Bread Beauty Supply Acquired by CODB Holdings in Strategic Growth Play
Bread Beauty Supply — the cult-favorite, minimalist haircare brand for textured hair — has been acquired by CODB Holdings, a creative services and investment platform launched by Olamide Olowe, founder of Topicals, and Sochi Mbadugha, president of Topicals.
The move marks a powerful example of what happens when culturally driven brands and visionary operators align to scale Black-owned businesses from niche to national.
Launched in 2020 by Maeva Heim, Bread quickly became a go-to for clean, vegan haircare and smart design. From its playful Scalp Thingy massager to its sleek Hair Oil Everyday Gloss, Bread earned retail shelf space and customer loyalty in an increasingly crowded market.
Now, with CODB Holdings at the helm, Bread is entering its next phase — one focused on operational scale and retail expansion. Heim will stay on as Chief Creative Officer, preserving the brand’s aesthetic and identity while a new executive team executes growth initiatives under the guidance of Olowe and Mbadugha.
What This Deal Signals
The acquisition comes as Bread prepares to roll out across all Ulta Beauty stores by April 2025, while expanding its current Sephora presence (already in 100+ U.S. locations). For indie brands, especially those led by Black founders, this kind of strategic partnership offers access to infrastructure, supplier negotiations, and market reach that’s often difficult to build independently.
CODB’s acquisition approach reflects a broader movement in Black entrepreneurship: scaling not only through funding, but also through ownership, operational control, and ecosystem-building.
As explored in our piece, The Untapped Potential of Black Business Mergers, acquisitions like this aren’t just business wins — they’re cultural and economic milestones. They create pipelines for wealth, innovation, and long-term sustainability.
From Community to Conglomerate
Founded in 2023, CODB Holdings describes itself as operating with an “anti-gatekeeping” philosophy, aiming to democratize access for marginalized founders. Its investor base includes notable names like Krept & Konan (British rap duo) and Nigerian magnate Tunde Folawiyo’s family office — signaling both cultural capital and financial weight behind its mission.
Bread’s loyal customer base and Breadlettes membership program will remain central to its growth. With Heim leading creative, the brand will retain its authenticity while exploring new categories like scalp care and broader retail partnerships.
A Win for Indie Beauty — and Black Ownership
While major beauty conglomerates like L’Oréal and Estée Lauder continue acquiring indie brands, deals like this show that Black-led platforms can build their acquisition engines, rooted in community, culture, and operational excellence.
This isn’t just a win for Bread or CODB. It’s a blueprint for scaling with intention.
by Tony O. Lawson
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The post Bread Beauty Supply Acquired by CODB Holdings in Strategic Growth Play appeared first on SHOPPE BLACK.
