Summer Phenix
Summer Phenix
Business, Beauty and Brains: Jewelia Taylor’s Spelman Experience
Business, Beauty and Brains: Jewelia Taylor’s Spelman Experience
Jewelia Taylor is a sophomore chemistry major with a concentration in cosmetics and a minor in entrepreneurship from West Orange, New Jersey.
Taylor has maximized her time at Spelman immersing herself in opportunities like the Spelman Society of Cosmetics and the Jane E. Smith 10 Day Startup Competition to further her dream of one day formulating her own cosmetics and selling her products as a business owner.
“I’ve always been an entrepreneur since being a kid and used to make sugar scrubs. Makeup is something I’m personally interested in and passionate about,” Taylor said.
This spring, Taylor and her teammates Jasmyn Wilson (C‘28) and K’Myrah Moona-Reid (C‘28) competed in the Jane E. Smith 10 Day Startup competition, winning first place with a prize of $3,500. Through this competition, Jewelia and her teammates were able to learn the ins and outs of business pitching, formulating a business plan and identifying customers.
“Winning the 10 Day Startup competition was my biggest achievement here at Spelman because I have never pitched before or spoken to a large group of people,” Taylor said.
Beyond her entrepreneurial activities on campus, Taylor also serves as the Co-Community Service chair for the Spelman Society of Cosmetics, Co-Membership chair for Bliss, and Team Manager for the Spelman flag football team.
Behind Taylor’s academic and extracurricular success has been personal struggles and growth.
”My biggest challenge here at Spelman is the work-life balance. Something is always going on and freshman year I had to learn that grades come first and that doing things right after class and not procrastinating is best,” Taylor said.
Taylor lived in LLC2 her first year and still resides on campus, but has learned that balancing academics with extracurriculars at Spelman is preparation for her future beyond the gates.
“I think Spelman has prepared me well. One of my professors, Dr. Camp has even shifted our labs to have cosmetic options, this showed me the potential of a cosmetic science after graduation,” Taylor said.
At Spelman, Taylor has not only explored cosmetic science but also gained opportunities to introduce it to young Black girls. Alongside her Spelman sisters, she traveled to Ohio for a Girls Will trip.
“It was like a beauty summit for girls ages 10 to 13. We taught them about beauty, business and self-confidence. At the end we made some hand scrubs with them,” Taylor said.
\While Jewelia Taylor has already started making her mark in the beauty and business side of campus, her journey is far from over.
This summer Taylor will be participating in the cosmetic one study abroad program in France. In regards to the 2026-2027 academic year, Taylor is excited for more hands-on cosmetic labs and opportunities to explore the business and science behind the cosmetics industry.
Jewelia Taylor is a sophomore chemistry major with a concentration in cosmetics and a minor in entrepreneurship from West Orange, New Jersey.
Taylor has maximized her time at Spelman immersing herself in opportunities like the Spelman Society of Cosmetics and the Jane E. Smith 10 Day Startup Competition to further her dream of one day formulating her own cosmetics and selling her products as a business owner.
“I’ve always been an entrepreneur since being a kid and used to make sugar scrubs. Makeup is something I’m personally interested in and passionate about,” Taylor said.
This spring, Taylor and her teammates Jasmyn Wilson (C‘28) and K’Myrah Moona-Reid (C‘28) competed in the Jane E. Smith 10 Day Startup competition, winning first place with a prize of $3,500. Through this competition, Jewelia and her teammates were able to learn the ins and outs of business pitching, formulating a business plan and identifying customers.
“Winning the 10 Day Startup competition was my biggest achievement here at Spelman because I have never pitched before or spoken to a large group of people,” Taylor said.
Beyond her entrepreneurial activities on campus, Taylor also serves as the Co-Community Service chair for the Spelman Society of Cosmetics, Co-Membership chair for Bliss, and Team Manager for the Spelman flag football team.
Behind Taylor’s academic and extracurricular success has been personal struggles and growth.
”My biggest challenge here at Spelman is the work-life balance. Something is always going on and freshman year I had to learn that grades come first and that doing things right after class and not procrastinating is best,” Taylor said.
Taylor lived in LLC2 her first year and still resides on campus, but has learned that balancing academics with extracurriculars at Spelman is preparation for her future beyond the gates.
“I think Spelman has prepared me well. One of my professors, Dr. Camp has even shifted our labs to have cosmetic options, this showed me the potential of a cosmetic science after graduation,” Taylor said.
At Spelman, Taylor has not only explored cosmetic science but also gained opportunities to introduce it to young Black girls. Alongside her Spelman sisters, she traveled to Ohio for a Girls Will trip.
“It was like a beauty summit for girls ages 10 to 13. We taught them about beauty, business and self-confidence. At the end we made some hand scrubs with them,” Taylor said.
\While Jewelia Taylor has already started making her mark in the beauty and business side of campus, her journey is far from over.
This summer Taylor will be participating in the cosmetic one study abroad program in France. In regards to the 2026-2027 academic year, Taylor is excited for more hands-on cosmetic labs and opportunities to explore the business and science behind the cosmetics industry.