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Lisa Price
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From humble beginnings in her Brooklyn kitchen, Founder of Carol’s Daughter, Inc., Lisa Price transformed her beloved hobby of mixing up fragrances and creams at home into a multi-million dollar beauty empire.

In the early 1990’s, Price began experimenting with making her own fragrances and perfume sprays when she wasn’t busy working on the legendary sitcom The Cosby Show. She added oils to unscented lotions, and began learning the aromatherapeutic and healing properties of the oils.

When the show finished its remarkable TV run in 1992, Price used the end of one chapter of her life to embark on another. With $100 in cash, her own kitchen, and the simple notion that people should follow their hearts, Lisa started building the collection that would become a beauty revolution. She began by selling her homespun beauty products at flea markets, but then had to set up shop in her living room as demand increased. Favorable word-of-mouth spread like wildfire as her customers enjoyed such unique products as Love Butter, Hair Milk, Black Vanilla Hair Smoothie and Lemon Mint Manicure. Her business continued to grow, aided by the encouragement and assistance of family members and friends.

In August of 1994, Price officially established Carol's Daughter (the company lovingly named after her mother). Initially starting out with a handful of steady customers, those numbers grew in leaps and bounds as women outside her neighborhood and circle of friends began to take notice. Almost overnight, celebrities like Jada Pinkett-Smith, Erykah Badu, Rosie Perez and Halle Berry became loyal customers.

Price is the recipient of numerous awards, among them the National Black MBA Association's Entrepreneur of the Year Award (2000), the Working Woman Magazine’s Entrepreneurial Excellence Award (2001), the National Book Club Conference Terrie Williams Inspiration Award (2004), the YWCA “W” Award (2010), the FFAWN I’m Power – I’m Beauty Award (2010) and a Cosmetic Executive Women Achiever Award (2010).

She is also the author of Success Never Smelled So Sweet, a remarkable memoir that chronicles her transformation from a young Black woman deep in debt and burdened by low self-esteem to the president of a multi-million dollar business. Looking back on her years growing up in Brooklyn, Price vividly recalls her recurring connection with nature: a profound love and appreciation of the natural fragrances of the world. Price continues to encourage the entrepreneurial spirit of other women through her book, speaking engagements and business seminars.

Price is an active philanthropist and currently sits on the board of the Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now (FFAWN), a charity that is dedicated to empowering women and instilling confidence so that they may achieve their dreams through education, empowerment and encouragement. The foundation was founded by Steve Stoute and Mary J. Blige.

Today, Carol's Daughter sells millions of dollars worth of products, employs more than 80 staff members and boasts nine stores across the country, with a flagship store in Harlem. Price hopes to continue expanding Carol's Daughter to other cities.

Price is dedicated to giving back to the community through both her business and her personal life. She has taken a hands-on approach to involvement in community fundraising walks and gala events for the Lupus Foundation of America. Additionally, Price generously and frequently offers product donations to community organizations both large and small in an effort to help Carol’s Daughter's extended friends and family with their own outreach and fundraising efforts.

Most recently, Price has been appointed as a member of the National Women’s Business Council, an independent source of advice and policy recommendations to the President, Congress, and the U.S. Small Business Administration on economic issues that face female business owners.

Price and her husband, Gordon, have two sons and a daughter and live in Brooklyn. When she can find the time (between managing her business and family), Price enjoys going to the beach, reading, crocheting, and watching movies.

Blog Entries by Lisa Price

'Tis the Season

(0) Comments | Posted December 11, 2012 | 5:00 PM

It is the holiday season, 1997. Gordon and I live in Brooklyn on Van Buren Street and we have two babies: Forrest, who is 21 months old, and Ennis, who is 2 months old. We have planned to have our annual Carol's Daughter Holiday Bazaar at St. John's Church on...

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Staying Healthy While on the Road

(3) Comments | Posted November 9, 2012 | 8:00 PM

This topic is so very appropriate for me as I am one of the many travelers whose plans have been impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Before I dive in, my prayers and love go out to the millions of lives that have been changed, and families that lost loved ones, their...

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5 Tips Every Budding Entrepreneur Should Know

(2) Comments | Posted October 17, 2012 | 11:54 AM

Though I speak to groups of women and children about following your dreams and becoming an entrepreneur, I often refer to myself as The Accidental Entrepreneur. One of my favorite pastimes is making perfumes for myself, which then turned into a hobby making lotions, creams and massage oils in my...

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Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall

(0) Comments | Posted September 19, 2012 | 12:20 PM

It is fall again and here in New York City, it has already gotten cooler and there is a crispness in the air. Children in my Brooklyn neighborhood have already had their first full week of school and new backpacks, fresh uniforms and shoes that have yet to be scuffed...

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Living Your Life Like It's Golden

(2) Comments | Posted September 12, 2012 | 3:46 PM

I love the words to Jill Scott's song "Golden." To me it is prayer, mantra and meditation.

"I'm strumming my freedom, playing the God in me.
I was born into it
It comes naturally."

Such powerful words! What makes them even more powerful is that Jill...

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We Change Our Life, We Change Our Hair

(10) Comments | Posted August 2, 2012 | 1:19 PM

I am a 50-year-old African American woman and I have had quite a journey with my hair. I grew up in a family of women who manipulated their hair to make it straight. It is what was expected of them in the '40s, '50s and '60s. The women on my...

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