Welcome to MakeUp HerStory. In honor of Women’s History Month, we’ll be highlighting Black women in beauty who’re taking the industry by storm and making history in their very own right. Each week throughout March, talent—everyone from rising beauty brand founders, to behind-the-scenes PR mavens—will discuss their profession journeys, biggest inspirations, and more.
When Tisha Thompson launched LYS Beauty in 2021, she got down to challenge the norms of the wonder industry by mixing clean formulas with inclusivity. As the primary Black-owned clean beauty brand to debut at Sephora, Thompson knew the stakes were high—and the pressure to succeed was even higher. But staying true to her mission has been her guiding light.
“For me, all of it comes right down to being hyper-focused on our why,” Thompson tells ESSENCE. “There’s a lot noise on this industry—so many trends, opinions, and directions you possibly can take a brand. But at the top of the day, I at all times come back to our core mission: making high-performance complexion and color products which are good in your skin, accessible to all, and thoughtfully formulated with skincare-infused ingredients.”
Staying ahead of the curve without losing sight of that mission is a fragile balance. But Thompson refuses to chase trends only for the sake of relevance. As a substitute, her focus stays on innovation that serves her community in the long run. “I would like people to construct a routine they be ok with—products they will trust and repurchase without hesitation,” she explains.
Below, Thompson details her journey and what’s next for her after receiving series-A funding.
Filling Gaps within the Clean Beauty Space
Thompson’s vision for LYS was born out of a desire to fill the gaps she witnessed within the clean beauty market. “Clean beauty wasn’t at all times performing the way in which people needed it to, and there weren’t enough complexion options for deeper skin tones within the clean space,” she recalls. Determined to vary that narrative, she created LYS Beauty with a deal with high-performing, skin-loving formulas that cater to a various range of shades.
As a pioneer within the space, Thompson feels the load of representation. “I felt the responsibility then, and I still feel it now,” she admits. “It’s about showing up for this amazing community and opening doors for others. Every launch needs to fulfill the best standard because if I’m not first-to-market, best-in-market is a fairly great alternative!”
A Latest Chapter: Securing Series A Funding
Recently, Thompson achieved one other major milestone—securing Series A funding from Encore Consumer Capital. Reflecting on this achievement, she says, “Once I launched LYS, I never imagined how quickly we might grow—especially starting in the course of a world pandemic. But what’s turn into so clear is that folks are craving beauty that champions self-expression and authenticity.”
This funding will fuel LYS Beauty’s growth by expanding the product range, increasing its global reach, and continuing to redefine what clean, inclusive beauty looks like. “It’s going to assist us double down on that mission,” Thompson adds.
Navigating the Funding Journey as a Black Founder
Securing enterprise capital, nevertheless, wasn’t a simple journey. “Raising capital is hard. Period,” Thompson says candidly. “It’s an extended, emotional process since you’re putting your brand—something you’ve built from the bottom up—on the market for evaluation. And as a Black woman founder, the fact is that the chances aren’t in your favor. The funding gap is real.”
Her secret to success? Relentless preparation and unwavering confidence. “I knew my numbers, I understood my business inside and outside, and I made sure I used to be aligned with investors who truly saw the vision for this brand,” she says. “Encore didn’t just put money into a brand; they invested in our mission.”
Advice for Black Founders In search of Capital
For other Black entrepreneurs navigating the funding landscape, Thompson offers sage advice: “Know your price. Investors aren’t just evaluating you—you’re evaluating them too. Be certain that you align with individuals who truly imagine in your brand and mission, not only your numbers.” She also emphasizes the importance of preparation and resilience. “Be over-prepared. Know your financials, your growth trajectory, your customer, and your competitive edge. And suit up for rejection—it’s a part of the method. But remember, it only takes one yes to vary the whole lot.”
