Hi,

Growing up, when Olamide Olowe sought resources for her folliculitis, she encountered dermatologists with no idea how the products they prescribed would affect dark skin.

Then she met her future business partner, Claudia Teng, while they were both pre-med students. Teng described to CNBC how, as a dermatology research assistant, she observed clinical trials without a single Black patient.

In 2019, instead of pursuing med school, Olowe and Teng decided to launch Topicals, a science-backed medicated skin care line geared toward Gen Z women of color.

Not part of their business plan: a pandemic that disrupted their supply chain and initial launch schedule, followed by nationwide protests around racial injustices and police brutality that led them to push back their launch once again. But when they finally went live in early August, their products sold out in less than 72 hours.

Jason Del Rey will interview Topicals co-founder and CEO Olamide Olowe about building and launching a digital-native consumer brand during a tumultuous year; her experience as the youngest Black woman to secure more than $1 million in venture funding with high-profile investors like Netflix CMO Bozoma Saint John and Insecure actress Issa Rae; and why she and her fellow Gen Z co-founder believe their youthful perspective gives them a leg up over incumbents.

Register now for this important conversation and for the entire four-part complimentary virtual event series, courtesy of Klarna.