This month’s Day in the Life feature takes you behind the scenes with Trenell Harris, Senior Director of Sales and Business Development at Bevel. Whether he’s mapping retail strategies or championing Bevel’s presence in independent beauty supply stores, Trenell leads with intention, connection, and a clear sense of purpose. In this conversation, he shares how he helps bring Bevel’s mission to life—by making sure Black consumers feel seen and supported, and that retail partners have the tools they need to grow alongside the brand.
OTC Beauty: What’s your title and role at the company?
As Senior Director of Sales and Business Development at Bevel, I oversee all aspects of our retail sales strategy and execution across national and regional partners. My focus is on driving growth by expanding Bevel’s presence in key retail channels and building strong, long-term relationships with our partners. I ensure that our retail approach reflects the needs of the Black grooming consumer, offering high-quality, solution-driven products that truly resonate. I also collaborate closely with marketing, operations, and product development to make sure our retail plans align with both brand goals and what consumers are asking for at shelf. Ultimately, my role is about making sure Bevel supports your business success while continuing to lead in the Black men’s grooming space.
OTC Beauty: What is the company’s mission, and how does it drive what you do?
Bevel was founded to address real, everyday grooming challenges faced by Black men, starting with shaving and expanding into a comprehensive portfolio of hair, beard, body, and skin care solutions. Our mission is clear: to celebrate and serve the unique grooming needs of Black men with premium, purposeful products that inspire confidence and self-expression.
That mission is at the heart of everything I do. For me, it’s not just about placing products on shelves—it’s about creating access, representation, and cultural relevance in a category that has historically underserved our community. Whether I’m leading a retail strategy session or sitting down with a buyer, I stay focused on ensuring that Black consumers feel seen, respected, and well-served by our brand—and that beauty supply owners can trust Bevel to deliver high-quality products that drive both loyalty and business growth.
OTC Beauty: What inspired you to pursue a career in the beauty and hair care industry?
What drew me to this industry wasn’t just the products—it was the purpose behind them. Beauty and grooming are deeply connected to identity, confidence, and culture, especially within the Black community. While I’ve spent much of my career building and scaling consumer brands, joining Bevel felt different. It felt personal.
I’ve always taken pride in how I present myself—from grooming to style—and I understand firsthand the impact of having products explicitly created with us in mind. The beauty and grooming industry allows me to connect not only through commerce, but through culture. I recognized a clear gap in the market and wanted to be part of the solution—to shift the narrative, build equity, and ensure our community is both seen on the shelf and represented in the boardroom.
OTC Beauty: Can you walk us through a typical day at work? What’s the first thing you do when you get to the office?
Working in a hybrid environment requires discipline, flexibility, and intentionality—especially in a fast-paced role like sales and business development. Although I don’t report to a traditional office every day, I’ve developed a structured approach that enables me to stay focused and agile.
I typically start my mornings by reviewing my calendar, prioritizing key deliverables, and aligning on my top three goals for the day. That early clarity is critical when you’re balancing strategic planning with hands-on execution. On any given day, I might be working from home on long-range forecasts or building out retail presentations, or heading to a co-working space or coffee shop to spark fresh thinking.
Importantly, I make time for store walks—visiting retail locations to see how Bevel is displayed on the shelf, checking inventory and merchandising, and staying attuned to what competitors are doing. These visits ground me in the realities of the consumer experience and help shape more effective strategies.
Throughout the day, I’m shifting between partner calls, internal team check-ins, and execution across sales, marketing, and operations. At Bevel, we operate with a lean, high-performance mindset, which means I stay close to every layer of the business, from strategic planning to solving day-to-day challenges.
By the end of the day, I take time to reflect, close open loops, and set up the next day with intention. For me, success stems from a blend of structure, adaptability, and a curiosity about the evolving needs of both our partners and our consumers.
OTC Beauty: How do you prioritize your tasks and responsibilities during the day?
I start every day with intention and focus. My mornings begin with a review of my top three priorities—initiatives that will drive business growth, deepen retail partnerships, or clear the path for my team to execute. In a fast-moving industry like beauty and grooming, it’s easy to become reactive. That’s why I stay anchored in what’s most impactful, not just what’s most urgent.
