The Birth of Black Luxury: Crystal Da Cruz on Luxury and Leadership in Entrepreneurship

In this conversation, Surayya interviews ⁠Crystal Da Cruz⁠, the owner and founder of Box in Black, a high-end curating service that features black and brown-owned brands. They discuss the importance of the 15% Pledge, which calls for major retailers to dedicate 15% of their shelf space to black-owned businesses. Crystal shares her inspiration behind Box in Black and her goal to make it a leader in the gifting industry. She also talks about her love for luxury and her desire to create a platform for discovery and inclusivity.

Crystal Da Cruz shares her journey as an entrepreneur and the challenges she faced in pursuing her vision. She discusses the importance of recognizing the desire for more and challenging societal expectations. Crystal emphasizes the need to believe in one's personal worth and overcome feelings of inferiority. She also highlights the barriers faced by entrepreneurs from minority backgrounds and the importance of breaking into exclusive industries. The conversation concludes with a preview of Part Two, where Crystal will delve into the luxury industry and her experiences as a woman of color in entrepreneurship.

Follow Crystal's work here: https://boxedinblack.com/