We were lucky to catch up with Mo Nique (Mo) recently and have shared our conversation below.

Mo Nique (Mo), appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

From a young age, even back in elementary school—I knew I was meant to be my own boss. My family could see it too, despite being a little tomboy, I was still a total diva with big ideas and an even bigger personality. One of my earliest nicknames was “Boss Lady,” and I’ve carried that spirit with me ever since.

I’ve always had a wildly creative imagination and never liked being confined to just one path. I love to learn, but even though I was a strong student, I knew the traditional route wasn’t for me. I wanted to do work that allowed me to grow through real-life experience, express myself fully, uplift others, and create something meaningful on my own terms—without ever having to dim my light to fit into someone else’s mold.

Before I even graduated high school, I earned my cosmetology license and launched my first business. That early leap into entrepreneurship opened the door to so much more: from hair and skincare, and holistic wellness to graphic design, and eventually into fashion and jewelry design, wardrobe styling, and teaching the arts. Every step of my journey has been about creative freedom, community, and purpose—and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Mo Nique (Mo), 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?

My name is Mo aka “CEO Mo” aka “Mo no E” aka “Mo the Stylist”, and I’m the founder of The Finer Life—a creative lifestyle brand rooted in fashion, expression, and empowerment. I’m a licensed cosmetologist (Founder/Owner of Perslaysion Beauty & Wellness), wardrobe stylist, designer, educator, and event producer, and I’ve always been someone who values freedom, artistry, and purpose in everything I do.

Growing up, I was constantly creating—writing, designing, doing hair, painting, or picking up a new craft. I’ve always been drawn to healthy, adventurous, & expressive outlets that allowed me to be my full self without limits. Even as a kid, I knew I wanted to work for myself and do something that reflected me, not a company that required me to shrink or compromise my creativity or dim my light to fit into their cubicle knowing I have enough light to light up the whole world.

Today, The Finer Life offers personal styling, fashion and accessory design, creative direction, and curated events—from private fittings to sustainable styling workshops and fashion-forward community events. I help people show up confidently by teaching them how to use style as a tool for self-expression, empowerment, and fun.

What sets my work apart is the way I blend creative intuition with my lived experience. I’ve built this brand to serve as a space where people—especially women of color—can feel seen, celebrated, and inspired to live life on their own terms. I’m most proud that The Finer Life has become more than a brand—it’s a movement encouraging others to embrace their uniqueness, prioritize self love & oneness of mind, and show up boldly in every room they enter.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

One resource I wish I knew about earlier in my creative journey is just how many networking and community-building events happen daily across D.C.—from pop-ups and panels to art shows, markets, and creative meetups. There’s an entire ecosystem of entrepreneurs, artists, and culture-shifters here, and tapping into that community has been a game changer for The Finer Life. Early on, I didn’t realize how valuable it is to just show up—to be in the room, connect with others, and stay visible. There’s so much support, inspiration, and collaboration right here in the city—you just have to know where to look and be open to building real connections. I’m not extremely extroverted in my personal life but being that I work with people so regularly in my professional life I’ve been making even more of an effort to find like minded artists and creators to connect, grow, and build with and be able to encourage one another.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think one thing non-creatives may struggle to understand is that, for many of us, the work never truly feels finished or “good enough.” There’s always this inner dialogue—questioning if it’s ready to be seen, if it will be judged fairly, or if people will even interpret it the way it was intended or shoot—if there was enough intention behind it. Creative work is deeply personal, so sharing it can feel vulnerable, I know for me it’s like pulling teeth at times, especially when the world tends to expect perfection or just has seen even a glimpse of what they know you’re capable of. Sometimes the hardest part isn’t making the art—it’s allowing it to be seen. Not because I feel like I’m rushing to be the best doing it or the most famous or loved but because I’m in constant competition with the person I was yesterday and no matter what constructive criticism, accolades, or awards I receive I know that in the back of my head I subconsciously feel like I can always do even better.
So as a creative it gets hard to give yourself grace for creating the best you could with the knowledge you had at the time and allowing your knowledge gained from experience to guide you towards creating more and greater projects versus getting stuck in the would ifs of a seemingly “perfect” piece of art.

Contact Info:

• Website: Check out this page from mo.no.e https://www.amazon.com/shop/mo.no.e?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_aipsfshop_JZMW7H79HYQN8VJ1J7WC&language=en-US
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mo.no.e?igsh=MWcwMzJtNXN3eXJs

Image Credits

dreampixx , CLUimagesphotography , 1Fatzz