The top bandage manufacturers have been advertising their goods as “flesh toned” for the majority of the last century. The bandages, however, were all light pink or tan, disregarding the reality that human flesh comes in a wide variety of hues.
Columbus, Ohio residents Intisar Bashir and Rashid Mahdi made the decision to take action since the colour of the bandages didn’t match the different skin tones in their family. Bashir was familiar with starting and managing a business because her father ran a shoe store and she grew up working there. At first, Browndages concentrated on creating adult bandages that reflected the many tones of Black and Brown skin. In November 2018, the business offered its first bandages for sale.
When they were 10, 8, and 5, their three children requested bandages featuring princesses or superheroes. Bashir stated that she and her husband preferred to portray professionals that their children may genuinely grow up to be rather than fantasy figures in an interview with Susan Post of Columbus News on July 7, 2020.
Initially, they used their own kids as models, asking Princess Karibo, a British artist, to depict them as doctors, cooks, astronauts, or ballerinas. In a story published in Vogue on August 17, 2020, Bashir stated that both of their kids had recently indicated interest in pursuing careers as chefs or veterinarians. She thought that their girls’ perspectives on potential careers had been broadened by seeing themselves in the photos.
When several major bandage manufacturers declared they would provide a wide range of skin tones in June 2020, Browndages’ social media followers swamped the site with complaints that there was already a Black-owned company offering this kind of bandage. Due to this, Browndages sold six months’ worth of stock in just six days. One of the winners of the FedEx Small Business Grants competition in 2021 was Browndages.
Additionally, Browndages offers first aid kits, caps, pyjamas, and children’s books. Bashir and Mahdi had several face-to-face interactions with their clients at small business and wedding gatherings across the nation before the Covid outbreak.
Currently, the company’s goods are offered both online and in physical shops around the nation, which of course includes the shoe store where Bashir first discovered the rewards and challenges of being an entrepreneur.
What Happened to Browndages after Shark Tank?
Browndages began offering more products than ever after making an appearance on Shark Tank. They provide stretchy bandages, tins with iconic Black historical figures on the package, pyjamas, headgear, and masks in addition to their simple bandages in five skin tone hues. Although we couldn’t find any fresh sales figures in our Browndages update investigation, we are confident that this business will succeed.
Shark Tank Season 13 Episode 20 aired on April 15, 2022.
