Renata Black, Co-Founder & CEO of EBY
Renata Black never intentionally set out to become a business owner. Instead, her aim in life had always been to remedy issues that may otherwise stunt or hinder growth. “I always saw myself as someone who had an unwavering commitment to finding a permanent solution to a problem—and I still view myself this way,” Black tells me. The Colombian entrepreneur channeled this energy into EBY, a women-led intimates brand she co-founded with Sofia Vergara.
Not only does EBY provide women with seamless, size-inclusive undies, bralettes, and shapewear, but it also drives profits with purpose by donating 10% of its proceeds to the Seven Bar Foundation to fuel microfinance for impoverished women. In short, Black is bringing an added layer to the apparel industry by finding a solution that benefits all women.
We chat with the successful CEO about her journey to the top, her proudest accomplishment, and what she’d tell 15-year-old Renata if she had the opportunity today. Keep reading to learn more about this mujer de magia.
Grace Gavilanes: Tell us about the road to launching your own business. Did you always dream of becoming an entrepreneur?
Renata Black: Becoming an entrepreneur was not in my wildest dreams, and growing up in Miami, that would have never even been a possibility. I wanted to be a travel writer as a child and the desire to travel led me to start my own business. I decided to travel around the world for a year after not getting my dream job out of college. I moved to India to help rebuild the villages after the Tsunami in 2005 and it was there that I found the power of microfinance—giving women small loans to start their own businesses and end the cycle of poverty. I fell in love with these efforts but knew that I couldn't rely on charity to fuel their businesses, I needed to start a business of my own. I believe the most transformative way to have an impact is when you can have a consistent revenue stream to fuel a cause. I always saw myself as someone who had an unwavering commitment to finding a permanent solution to a problem—and I still view myself this way. [Editor’s note: By the end of 2023, Black will have deployed over $2 million dollars to microfinance and have impacted over 40,000 women via EBY.]
GG: Imposter syndrome is a very real thing in our community. Have you experienced it? If so, how do you reconnect with yourself?
RB: This was more prevalent when I first started my company. It was all about “fake it till you make it” and showing deep, immense conviction despite not being exactly sure how I was going to do it. Now, after hiring so many top level executives I have realized that I am just as good if not better than them professionally, so the imposter syndrome has somewhat dissipated. I have settled into being a CEO and believe that I am good at what I do. I still have a lot to learn of course—we all do—but I can say that I am proud of myself at this point in my career. I think the bigger problem is feeling the need to compare my success to others, this is more crippling than imposter syndrome ever was.
““I take a lot of pride in being Latina, it’s the best thing to be in this world. I wouldn’t be who I am today if not for my Hispanic heritage.””
GG: What accomplishment are you most proud of, both in your personal and professional life?
RB: I would say raising $13 million dollars in the last four years for EBY is a major accomplishment that I’m proud of. Bringing on some incredibly notable investors like Rosario Dawson, Venus Willams, the former CEO of the NYSE, former chairman of Ulta, and getting VC backing from Azure. I am also proud of my team; they are a crew of ninjas who take immense pride in everything we create together. I would also say that I am very proud of my brand. I have a high standard for aesthetics and I think over the years EBY has achieved a really cool, edgy, and unapologetic vibe on a mission. Every photoshoot we elevate our game to another level and that always manages to amaze me. Lastly, I would say that I am proud of our company’s growth. We brought our marketing spend down by half this year through opening an entire new revenue channel with influencers. I love seeing the profit the company generates with bionic women who love the mission and the prints I design.
GG: How would you say your upbringing and cultural background contributed to your career aspirations?
RB: I would say that if it wasn't for my cultural background there would be absolutely no way possible for me to have the grit and grind to do what I do. Being adopted at a young age enabled me to grow up always feeling so lucky to have a chance at opportunities given to me here in the states. Because of my background, I know that I am not entitled to any of this so I give it my 110% every single day. When you come from a place like Colombia, you are very present to the reality of how the rest of the world lives and you are constantly reminded that the opportunities given are a gift not to be taken for granted, but rather to cease like no one else around you would.
GG: What does being Latina mean to you?
RB: Being Latina is everything to me. I feel so grateful to come from a background with such rich culture, history, and values. The women of Colombia are passionate, emotional human beings that live life to the fullest. Everything about being Latin is a blessing to me from the food, to the teachings, to the heritage. I take a lot of pride in being Latina, it’s the best thing to be in this world. I wouldn't be who I am today if not for my Hispanic heritage.
GG: What would you tell 15-year-old Renata right now if you had the opportunity?
RB: Life is 10% what happens and 90% how you react to it. Be mindful of the meaning you attach to circumstances as this determines how you show up. How you show up is the person you become. It all starts with the power of the thoughts we choose—every second.
