Meet Toya Imani: Founder/CEO

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

Hi Toya, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Once I decided that I was going to be an entrepreneur, it was easy to decide that makeup was the way for me to go. If you follow me on any social media, you know that I do everything, including workout, with my lipstick or gloss on. I wanted to tie that love of lipstick with inspiring women through beauty. A lippie can make you pop, but sometimes we need a little reminder that true beauty shines from within. That is where the idea for the affirmations with each order came from. 

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I started Lipstick by Imani because I wanted to be a motivation to others while also doing something I love. I combined the two things that have always helped me feel better on a tough day … a cute lippie to make me feel good on the outside and encouraging words to make me feel better on the inside. I started with lipsticks because that’s my personal fave, but in the coming year we will be expanding our selection to have quite a bit more! My business is a way for me to spread love and inspire other women through beauty to be their best selves daily. I know that without other women pouring so much love into me, I would not be where I am now and I just want to do that for other people.

One thing that sets me apart from many is that I know I can never stop. I wanted to give up so many times and

I wasn’t sure that LBI would be successful, but I didn’t stop! If life knocks me down, I get up, dust my knees off, and keep going. Grab your phone and check out our website to see the eco-friendly products we have available.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
First of all, if my best friend was coming, I’d be sooo excited. I absolutely love when people come visit me and I can show them around my city! Of course, on their first night in town, we’d stay up late catching up and drinking wine. My current favorite is the Riesling from the McBride Sisters Black Girl Magic collection. Visits always include food, so we’d have to get some good eats in. Being a NOLA girl, I’m a seafood lover. I know it’s cliché, but Pappadeaux is one of my favorite spots for a sit-down dinner. You can’t go wrong with that shrimp and crawfish fondeaux followed by grilled salmon or a seafood platter; depends if I want to go healthy or fried that day! I’d definitely take them to see all the local colleges and basic touristy stuff if they’ve never been here. Otherwise, more wine and girl talk at my kitchen table!   Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to shout-out Chimere Norris and Jamie Bender. These two ladies have been rocking with me since Lipstick by Imani was just an idea. Chimere is LBI’s Creative Director. She brings all of my scattered ideas to fruition. Jamie is LBI’s Operations Director. She has stayed up countless nights making sure things are smooth before being rolled out. Both ladies also play the roles of confidant, promoter, salesperson, and so much more! I’ll be forever grateful for having them on my team and in my corner.

Website: https://lipstickbyimani.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lipstickbyimani
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/lipstickbyimani
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/lipstickbyimani/

Image Credits
Photographer credits: Dr. Tomiyah Colvin
Photographer credits: Kevin Bacon Graphic
Designer credits: Designs By Chimere