In this final Women in Business Takeover episode, host Samantha Cusick meets Charlotte Mensah to explore creativity, leadership, and purpose. From Ghana furniture-making to salon craft, Charlotte candidly unpacks navigating race, hair politics, and today’s “everyone’s a founder” culture, plus how listening, community, and integrity can spark real industry change. She shares the highs and lessons of building a brand, the discipline behind true craftsmanship, and how cooking, home life in Ghana, and moments of deep focus quiet a “busy brain.”

Expect practical wisdom for all of you salon owners, textured-hair pros, and those seeking longevity, integrity, and community-centered growth, with actionable takeaways.

Press play for grounded, real-world guidance you can act on today—and don’t miss the final minutes, where Charlotte shares the mindset that sustained 25+ years in business, her go-to “busy brain” reset, and a challenge for salon owners to try this week. Stick around for resources, next steps, and inspiration.

Chapter Timestamps

• 2:49  Meet Charlotte Mensah


• 4:37 Creativity and Personal Growth


• 9:10 Healing Through Hair


• 12:30 The Journey into Hairdressing


• 21:32 Building a Community in Salons


• 25:10 Launching a Product Line


• 28:00 The Importance of Authenticity


• 35:51 Navigating Race and Hair Politics


• 44:38 Quick Fire Questions


• 50:41  Takeaways

Resources

Follow Charlotte on Instagram @charlottemensah

Visit Charlotte’s Website: charlottemensah.com

Checkout the Manketti Oil Haircare Range: charlottemensah.com/collections/manketti-oil

Get the Good Hair book by Charlotte Mensah HERE

Visit Samantha Cusick salon website  HERE

Sta Studios visit sta-studios.com

Silly Little Girls Club podcast on Spotify click HERE

Samantha Cusick on Instagram @smantha.cusick

Sta Studios on Instagram @sta__studios

Follow Dom Lehane on Instagram @domlehane

Follow How To Cut It on Instagram @howtocutit