We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jeania Pierre a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jeania , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Has Covid resulted in any major changes to your business model?

I must say that COVID-19 has changed my business model and shifted my mindset. It started off rough, but that didn’t stop me. I started making great sales and promoting myself at different events or in person. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, new challenges presented itself, but it gave me time to think of different marketing strategies and further cement the need of new sale tactics. The pandemic encouraged me to successfully collaborate and network with small business owners. Niajaye Cosmetics is committed to inspiring everyone all over the world to embrace their unique skin types, while feeling more empowered with lip wear that fits their unique personality. My passion for excellence has driven me from the beginning and continues to drive me into the future. I know that every product counts, and I strive to make the entire experience as rewarding as possible. As I started making great sales and promoting my brand at different events or in-person, I learned about my customers and got their feedbacks. This fueled me to start having my events so, I may get to know my customer more while empowering them. You see first thing people notice when they interact with us is our face and mouth when you speak. Why not have them looking flawless? I believe that the mouth is the doorway to how we get our thoughts out. My business shifted me from where I started on my journey to now becoming a better businesswoman.

Jeania , 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?

What sparked the fuel and ambition in me to launch my cosmetic business, occurred when a young lady made a comment regarding how women of color were unable to wear different shades of lipsticks. This initiated me in making a deal to wear any color lipstick she requested. In addition to that, I encouraged her to vocalize that she is beautiful every time we encountered. Emboldened by our tacit agreement and daily affirmations, I proudly wore bright-colored lipstick every day. I was committed to doing what I had to do to aid in her viewing how beautiful she was in her very own skin. Little did I know while helping her build her confidence, my very own self-esteem was rebirth. From that moment on, I motivated myself to build my own natural lip wear collection and persevered to cater to individuals of all skin tones. Although I build confidence to start, the fear of starting my business placed me on hold. One day while engaging in a conversation with an entrepreneur, she encouraged me to step out on faith and just start small. “It’s better to start your very own brand than living with regrets,” she stated. So, on December of 2019, I took a leap of faith and withdrew money from my savings; I also applied for a second job. I knew immediately these efforts to start my own brand, would be extremely rewarding at the end.

My products are 100% vegan, versatile and filled with intense color that gives your lips full, long-lasting coverage with a smooth finish. I believe “that you are the brand that makes Niajaye’s Lipwear Collection FLAWLESS!” Everyone should want to have healthier, vibrant, and recognizable lips! Most of the time people purchase items based on what they see others wearing. I am proud that I am not one of those individuals. I can confidently say I am wearing my own brand when I am out and about!

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I built my audience on social media by being authentic to myself. I thought to myself “who would be more passionate, creative, and driven than you with your brand”. I admire and feel grateful for the cosmetics companies and individuals that created this pathway for entrepreneurs like myself. As of now, my brand focus are on the department of lips. As I previously mentioned, my brand is committed to inspiring everyone all over the world to embrace their unique skin tones while feeling more empowered with lip wear that matches their unique personality. Individuals of all ages regardless of gender, can rock my brand on their lips. I was able to gain the attention of an audience by positioning my brand to receive recognition through pop up shops, women expos, word of mouth, and social media. I would ask my family and friends to repost and share my social media information. Furthermore, I took time to hand out my business cards any opportunity I was given. My brand has been worn by well-known people such as, LaShawnna Stanely who is the founder of Ethnicity Models, Karen Dupcie celebrity makeup artist, Michele Romanow cohost of The Dragon Den, Lourdie Pierre who was Ms. Royalty American 2019/Influencer, Natalie Cargile the founder of Connect Show on CW network, and Johanne Wilson the CFO of COOL Creatives. I have the blessings of collaborating with different Makeup Artists as well. I created more noise when I would post content on my social media of individuals wearing my product. I received so much love just from my posts. Social media educated me on how followers want to know you and feel a part of the journey. Most of all, being yourself allow your followers to appreciate, love, and support you.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I have been blessed with being featured in magazines. I won 6th place in my group to be on a Reality TV show called InfluenceMe TV, to being on The Connect Morning Talk Show on the CW Network, as well as being on The Love Jones Show on Excitement Radio, now becoming a Broward Collective Mom Beauty and Fashion Blogger, to having my lipstick collection at Cool Shop in Miami, FL. One of my biggest accomplishments aside from my brand Niajaye Cosmetics was having not one but two Beauty and Wellness Expo to empower, while building a community of support for all human, especially women. This isn’t the end for Niajaye Cosmetics, covid-19 has given me a dream to do more. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for my brand and myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.niajaye.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/niajayecosmetics
• Facebook: facebook.com/niajayecosmetics
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/niajaye-cosmetics-2708a421b
• Youtube: youtube.com/niajayecosmetics
• Other: tiktok.com/niajayecosmetics

Image Credits
Fi Photography Swan Wayne Photography Soul Sisters Photography