This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.
The Black Owned and Black Founded Difference
According to the United States Census Bureau’s Survey of Business Owners, a black-owned business is defined as a firm with Black owners holding at least 51 percent of the shareholder equity, partnership interest, member share, or other ownership interest. In the United States, only 2.4% of businesses have black owners. Contrastingly, black founded means that a firm was founded by a Black business owner who may hold primary leadership and equity within their business. Or it was founded by a Black leader who has sold the majority or all of the stakes and equity and is no longer the owner or has primary leadership. The difference is that when supporting a Black-Owned business, you show support directly to the community. In contrast, with black-founded, the support is not for the community and may never reach the Black community.
What Does Being Black-Owned Mean for Kushae?
Kushae by BK Naturals is a Black-owned and women-owned brand created by Kimba “The Natural Diva” Williams and Dr. Barbara Mclaren, a board-certified OB-GYN. Kushae was created to provide women across the United States and overseas safe and chemical-free feminine product alternatives for all “Kushaes.” Because at the end of it all, aren't we all pink on the inside?
Since our launch in 2017, our founders and CEOs have precisely done that. Kimba Williams and Dr. McLaren have provided toxin-free feminine care products made from naturally sourced and organic ingredients for the last four years. And that will always be the case. Our founders are not simply selling products that are good for feminine health. They also focus on educating and building awareness of the benefits and dangers of feminine care products and healthcare as a whole, as well as how to maintain intimate health. Kushae is breaking the cycle of overusing antibiotics and toxic chemicals in the products we use on our bodies. The importance of being Black Owned begins with our founders and their mission to help women deal with vaginal issues stemming from harmful chemicals. Let us introduce you to the incredible Diva and Doctor Duo leading Kushae and revolutionizing feminine care!
Meet The Black Founders and Chief Executive Officers
Barbara Mclaren, MD, FACOG, is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist in Houston, TX, with over 25 years of experience in the medical field. After obtaining her medical degree from Albany Medical School in 1997, Dr. Mclaren completed her residency at Howard University Hospital. Her extensive medical career has been heavily focused on women’s health, women’s wellness, and gynecologic conditions at all stages of life.
Dr. Mclaren has several affiliations with medical institutions, including Baptist Medical Center, Methodist Hospital-San Antonio, and HCA Houston Healthcare West. At her new practice called the New Beginnings, Dr. Mclaren focuses on preventative health for women from all ages of a woman’s life, from adolescence, perimenopause, menopause, post-menopause, and beyond. She is not only offering natural services, but Dr. Mclaren also performs surgeries and remains abreast of medical technology advances in obstetrics and gynecology. She brings her medical expertise in creating the products to ensure that the ingredients are beneficial for all “Kushaes” and do not disrupt the pH balance.
Kimba Williams, aka The Natural Diva, is an entrepreneur, speaker, author, and philanthropist with many aspirations that she brilliantly explores and showcases. She graduated from one of the most recognized historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the United States, Spelman College, where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She also received her Masters in Business Administration with a concentration in management from the University of Miami Herbert Business School. With her award-winning career in pharmaceutical sales, Williams understands the dangers of chemicals in everyday products and how those chemicals can be a danger to one’s health. She has extensive knowledge of natural ingredients and products that greatly benefit the body and health.
Why Being Black Owned Matters for Kushae?
In the products industry, tests are often conducted with white skin rather than on all skin types. The differences in our skin should be considered. With Black Owned brands, we take into account the microbiome of our skin and how products affect us. Dr. Mclaren and Kimba Williams used their interactions with this world as women and their careers to create Kushae and maintain the mission, values, and morals without sacrificing the ideals that started the brand.
Representation matters in all spaces and areas in our lives. Being a Black-owned brand carries many meanings, not just for Black and Brown people. Supporting Black-owned stores, brands, and small shops have been one of the many ways to assist as allies and show support to our community deeply impacted by racial inequities, biases, and injustices. As a Black Owned and the first and only all-natural feminine wellness brand, Kushae by BK Naturals seeks to create feminine care products that understand what our bodies need and help them thrive. Thank you for becoming part of our community and supporting our black-owned business.