I operate with strong calendar discipline, forward-thinking planning, and consistent cross-functional alignment. Whether I’m preparing for a key buyer meeting, reviewing sales performance, or collaborating with marketing on an upcoming campaign, my focus is always on driving meaningful outcomes, not just checking boxes.
Equally important, I make space for connection. Whether mentoring a team member or simply checking in with a retail partner, those authentic moments strengthen relationships and often spark our biggest ideas. At the end of the day, this business is about people, and I never lose sight of that.
OTC Beauty: What’s your favorite part of the day at work, and why?
The most rewarding part of my day is when I get to connect with people—whether it’s a one-on-one with a team member, a call with a retail partner, or a strategy session with cross-functional teams. That’s where the real momentum happens. I thrive on collaboration, and I’m energized by environments where ideas are flowing and challenges are being solved in real time.
Those moments remind me why I do this work. It’s never just about moving product—it’s about building trust, driving cultural relevance, and creating space for those who have historically been overlooked in this industry. Every conversation is an opportunity to learn, grow, and make smarter, more impactful decisions that move the business—and our community—forward.
OTC Beauty: Can you share an exciting project or initiative you’re currently working on?
One of the most exciting initiatives I’m currently leading is expanding Bevel’s footprint in the beauty supply channel. While our brand has historically focused on national retail chains, we’re now executing a more intentional strategy to show up in independent beauty supply stores—the very places where our core consumer shops, connects, and builds community.
This isn’t just a strategic business decision—it’s a cultural one. Independent beauty supply stores are more than points of purchase; they’re trusted neighborhood institutions. Bringing Bevel into these spaces allows us to meet our consumers where they are, with the quality and authenticity they’ve come to expect. We’re also exploring strategic partnerships with key distributors like Jinny Beauty to scale this expansion efficiently and sustainably.
OTC Beauty: What’s your favorite product, and how do you incorporate it into your daily routine?
My go-to product is without a doubt the Bevel Skin Essentials Kit. It includes our face and beard wash, exfoliating toner pads, and lightweight gel moisturizer—all of which have become essential to my daily grooming routine.
I start each morning with the face and beard wash to cleanse and refresh my skin, followed by the toner pads to exfoliate and maintain a smooth and even complexion gently. I finish with the gel moisturizer—it’s lightweight, non-greasy, and keeps my skin hydrated and fresh throughout the day. It delivers the perfect balance of performance and simplicity.
As someone who’s always on the move—leading meetings, traveling, and representing the brand—I need a grooming solution that keeps pace with my busy schedule. This kit does exactly that. It keeps me camera-ready, boardroom-ready, and confident without complicating my day. For me, grooming isn’t just about how you look—it’s about how you show up. And Bevel helps me show up as my best self, every single day.
OTC Beauty: How do you stay inspired and keep the creative energy flowing throughout your workday?
For me, inspiration begins with purpose. I stay grounded in the “why” behind the work, knowing that I’m not just selling grooming products, but helping to redefine the experience for Black men. That mission keeps me focused and fuels my creativity. It challenges me to find new ways to connect with our consumers, elevate our story, and expand our impact.
I also find inspiration in movement—stepping away for a walk, listening to music, or connecting with a colleague or mentee. Those moments of reflection and connection provide me with the clarity and energy I need to think more broadly and lead more intentionally.
But more than anything, my son is my most significant source of inspiration. Watching him grow, pursue his passion for basketball, and become his own person reminds me of the legacy I want to build—not just for him, but for the next generation. Every decision I make, every challenge I embrace, is with him in mind. He’s my daily motivation to lead with purpose, presence, and passion.
Legacy isn’t just what you leave behind—it’s what you build every day through purpose, presence, and impact.
OTC Beauty: How would you describe the company culture, and how does it influence your approach to your work?
Bevel operates with the mindset of a small but mighty team. We’re lean, agile, and intensely hands-on—where wearing multiple hats isn’t the exception, it’s the expectation. That “roll up your sleeves” culture creates a sense of ownership, urgency, and pride in the work. There’s no red tape, no ego—just a shared commitment to execution and excellence.
This environment has deeply influenced my approach to leadership. I’m not just steering strategy from a distance—I’m in the trenches, building retail programs, meeting with partners, and collaborating across functions to solve challenges in real time. It keeps me sharp, solutions-oriented, and fully immersed in every aspect of the business.
