As part of the Morning Lazziness series about empowering women who encourage and do incredible things with their ideas in society, I had the pleasure of interviewing Terrika Currence.
Terrika Currence is the founder and CEO of Beyond SKN Deep, a clean beauty brand created to make skincare simple, powerful, and personal. A survivor of domestic violence, Terrika launched her brand during a season of deep healing, fueled by a desire to feel like herself again and to help other women do the same.
She started in her mother’s kitchen, hand-formulating her first product: pre-soaked exfoliating cleansing and toner pads infused with turmeric, sea moss, and rose water. Designed for convenience and real results, the pads help brighten skin, fade dark spots, and support a healthy glow, without the overwhelm of a long routine.
Beyond SKN Deep quickly grew from a passion project into a fast-expanding beauty brand trusted by customers who value simplicity, clean ingredients, and skincare that fits into real life. The products are now sold in over 30 retail locations, including Wake Spa at Embassy Suites and Be Relax Spa inside Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world.
Terrika leads her brand with faith, heart, vision, and a deep understanding of what it means to rebuild from the inside out. Her mission is to create accessible, effective skincare for women who are busy, healing, or just ready to put themselves first again.
What inspired you to become an entrepreneur in the beauty industry, and what led to the creation of your brand or product line?
I created my brand during my healing journey. I’m a survivor of domestic violence, and after everything I went through, I found myself deep in depression, PTSD, and anxiety. I started losing myself mentally and I had no motivation, no energy, and self-care felt out of reach.
As I started working on my healing and slowly rebuilding my confidence, I realized even on the days when I only had 1% to give, I still deserved to give that to myself. That’s where Beyond SKN Deep was born. I knew I had to create a product based on convenience. I wanted to create self-care that felt accessible even when life felt heavy.
Our pre-soaked, resealable cleansing and toner pads are made for those moments. For the moms, the busy professionals, the survivors, and anyone who feels like they’re running on empty. It’s skincare that meets you where you are.
As a woman navigating the beauty business world, what unique challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them?
There are a lot of challenges in this industry, especially as a melanin woman. One of the biggest things I’ve faced is being underestimated or overlooked. People love the story, but hesitate on the support. I’ve also been told things like, “The market’s already saturated,” as if that means there’s no room for something real, something rooted in purpose.
But I keep showing up anyway. I lead with transparency, I focus on the impact, and I let the results speak for themselves. My community is growing because they can see and feel the heart behind the brand.
The beauty industry can be both competitive and demanding—how do you maintain personal well-being while growing your brand?
I give myself grace. Some days I’m all in and other days, I barely have anything to give. And I’ve learned that’s okay. I’ve stopped measuring my worth by how productive I am.
Using my own products is part of how I refill my cup. Every time I grab a pad, it’s like a reminder: You made this. You’re still standing. That moment grounds me. Skincare became my self-care and my sanctuary. It’s not just a routine, it’s part of how I heal and keep going.
Which networking strategies, communities, or collaborations have helped you build meaningful connections in the beauty space?
Honestly, just showing up and being myself has opened the most doors. I go to local markets, pop-ups, and beauty events. I reach out to retailers, I connect with other women founders, and I share my story. Being genuine builds real relationships.
Also, my customers have been my biggest connectors. Their word-of-mouth support, their reviews, their reposts have all helped me grow.
How do you approach mentorship—both as a mentee and mentor—and how has it influenced your growth as a beauty entrepreneur?
As a mentee, I ask questions, I take notes, and I stay open to learning. I don’t act like I know it all. As a mentor, I make sure I’m transparent with people. I tell them the hard parts, not just the highlights. I want other women to know you can build something beautiful even after life tries to break you. That transparency helps us all grow.
What strategies have worked best for gaining loyal customers and building trust in your beauty brand?
Honesty and community. I share what’s in my products, how they’re made, and why I made them in the first place. I show the process, the packaging, and the people behind the brand—me. I talk to my customers like they’re family. And once they try the products and see real results, they stay with me. That’s loyalty built on connection, not gimmicks.
Which marketing techniques have been most effective for your business, and how do you measure their success?
Social media has been huge for me, especially Instagram. I use it to educate, connect, and tell the brand story. Pop-ups and face-to-face events also help a lot because once people feel the texture of the pad and see how fresh and effective it is, they’re hooked.
I measure success through reorders, restocks, and real testimonials. If people are buying again and telling their friends about it, that’s the win.
Can you share a major setback or turning point in your beauty entrepreneurship journey, and how you navigated through it?
My biggest setback was thinking I could do it all alone. I was the manager, the product maker, the shipper, the customer service rep, the restocker—literally everything. I thought that’s what being a “real” entrepreneur looked like. But it was exhausting.
The turning point came when I realized I needed systems and support. I started creating a structure to make things easier, and I learned how to delegate and trust others. Building a team was scary at first, but it was the best thing I could’ve done. You can’t grow if you’re burned out trying to wear every hat.
What’s one piece of advice you’d offer to women who are just starting their entrepreneurial journey in the beauty industry?
Start with what you have. Don’t wait to be ready or for everything to be perfect. Your story, your “why,” and your consistency will take you far.
Is there a quote, mantra, or philosophy that guides your decision-making and leadership as a beauty entrepreneur? A quote that keeps me grounded is:
“Your journey is yours, stay in your lane, and trust the race God set for you. It reminds me that I don’t have to compete or compare. What’s meant for me won’t miss me. I lead with faith and purpose.
