Sharmadean Reid: The Visionary Jamaican Entrepreneur Revolutionizing Beauty and Tech

Introduction

Sharmadean Reid is not just a name in the world of beauty and entrepreneurship; she is a trailblazer who has transformed the way women engage with fashion, beauty, and technology. Known as a bold Jamaican entrepreneur, Reid has combined creativity, innovation, and business acumen to build ventures that empower women and redefine the beauty industry. Her journey from a small town in Wolverhampton to becoming a globally recognized entrepreneur is both inspiring and instructive for aspiring business leaders.

Reid’s influence extends beyond business. She has created platforms where women can thrive, network, and showcase their talents. Her ventures are a blend of culture, empowerment, and commercial success, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges women face in entrepreneurship.

Quick Bio

Early Life and Education

Sharmadean Reid was born in Wolverhampton, England, to a Jamaican family with Indian heritage. From a young age, she displayed creativity and a strong interest in culture, style, and design. Growing up in a supportive family environment, she cultivated both her artistic skills and entrepreneurial mindset, which would later become the foundation of her ventures.

Reid pursued formal education in the arts, completing a BTEC in Art and Design before enrolling at Central Saint Martins. There, she earned a BA in Fashion Communication and Promotion. Her education provided her with both technical skills and exposure to a creative community, enabling her to conceptualize projects that blend culture, fashion, and business.

Career Beginnings: WAH Fanzine

While still a university student, Reid launched WAH (We Ain’t Hoes), a fanzine celebrating women in hip-hop culture, street style, and fashion. This early venture highlighted her talent for creating spaces where women could express themselves freely and connect with like-minded individuals.

The fanzine quickly gained popularity, acting as both a platform for women’s voices and a precursor to her later business ventures. It was not only a creative outlet but also a bold statement against traditional barriers in the fashion and beauty industries, emphasizing empowerment and self-expression.

WAH Nails: A Cultural and Business Breakthrough

In 2009, Reid transformed her concept into a tangible business by founding WAH Nails, a salon that combined beauty services with cultural empowerment. WAH Nails was more than a salon; it was a hub where women could meet, share ideas, and be inspired. The salon offered bold, artistic nail designs and created a community that celebrated individuality and confidence.

WAH Nails expanded rapidly, opening locations in major retail spaces such as Topshop Oxford Circus and Harvey Nichols Dublin. Reid also developed a product line stocked in major retailers, proving her ability to scale creative concepts into commercially successful businesses. The success of WAH Nails established Reid as a pioneering Jamaican entrepreneur in the UK beauty industry.

Future Girl Corp: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs

Sharmadean Reid co-founded Future Girl Corp in 2016 with the goal of providing education and mentorship for women entrepreneurs. The initiative offers workshops, business bootcamps, and resources to help women develop skills, confidence, and networks necessary for business success.

Through Future Girl Corp, Reid addressed systemic challenges faced by women in business, including limited access to mentorship and funding. Her work empowered countless women to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams, reinforcing her commitment to creating opportunities and leveling the playing field in the business world.

Beautystack: Technology Meets Creativity

In 2017, Reid launched Beautystack, a technology platform designed to connect beauty professionals with clients using visual portfolios. Beautystack revolutionized the beauty industry by combining Instagram-style discovery with business functionality, helping independent stylists and therapists grow their businesses effectively.

Beautystack received over £1 million in venture capital funding, making Reid one of the few Black women in the UK to achieve such a milestone. The platform’s success demonstrated her ability to merge creativity with technology, further solidifying her status as a visionary Jamaican entrepreneur who challenges traditional industry norms.

The Stack World and 39BC: Expanding Influence

Reid later evolved Beautystack into The Stack World, a broader membership platform combining media, community, and events for women. The platform extends her mission to empower women beyond beauty, providing career guidance, networking, and resources for professional growth.

In 2025, Reid launched 39BC, a luxury beauty and body brand inspired by historical bathing rituals. The venture highlights her continuous innovation and dedication to creating experiences that merge culture, wellness, and entrepreneurship.

Awards and Recognition

Sharmadean Reid’s achievements have been widely recognized. She was awarded an MBE in 2015 for her services to the beauty industry and received honors such as the Bold Future Award (2021), Marie Claire Future Shaper Award, and CEW Achiever Award. She is also an Honorary Fellow of Central Saint Martins, acknowledging her contributions to creative entrepreneurship.

These accolades reflect both her commercial success and her impact on society, particularly in empowering women and promoting diversity in business.

Legacy and Impact

Reid’s influence extends beyond her businesses. She has created cultural movements, empowered countless women, and redefined how technology and beauty intersect. Her platforms have inspired new generations of entrepreneurs, especially women and people of color, to pursue innovative ventures.

While her journey includes challenges and setbacks common in entrepreneurship, Reid’s resilience and vision demonstrate how creative leadership can drive meaningful change. Her legacy lies in her ability to merge culture, business, and empowerment to create lasting impact.

Conclusion

Sharmadean Reid stands as a transformative figure in modern entrepreneurship. From WAH Nails to Beautystack and The Stack World, she has consistently demonstrated innovation, resilience, and a commitment to empowering women. Her story serves as an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs, showing that with creativity, determination, and strategic thinking, it is possible to break barriers and reshape industries.

Reid’s work has redefined beauty, technology, and community engagement, ensuring her place among the most influential Jamaican entrepreneurs of her generation. Her journey reminds us that success is not just about profits but also about impact, culture, and empowerment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Who is Sharmadean Reid?
A1: Sharmadean Reid is a British-Jamaican entrepreneur, author, and creative leader known for founding WAH Nails, Beautystack, Future Girl Corp, and The Stack World.

Q2: What is Sharmadean Reid famous for?
A2: She is famous for her innovative approach to beauty, technology, and female empowerment, transforming the salon industry and creating platforms that support women entrepreneurs.

Q3: What awards has she received?
A3: She has received an MBE (2015), Bold Future Award (2021), Marie Claire Future Shaper Award, CEW Achiever Award, and is an Honorary Fellow at Central Saint Martins.

Q4: What is WAH Nails?
A4: WAH Nails is a salon and cultural hub founded by Reid in 2009, combining bold nail designs with community and empowerment programs for women.

Q5: What is Beautystack?
A5: Beautystack is a tech platform connecting beauty professionals with clients through visual portfolios, integrating social media-style discovery with business tools.

Q6: Does Sharmadean Reid have children?
A6: Yes, she has one son.

Q7: What is her legacy?
A7: Reid’s legacy includes empowering women entrepreneurs, pioneering innovation in beauty and tech, and creating platforms that combine culture, creativity, and business success.