Beauty tech loves a “first” headline. Black women founders still need capital, customers, and engineering partners who stay after the keynote. This panel — featuring Rica Elysée (Founder & CEO, BeautyLynk®; co-founder, #AtTheTable) alongside peer founders and operators — goes past inspiration into operating reality: how to narrate your company without performing trauma; how to evaluate investors and partners who want the photo more than the term sheet; how community tables (#AtTheTable and peers) create deal flow that cold outreach does not; and how to keep product velocity when you are also the face of the category. Moderated for honesty, not hardship Olympics. Designed for conference stages that want substance on Black women in tech, women entrepreneurship, and beauty innovation — and for audiences who will take the lessons into hiring, investing, and buying decisions the same week.

Takeaways:
1. Spot “exhibit energy” in partnerships, press, and stages — and redirect toward commercial outcomes.
2. Use community-powered networks (not just personal brand) as a repeatable go-to-market and fundraising channel.
3. Leave with language for founder storytelling that is authentic without oversharing, and sharp without cynicism.