Today we’d like to introduce you to Toya Imani.
Hi Toya, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am Toya Imani; wife, mother, entrepreneur, and so many other titles. I am originally from New Orleans and relocated to Houston in 2013.
When I moved to Houston as a single mother, I had a plan to make life great for my son and me. I would become a freelance makeup artist and make all the girls look good for their special occasions!
Little did I know that as usual, God had bigger plans. I went through all of the motions to learn more and more about makeup. Along the way, I met a plethora of women who would make big and small impacts on my life. No matter where I went I was sure to talk to people about makeup, slowly building my network and hyping up the brand that was yet to be born.
I started to notice that the conversation always ended up being about my lipsticks. I had developed a knack for blending my favorites and creating cute new colors. I thought about it for a while and decided I should put that talent to use. I started researching and networking a lot.
That included brunch with women I knew from different business avenues, attendance at makeup events, and a lot of time sitting at my computer taking notes. In September 2019, Lipstick by Imani was launched! Since then, I have received so much love from women across the world.
I have been able to inspire them, as they have done the same for me. It has taken an immense amount of faith and so many sleepless nights, but I’ve been able to turn my love for makeup into a brand that changed my life!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, I won’t say that the road has been the smoothest.
One of the hardest things about being a small business is acquiring the funding to keep the business going. Doing everything out of my own pocket has been a major test. My business took off rather rapidly. With unexpected growth, I had to explore unfamiliar avenues to keep things afloat.
Nevertheless, I have learned a lot along the way. It is my hope that I can pass those lessons along to other aspiring entrepreneurs to help with their journeys.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Lipstick by Imani is my brand. We have lipsticks, lip glosses, and other beauty products available on our website. Our mission is to inspire women through beauty. Each order placed comes with an affirmation. Our hope is that along with our lipsticks and glosses enhancing their outer beauty, these affirmations speak to each person’s inner beauty.
I absolutely love getting pictures of my customers, feeling themselves while wearing my products. It warms my heart, even more, when they say they appreciated receiving such kind words or the affirmation really helped them on a day they needed a little boost of positivity. It makes me proud when ladies reach out to me to ask for more affirmations or to find out when the next line is dropping.
Those loyal repeat customers are one of the reasons I’ll never quit. I strive to inspire them and uplift more people through each product I create and every interaction I have. Along the way, I have met a lot of young women with big dreams and aspirations.
I decided that I could use the knowledge I’ve gained to mentor young women between the ages of 13 and 21, as well as other upcoming professionals. I started out mentoring a few people and that has grown into relationships of exchanging information with like-minded people across the world.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
No one memory comes to mind, but one of my favorite childhood things was definitely playing dress-up and putting my mom’s makeup on.
My best friend would come over and we would have fashion shows for whoever paid attention to us, prancing from my room to the living room until my brothers proclaimed that we sit down somewhere. My mom wore lipstick, but my grandma’s red lipstick was definitely the best.
I would visit and get into her lipstick and fingernail polish. She had all the best colors! Those days are long gone, but the memories have surely provided inspiration for my brand in many ways.
Pricing:
- Lip Gloss – $22.50
- Cream Lipstick – $22.50
- Vision Board Eyeshadow Palette – $25.50
- Matte Lipstick – $24.50
- Lip Treatment – $25.50
Contact Info:
- Email: info@lipstickbyimani.com
- Website: https://lipstickbyimani.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lipstickbyimani
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lipstickbyimani/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/lipstickbyimani
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@lipstickbyimani
Image Credits
J. with 7th Made Productions ( @7mproductions)
