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

Niambi, 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?

The mission behind my company is making women feel beautiful while on a budget. Potential customers are quick to downplay the mission once they see the price of a set. However, all materials that I used are high-end and all sets are reusable.

My mission is important to me because I was still in college when I gave birth to my daughter. My boyfriend had just graduated and we were on a strict budget. Prior to giving birth, I visited the nail salon bi-weekly. In order to stick to our new budget, I decided to give up getting my nails done. I was not a fan! It may sound silly to some, but I didn’t feel as beautiful not getting my nails done. I know I am not the only person that has ever felt like that. I want everyone to be able to embrace their beauty, no matter their gender and no matter their budget!

Another part of my mission is giving back to women in need, especially because I was a Gender Studies major in college. Every November, a portion of each order is donated to a nonprofit that helps low-income women. I also hold a month-long fundraiser where 90% of proceeds goes to the same nonprofit that was chosen. For example, last year I donated the proceeds to a NYC-based nonprofit that helps low-income women throughout the city obtain basic needs such as menstraul needs, coats for the winter, and school supplies for their children. This year will most likely be a nonprofit I interned at during college that helps women throughout NYC obtain free legal help in the areas of immigration and family law.

Niambi, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I create luxury press-on nails and homemade cuticle oils. I also resell rings. All items can be found in my Etsy shop or website.

The press-on nails that I make are 100% gel-based and salon quality due to the quality of products used and the 3 thin layers of polish. Unlike drug store press-on nails, my nails are made specifically for the customer. In order to place an order, you must provide the sizes of each nailbed. This allows the nails to fit perfectly, which then allows the nails to last 2-3 weeks without falling off if applied correctly. All orders come with a free application kit and instructions.

We’d love to hear your thoughts about selling platforms like Amazon/Etsy vs selling on your own site.

I sell my products on both Etsy and my website. Both definitely have their pros and cons.

The biggest con of selling on Etsy is the fees! During the middle of the pandemic, they increased their fees because they noticed how many people started shopping with small businesses. Their corporate office is also in a building owned by someone I do not morally agree with and I honestly do not like the idea of a portion of my sales going to that person. However, I continue to use it because I get to reach SO many people just by the tags I decide to use. I also continue to use it because it is easier to update and add listings compared to my website, especially when I have to upload multiple new items.

The only con of selling on my own website is the editing. Because I have so much creative control on how my website looks, unlike Etsy, I get so caught up in making it look “perfect” and then I lose the energy to upload new items.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

A book that has significantly impacted my management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy is The Power of Habit.

I will be honest, the first time I read it I only liked the second half of the book. However, that made me realize that I needed to read it again and I am glad I did. I absorbed the lessons more clearly the second time I read it.

I think one of the reasons why I love the book so much is that I can apply to all areas of my life. For example, if I don’t workout, especially when it comes to pilates and hiking, I feel guilty because I have created the habit and working out makes me feel good in several ways. That means I deliberately went against my brain and my true feelings just because I was being lazy. The same applies to my business. When I don’t create a new set of nails or cuticle oil scent to sell or content to post, when I know I don’t NEED a mental break, I feel like a loser. This is not an exaggeration. I’ve witnessed the success that can happen when I make a habit of committing myself to my business. In return, I do not feel good about myself when I self sabotage.

Contact Info:

• Website: No2Creations.com
• Instagram: No2Creations
• Facebook: No2Creations
• Twitter: No2_Creations
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