Ulta Beauty has announced the 2023 cohort for its MUSE Accelerator program, an initiative part of Ulta's commitment to inclusivity and diversity. The incubator will support eight early-stage BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) beauty brands over 10 weeks. The selected brands span various categories, including body care, fragrance, skincare, nail, and hair, will receive mentorship, funding, and a comprehensive curriculum to prepare them for retail distribution.
The MUSE Accelerator program is designed to Magnify, Uplift, Support, and Empower underrepresented founders in the beauty industry. It provides participants with resources and guidance to help them grow their businesses and achieve long-term success. The program also fosters a community of passionate BIPOC founders, providing a supportive network that promotes equitable and sustainable change in the beauty space.
Monica Arnaudo, Chief Merchandising Officer at Ulta Beauty, expressed her excitement about welcoming the 2023 MUSE Accelerator participants to the Ulta Beauty family. “As retail leaders and brand builders, we have a responsibility to create space and opportunities for all brands, particularly those who have been underrepresented to thrive in our industry and nurture an inclusive assortment that reflects the beautifully diverse community we serve. This year’s participants are a shining example of the bright future of beauty, and we can’t wait for the world to meet them.”
The 2023 MUSE Accelerator Cohort includes a diverse range of brands such as:
- Devin McGhee Kirkland and Brit Kirkland, DEON LIBRA: An elevated adaptogenic stress care brand that formulates products to support the body’s natural ability to handle stress and activate lasting healthy skin.
- Jessica Pritchett, OOLI: A plant-based, unisex hair care system formulated for Locs that is leaping bunny certified, sustainably developed, and made right in the USA.
- Sharie Wilson and Tonya Thompson, DreamGirls: A 5-step Healthy Hair Care System to help Black women grow their natural hair, retain length, and achieve long-term hair health.
- Ana Nuñez, Vida Bars: An inclusive sustainable hair brand offering solid haircare products formulated for various texture types.
- Octavia Morgan, Octavia Morgan Los Angeles: A unisex clean fine fragrance and beauty company offering parfums, beauty products, and home fragrances with unique signature blends designed for a one-of-a-kind sensory experience.
- Leigh Joseph, Skwalwen Botanicals: Provides clean, effective, luxury plant-based skincare inspired by ancestral knowledge and sustainable relationships with plants.
- Olivia Bae and Hyeri Sung, PERSEVE: An expert-formulated premium haircare brand offering prestige products at an affordable price.
- Melissa Samuel, FinesseYourClaws: Provides luxury press on nails in on-trend, cutting-edge designs for the everyday consumer at a fraction of the price you would pay in a salon.
The MUSE Accelerator program, first introduced in 2022, aims to amplify underrepresented voices while curating a diverse and inclusive assortment of beauty products. The 10-week curriculum includes expert training on retail launch and growth, brand strategy and positioning, product development, and financial management. Participants will also receive mentorship from Ulta Beauty experts and industry leaders from companies like Meta, TikTok, Métier Creative, and True Beauty Ventures.
The MUSE Accelerator program is set to commence in September 2023 and conclude in November 2023. For more information, visit www.ulta.com/company/dei/muse/muse-accelerator.
