Beyoncé isn’t just a musical icon; she’s solidifying herself in the world of business with the launch of her new Whiskey brand and ofcourse her hair care line Cecred.
In her recent interview with GQ, she opened up about her entrepreneurial journey, offering valuable insights into how she sees business and the drive behind her ventures.
And guess what?
It’s not perfect, but it gives credence to the idea that business isn’t easy and it also isn’t monolithic. Every journey is different.
Here’s what we can learn from the Queen herself about her journey in entrepreneurship, legacy, and breaking boundaries.
1. Authenticity Above All
One of the key takeaways from Beyoncé’s interview is her commitment to authenticity. For her, business is not about jumping on trends or simply following the crowd.
Every project she takes on, whether it’s her whiskey brand SirDavis or her hair care line Cécred, is driven by genuine passion.
My perception of what success looks like, for me, is very different than most. When I commit, I’m 100 percent in. I prefer to focus quietly, uninterrupted by things that are a distraction to the authenticity. I believe everything can always be better. My job is to give until it is the best it can possibly be.
I’m inspired by things that fill a void, solve a problem, or don’t already exist. Otherwise, I’m not drawn to the opportunity.
I try to challenge myself and the people around me to think differently. I think a big part of success is your outlook on life. Every disappointment is an opportunity for growth. An opportunity to pivot. I trust God, even when it feels like I can barely see the light at the end of the tunnel. I know the earth is going to open up for me.
2. Building Legacy and Longevity
Beyoncé’s approach to business isn’t about instant success. Instead, it’s about creating something that will stand the test of time. She’s focused on legacy—building brands that honor her heritage and create lasting impact. SirDavis, for example, is named after her great-grandfather, combining her personal history with a challenge to industry norms. Her whiskey venture goes beyond being a product; it’s a cultural statement, blending her identity with a traditionally masculine space.
The cowboy is a symbol of strength and aspiration in America. The cowboy was named after slaves who handled the cows. The word cowboy comes from those who were called boys, never given the respect they deserved. No one would dare call a Black man handling cows “Mister” or “Sir.” For me, SirDavis is a sign of earned respect. We all deserve respect, especially when we give it.
Making liquor has been in Southern families like mine for many generations. The Jack Daniel’s famous recipe? That was heavily influenced by a Black man named Nathan “Nearest” Green. He was a former slave who became Jack Daniel’s master distiller. Now, there’s a delicious whiskey, Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, named after him, that is run by two women—Nearest Green’s great-great-granddaughter, Victoria Eady Butler, alongside Fawn Weaver. Victoria, in true legacy form to what Mr. Nearest started, is one of the first Black female master blenders in American whiskey.
3. Embrace Disruption and Break Barriers
Much like her music, Beyoncé’s business moves are about breaking free from the confines of traditional categories. Whether it’s transcending musical genres or challenging the conventional perceptions of whiskey, Beyoncé thrives on disruption. She isn’t afraid to enter spaces where people might not expect her to succeed—and she excels. For entrepreneurs, this means being willing to take risks and explore markets or industries that may seem off-limits. Beyoncé’s ability to blend culture, identity, and innovation into her business ventures is a powerful reminder that the best entrepreneurs often succeed by rewriting the rules.
4. Patience and Precision
Beyoncé highlights the importance of patience in entrepreneurship. Describing her love for whiskey, she notes that the aging process is a slow one, requiring attention and care. Similarly, she approaches her music with the same level of precision, taking her time to ensure that every detail is right.
Matter of fact this is why we ARE NOT getting the visuals we keep asking her for.
She said:
I thought it was important that during a time where all we see is visuals, that the world can focus on the voice. The music is so rich in history and instrumentation. It takes months to digest, research, and understand. The music needed space to breathe on its own. Sometimes a visual can be a distraction from the quality of the voice and the music. The years of hard work and detail put into an album that takes over four years! The music is enough. The fans from all over the world became the visual. We all got the visual on tour. We then got more visuals from my film.
5. Challenge the Status Quo
In her interview, Beyoncé speaks candidly about the different expectations placed on men and women in business. While men are often seen as the brains behind ventures, women, especially those in the limelight, are expected to be the face of the brand. Beyoncé challenges that narrative by taking a hands-on approach to her businesses, focusing on quality and strategy. For female entrepreneurs, this is a powerful reminder that it’s important to assert control and not be relegated to just being a figurehead. Push back against outdated norms and build a business that reflects your own vision and leadership.
There’s a huge contrast between the business journeys of men and women. Men often have the luxury of being perceived as the strategists, the brains behind their ventures. They’re given the space to focus on the product, the team, the business plan. Women, on the other hand, especially those in the limelight, are frequently pigeonholed into being the face of the brand or the marketing tool. It’s important to me to continue to take the same approach I have taken with my music and apply my learnings to my businesses.
I am here to change that old narrative. I’m here to focus on the quality. We took our time, and we did our research, and we have earned respect for our brand. I try to choose integrity over shortcuts. I’ve learned that true success isn’t about leaning on a name; it’s about crafting something genuine, something that can hold its own. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being revolutionary.
6. Family, Focus, and Balance
Beyoncé’s entrepreneurial journey is deeply tied to her family. As a mother of three, she balances her personal and professional life by integrating her family into her work. From her daughter Blue Ivy joining her on stage to building her work schedule around her children, Beyoncé shows that family and business don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
I build my work schedule around my family. I try to only tour when my kids are out of school. I always dreamt of a life where I could see the world with my family and expose them to different languages, architecture, and lifestyles.
Raising three kids isn’t easy. The older they get, the more they become their own individuals with unique needs, hobbies, and social lives. My twins are God-sent. Parenting constantly teaches you about yourself. It takes a lot of prayer and patience. I love it. It’s grounding and fulfilling.
My kids come with me everywhere I go. They come to my office after school, and they are in the studio with me. They are in dance rehearsals. It’s natural that they would learn my choreography.
Blue is an artist. She has great taste in music and fashion. She is a fantastic editor, painter, and actress. She has been creating characters since she was three. She’s a natural, but I did not want Blue onstage. Blue wanted it for herself. She took it seriously and she earned it. And most importantly, she had fun! We all watched her grow more and more every night before our eyes.
7. Innovate Through Personal Growth
Despite having nothing left to prove, Beyoncé continues to push herself creatively and professionally. She doesn’t rest on past success, but constantly looks for new ways to evolve.
“I focus on evolution, innovation, and shifting perception,” she says. I create at my own pace, on things that I hope will touch other people. I hope my work encourages people to look within themselves and come to terms with their own creativity, strength, and resilience.
8. Perfection Isn’t the Goal—Liberation Is
Finally, Beyoncé reminds us that perfectionism is not the ultimate goal in business or creativity. Instead, she focuses on liberation—doing what feels right for her, what’s meaningful and transformative. Entrepreneurs often get caught up in trying to be perfect, but Beyoncé’s journey shows that true success lies in freedom: freedom to explore, to evolve, and to break boundaries.
I’m not focused on perfectionism. I focus on evolution, innovation, and shifting perception. Working on the music for Cowboy Carter and launching this exciting new project feel nothing like prison, nor a burden. In fact, I only work on what liberates me. It is fame that can at times feel like prison. So, when you don’t see me on red carpets, and when I disappear until I have art to share, that’s why.
When I started my hair care brand, Cécred, I wanted it to be recognized for what it does for real people and their hair. When it launched, I made a conscious decision not to appear in the ads. The brand’s first impression needed to stand on its own merit, not be swayed by my influence. I’ve been using these products for years, so I know firsthand how magical they are.
Read her entire interview here.
