Meet Akiva Smith | CEO of A. Diva Cosmetics, LLC

We had the good fortune of connecting with Akiva Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Akiva, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my own business was 1) Can I do it? The thing about starting a business is to stop self doubt and simply start 2) The name. My brand name was easy for me. Friends call me Kivadiva but my name is Akiva. A. Diva Cosmetics, LLC was derived from that concept.. The next thing was a little difficult. This took a little while because I did not understand the assignment. What industry was for me? What am I passionate about? Later, I decided after working at Sephora, I wanted to be in the beauty industry. I love pink, I love fashion and beauty is my middle name.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
In my professional life I am a nurse/CEO. But first and foremost I am a woman. As a woman I realized we wear so many different hats. That’s when I realized many other women wear many different hats as well. What sets my brand apart? I am a mother, a wife, a nurse, etc, When I step into the world, I want to be seen as what I always was before the title, “A Woman”. My products help bring out our inner Diva. The special women that we are! Whether it is a little lip gloss or a full beat face, my beauty products will help women with their look of the day or evening event. After all it is from one Diva to another.

I am proud of what I accomplished on my line. I started out with four lipsticks ( I call them the ODs= Original Divas) Now, I have expanded to include eyeshadow palette, several lipsticks, lip glosses, face masks, and blushes as well as natural foundations coming this year.

Some days it is easy. Inquiries about my products are zooming, conference date needed are open and sells are increasing. But some days it is very difficult. Scheduled interviews are cancelled at the last minute, keeping up with social media is a daunting task and sometime shipments are delayed The key is not to give up. EVER! Not giving up is how I got to where I am today. Currently, my products are displayed in Dr. Heavenly Beauty Supply store and next month they will be advertised in another store located in New York.

A lesson I have learned along the way is success will not happen over night but keep pushing and one day (soon) it will happen.

What I want the world to know is I am a women that knows she is capable of ALL THINGS, because that is how God created me. That means my brand is capable of ALL THINGS. My story is still be written but just like this, you will read more about A. Diva Cosmetics.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This is a great question. I moved here from Long Island, New York. When I got here so did the pandemic. So I really did not get a chance to paint the town pink. But I like what I like. So I do plan on going to The Chateau Elan(I love a good massage), I went to Pappadeaux and the food was great. But honestly I don’t know where to go yet. So readers if you have good suggestions for food, massages, drinks and an overall all good time email me at Adivacosmeticsllc@gmail.com.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would have to say my parents. Both my parents along my journey have been so supportive, loving, and encouraging. Whether, it was late night brainstorming sessions to help me make my events a success, reminding me I am a BOSS when I did not feel like one, and/or giving me their experience and wisdom to create my business plan.

Also, my best friend Lauren Lane. She goes by many names. My assistant, My bookkeeper, My host of events, and many more. I have known her since third grade, so she knows me very well, She helps me make an Idea come to life. Lauren and my parents need a raise. lol

Website: adivacosmetics.com

Instagram: A. Diva Cosmetics

Facebook: A. Diva Cosmetics

Image Credits
Bdpfilms-photographer Makeup Madness by Cherry- MUA