Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Aiyoki Oliver. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Aiyoki, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear how you think where to draw the line in terms of asking friends and family to support your business – what’s okay and what’s over the line?

Asking friends and family to support your business can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it feels natural to turn to those closest to you for encouragement and help. On the other, it can be disheartening when the support isn’t reciprocated, especially when you’ve gone out of your way for others. For me, this topic hits close to home because my journey has been one of resilience and self-reliance. Despite knowing many people, I’ve often felt the weight of limited support, whether it’s in the form of grant funding, emotional encouragement, or even acknowledgment of my efforts.

Being a mom and an entrepreneur amplifies these challenges. I’ve had to juggle doubts about my decisions, the pressure of building something from the ground up, and the emotional toll of feeling unsupported. Growing up, I was taught to suppress my emotions—to leave them at the door and face every situation with a professional demeanor. This mindset carried over into my business, where I learned to mask my failures and struggles. I didn’t want to appear vulnerable or talk about the setbacks I’ve faced, even though they’re a natural part of the entrepreneurial journey.

What I’ve come to realize is that creating a safe and supportive community is key. Once I establish a space where I feel secure, I’ll be more open to sharing the highs and lows of my experience. It’s a journey of growth—not just in business but also in self-awareness and emotional balance. While I still navigate these challenges, I’ve learned that support doesn’t always have to come from those you expect. Sometimes, it comes from the community you build, the customers who believe in your brand, or even strangers who resonate with your story.

For anyone asking friends and family for support, I think it’s important to set boundaries and manage expectations. Not everyone will show up for you in the way you hope, and that’s okay. What’s appropriate is being clear about the kind of support you’re asking for—whether it’s sharing your business on social media, offering feedback, or simply cheering you on. What’s not appropriate is pressuring them or taking it personally if they don’t engage. Draw the line where it protects your peace and allows you to keep moving forward without resentment.

One anecdote that shaped my perspective is how I’ve found unexpected support from people I never anticipated—sometimes from customers, mentors, or even online communities. It’s a reminder that support can come in many forms and often from the least expected places. My journey has taught me to keep going, even when the road feels lonely, because the belief I have in my vision outweighs any lack of external validation.

Aiyoki, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

For those who may not know me, I’m an entrepreneur with nearly a decade of experience, starting my journey in 2016. Over the years, I’ve explored various industries, including clothing, accessories, and the hair business, each teaching me valuable lessons about resilience, discipline, and adaptability. While some ventures didn’t turn out as I envisioned, those setbacks became stepping stones, helping me pivot, grow, and refine my approach to entrepreneurship. They’ve taught me to see challenges not as failures but as opportunities to learn, improve, and move forward.

Today, I focus on building businesses that not only solve problems but also create meaningful connections with my clients and community. For example, my beauty brand, Aiyoki Cosmetics, offers cruelty-free products like matte foundations, pressed powders, lipsticks, and colorful eyeliners, designed to enhance confidence and celebrate individuality. I also share my knowledge through ebooks and guides, empowering others to navigate entrepreneurship, content creation, and digital marketing. My goal is to inspire others to pursue their dreams while offering tools and solutions to make their journey smoother.

What sets me apart is my dedication to authenticity and my deep understanding of the entrepreneurial journey. I’ve walked the path of starting from scratch, building a brand, and balancing life as a mom and business owner. Everything I create—whether it’s a product, a service, or a piece of content—is rooted in my belief that entrepreneurship is about more than personal success. It’s about building a foundation for my family and creating a legacy of perseverance and passion.

What I’m most proud of is my ability to keep going despite obstacles. Every setback has fueled my determination to succeed and has shaped me into the entrepreneur I am today. I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know that my work is not just about selling products or sharing knowledge—it’s about building something meaningful that resonates with others. Whether you’re looking for beauty products that truly work, inspiration to start your own business, or simply someone who understands the highs and lows of this journey, I’m here to connect, uplift, and create with purpose.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that I had to do everything on my own to succeed. Growing up, I was taught to handle things independently and to suppress emotions or struggles, believing that asking for help or showing vulnerability was a sign of weakness. That mindset carried over into my entrepreneurial journey, where I felt like I had to carry every burden, solve every problem, and push through challenges alone—without leaning on others for support.

The backstory is rooted in my early experiences as an entrepreneur. When I started my first businesses in clothing, accessories, and the hair industry, I worked tirelessly to prove I could succeed. I rarely asked for help, even when I needed it, because I thought it might make me look unprepared or incapable. As a result, I burned myself out trying to juggle everything. When setbacks happened, I internalized the struggles, thinking they reflected a personal failure rather than a natural part of the process.

Over time, I realized that entrepreneurship isn’t meant to be a solo journey. Success comes from collaboration, learning from others, and building a network of people who can offer guidance, encouragement, and fresh perspectives. I also learned that being open about struggles and asking for help isn’t a weakness—it’s a strength that leads to growth and resilience.

Unlearning the “go it alone” mentality has been liberating. It’s allowed me to approach challenges with more balance, rely on resources and communities, and recognize that asking for help doesn’t diminish my abilities—it enhances them. Now, I embrace collaboration and connection as essential parts of my business journey, and I encourage others to do the same. It’s one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned, and it’s shaped how I approach every aspect of my work today.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One story that illustrates my resilience is when I was running my clothing and accessories business while balancing the demands of being a mom. I had poured so much time, energy, and resources into building the business, but things didn’t go as planned. Sales were inconsistent, marketing strategies didn’t always hit the mark, and I often felt like I was running on empty. To make matters worse, I didn’t have the support system I hoped for, which left me feeling isolated during some of the most challenging moments.

There was one particular week when everything seemed to go wrong—shipments were delayed, customers were frustrated, and I was dealing with personal challenges at home. I remember sitting in my workspace late at night, exhausted and questioning whether entrepreneurship was really for me. But instead of giving up, I decided to take a step back, reassess, and pivot. I looked at what wasn’t working, sought out resources to improve my business knowledge, and began exploring new opportunities.

That period of struggle taught me to embrace failure as a stepping stone rather than an endpoint. I started applying what I learned from those setbacks to my next ventures, including my current beauty brand, Aiyoki Cosmetics. Each obstacle strengthened my determination to keep going and reinforced my belief that resilience isn’t about never falling—it’s about always getting back up.

What keeps me going is the bigger picture: building a foundation not just for myself, but for my family. I’ve learned to navigate challenges with grace, lean into my creativity, and trust that even the toughest moments are shaping me into the entrepreneur I’m meant to be. That experience taught me that resilience is a skill you develop, and it’s the key to overcoming anything life throws your way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://beacons.ai/aiyokicosmetics
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/aiyokicosmetics
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AiyokiGETion

Image Credits

Aiyoki Cosmetics/ She Slay Studio