Entrepreneur Spotlight: Patrice Chappelle of MelanBrand Skin

Casey Ariel Dike'
Aug 13
4 min read

Patrice Chappelle | Founder of MelanBrand Skin

"Clap for yourself now."

At the heart of MelanBrand Skin is a mother-son mission born out of necessity and rooted in love. Founder Patrice Chappelle and her son, Bron, created the brand after Patrice struggled to find safe, clean, and effective skincare for his sensitive, melanated skin.

Today, MelanBrand Skin offers vegan, gluten-free, cruelty-free skincare designed specifically for Black and Brown children — including those with eczema and other skin conditions. The brand’s mission is clear: to teach kids of color to love the skin they’re in and know they can own something, not just consume it.

The Conversations We’re Not Having Enough

While the beauty and skincare industry has made strides in diversity, Patrice is quick to point out a glaring oversight:

“Big brands still don’t formulate with Black and Brown children in mind.”

Representation in children’s skincare remains minimal — especially for melanated youth. Patrice believes the conversation needs to expand beyond marketing to adults of color and focus on ensuring that young skin gets the care and formulations it truly needs.

This isn’t just a business gap — it can be a deeply personal and even traumatizing reality for children who struggle with skin conditions yet are met with few explanations or solutions that meet them where they are. I know this firsthand, having grown up with extremely sensitive skin and physicians who didn’t understand my skin type or take enough intentional steps to soothe and heal it. For many kids, the absence of products that truly serve them isn’t just inconvenient — it can impact self-esteem, comfort, and confidence for years to come.

Cash Flow Truths

As a mission-driven founder, Patrice has learned that sales numbers don’t always tell the whole story.

“Sales don’t equal cash flow. You can have great revenue on paper but still be tight on cash. Inventory, shipping, packaging, and marketing often require you to spend before you earn. It’s a constant dance.”

Her journey is a reminder that healthy finances aren’t just about how much comes in — they hinge on understanding the timing, rhythm, and purpose of every dollar. For Patrice, that means making financial decisions with foresight, discipline, and a clear plan, rather than relying on optimism alone.

The Customer Surprise

When MelanBrand Skin launched, Patrice assumed girls would make up the bulk of their customer base. The reality?

“Boys love skincare — when it’s branded with them in mind.”

Parents also value the ritual as much as the results. The brand’s products aren’t just about solving skin issues — they’re tools for teaching self-care, building confidence, and instilling a sense of ownership in young customers.

Legacy in the Motion

MelanBrand Skin began as a personal solution — a mother creating safe, effective products for her son’s sensitive, melanated skin. But over time, it’s evolved into something much greater: a mission to teach Black and Brown children to love the skin they’re in, and to understand that they can own something, not just consume it.

This is legacy in action — not just for Patrice’s family, but for every child who sees themselves reflected in the brand. Each product, each ritual, is a seed planted for a future where ownership, self-care, and confidence are normalized from a young age. In building MelanBrand Skin, Patrice is not only creating generational wealth and opportunity for her own household — she’s shaping a vision of possibility for countless other families, too.

Lessons Learned the Hard Way

Patrice’s biggest financial wake-up call came early:

“Profit does not equate to a founder paycheck. Just because money is coming in doesn’t mean it’s time to pay yourself or splurge on a rebrand. Profit needs to be protected, reinvested, and allocated intentionally — not emotionally.”

It’s sound advice for visionaries focused on building a sustainable business rather than simply curating a personal brand. Businesses require consistent reinvestment, ongoing innovation, and strategic equity growth to thrive long term. Protecting profit isn’t about withholding — it’s about ensuring the business has the resources to expand, withstand challenges, and create lasting impact.

Wisdom for Fellow Entrepreneurs

Patrice’s parting advice is a call to self-belief:

“Don’t wait for validation to believe in your vision. You may not have investors yet. You may not have press, followers, or the ‘right’ connections. But if you’re building something that solves a real problem, fills a real gap, or uplifts your community — you’re already doing the work. The world often claps after you’ve proven yourself. Clap for yourself now. Stay focused. Stay rooted in your why.”

It’s a powerful reminder that external applause is often delayed — but your purpose can’t afford to wait.

Connect with Patrice:

🌐 Website: MelanBrandSkin.com
📸 Instagram: @MelanBrandSkin
💼 LinkedIn: Patrice Chappelle
📰 Press: View Features

About This Feature

Stay connected to more stories like Patrice's by exploring our Entrepreneur Spotlight Series — where we're celebrating the real financial journeys of business owners in our community, one story at a time.

🤎 This feature is part of Blaze Group’s Black Business Month 'Tell Your (Money) Story' initiative. Additionally, in partnership with our friends at Black Woman Owned, we #DoubleTheExposure by sharing women's stories throughout the month.