We recently connected with Jivanta Roberts and have shared our conversation below.

Jivanta, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Our mission at UNI is to redefine the fragrance industry by celebrating diversity and individuality. We provide a luxurious, gender-neutral scent that empowers people to express their authentic selves while offering a hypoallergenic option, ensuring inclusivity for all.

One of the main challenges of being a small minority-owned business is the lack of visibility. Without a strong presence in the community or online, it can be difficult for these businesses to attract new customers and compete with larger, more established companies. Another challenge is the limited access to resources and support networks that may be available to larger businesses, which can make it harder to overcome obstacles and succeed in a competitive marketplace.

Being a women of color, I started a unisex fragrance line because I saw a lack of diversity in both perfume and luxury spaces. One of the main reasons I decided to create my own brand was because I personally suffered from sensitive skin and struggled to find high-quality, hypoallergenic fragrances that were suitable for my skin type. I noticed that many of the mainstream perfume brands either didn’t offer options for people with sensitive skin or used ingredients that were harsh and irritating. Perfume oils are magical. In addition, I also saw a lack of unisex fragrances on the market that are truly suitable for both men and women. I wanted to create a brand that not only addressed these issues, but also celebrated diversity and inclusivity. My hope is to shake the perfume industry up and offer something fresh and innovative that appeals to a wide range of customers. That’s when UNI was born.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hi, I’m Jivanta Roberts multi faceted entrepreneur, actress & producer. I am the founder of UNI Fragrance oil, a unisex fragrance oil and Co-founder of Slumber Party Productions, an LA based production company specializing in cutting edge TV and Film, committed to telling groundbreaking POC stories. With over 20 years in the entertainment industry, my journey has led me to establish UNI Fragrance Oil, a brand that reflects my passion for diversity and self-expression.

One of the highlights in my career as a business owner is my role in championing inclusivity through UNI Fragrance Oil. Recognizing a gap in the fragrance industry, I founded UNI to challenge traditional gender norms and create a brand that transcends boundaries. UNI Fragrance Oil offers a unique solution to clients seeking luxurious, gender-neutral scents that empower them to express their true selves. With a focus on inclusivity, UNI provides a hypoallergenic option, making fragrance accessible to all.

What sets UNI apart is its commitment to celebrating individuality. My brand goes beyond scent; it promotes confidence, empowerment, and authenticity. UNI Fragrance Oil is not just about smelling great; it’s about feeling great. With its mission to redefine the fragrance industry by celebrating diversity, UNI stands out as a brand that empowers clients to embrace their uniqueness and express themselves freely.

I have a couple of moments and accomplishments that have made me proud of my business. The most important one for me is the joy and happiness that my product UNI provides to my customers. They genuinely love the scent and when they provide feedback, the most common one is that they receive positive compliments throughout the day when they enter a room which makes them feel confident and happy. The feedback from my customers are mostly all positive and I would have never imagined my product having this much of an impact on my customers day to day. Another accomplishment is getting my product on shelves and into a store! Back in 2020 covid happened and things were shaky. However, during such an uncertain time, I was given the opportunity to have MY brand in an amazing boutique in Ohio! Seeing my product on a shelf was gratifying and most definitely a defining moment in my entrepreneurial journey.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

There is one career defining moment as a professional dancer that I could never forget while I was dancing and touring with Shakira. I had just moved to LA from New York and I threw my back out. I literally could not stand up straight. The next day I received a call from my agent saying that Shakira needed me to fly to NYC to do David Letterman Live and Madison Square Garden. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity so I immediately said yes! Knowing that I could barely move. That night, I prayed and prayed and prayed to God that my back get better.

The next morning I woke up, my pain was gone! like gone and I could stand up! So I get to the airport and I had to learn the numbers that I didn’t know for the shows… IN THE AIRPLANE and the hotel. We had limited time in a studio and we went live the next day. That was a moment that all the many many years of dance training and professionalism kicked in. I was a little nervous going Live but all was well. I remembered everything! HA. I’ve performed with the world’s most talented and had the pleasure of dancing in front of hundreds and thousands of people, but that moment right there is one for the books for sure!

Have you ever had to pivot?

I would say I’m pivoting now. I just recently gave birth to my amazing little boy and that has propelled me into a new direction. Finding the balance and not being able to pick up and go like I did before has definitely been a challenge for me. Right now, I’m going harder than ever before with UNI, even with the limited time to focus on the business while taking care of my son. We shall see where this takes me.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.unifargranceoil.com
• Instagram: @jivantaroberts & @unibyjivantaroberts
• Facebook: facebook.com/unifragranceoil
• Twitter: @jivantaroberts @fragranceuni

Image Credits
Favor Films Wes Klein