In our 2022 issue, we’re shining the light on some outstanding leading ladies for all their accomplishments and contributions to society.
ANGEL BEASLEY
Merchandising Director for Specialty Hair, Walmart
Angel was born in a small town in Louisiana but raised in the great city of North Little Rock, Arkansas. She moved to NWA in 1999 as a freshman at the University of Arkansas, where she danced on the Razorback Pom Squad and earned a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism. Shortly after school, she married her husband Jimmy Beasley Jr. and opened dance studios with a close friend and teammate. After leaving the dance studios, Angel and her husband spent four years in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and then moved back to Arkansas shortly after having their first child. They have been married 17 years and have three children: Jimmy Beasley III (9 years old), Germany Beasley (4 years old) and Yana Beasley (3 years old). Whenever she’s not managing a P&L at Walmart or chasing kids around, she moonlights as the co-founder of her family’s business Beasy and self-titled lifestyle blog, Angel Beasley.
Education:
B.A. Broadcast Journalism, University of Arkansas
M.B.A.- deferred Keller Graduate School of Management
Did you always know what you wanted to do?
Absolutely … NOT! I entered college thinking I was going to be the next Oprah Winfrey; little did I know, television was a hard grind with low pay. After graduation, I quickly shifted my focus to my true passion: dance. Opening the dance studios allowed me to use both my creative-art side and my analytical-business side. Merging those two worlds together helped discover my real gift.
Have you stayed on a straight path to your career goal?
Straight? No way! My path has been full of zigzags, turns and a few stops. When I started at Walmart in 2012 as marketing consultant, I had no idea what I wanted to do. I just knew I wanted to work for the #1 retailer in the world. In a quick three months, I had no doubt about the career I wanted: merchandising. The merchants were bold, creative, smart and had an undeniable swag.
Best part of your job:
Hands down the people. Working with some of the brightest yet kindest people doing really hard work for the customer is magic. A close second is developing products and brands. There’s nothing like walking in the store or logging into the app and seeing a product you helped create come to life.
First big break:
I really haven’t experienced the “Big Break.” I’ve certainly had a series of mini breaks that have added up to a Big Break. But no defining moment.
One thing you’d love to master in business? In your personal life?
The one thing I would love to master is nimbleness, both personally and professionally. Life is ever changing and your ability to move and adjust is paramount to not just surviving but thriving.
Quality you admire most in women:
I love a woman who can light up a stage with powerful moving words and turn around and drop it low on the dance floor. A woman who looks like she has it all together but is not afraid to say she is falling apart. A woman who is strong in her convictions but has a heart of empathy for those who fall short in theirs. Someone who is perfectly imperfect, beautiful from the inside out.
What changes have you seen within your workplace in regard to empowering women?
I’ve been in and out of Walmart since 2012, and I’ve seen a huge shift in the support and promotion of women. The parental leave policies have improved, flexibility in the workplace is common and I’ve seen more women in leadership positions.
In what ways have you personally had to pivot during the pandemic?
During the pandemic, I had to rethink a lot. It made me slow down and reprioritize the most important things in life. We decided as a family to move closer to home to be close to our parents. This was a tough decision but imperative for us to raise healthy children with the demands of our careers.
In what ways have you professionally had to pivot during the pandemic?
The pandemic has helped me become more authentic at work. You can’t be “perfect” with a 2-year-old holding up a dirty diaper in the background of your Zoom call saying, “Mommy I pooped.” The line between “work Angel” and “home Angel” have blurred, making me a more transparent leader.
What nonprofits are you involved with and why?
I’ve worked with many nonprofits throughout my life, but right now I’m focused on my work with WE (empowering Women). It’s a group of dynamic leaders across CPG and health care companies coming together to empower women in life and their careers. It was born out of a need to bring a voice and synergies to women in male-driven environments and has bloomed into an organization that uplifts all.
What do you do for fun?
I dance, paint, watch movies, hang with the family and friends for fun. For relaxation I love some yoga, wine, and music.
Who is your biggest inspiration?
My husband is one of my biggest inspirations. We’ve grown up together, and I’ve never met a person whose heart is so big for the people around him. He wants to see everyone WIN! Not in one area of life but every area of life. I’ve seen him up at 4:30 a.m. morning after morning to go inspire, encourage and push folks to be their best. He makes me a better me.
Personal mantra:
I am enough.
Best advice you’ve ever received:
Dress for the job you want not the job you have. This goes past looking the part but more of a mentality for life. If you rise up, your environment will rise up around you.
Advice you’d give to other working women/moms:
1. Be you good, not just good, but your type of good. 2. Find your people, the ones that are your cheerleaders, confidants; the keep it real folks. 3. Continue learning, whether that’s a class, reading articles, diving into TikTok, shopping competition or meeting with your mentor. Never stop learning. 4. Say no. As women we tend to give and give, but you have to create boundaries and moments of rest.
Best part of your day:
The best part of my day is the moment when I’ve kissed all my kids goodnight and entire house is asleep. I’m there on the couch in my favorite PJs with a stemless wine glass filled with Butter Chardonnay watching an episode of “Insecure.” My day is done, and I have nothing left to do but chill.
How are practicing self-care?
Self-care has turned into life care for me. It’s no longer an option, it’s a must. As an adult, I’ve battled with depression and anxiety, most of this coming after each pregnancy. When self-care isn’t an everyday practice, I begin to deteriorate. There are small and big things I do to make sure my mental health is priority, whether that’s taking intentional breaks at work to walk outside or going to therapy. Self-care, or as I call it “life-care,” is a holistic journey that includes my physical, mental and spiritual health.
Any hobbies?
My biggest hobby is home design. I love it. There is something so satisfying about creating a space that brings inspiration, joy and peace. One of my favorite designers, Nate Berkus, once said, “Your home should rise up and greet you. And at the end of the day, it should ground you in a sense of peace.”
Surprising fact about you:
If you’ve only met the “work Angel,” you wouldn’t know that I was a legit dancer in my past life. I love busting out a double turn or a time step in the middle of a Walmart aisle. Now, don’t ask me to dance for real because I will pull a muscle, but my love for dance runs deep. Years ago, I had the honor of auditioning for Beyonce’s second world tour in NYC. I bombed the entire audition, but I danced in front of BEYONCE! Nothing more to say.
Do you still seek out mentors or mentees?
I’m always open for Mentor and Mentee relationships. It’s harder now with three little kids and a crazy demanding role, but it’s so important.
Thing you’re most proud of:
I’m most proud of the person I’m becoming: Wife, Friend, Mentor, Mom, Creator. The best compliment I’ve received lately was “you really are a blessing to others.” Professionally, I’m proud of the work we are doing to transform Walmart beauty. Also, super proud of the work my team and I have done to bring more presence and visibility to Black-Owned beauty brands to Walmart. The work we are doing goes beyond sales and is about building our community. I’m also extremely proud of the brands I’ve helped create and launch the past two years, from launching Packed Party hair accessories to the creation of a unique Gen Z hair care brand called NOU with Procter & Gamble.
You can view Angel’s page in the Leading Ladies segment of the 2022 3W Magazine here.