How can we celebrate the holiday season without embracing the spirit of generosity and sharing with those less fortunate? For COTA Skin founder Britni Ricard, you can’t have one without the other. According to CBS News, Ricard, the new and proud landlord of a property in New Orleans, gave back to her community in a big way — just in time for the holidays. Ricard gifted tenants with a free month for December 2023.

“It was tough,” Ricard told the news outlet. “My mom was a single woman raising three children alone, and watching her continuously struggle as a child and wanting to figure out, ‘How can I help?’”

A TikTok video capturing her unexpected announcement gained viral traction. In the footage, Ricard shared the good news and extended an invitation to arrange a seminar focused on helping tenants take steps toward homeownership.

What People Are Saying

Residing in one of the units with her two boys, Kedesha Dunn expressed gratitude for Ricard’s generosity. The single mother shared that the gift would amplify celebrations and alleviate day-to-day stressors. 

“Now I, you know, I don’t have to go try to take a loan out or something like ask my family for money,” she told CBS News. “Like, I can do it now. Like, I can do it.”

She added: “I’m an emotional person. I start to cry. Because I’m just like, that is so sweet. She’s better than Santa Claus at this point.”

In the comment section of the TikTok post, users applauded Ricard for her selflessness while wishing her continued success.

“Wow, wow, wow! Bless this wonderful woman. She’s paying it forward, and it will come back to her. Amazing,” wrote one user.

“I love this! The world needs more amazing people like this,” a second comment reads.

Where It All Began

Britni Ricard’s journey to success showcases resilience, opportunity, and execution. In a 2023 interview with AFROTECH, Ricard explained that she aspired to up the ante in her professional life — from a Harrah’s Casino waitress to a businesswoman.

After researching the beauty industry, primarily skincare, Ricard decided to put her business idea in motion. Per the Cota Skin Care website, Ricard launched the brand in 2019 in honor of her late brother, Chev Off The Ave (C.O.T.A.).

The transition from hospitality to entrepreneurship proved to be a fruitful one. Forbes reported that Cota Skin Care “grossed $1.3 million” with over 700 orders during Black Friday 2021. In fact, Ricard told AFROTECH that Cota Skin Care now “brings in an estimated $16 million in revenue.” 

Ultimately, Ricard’s success in the beauty industry allowed her to expand her horizons within real estate with the acquisition of her inaugural property in 2022. Now, she’s using her success to help others. 

“I just felt like that was, if I’m going to do anything or any type of givebacks or community service or community work, I just felt like that was the best way for me to do it and give that type of break,” she told AFROTECH. “While I’m not a single mother, I am a mother, and I’ve rented and wished my landlord would’ve at least said, ‘Hey, I’ll take $200 off your rent this month. Merry Christmas.’” 

Emphasizing the significance of transforming her gift into a viable investment, Ricard underscored her commitment to aiding others in attaining financial independence.

“What they are paying in rent, they could be paying in a mortgage. That’s really where I stem from. I want to make sure that I give them not only a class for it, but I’m also going to make sure that they have the people there, the resources there to obtain it.