We were lucky to catch up with Raja-Nee Keys recently and have shared our conversation below.

Raja-Nee, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is actually something I am working on now. I am in the process of creating a nonprofit organization and hope to be functioning within a year to two years from now. This non-profit is in honor of my son who passed away in 2018. I wanted to create a way to honor his name and create something that would live on forever and benefit the community around us. It will focus mostly on community events such as gatherings, competitions, food drives, coat drives and so much more for the youth and adults not only in Colorado but I do hope around the world. My vision is to create a place where the community can go back to getting together and enjoying one another’s company while contributing to making a change.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a model, lash stylist and aspiring entrepreneur. I got into the modeling industry a few years back when I signed with Wilhelmina! I did not do too many bookings with the hit of covid and all that sweet stuff, but I did have a chance to experience the setting of a Netflix documentary and you can catch just a glimpse of me in it :) I have had the chance to meet amazing and talented people, travel and even audition for a PlayBoy campaign! Modeling is not easy and it takes a lot of No’s before you hear your first YES! I am still working myself up the ladder and can’t wait to see the opportunities this year brings!

I have been a lash stylist for about a year and a half. All my lash techs out there know that this is a craft that takes consistent practice and trial and error. I will be opening my own studio at the end of 2023! I am a licensed esthetician in 3 states and I am looking forward to expanding once I am on my own! I will be offering waxing services as well! Stay tuned. Until then, I can still be booked at Amazing Lash Studio!

I will also be bringing something new to the table this year. I will be teaming up with a DJ and his company to provide services to clients all around the world. Our goal is to create an amazing experience for those that book with us. Some of the services we will be offering will be sounds, lights, photography, videography and more. If you are looking for a DJ for your next event, or need lights, a photo booth, photographer, etc., we are the ones you want. There will be more information on my instagram once our plan has been put in motion! Follow me to stay informed!

I am most proud of being me and staying true to myself and my timeline. I feel like now we are being pressured more than ever to reach a certain status, achieve certain goals by certain ages in our lives and I feel like everything that is happening to me and for me is happening right on time. I used to sit back and think about why people younger than me had so much more than me. I’d ask myself why I didn’t know how to complete certain lash styles, why I couldn’t already be this extremely successful person already. I came to realize my story is my story and my path is my path and I truly believe that I am right on time with mine and that is what truly matters. I am still creating my mark in this life and I have time to do it.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I do like to read books and here are a few books I like!

Soul Therapy
The Confidence Code
Baby Steps: Millionaires
Skin Deep: Inside the World of Black Fashion Models
Steve Jobs: The Exclusive Biography

All of these books gave me something to walk away with and apply to my life in some way.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I’d say the one thing, the one thing society can do is give people a chance. What I mean by this is the same way we ride celebrities waves, corporate waves, brand name waves, is the same way we should ride the waves of those that are creatives around us. There are people around you who can offer you the same thing right in your community. Whether you need a model for your company, clothing, a photographer, a painter, a videographer, a DJ, sounds, lighting, makeup artist, whatever it is, there is probably someone standing right next to you in the grocery store that can help you with what your looking for. If your favorite artist, musician or whoever told you to huh something, your probably gonna buy it. Please support them, or can make a huge difference. There are a lot of people trying to do some amazing things out here than go unrecognized and just need the support and the right platform to get them there, you know?

Contact Info:

• Instagram: instagram.com/rajaaneee
• Other: instagram.com/kbabeautybar

Image Credits
Noah Berg – Walnut Street Photography Younique Images