September 10th 2023.
Melissa Carnegie is a woman who wears many hats - or should we say shoes! She is the Communications Director for the global haircare brand Cantu, as well as the CEO of her own business, Kicks and Fros. Her mission is to make space for women in the male-dominated sneaker industry. Carnegie is using her network and connections to carve out a unique spot in the shoe game as a prominent voice for Black women.
The perfect place for Carnegie to do this is Charlotte, North Carolina. The community there has been incredibly supportive. She is now ready to step into the spotlight and make a name for herself and her company.
BLACK ENTERPRISE recently had the chance to ask Carnegie about what it takes to manage it all and how Kicks and Fros is making its mark. When asked how she felt in that moment and where her brand is now, Carnegie said, “I feel like my brand is growing so much. We’re trying new things, launching new products. This is a moment, a year, of growth. Of stepping out to try something new.”
Carnegie found her niche in the sneaker industry by making sure that Black and Brown women felt seen and heard. She started as an “inspo” page and built it up into a full-fledged business that caters to women. It has a community, a merch shop, a blog, and a newsletter.
When asked what makes her business stand out, Carnegie said, “Women really dominate this space when it comes to sneakers and personal style; we give that style and that fashion. And I felt like we weren’t being catered to or talked about as we should be, especially Black and Brown women. I wanted to change that.”
Kicks and Fros is not done yet, though. Carnegie has plans for her company to become a household name for women and sneakers. She is planning on continuing to provide whether it be merch, items to help protect your kicks, or events to build sisterhood.
Despite the successes Carnegie has had, she has faced some setbacks in the past, such as ordering items in large quantities without getting a sample. She overcame this by starting slow and testing things out before committing.
Lastly, Carnegie described her sneaker style as “tomboy chic.” She loves Nike Vameros, All-Star Converse, and Jordan 1’s because they are versatile and can be dressed up or down.
Carnegie is a true inspiration for all women. She is an example of how it’s possible to make a mark in a male-dominated industry and how it’s possible to create something from nothing.
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