We were lucky to catch up with Anike Rabiu recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Anike, thanks for joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I learned what I do through a combination of hands-on experience, deep observation, and being immersed in environments where creativity and care were expected in equal measure. I started through formal training, followed by studying from mentors, watching how they solved problems in real time. Over the years, I learned just as much from being on set, from clients, and from the unpredictable moments that force you to improvise. My call to Ministry was slightly different, but also entailed work and inner developed: through training, spiritual practice, community leadership, and showing up consistently for people in both ordinary and tender moments. Most importantly, forged through my relationship with The Divine.

Knowing what I know now, as a creative, I would have trusted my instincts sooner and given myself permission to stretch creatively without overthinking the outcome. I also would’ve learned the business side earlier (client strategy, brand positioning,) because those skills are just as essential as the artistry.

The most essential skills have been adaptability, intuition, communication, and the ability to stay grounded in chaotic or high-pressure moments. For hair specifically, it’s technical precision layered with creative vision. For my spiritual work, it’s deep listening, discernment, and the ability to hold space with integrity. It’s being in relationship and listening for The Divine.

The obstacles I experienced weren’t a lack of passion, but that of access. Early on, I didn’t always have the industry connections, resources, or visibility that could have accelerated my growth. And sometimes the biggest challenge was believing I was allowed to take up space in both the creative world and the spiritual world. Balancing survival, opportunity, and self-trust slowed the process, but it also shaped the depth and integrity of the work I do now.

Anike, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a NYC-based Session Hairstylist and Interspiritual Minister whose work lives at the intersection of creativity, care, and presence. I’ve always been drawn to the visual world: texture, shape, silhouette, and the way hair can completely shift a feeling, a story, or a moment. My entry into the industry came through curiosity and immersion. I learned by being on set, watching the flow of production, understanding how to translate direction into detail, and recognizing how small choices in hair can elevate the entire frame. Over the years I’ve built a practice rooted in creating commercial-friendly hair with editorial appeal: polished, clean, modern, and adaptable for print, digital, and live-action campaigns.
Alongside my creative work, I am also an Interspiritual Minister and Presence practitioner, ordained through One Spirit Interfaith/Interspiritual Seminary. I’ve been active in ministry and spiritual leadership for over 12 years, holding space for people through meditation, rituals, ceremonies, and moments of transition. I grew up Muslim, have been shaped by the teachings of Yeshua, and have experienced The Divine in multiple traditions and practices. That breadth informs how I move, grounded, attentive, and always centering the humanity of the person in front of me.

The products and services I provide reflect this dual calling:
• Session hair styling for editorial, commercial, and campaign work
• Creative direction and collaboration with photographers, makeup artists, and production teams
• Spiritual presence work, including rituals, meditation facilitation, ceremonies, and companioning during life transitions
• Emerging digital offerings at the intersection of hair, mental wellness, and interspirituality.

What I solve for clients on both sides of my work, is often the same: I bring clarity, calm, and grounded execution in high-pressure environments.

On set, that looks like precision, speed, adaptability, and the emotional intelligence to support talent and crew so the work can flow. In spiritual spaces, it looks like deep listening, honesty, and creating room for people to meet themselves without judgment or performance.

What sets me apart is that I approach everything with Presence. Whether I’m styling hair or guiding someone through a ritual, I’m attentive to energy, intention, and the subtle details that make an experience feel elevated, safe, or meaningful. My hands know how to create; my spirit knows how to hold; and my work tends to leave people feeling both seen and supported.

What I’m most proud of is that I’ve built a path that honors all parts of who I am, a Creative, a Minister, a storyteller, and someone who believes that beauty and spirit don’t have to live in separate rooms. I’ve created a brand that reflects that integration, and I want potential clients and followers to know that my work is not just about aesthetics or ceremony. It’s about integrity, Presence, and crafting visual and spiritual experiences that feel intentional, human, and true.

Ultimately, my goal is simple: to create work that is beautiful, grounded, and deeply felt. Whether through hair or through heart-centered ministry, I’m committed to offering something real, something honest, and something that helps people step into their moments with confidence, clarity, and care.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is watching how the work shifts people, visually, emotionally, and energetically. When I style someone’s hair and they suddenly see themselves with new clarity or confidence, it’s more than a look. It’s a moment of alignment. I experience the same thing in my spiritual work: that instant when Presence, intention, and care help someone settle, breathe, or feel seen. Being a creative allows me to shape the outer and inner at the same time, and the reward is witnessing those subtle transformations that remind people of who they are.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Yes. My creative journey is driven by a commitment to create work, and spaces, that make people feel seen, grounded, and supported. Whether I’m on set shaping a look or holding space through ritual, my mission is the same: to bring presence, care, and clarity into environments that are often fast, demanding, or overwhelming. I want my work to reflect excellence, but also humanity.
I’m guided by a deep gratitude to The Divine, who continues to shape my path, open doors, and meet me in every space I serve. That grounding reminds me that beauty and spirit aren’t separate; both can restore people, empower people, and help them feel more centered and whole.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.AnikeRabiu.com
• Instagram: @anikerabiu. & @rev.anikerabiu