Vanguard by Shopify Studios

Vanguard by Shopify Studios


Latest Episodes

How A Tribe Called Red Brought Activism to the Dance Floor
September 11, 2019

Bear Witness is a co-founder of A Tribe Called Red, a Canadian DJ collective that blends hip hop and EDM with traditional pow wow drums and vocals. As a teen, Bear was part of the local rave scene. He began to wonder what raves would look like if they had

This Latinx Bath Brand Is Bubbling with Nostalgia
September 04, 2019

Estefania Rodriguez is the founder of Brewbles Studio, a bath and body shop that sells products based on nostalgia and Latinx culture. Estefania began making bath bombs as a form of self-care and a way to manage her mental illness. To make ends meet, she

The Unique Voice Behind Gender-fluid Wellness Products
August 28, 2019

Gloria Noto is the founder of NOTO Botanics, an all-natural, multi-use, gender-fluid cosmetic line committed to activism and giving back back. After almost 10 years as a makeup artist, Gloria decided to start a company focused on making the beauty and we

Meet the Nigerian Publisher Heating Up African Romance Novels
August 21, 2019

Bibi Bakare-Yusuf is the publishing director of Cassava Republic Press and Ankara Press. After launching a publishing company to offer a platform for contemporary African writers, Bibi had another idea: why not start a romance-novel imprint that put black

This Artist Conjured a Magical World of Black Anime Characters
August 14, 2019

Jacque Amadi is the head magical girl of Adorned By Chi, a lifestyle business based on anime-inspired fashion. Jacque is quick to admit she runs her business with emotion first, facts and figures second. An approach that wouldn’t scale. But after launchin

How Northbound Leather Became a Thriving Fetish Wear Company
August 07, 2019

George Giaouris is the owner of Northbound Leather. While working in his family's leather business, George saw an opportunity to support queer and kink-friendly customers who had a profound connection with leather, like he did. Over the last 30 years, Geo

He Ditched A Government Job to Start a Skin-Care Line for Men of Color
July 31, 2019

Patrick Boateng II is the CEO and founder of Ceylon by Anim Labs. When Patrick was working overseas in Asia, he had it all: a stable job, opportunities for travel. But when he started having problems with his skin, Patrick realized that most skincare prod

The Lengths This Indigenous Jeweller Went to for Her Craft
July 24, 2019

Tania Larsson is a maker of Gwich’in fine jewelry. When she was 15, Tania left France and moved to Northern Canada to learn more about her Gwich’in heritage. The learning curve was steep, but Tania began making and selling jewelry created through traditio

She Traded a Career in Law For High Fashion Hijabs
July 17, 2019

Melanie Elturk is the CEO of Haute Hijab, a brand that makes high fashion hijabs. Melanie left a successful legal career to launch a global brand dedicated to the hijab. This is how she came to that decision.

How a Single Mom Grew a Million Dollar Business Selling Textured Hair Extensions
July 10, 2019

Vivian Kaye is the CEO of KinkyCurlyYaki, a brand that makes premium textured hair extensions for Black women. When Vivian saw an opportunity to start a business that celebrates black beauty, she went all in, and grew it into a million-dollar company. Thi