Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Knowles, recently shared insights into the challenges of blending family and business. Despite her pivotal role in Beyoncé and Solange’s careers, she admitted that working with loved ones can bring emotional strain and occasional disagreements.
Speaking on the Confessions of a Female Founder podcast, hosted by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, the 71-year-old businesswoman reflected on both the triumphs and trials of collaborating professionally with her daughters. While the experience has been deeply rewarding, Tina acknowledged that disagreements are inevitable when familial bonds intersect with business interests.
“There are difficulties sometimes,” she shared. “Because when you’re working with your child or your mother, naturally, you’re going to have some clashes. But at the end of the day, we’re grounded in love. That always brings us back together.”
Before Beyoncé became a household name, Tina was a hairdresser and owned a successful salon in Houston, Texas. It was in that environment that she developed her keen eye for style and nurtured her daughters’ talents. Not only did she manage Beyoncé’s early career as part of Destiny’s Child, but she also designed many of the group’s signature outfits, often hand-sewing costumes late into the night. Her work behind the scenes was crucial in setting the foundation for her daughters’ rise to stardom.
Beyoncés mother Reflects on the Challenges of Going Into Business With her daughter
Despite decades of working closely with her family in the music and fashion industries, Tina said her latest professional venture—co-founding the haircare brand Cécred with Beyoncé—was a long time coming. The brand, launched in 2024, blends Tina’s lifelong passion for hair with Beyoncé’s commitment to holistic beauty and self-expression.
“It’s something I’ve dreamed of doing for a long time,” Tina said. “Beyoncé also had the dream, but she just wasn’t ready. For so many years, she was focused on her music and her art. This kind of business takes a lot of time and energy, and she didn’t want to spread herself too thin.”
Eventually, after many conversations, Beyoncé agreed to partner with her mother. But Tina made it clear she didn’t want to take on the burden alone. “I told her, ‘We can do this together. I don’t want to do it on my own.’ Finally, she said, ‘Okay, let’s start.’ Even then, I thought I wouldn’t have to work as hard—after all, I’m in my seventies now—but of course, I ended up working just as hard as ever. Still, I love what we’ve created.”
Tina shared that much of the inspiration behind Cécred came from observing the toll show business can take on Beyoncé’s hair. “She’s under hot lights, wearing wigs and extensions, performing for hours at a time—and yet she’s managed to keep her hair healthy. That’s not easy. Her experience, combined with my background in hair care, really influenced what we wanted the brand to stand for.”
Despite their strong bond, Tina admitted that working with family still comes with emotional challenges. She described herself as the one who usually gives in first during disagreements. “If my kids are mad at me, I can’t take it,” she laughed. “I’ve always been like that—I’ll apologize, even if I think I’m right, just to make peace.”
Her openness sheds light on the emotional nuance of navigating both business and motherhood. While many view her family as nearly perfect from the outside, Tina emphasized that maintaining strong relationships requires effort, communication, and humility.
Reflecting on her journey—from styling clients in her Houston salon to building a global brand alongside her superstar daughter—Tina said the experience has been one of the most fulfilling chapters of her life. “Working with my daughters has been one of my greatest joys. It’s not always easy. But nothing meaningful ever is.”
Through her story, Tina Knowles offers an honest and inspiring perspective on what it means to blend family, ambition, and love. Her experiences remind us that while building a business with loved ones can be complicated, it’s also one of the most rewarding paths one can take—so long as there is mutual respect, compassion, and a shared vision guiding the way.
