Mind Your own Business Series: Dr Yana Johnson MBE of Yana Cosmetics to speak at the September Keziah CONNECTIONS evening

Just one week to go until the second Keziah CONNECTIONS Nurture and Network evening takes place!!

I am pleased to announce that Dr Yana Johnson MBE, the founder and Director of Yana Cosmetics will also be sharing her knowledge of how she started her brand to fill a gap in the market and how she has gone on to grow her business on the evening.

It is always my aim to showcase the achievements of enterprising women of colour and to give such women a platform to connect with others who can learn from their expertise.

Yana launched Yana Cosmetics in 2002 – and it has gone on to become an award winning make up brand. It remains the only British independent premium make up brand that caters to the ethnic market, which started by specialising in custom blended foundations for black women and has now developed into a full range of make up that is suitable for ALL skin types. Yana Cosmetics was the first independent makeup brand in Morleys’ and Allders’ department stores. It was also the first independent cosmetic brand wholly owned by a black woman in the UK.
Many of her customers have remained loyal as the brand moved online and began to distribute and cater for the international market.

Yana has been recognised for both her brand and her business acumen and had collected a plethora of prizes since the launch of the brand including:

Entrepreneur of the Year – Black Enterprise Awards

European Federation of Black Women Businesses Owners, 2003

British Female Inventors & Innovators Award, 2005

Yana’s efforts and tenacity were also recognised by being awarded an MBE for ‘outstanding achievement and service to the cosmetics industry’ in the 2009 New Years Honours List.

She is also a sought after speaker who has shared her passion, enthusiasm and expertise with audiences internationally and has also been featured in the national press including the Guardian, the Sunday Times and on BBC Radio 4’s Woman Hour alongside Beverly Knight.

Yana is dedicated to assisting other women who aspire to become successful business owners and this year will see the launch of her Enterprise Initiative that will empower and inspires young women. Yana was recently awarded an Honorary PHD from the University of Roehampton, which has a flagship women’s college.

Motivated by her faith, and her desire to be excellent in all things, Yana will share her experiences and her heart on the 25th September.

WIN WIN WIN!!!

Do you want the chance to hear from Yana at the Keziah CONNECTIONS Nurture and Network event?

Would you like to try Yana’s award winning foundation?

I am giving one lucky winner the chance to win* 2 tickets to the September Keziah CONNECTIONS Nurture and Network evening and Yana has kindly donated an Illuminating Concealing Foundation, which will be matched to you skin tone.

To win, let me know which woman of colour inspires you and why?

Leave your answers in the comment box below!

Will you be joining enterprising Women of Colour on the 25th September?? Enter and win!!


The giveaway is open until 12.00 pm, Friday 21st September! The winner will be announced at 5pm on Friday!

Good Luck!

*Winner will receive 2 tickets worth £25.
Travel costs to and from the venue are not included.
The winner and guest must be over 18 years of age.
The judge’s decision is final.

2 comments for “Mind Your own Business Series: Dr Yana Johnson MBE of Yana Cosmetics to speak at the September Keziah CONNECTIONS evening

  1. stephanie
    September 20, 2012 at 6:16 pm

    A woman of colour who inspires me is Condoleezza Rice. She not only was the second woman in history to fill the role of Secretary of State but she was also the very first woman to be National Security Advisor during the Bush administration. Growing up in the deep south and experiencing segregation and discrimination and yet still managing to reach the top and be featured in Time magzines list of top 100 people of influence 4 times – truly inspirational

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