Who is Nia Imani?

“Any entrepreneur out there just keep going! It is okay to pivot, it's okay to take a break, it's okay to rest. If you are certain that you want to accomplish a goal, anything you can dream, imagine or be within yourself it is in your reach. You do have to work hard and be dedicated and don't compare your journey to someone else's journey. This is your particular path and these are the things you have in your life. Take your time and don't give up. You have to keep pushing forward.” -Nia Imani

Nia Imani, 24, a 2019 graduate from Hampton University with a B.A in Communications started her journey toward her success 8 years ago. She posted her first YouTube video in 2012 and since then she has been unstoppable.

Nia Imani is a social media influencer, content creator, podcast host, YouTube personality, beauty influencer, entrepreneur, and CEO. In 2017, Nia and fellow Hamtptonian, Kiyanna Monore founded Campus Curlz Inc. at Hampton University(HU). The natural hair, the service-based organization was the first of its kind at HU. Nia and Kiyanna founded the organization on the vision and common interest in the diversity in natural hair and love for community service. Now the organization has 11+ chapters at Universities such as UPenn, Virginia State University, Old Dominion University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.

Two years later, Campus Curlz became incorporated and has grown to over 300 members. The organization succeeds in national programs and uphold national service initiatives. One of their most notable programs is “Brand Like A Girl.” This program focuses on women entrepreneurship and business development. Campus Curlz Inc. is also sponsored by BeautyBeat Box, ORS, The Mane Choice, Mielle Organics, Aunt Jackies, Camilla Rose, Miss Jessies, Palmers. Tahlias Worlds and more. Campus Curlz was the baby of Nia Imani. Nia and Kiyanna built their foundations on perseverance and strength.

Nia is an Atlanta, GA native and was raised by her mom. She created her first Youtube video with her cousin Jade eight years ago and since Nia has been in love with the development of creating digital content. Her entry into the beauty world was inspired by her older sister, but her passion for entrepreneurship developed from watching her mom.

Now Nia Imani owns a hair company called, Imania Beauty and is one of the top beauty influencers and content creators on Youtube with 127k subscribers. Her passion, authenticity, dedication, and honesty is what makes her videos distinctive and fun to watch.

In 2017, Nia worked with natural hair brands such as the Mane Choice, Creme of Nature, TGIN, Curls, ORS and more. This year, she began to develop Imania Beauty and learn from these companies. She studied what oils would work best together and what herbs she wanted to use best in her products. The development of Imania Beauty has been in the making for 3 years, but 2020 was the year that Imania Beauty was ready to disrupt the Beauty, Natural Hair, and CBD Industry.

July 19th, 2020, the hair brand company lau

nched with its first product, the Imania Beauty High Maintenance Elixir Multipurpose hair and scalp oil. The oil is infused with 100 mg of CBD and stimulating herbs. The scalp oil includes neem oil, black seed oil, Brahmi, and Amani. The Elixir Multipurpose hair and scalp oil caters to all hair types and textures.

Imania Beauty is a holistic and well-conscious hair care brand for textured tresses. The brand was founded on the elements of educating people on healthy hair and the importance of maintaining a healthy scalp. The strength of building confidence in Black women and men supports the creation of Imania Beauty. Imani Beauty products will be featured in the 2021 Accelerate Cohort. This program is a six month

initiative to assist Black women-owned beauty brands to launch on Sephora Shelves.

After having the pleasure to speak with Nia Imani, I was able to get details on upcoming products for Imania Beauty, her inspiration to d

evelop her business, and love for the beauty industry.

OF: What were you exposed to that created this passion in you to start your own business and have a big social media presence?

NI: I wouldn't necessarily say something was exposed to me at the time. I started Youtube in Middle school because I wanted something to do. I liked being online and being able to see other people on Youtube. When I was on Youtube, I would do my profile and other people would go ‘I want you to do my page.” That's where my love for social media and photography came from. As I got older, Youtube grew into a platform for me and I just transitioned onto there. I just basically started sharing my experiences and what I was doing in life. At that time, I was embracing my natural hair and goin

g through a natural hair journey. So why not show my natural hair experience on YouTube.

OF: What inspired Imania Beauty?

NI: 2017 is when I was working with a lot of brands. I love natural hair, but I knew the products weren't hard to make. I use natural hair products daily. This is something that my audience knows me to utilize in my regime, so why not try to enter the industry. In 2017, I had more to learn and that's when I decided to not launch my brand. I was still able to work with a lot of brands one-on-one doing consultati

ons for them and work in different trade shows. In 2020, I came to a point where it was fun, and working with different brands was cool but a lot of brands try to milk influencers for resources, energy, and their following base. I was in the space where I was tired of being used and milked for something like my hair, So I figured, I'm going to do some research on what herbs and oils work well and I’m going to create my own product. This is just the beginning of my brand...I wanted to get into this industry outside being an influencer and outside of being a content creator. I wanted to disrupt the beauty and natural hair industry specifically but also get into the CBD industry as well. That's where I started Imania Beauty.

OF: What products are you working on now?

NI: Right now we're focusing on products that are working for the scalp. A lot of people are focusing on growing long hair, but in order to have long hair you have to have a healthy scalp. Right now, we are really focusing on products aimed toward the root. We are working on a scalp scrub, healing scalp serum, a scalp toner to keep o

ut dandruff and support scalp dermatitis, and those types of scalp elements. Those are our main focus and the scalp comes first. In 2021, I'm going to move into conditioners, shampoos, and styling products.

OF: When you were growing up who were your role models?

NI: I have a lot of different role models in my life. My mom is an entrepreneur, event designer, and planner. She’s always been hustling and showing

me that you can get it how you would like to get it; and do the things that you would like to do by putting your passion at the forefront. My older sister was really into beauty, make- up and hair, growing up she introduced me to the world of beauty. That was definitely an inspiration to me because without her I wouldn't be into beauty as I am today. My older cousin Jade, is really one of the people I started Youtube with. We created crazy videos, we had our channel, and she has always been a super supportive person to me in all of my endeavors.

Follow Nia Imani on Instagram @niabiafoefia and on YouTube @Nia Imani. Imania beauty products can be found at ImaniaBeauty.com. For updates on products follow Imania Beauty on Instagram @Imaniabeauty, or sign up for email updates on the website.