We are super excited to reintroduce our COCOBelle of the Month back to our blog post. And there’s no time like the present as we celebrate our 11th year anniversary. When Founder & CEO, Dana Hill-Robinson created COCOTIQUE, she wanted to curate a self-care and beauty subscription box for women of color and she also wanted to highlight the achievements of other female leaders and entrepreneurs in the beauty industry and find out what’s in their self-care arsenal.
Meet Brianna Wright, Head of PR and Influencer Marketing for SheaMoisture at Unilever. Brianna’s role at SheaMoisture is very important to the brand’s success. She not only makes sure that she stays true to the culture by finding creative ways to connect with everyone around her to help build everything from relationships to brands, Brianna also has to make time for herself. Find out more about Brianna, her work-life balance, and her self-care must-haves.
Tell us about a day in the life of Brianna Wright.
This year, I’ve adopted the concept of “slow mornings.” My day typically starts around 5:30 am. I love being able to slowly ease into the start of my day with acts of service for myself and spending the first hour setting my intentions and doing some self-reflection. It’s important for me to have a moment to check in with myself before I check my phone, email, social media, etc. Some mornings I’ll read or write affirmations, while others I’ll listen to a podcast while drinking a cup of coffee or tea. This helps me center myself and my thoughts in peace as I think about the day ahead.
After my hour of alone time, I either go to a Pilates class, workout with my trainer Bryan Blackwell @NobleFitness or go outside for a walk. I am super passionate about fitness and love being active. It's definitely a huge part of my lifestyle.
Once I come home from the gym, I take some time to freshen up and get myself ready before opening my laptop and beginning my workday. Once I log off, I wind down by watching TV, enjoying a good meal and then getting ready to do it all over again the next day!
What led you to SheaMoisture at Unilever?
I grew up in Rockland County, New York, but when my family would drive down to New Jersey to visit other family members, we would always pass the big, blue Unilever sign. It was a constant landmark throughout my childhood, and I was always fascinated and intrigued by it. Fast forward to adulthood and well into my PR career, I began working at Edelman where I had the pleasure to work across several Unilever brands and accounts on the PR agency side. After a couple of years, I applied for a position to join the Brand Communications team at Unilever led by my then wonderful client, Casey, who ultimately became my manager when I joined. It was such an amazing full circle moment, and it has honestly been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! What I love most about Unilever is not only the phenomenal people I get to work with but all the amazing, purposeful brands that are centered around improving the wellbeing of the people we serve – It’s truly beauty with impact.
After being at Unilever for a couple of years where I led brand communications for several of our beauty and personal care brands, I had the exciting opportunity to move over to my current role on SheaMoisture, and the rest is history. It’s truly my dream role on one of my favorite brands that’s always been a staple in my life!
What is your current title?
I am the Head of PR and Influencer Marketing for SheaMoisture at Unilever.
What does your position entail?
In my position, I manage brand communications at SheaMoisture which spans across product innovations to brand equity and purpose, along with our brand and influencer marketing events. Part of my role is also focused on influencers and talent relations. I essentially have the amazing job of generating awareness and engagement about all the amazing happenings at SheaMoisture via PR & earned media, influencer campaigns and partnerships.
As the Head of PR & Influencer Marketing, what would you say you love the most about your field?
The best part of my job is making connections with people, whether they’re colleagues, editors, influencers or consumers. I love getting to hear other people's stories, what they're going through, what they need and how I can support them as a friend, a mentor, and as a professional leveraging our brand’s platform and resources. I also really enjoy finding unique, creative angles through the lens of culture that are relatable and authentic to tell a story through consumer engagement and earned media. For me, it's key to be hyper aware of what’s going on in culture and within your community in order to understand how your brand can serve the needs of other people.
What career achievement stands out to you the most?
My favorite and most recent career achievement would have to be activating with SheaMoisture at Essence Festival of Culture this year. I've engaged with different brands and agencies at Essence Fest over the past eight years, but this year felt extra special. Taking inspiration from our SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection campaign, Beauty That Bonds, we created “Camp Shea:” a space to explore the emotional connection and bonds of Black women from all over for the ultimate reunion – to meet, to fellowship and nurture those connections through shared enjoyment, culture and sisterhood – with beauty at the center. We not only created opportunities for our hosted influencers and experts to bond, but our consumers as well.
As a Black founded brand that is fully immersed within Black culture, it’s important for SheaMoisture to show up at cultural moments in a way that is not only authentic to the brand, but to the community. From our curated mailers to our annual Welcome Dinner (starring New Orleans star, Big Freedia), our convention center footprint, pop up events and more, we infused and honored New Orleans culture while staying true to our theme of building strong bonds and connections. It’s important for brands to build deep relationships with their audience and provide meaningful experiences that ultimately connect them back to the brand and products – I’m proud of the work SheaMoisture has done to build these connections.
What are your keys to success?
My motto is: When you look good, you feel good, you do good. When you intentionally take time to prioritize yourself and your needs, it’ll help you perform better and attract more opportunities for yourself.
