Chantel Francis, a graduate of SUNY Brockport, is the founder of @hellobeautyvend — a venture designed to make beauty and personal care products more accessible for students.
After winning her campus pitch competition, Francis launched the first Hello Beauty vending machine at SUNY Brockport in January 2025. Stocked with essentials like durags, bonnets, and skincare products, the machine quickly became a go-to resource for BIPOC students.
Since then, the initiative has expanded to SUNY Morrisville, with a third location scheduled to open soon at another campus. Looking ahead, Francis hopes to place Hello Beauty machines at all 62 SUNY campuses — ensuring every student has access to products that help them feel seen, supported, and celebrated.
