We recently connected with Leeyah Azhané and have shared our conversation below.
Leeyah , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Looking back, what’s an important lesson you learned at a prior job?
The most important lesson I’ve learned in my career from a past job is to never allow anyone or any environment to make you question your worth. In the beauty industry, I’ve seen firsthand how easy it is for workplaces to prioritize profit over people. That experience taught me that true leadership is rooted in integrity, not control.
When you take care of your team, you create a ripple effect that naturally extends to the clients, the atmosphere, and ultimately the success of the business. I learned this after working in a space where I felt pressured to go along with something that didn’t align with my values. Choosing to stand in integrity, even when it made me unpopular, reminded me that protecting your character is far more valuable than protecting your comfort. That moment shaped how I lead today with empathy, transparency, and a commitment to honoring the people who help my vision thrive.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m a girl from the suburbs of Philadelphia who always dreamed of making other women feel beautiful. Over time and a lot of self work, I realized that dream came from a deeply personal place. Growing up, I was often bullied for my skin complexion, and beauty became my safe space. It became a way to reclaim my confidence and remind myself of my worth. Once I discovered what made me feel beautiful, I wanted every woman to experience that same transformation.
For me, beauty has never been about perfection, it’s about empowerment and elevation. Whether it’s adding a few extra lashes, enhancing your hair, or simply wearing something that makes you strut with confidence, it’s all about doing what makes you feel good. Confidence isn’t just seen, it’s an energy that’s FELT. It’s the energy that enters the room before you even say a word.
That belief became the foundation of my business, Muse By Leeyah. What started as a passion for hair and makeup evolved into a ministry of confidence, community, self worth, and self restoration within among my fellow women. My mission is to remind women that when they look good, they feel good, and that feeling radiates into every area of their lives regardless of what beauty and feeling good looks like for them.
At Muse By Leeyah, I don’t just offer beauty services, I offer an experience that uplifts the soul, the spirit, and the mind. My goal is to empower every client who sits in my chair to leave not only transformed on the outside but restored within. When women feel powerful in their own skin, the world around them begins to shift too. Beauty, at its core, is a ripple effect and I’m here to create waves. I thank God for my journey and what’s to come in my future.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Resilience has been the foundation of my entire journey. I can’t narrow it down to just one moment because every chapter of my life has demanded it. From becoming a mother, and having to rebuild my clientele and myself. To battling through seasons of mental and emotional hardship while being undervalued at salons. I’ve had to constantly rise again and remind myself why I started and of the shift i’m desperate to make.
There were times when I worked in environments and salons that made me question my passion and my purpose altogether. Times when I almost walked away from the beauty industry completely defeated. God found a way everytime to remind me who I am and what I’m called to do. Through prayer, inner work, and a lot of perseverance, I learned that this industry is not for the faint of heart. It will test your confidence, your faith, and your consistency daily.
For some, this may just be a side hustle. For me, it’s my calling. It’s my ministry. It’s my purpose. It’s what I was created to do. The beauty industry can be chaotic, competitive, and even corrupt at times, but that’s why I stay. I know my light, my integrity, and my resilience have the power to bring something different to it. I’ve learned that true resilience isn’t about never falling, but it’s about rising every single time like a phoenix, stronger and more refined than before every single time.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
I know social media can be an incredible tool for attracting new clients, but honestly, my favorite way of growing my clientele has always been through the work I do on the clients I already have. Many of my clients have found me because they saw someone whose makeup I did for a wedding, or admired a hairstyle from a photo shoot, or even complimented my own look when I was simply out to dinner. Word of mouth has been the most powerful and authentic form of marketing for me. When your work speaks for itself people notice, and they want to experience it too. Don’t get me wrong! I absolutely value social media and its reach, but call me a little old-fashioned I believe being a walking billboard for your own artistry will always be the strongest form of promotion. There’s something special about genuine connection and personal recommendation that no algorithm can replicate.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Muse By Leeyah