What makes it even more fulfilling is that we’re united by a clear mission: to serve our community with intention, authenticity, and quality. That alignment fuels a culture of accountability, hustle, and impact, where every action has meaning and every win is shared.
OTC Beauty: How does collaboration and teamwork factor into your daily routine?
Collaboration is at the core of how I lead and operate. In a fast-paced, high-stakes environment like ours, success doesn’t come from working in silos—it comes from alignment, agility, and shared accountability. Whether I’m partnering with marketing on campaign strategy, working with operations to ensure inventory flow, or collaborating directly with our retail customers to drive results, it’s teamwork that keeps the business moving forward.
Each day involves cross-functional engagement—whether it’s check-ins, strategic planning, or real-time problem-solving. I value open communication, mutual respect, and making space for diverse perspectives. Some of our most impactful ideas have come from spontaneous conversations or collaborative sessions where everyone had a seat at the table and a voice in the process.
In a lean, mission-driven team like Bevel, collaboration isn’t just encouraged—it’s essential. We rely on one another to bring the vision to life, and that culture of trust and partnership fuels both innovation and execution.
OTC Beauty: Can you share any habits that help you stay balanced, motivated, and productive?
One of the most essential habits that keeps me grounded is starting each day with intention. I carve out time each morning to review my priorities, reflect, and focus on what truly matters. Over the years, I’ve learned that productivity isn’t about doing more—it’s about consistently doing the right things with purpose and clarity.
I also prioritize movement—whether it’s a walk, a light workout, or simply stepping outside to reset. Physical activity provides me with the energy and mental clarity I need to stay focused throughout the day. Just as important, I make space for my children and my faith, both of which center me and serve as daily reminders of the bigger picture beyond the hustle.
What keeps me motivated is knowing that the work I do makes a difference to my team, to our consumers, and to the legacy I’m building. That perspective fuels my resilience and keeps me focused on leading with purpose, integrity, and impact.
OTC Beauty: Looking ahead, what are you most excited about for the future in the coming year?
What excites me most right now is expanding our footprint within the OTC and beauty supply channel—not just for Bevel, but for the male grooming category as a whole. There’s an incredible opportunity to redefine how men—particularly Black men—engage with grooming products in these retail environments. For far too long, male consumers have been underrepresented in OTC, and we’re committed to changing that.
We’re forging strong partnerships with key distributors, such as Jinny Beauty, and collaborating directly with independent store owners to ensure Bevel arrives with intention, quality, and cultural relevance. This isn’t just about shelf placement—it’s about elevating the entire shopping experience, educating the consumer, and offering premium solutions in the spaces our community already trusts.
This next chapter is about expanding access, deepening representation, and driving sustainable growth. I’m honored to help lead that movement—and to work alongside the retailers and partners who are shaping the future of grooming, one store at a time.
OTC Beauty: After a busy day, how do you unwind and recharge?
After a long day, I make it a priority to slow down and recalibrate. Most evenings, I unwind by cooking—it’s a therapeutic ritual that allows me to shift my energy and create something meaningful with my hands. Other times, it’s catching up with close friends and having real, grounded conversations outside of the business world.
I also appreciate a good cigar and a glass of bourbon as part of my wind-down routine. Whether I’ve got music playing in the background or I’m simply enjoying a quiet moment alone, those personal rituals help me reset. In a high-pressure, fast-moving environment, balance isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.
Taking time to recharge is what allows me to show up the next day with clarity, intention, and the energy to lead with focus and purpose.
OTC Beauty: What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my role is knowing that the work I do creates a meaningful impact, not just for the business but for the culture. Seeing Bevel on shelves at major retailers—and now expanding into beauty supply stores—is a powerful reminder that we’re shifting narratives and creating space where there hasn’t always been room for us.
As the leader of business development, I find the greatest fulfillment in building authentic relationships with retail buyers, distributors, and industry partners. This is a people-first industry, and real success is built on trust, collaboration, and a shared commitment to serving the consumer. When we bring the right solutions to market together, that’s when the magic happens.
Those partnerships drive long-term growth and open new doors for the brand. And when they succeed, I take pride in knowing I played a role in aligning vision with execution. Leading with purpose, mentoring the next generation, and building bridges across the industry—that’s what makes every challenge worth it.
