Nene Granville – Founder and CEO of Industry Menu

Nene Granville, Founder And CEO Of Industry Menu

Meet Nene Granville, with nearly two decades of experience within the fashion world, Nene is one of the industries most respected and well-liked PR Directors. An expert in promoting brands and companies, Nene spotted a gap in the market and an opportunity to disrupt the current PR business model. The idea? To create a simple, flexible and transparent PR business, offering fashion, beauty and lifestyle clients A-Pay-As-You-Go service. Here she talks to us about going it alone in business, the pressures of working in the fashion industry and of course her beauty routine.

Where are you from and where did you grow up?
I am Nigerian, born in London and grew up in Putney.

Tell us about Industry Menu and why you set it up?
Industry Menu was set up to redefine the traditional retainer model of PR services in the fashion and lifestyle industry. I wanted to give businesses big or small the transparency and the flexibility of each PR service, basically pay as you go PR. I’m using nearly two decades of experience to connect brands to insider experts, be it strategists, consultants and creative thinkers to maximise their business reach.

What was the biggest challenge in setting up your business?
The biggest challenge, initially was deciding whether or not to set up Industry Menu, I knew I had to be 100% in. The challenge was challenging myself, as I do not like to do things by half. I also had to overcome the fear of putting myself on an open platform to be judged; not having a corporation to hide behind was a scary thought at first.

What advice would you give to your younger self?
Be strong and confident in who you are and go with the flow of life without over thinking everything.

Working in the fashion industry there is the pressure to always look amazing, what is your view on this?
There is pressure to look good, I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel it occasionally but learning to know what suits you and feeling confident in your own skin can make you feel good.

Do you feel that you have faced any obstacles being a black woman and working in the fashion industry?
In my personal case I have definitely noticed the need to work harder, proving myself continuously. My achievements in the work place came when I busted my arse but I have seen my fair share of certain ideals sail through without the same merit.

Did you ever feel pressure not to wear your hair natural at work?
At times I did, I had to be conscious about wearing ‘professional’ hairstyles but this was not pressure that I felt from the people I worked with but more about society’s ideals.

When I started wearing my hair in twists I’d style them in my own way and now it’s my signature look.

What are your favourite hair products and why?
Carol’s Daughter Mimosa Hair Honey and Lisa’s Hair Elixir Restoring Hair oil– I used to stock up on it loads whenever I travelled to NYC but now you can get it online. I also use products from Design Essentials in particular the Almond & Avocado Moisturising & Detangling Sulfate Free Shampoo and I love the Natural Coconut & Monoi Nourishing Shampoo. They’re Almond & Avocado Detangling Leave-In Conditioner is also fab, it makes my hair easier to take out and doesn’t leave that white build up on my hair. I also love to use Le Labo Poivre 23 and Santal 33 Perfume oil on my hair I’m literally obsessed, I go through them way too quickly.

Have you had any major hair disasters?
I had the wet look permed hair back in the 90’s, my hair was so destroyed that I had to cut it all off and start again. I also did the same when I went natural, I chopped it off and started again.

When do you feel most beautiful?
On holiday when my skin turns jet black and I feel I don’t need to use any make up, just that natural glow.

Tell us about your beauty routine?
Morning routine – First thing I do is tongue scraping it’s an Ayurvedic ritual, then I shower with Aesop Geranium Shower Gel when I’m feeling fancy otherwise good old Sanex followed by coconut or almond oil as a body moisturiser. I also love 100% natural Avocado refined butter from Amazon.

I love Clarins Tonic Body Polisher it’s literally the best. I am obsessed with Suzanne Kaufmann Day Cream Face Moisturiser and my bestie gave me the Chanel Sublimage Eye Cream, which is absolutely divine and I have been using it religiously.

Night time – I use Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm to wash off the day followed by Suzanne Kaufmann Regeneration Night Cream Line T, it’s really thick and lovely.

What are you favourite make up products?
I use Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer followed by Giorgio Armani Master Corrector under my eyes. Then Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick in Chestnut.

I mostly wear products from this brand as it works for me, they get their colours right. I love Kevyn Aucoin brushes, especially the foundation brush it’s the best I have ever used, it leaves a smooth finish. Then I’ll use Nars Orgasm Blush on my cheeks, Fenty transparent finishing powder followed by my Hourglass Ambient Highlighter.
On my brows I like to use the Giorgio Armani Brow Maestro and Bobbi Brown black eyeliner to line my eyes. I’ll finish my look with a lip gloss, I’m obsessed with Dior’s lip gloss Maximizer it feels like it’s nourishing my lips or I’ll use a matt red lipstick, Icon by Hourglass is amazing. I also like lip colours by NYX, love the fact that I can get a nude to suit my skin tone.

What is your favourite book of all time?
I don’t have a favourite book of all time but I love the Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and have read every single book, I find her very inspiring. She brings Nigeria to life in her writing and a different dimension. I also fanned out one time and read all the books on her reference list feeding my appetite for African literature. I am currently reading Slay in your lane: The Black Girl Bible.

Do you have a morning ritual?
Every morning I go for an hour walk along the river this helps to declutter my mind and prepare me for the day, I use this time to listen to podcasts from inspiring people and business leaders, at the moment I have on blast any podcasts conversations with Karen Blackett, Sir John Hegarty or Sheryl Sandberg.

I love Oprah’s Super Soul Conversations podcast, Ted talks business and Glambition. For fashion I like The Lifestyle Edit, The High Low or sometimes I just walk in silence to take in what’s happening around me.

What are you listening to at the moment?
I’m listening to Valerie June at the moment; I love people that are disrupters in their field. I also love Michael Kiwanuka; Solange Knowles and vocal house is always on at home mixed in with Afrobeats.

Who do you admire and why?
My mother for busting her butt working all the hours to raise and feed five children. As I get older I realise the sheer effort it must have took and how knackered she must have been.

Follow: @neneelsie
Photography: Chi Yan
Interview: Abisoye Odugbesan

Nene Granville – Founder and CEO of Industry Menu

Nene Granville, Founder And CEO Of Industry Menu

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