From Kitchen DIY to QVC Success: Angel Cornelius’ Journey with Maison 276

Smart CEO™ Smart Talk Podcast | Season 5, Episode 1🎙️ Host: Alena Conley, Senior Division Leader of Coaching and People Development at The Kyra Company🎧 Guest: Angel Cornelius, Founder & CEO of Maison 276 | Maison 276:⁠ www.maison276.comIn this episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Angel Cornelius, an “unintentional entrepreneur” who turned a personal pain point into a thriving beauty brand, Maison 276. Starting with DIY haircare solutions in her kitchen, Angel’s story unfolds from her early days on Etsy to a game-changing appearance on QVC’s The Big Find.Angel opens up about the challenges of scaling a beauty business, navigating supply chain hurdles, and preparing for her brand's first brick-and-mortar retail launch in 2025. She also shares insights on bankability, the importance of strategic partnerships, and how the Smart CEO™ Accelerator cohort has helped shape her growth strategy. Innovating Beauty: How Angel identified and solved a personal need for silver hair care, leading to the creation of Maison 276. From DIY to Commercial Success: The transition from handmade products to partnering with cosmetic chemists and manufacturers. QVC Breakthrough: How winning QVC’s The Big Find helped Angel dispel myths about Black beauty founders and reach a national audience. Scaling Smart: The role of supply chain readiness, financial strategy, and preparing for omni-channel distribution. The Power of No: Using rejection as a tool for growth and understanding how to turn a “no” into a future opportunity. Balancing Life & Business: The personal sacrifices of entrepreneurship and aligning business goals with life seasons. Connect With Us:🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts💻 Stay updated at: tkcsmartceos.com📱 Follow us on Instagram & Facebook: @tkcSmartCEOsJoin the Smart CEO™ Community:⁠ smart-ceos.mn.co⁠