Women of Power: Lessons on Building a Lasting Brand From Vera Moore

Vera Moore became a household name when she became the first African American soap opera actress contracted to play Linda on NBC’s Another World. The soap opera star turned entrepreneur is now best known for creating Vera Moore Cosmetics. She launched her own makeup line in 1979, after realizing there was a limited selection of makeup geared toward minorities.

Today, Moore is president and CEO of one of the most progressive and prestigious cosmetics and skin care lines for the global and ethnic market. Not only did she break racial barriers in the television industry, but she has achieved great strides in the beauty business. Her cosmetics line was one of the first of its kind to offer beauty products to a heavily underrepresented market. Furthermore, she broke another barrier when a Vera Moore Cosmetics boutique became the first African American-owned store in Kings Plaza mall in Brooklyn, New York. She helped pave the way for other African American cosmetics lines to launch, such as IMAN Cosmetics, Black Opal, and COVERGIRL Queen Collection.

Moore is a former guest speaker of the Entrepreneurs Master Class panel held each year at the Women of Power Summit. This year’s esteemed panel of natural hair care mavens includes Mahisha Dellinger, founder of CURLS, and Jane Carter, founder of Jane Carter Solution.

Moore’s most recent power move is a partnership with Duane Reade to expand and position her company to grow the brand. Vera Moore Cosmetics can be found in a high-end environment called LOOK Boutiques in Duane Reade stores across New York City. Moore continues to reach for more as she goes national with her brand in Walgreens. The release of her products in a drugstore marks her vision to make beauty products widely accessible to the general public.

Power Quote: Know your USP (unique selling proposition). Know what separates you from the competition. That should be what you leverage in getting your foot in the door. If there is no division between you and the next product, you are going to have a much harder time competing.

Embrace Your Power: The Moment is Now! Attend the Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit hosted by State Farm, Feb. 26—­March 1, 2014, at Boca Raton Resort and Club, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, Boca Raton, FL. This exciting, executive leadership summit is designed to train, equip and encourage women to become industry leaders, learn career strategies, and discover proven work­—life balance techniques. Register today!

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS! Join us for the landmark 10th Annual Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit hosted by State Farm, March 2—4, 2015, at Fort Lauderdale Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Fort Lauderdale, FL. This exciting, one-of-a-kind executive leadership summit is designed to train, equip and encourage women to become industry leaders, learn career strategies, and discover proven work—life balance techniques. Register Now! https://blackenterprise.com/wps