Monica Walls is Building Keca’s Usna and Redefining Confidence
For many women, beauty begins with a favorite lipstick. For Monica Walls, beauty became the catalyst for an entirely new chapter. After a successful career as a high-ranking corporate professional, Walls made the bold decision to step away from the boardroom and pursue a vision that had long been calling her. The result was Keca’s…
Black News 
For many women, beauty begins with a favorite lipstick. For Monica Walls, beauty became the catalyst for an entirely new chapter.
After a successful career as a high-ranking corporate professional, Walls made the bold decision to step away from the boardroom and pursue a vision that had long been calling her. The result was Keca’s Usna, a luxury lipstick brand designed to empower women through beauty, confidence, and self-expression.
During our conversation, Walls opened up about the inspiration behind her brand, the lessons she learned transitioning from corporate America to entrepreneurship, and why beauty should be viewed as an essential form of self-care rather than a luxury.
From Corporate Success to Cosmetic Entrepreneur
While speaking on her Croatian heritage, one thing was made clear: women lead, and they survive. Leaving a successful corporate career isn’t a decision most people make lightly. Yet for Walls, the move represented more than a career change—it was an opportunity to align her work with her passion.
“Creating Keca’s Usna allowed me to build something that reflected who I am and what I wanted women to feel when they looked in the mirror,” she shared.
What began as an idea quickly evolved into a luxury beauty brand focused on quality, elegance, and confidence. Today, Keca’s Usna stands as a testament to what can happen when experience, purpose, and courage intersect. The name coming from her childhood nickname Keca, and the word ‘usna’ translating to lip in Croatian.
What Beauty Means to Monica Walls
When asked to define beauty, Walls offered a perspective that extends far beyond makeup.
“Beauty is confidence. It’s authenticity. It’s embracing who you are and showing up as your best self every day.”
That philosophy is woven throughout every aspect of Keca’s Usna. While luxury lipsticks may be the product, the true mission is helping women feel seen, empowered, and beautiful in their own skin.
The Lipsticks She Can’t Live Without
Like any beauty founder, Walls has a few personal favorites from the collection.
While each shade was created with intention, she notes that her go-to selections are the ones that effortlessly transition from day to night, especially their high shine clear glasses that not only hydrate without feeling sticky, but provide the perfect transition from matte to shine, and day to night. allowing women to feel polished whether they’re leading a meeting, attending an event, or simply taking a moment for themselves.
The versatility of the line reflects the modern woman—dynamic, multifaceted, and always evolving.
Beauty as a Mental Health Check-In
As we observe Mental Health Awareness Month, our conversation naturally shifted toward wellness and the role beauty can play in supporting emotional well-being.
For Walls, applying lipstick isn’t simply about appearance. It’s a ritual.
“Taking a few moments for yourself each day matters,” she explained. “Whether it’s putting on your favorite lipstick, skincare routine, or simply looking in the mirror and affirming yourself, those moments help reconnect you with yourself.”
In a world that often demands constant productivity, Walls believes beauty routines can serve as intentional pauses—small acts of self-care that encourage mindfulness and self-appreciation.
A swipe of lipstick may seem simple, but for many women, it can represent confidence before a presentation, courage before a difficult conversation, or a reminder that they deserve to prioritize themselves.
Building a Legacy Through Beauty
As Keca’s Usna continues to grow, Walls remains committed to creating products that inspire confidence while encouraging women to embrace their individuality.
Her journey from corporate executive to beauty founder is proof that reinvention is possible at any stage of life. More importantly, it serves as a reminder that beauty is about presence, purpose, and power.
For Monica Walls, luxury isn’t simply what’s inside the lipstick tube. It’s the confidence women carry long after they put it on.
Follow Keca’s Usna for updates on new collections, beauty inspiration, and empowering conversations centered around confidence, wellness, and self-expression.
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Photo Credit: Suz McFadden