Another phrase I like to live by professionally is P.I.E. The P stands for performance your skill set and how well you do your job. The I stands for image. What is something that's unique about you that people will remember? Lastly, the E stands for exposure. How visible are you in your industry, organization and to leadership? You could be doing amazing work and delivering strong results, but if you don't have a manager, a mentor or a company that helps ensure that your work is seen, it doesn’t matter. If no one is actually seeing the work you're doing, it’s almost as if it doesn't exist. Performance, Image and Exposure are the trifecta of things to help you be successful and ascend in your career.
What challenges have you faced in your career and how did you overcome them?
Learning to be patient, flexible and adaptable to play the long game – especially when things aren’t going as intended or happening as quickly as anticipated. I’ve since learned that sometimes you must go along with life’s hills and valleys to get to the end result or next phase, and in those moments appreciating the journey, the lessons and experience it takes to get there. It’s always for a reason!
When I'm centering myself or praying, I also open myself to things beyond what I imagine. One of my prayers is for God to show me how good things can get, because you may have one vision for your life, but never realize what other opportunities are available or what may come your way that exceeds your own goals and plans.
What are you most grateful for?
I'm grateful for my positive mindset. Public relations is so fast-paced and there are always situations that require pivoting quickly (no matter how much you plan ahead or scenario plan), which makes it easy to be bogged down or burnt out. But when I find myself in these chaotic situations, I remain positive, focus on controlling things that are in my control, and affirm that everything else will work itself out. It also helps to not only keep you calm and centered, but the people around you as well. Having a calm and positive attitude helps to attract positive results and outcomes.
What is your advice to women who are just starting their careers and those who are looking to reinvent themselves?
Don't ever be afraid to speak up and share your voice. And always trust your instincts. When you're young and new in your career, being in rooms with executives and different groups of people can be intimidating. But it’s important to always try to find something that you can offer up at the table that demonstrates your value. For example, when I first started out in my career, I always made it a point to come to each meeting with top trends and cultural conversations I was seeing and how this was relevant for the company/brand. Since many of the senior team members weren’t always as tapped in on trends, cultural and social conversations, they found my insights valuable, and I earned my seat at that table. Find out what your superpower is and lean into that with confidence.
What’s in your self-care arsenal?
- I love a good candle! Scent always has to be right in my environment – it sets the tone. I can't start my day if I’m not burning a candle and wearing one of my favorite perfumes to match my mood for the day.
- Hydrating serums and moisturizers. When you look and feel hydrated, you look more youthful and fresh-faced.
- I love the Tatcha Water Cream Moisturizer. It’s has a lightweight gel-like consistency that literally floods your skin with moisture leaving you feeling refreshed and hydrated for hours.
- The SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Illuminating Body Lotion is one of my favorite body moisturizers, and it always leaves my skin looking glowy and feeling soft. Plus, it smells like a vacation!
What are your top-3 self-care products that you can’t live without?
- One of my favorite self-care products is my jade roller. I leave it in my freezer overnight so that when I wake up in the morning it wakes me up and helps with de-puffing.
- Another essential is a good, moisturizing lip balm. I’ve been grabbing for Topicals Mint Slick Salve a lot lately. I talk a lot throughout the day, so keeping my lips plump and moisturized is a must!
- I’m also really into sunscreen oils. I get the skin protection of a sunscreen with the added benefits of the nourishment, brightening and major glow from the oil format. I am obsessed with the Undefined R&R Sun Elixir SPF 30 Glow Oil. Especially when I’m traveling.
What are your self-care non-negotiables?
- One self-care non-negotiable for me would be routine facials. Over the past year, I've been intentional about my skincare and seeking professional help to address my skincare needs. Most days I am bare face, so having skin that is clear, even-tone, firm and moisturized gives me confidence. And of course, on the days when I want to be more “glam,” having great skin is the best base for makeup application.
- Having at-home products and routines are great, but professionals exist for a reason. So I love going to see my esthetician once a month and getting those deep cleanings and extractions, peels and special treatments. Getting facials is a must for me! Shoutout to my esthetician @SkinCare_Guru.
- Another self-care non-negotiable would be working out. It’s one of the first things I do in the mornings, and it’s my favorite way of serving my mind and my body. It helps not only to make sure I look good physically, but mentally because it helps to relieve stress. Even when I'm on vacation, I'm at the hotel gym or walking around the city, getting my work out and steps in!
What’s next for Brianna?
For me, I am always open to change and remain flexible on what could be next for me.
Working in public relations, I’m usually in the background elevating other people and brands to be in the spotlight. However, this year, I’ve been getting more opportunities to step more into the spotlight myself. Even though it's a little scary and intimidating, I'm starting to get comfortable with that idea. Through this, I want to share more about my journey and give advice to other young women professionally and about life in general.
I'm also super passionate about beauty and fashion. I love curating looks and helping people feel like their most beautiful and confident selves. I would love to tap into that a little bit more and see how I can scale that to really help other people. I don't know what that all looks like, ultimately, but I'm trying to take each opportunity that comes my way and use it as a steppingstone!