mother every night, which provides emotional grounding amidst her hectic schedule.
Sabrina Elba [19:54]:
"My self-care is still selfless. Calling my mom before bed is my peace moment, where I share my day and feel nourished."

Working with Idris Elba

Building Together
Sabrina talks about her partnership with Idris Elba, emphasizing shared ambitions and mutual support.
Sabrina Elba [14:54]:
"Having a shared ambition means supporting each other even when our paths zigzag. Idris and I lift each other up towards our common goals."

Community and Black Love
She highlights the supportive community they've built, celebrating black love and empowering each other.
Sabrina Elba [17:10]:
"Our caption about our husband went viral, fostering a community of supportive women celebrating black love. It's empowering and uplifting."

Advice for Aspiring Beauty Entrepreneurs

People-Centric Leadership
Sabrina emphasizes the importance of treating employees well as a foundation for a successful business.
Sabrina Elba [23:18]:
"Your employees are human beings, and how you treat them is crucial. Making people feel good ensures everything else runs smoothly."

Patience and Strategic Growth
She advises future brand founders to prioritize building a strong community and ensuring readiness before scaling.
Sabrina Elba [28:29]:
"Slow and steady wins the race. Ensure your community is fully supportive before expanding into new markets."

Favorite Beauty Products and Routines

Morning and Evening Routines
Sabrina shares her daily beauty regimen, including favorite cleansers, mascaras, lip glosses, and brow pencils.
Sabrina Elba [30:34]:
"In the morning, I use a micellar instead of a cleanser. I never leave home without lip and eyebrow pencil because they make me feel complete."

Fragrance Preferences
She discusses her love for fragrances, mentioning brands like Calvin Klein and Maison Crivelli.
Sabrina Elba [32:43]:
"I love mixing Calvin Klein with other fragrances like Maison Crivelli's Hibiscus. Fragrance is essential for layering my personal scent."

Future of Sable Labs

Expansion Plans
Sabrina reveals plans to launch new products and potentially expand into other categories beyond skincare.
Sabrina Elba [22:00]:
"We want Sable to become more than just skin care, potentially exploring home products and expanding our universe."

Maintaining Brand Integrity
She stresses the importance of staying true to their mission and ensuring every product meets their standards before launching.
Sabrina Elba [29:23]:
"Patience is key. Ensuring our community is ready and our operations are flawless is more important than a quick expansion."

Conclusion

Sabrina Elba's journey with Sable Labs is a testament to the power of self-love, community, and purposeful entrepreneurship. Her insights provide valuable lessons for aspiring beauty brand founders and anyone striving to build a business that makes a positive impact.

Notable Quotes:

• Sabrina Elba [00:46]:
  "I always thought I'd be a lawyer... I landed so far removed from where I thought I would be. And that's life, isn't it?"

• Sabrina Elba [03:28]:
  "My style is all about comfort and confidence."

• Sabrina Elba [07:56]:
  "We decided to be the change we wanted to see and started Sable Labs to fill this unique gap in the market."

• Sabrina Elba [17:49]:
  "I used to seek confidence from others, but now I give myself confidence."

• Sabrina Elba [23:18]:
  "Making people feel good ensures everything else runs smoothly."

• Sabrina Elba [28:29]:
  "Slow and steady wins the race."

This detailed summary encapsulates Sabrina Elba's journey, the founding and growth of Sable Labs, her personal philosophies on self-care and confidence, and her advice for future entrepreneurs, making it a valuable read for those interested in beauty entrepreneurship and personal empowerment.