In this powerful episode of Small Business PR with Gloria Chou, we’re joined by the incredible Yve-Car Momperousse, founder and CEO of Kreyol Essence—the Haitian beauty brand seen on Shark Tank and now sold at Sephora, Ulta, Whole Foods, Amazon, and more.

From a personal hair loss crisis to building a $50M clean beauty brand, Yve-Car shares the raw, real story of how she stayed true to her roots, served her community, and used her voice to break barriers in the natural haircare industry.

This is a masterclass on mission-driven entrepreneurship, financial empowerment, inclusive leadership, and what it really takes to scale a brand from scratch.

Key Lessons on Scaling a $50M Brand: Shark Tank Prep, Community-Led Growth, DEI, and Data-Driven Success for Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurs

• How Kreyol Essence went from humble beginnings to $50M+ in product sales
• What preparing for Shark Tank really looks like (hint: it took over a year!)
• The power of community-driven business and grassroots brand building
• Why knowing your numbers is essential for BIPOC and women entrepreneurs
• How to measure impact and ROI beyond revenue
• How Yve-Car approaches DEI, inclusion, and allyship in her business
• Why storytelling and getting “back to basics” is the future of marketing
• How to turn preparation into opportunity—and opportunity into impact
  
  
  

Yve-Car Momperousse’s journey—from a personal hair loss experience to building Kreyol Essence, a $50M+ natural haircare brand—is a blueprint for mission-driven entrepreneurship rooted in purpose, community, and preparation.

This episode reminds us that success isn’t about luck—it’s about being prepared when the opportunity comes. Whether it’s navigating Shark Tank, scaling in the face of supply chain chaos, or advocating for inclusive business practices, Yve-Car proves that knowing your numbers, loving your customers, and staying rooted in your culture are what truly drive sustainable growth.

🎯 If you're a founder ready to lead with heart and strategy, let this episode be your reminder:
Stay ready, build with intention, and never take your eye off your community.

Product Businesses! Download my free HOW TO GET INTO A GIFT GUIDE/PRODUCT ROUND UP roadmap for free HERE to get more sales and traffic to your site this season.

If you want to land your first feature for free without any connections, I want to invite you to watch my PR Secrets Masterclass, where I reveal the exact methods thousands of bootstrapping small businesses use to hack their own PR and go from unknown to being a credible and sought-after industry expert. Register now at www.gloriachoupr.com/masterclass.

• Watch the #1 PR Secrets Masterclass to get you featured for free in 30 days
• Join the Small Biz PR Facebook Group to get the best PR Tips
• Download the 10 ways to get free PR for your small business
• DM the word “PITCH” to us on Instagram to get a pitching freebie https://www.instagram.com/gloriachoupr
• Connect with Gloria Chou on LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/gloriaychou
• Join Gloria Ch

Want to get featured in the media but feel held back by fear, imposter syndrome, or the anxiety of being seen? In this episode of Small Business PR, I share the 3 powerful PR mindset shifts every small business owner needs to confidently show up, pitch their story, and land media coverage—without second-guessing themselves.

Whether you're a founder, solopreneur, or creative struggling with visibility fears, this episode will help you break free from the limiting beliefs keeping your brand in the shadows. Learn how to turn fear into fuel, use your story as a visibility asset, and pitch with purpose—no fancy PR background required.


How to Overcome the Fear of Visibility and Get Free Media Coverage for Your Small Business

• The 3 mindset shifts that helps you stop playing small and start pitching with purpose
• Why visibility is non-negotiable for building trust and scaling your impact
• The metaphor that will change how you see your role in your industry
• Why PR isn’t just visibility—it’s your mission in action
• How consistent, small actions can lead to massive media wins over time

You don’t need to be famous, polished, or have a PR team to start landing media coverage. By shifting your mindset around visibility and embracing your founder story, you can confidently pitch the media and secure press features that grow your brand. Your voice is the missing puzzle piece in your industry—and PR for small businesses starts with owning that. Visibility isn’t about perfection; it’s about showing up with purpose, using storytelling to build trust, and taking consistent action.

Product Businesses! Download my free HOW TO GET INTO A GIFT GUIDE/PRODUCT ROUND UP roadmap for free HERE to get more sales and traffic to your site this season.

If you want to land your first feature for free without any connections, I want to invite you to watch my PR Secrets Masterclass, where I reveal the exact methods thousands of bootstrapping small businesses use to hack their own PR and go from unknown to being a credible and sought-after industry expert. Register now at www.gloriachoupr.com/masterclass.

• Watch the #1 PR Secrets Masterclass to get you featured for free in 30 days
• Join the Small Biz PR Facebook Group to get the best PR Tips
• Download the 10 ways to get free PR for your small business
• DM the word “PITCH” to us on Instagram to get a pitching freebie https://www.instagram.com/gloriachoupr
• Connect with Gloria Chou on LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/gloriaychou
• Join Gloria Chou's PR Community- https://www.facebook.com/groups/428633254951941

Are you tired of following Instagram formulas, tips, and tricks that no longer work? You’re not alone—and you’re not doing anything wrong.

In this episode of Small Business PR, host Gloria Chou chats with Instagram strategist and content expert Shannon McKinstrie—an Instagram OG with over 270,000 organic followers. Together, they unpack what’s actually working on Instagram in 2025—and what outdated strategies to finally let go of.

From embracing authentic storytelling to getting back to basics with commenting and engagement, Shannon shares the real, human-first Instagram growth strategies that are helping product brands, service providers, and creators stand out without burning out.

What’s Actually Working on Instagram in 2025 (According to a 270K-Follower Pro)

• Why “how I” storytelling now beats “how-to” content
• Shannon’s 4 H’s Content Method: Heard, Helpful, Humor, and Happenings
• A simple Instagram Stories hack that instantly boosts views
• How commenting on popular accounts still drives organic growth in 2025
• Why your first 3 Stories matter more than ever
• The truth about how often you really need to post
• Why unscripted, raw videos perform better than polished ones
• How to combine growth, engagement, and conversion—all in one post
• The outdated Instagram content tactics to stop using now
  
  

Whether you're a product-based business, personal brand, or service provider, Shannon shares how to simplify your content strategy, boost engagement organically, and make Instagram fun (and profitable) again—without having to post every day.

You’ll learn why storytelling, casual videos, and simple Reels are outperforming polished content—and how to use Instagram as a genuine connection tool instead of just another sales platform.

Product Businesses! Download my free HOW TO GET INTO A GIFT GUIDE/PRODUCT ROUND UP roadmap for free HERE to get more sales and traffic to your site this season.

If you want to land your first feature for free without any connections, I want to invite you to watch my PR Secrets Masterclass, where I reveal the exact methods thousands of bootstrapping small businesses use to hack their own PR and go from unknown to being a credible and sought-after industry expert. Register now at www.gloriachoupr.com/masterclass.

• Watch the #1 PR Secrets Masterclass to get you featured for free in 30 days
• Join the Small Biz PR Facebook Group to get the best PR Tips
• Download the 10 ways to get free PR for your small business
• DM the word “PITCH” to us on Instagram to get a pitching freebie https://www.instagram.com/gloriachoupr
• Connect with Gloria Chou on LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/gloriaychou
• Join Gloria Chou's PR Community- https://www.facebook.com/groups/428633254951941
• Learn more about Shannon McKinstrie:
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonmckinstrie
• Website: https://shannonmckinstrie.com/
• LinkedIn: