We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shamrika Renee . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shamrika below.

Hi Shamrika , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear your thoughts about family businesses.

Family business can be a source of pride, stability, and long-term success. It can be a unique and rewarding experience that combines the strength of family ties with the pursuit of entrepreneurial success. It can bring together shared values, a deep sense of loyalty, and a long-term vision. However, it is not without its own set of unique challenges and potential pitfalls.

Running a family-owned business can strengthen family ties by inheriting the bond among family members. While creating a strong foundation for the business. We found that like most families we shared a common vision for the business and want to see it succeed. Most importantly running a family own business I was able to create generational knowledge and wealth that can be passed down from one generation to the next.

Both of my boys have joined the day-to-day operation of running the Diamond Divas Company. It has been such an experience being able to share the vision with them. While watching them implement their ideas into the company to help expand it into the brands you see today.

I must admit it has been a rewarding journey operating Diamond Divas with my kids. Our bond has grown so much, and we have learned how to work through challenges that arise with implementing strategies like effective communication.

We have experienced some of the pitfalls as well such as not being able to separate business from our personal life. We have seen the lines become so blurred making it very challenging to maintain a healthy work-life balance. There have been emotions that arise from both sides that would spill over into the day-to-day operations. However, what we have learned is to clearly define each member’s role in the business to avoid confusion and provide each member their opportunity to speak and be heard.

Shamrika, 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?

I am Shamrika Renee also known as Diamond, one of the owners of the Diamond Divas Company. Where beauty, fashion and business collide. I have been in this industry for over twenty – five (25) years and have accomplished so many milestones that I am truly proud of. I entered into the beauty industry at the age of sixteen (16) as an aspiring model. Not knowing that one day I would win a beauty pageant that would ignite my career to become a model for Harley Davidson, Budweiser and even Dillard’s which paved the way for me today owning several beauty companies.

As I learned more about the modeling industry, I found myself wanting to pivot to other areas. However, life happened, and I found out I was pregnant at the age of twenty (20) with my first child. It was an emotional roller coaster of excitement an overwhelming nerve. After having Jaikarris I got married and that lasted for about two (2) years before we divorced. Fast forward 4 years I now have my second child JarMarcus which leaves me yet again a single mother of 2 trying to figure how to put my modeling career back on track and how to provide for my kids.

Because of the things I went through from being homeless, being a domestic violence victim, suffering with depression and attempting suicide I lost myself. I no longer felt pretty which caused me to recreate myself at the age of twenty -five (25) Diamond was born! Diamond burned to get back on the runway, she had a personality so big and so overpowering that she demanded every room she entered. With that kind of power, it was time to take my rightful place back on the runway and start my journey with creating Dyme Model Management.

Fast forward today Dyme Model Management grew into Diamond Divas and birthed four (4) successful brands:

Diamond Divas Beauty Bar – which is geared towards women products from cosmetics, skincare, clothing, and hair extension we even have men’s products. We will be branching into providing services soon.

Diamond Divas Academy – is geared towards beauty professionals to have a business coach to assist with starting and operating a successful brand. We provide staffing services for the beauty and fashion professionals and teach aspiring models runway, posing and so much more.

Diamond Life Financial Group – We care about your families and the financial legacy you leave behind which is why we assist clients with establishing life insurance policies, annuities, and protecting your home with mortgage protection.
Financial freedom doesn’t just come from life insurance but also building positive credit both personal and business and filing property taxes.

I am Shamrika Renee – Is my personal brand as a transformational coach. My passion to educate women on overcoming and walking into purpose finds me gracing stages and events. I use Divas Den to speak on current events, trends in today’s society and allow business owners the opportunity to speak about their business. Teesha Perkins a friend for over 5 years Co-host with me and the show is produced by Cwind Productions which is a family-owned production company by both of my boys

One of my biggest accomplishments here recently was graduating and becoming a Cranial Prosthesis Specialist (medical wig doctor) where I service patients with medical hair loss from cancer treatments, and alopecia. It has been such a blessing to be able to co-own the Diamond Divas with both my boys and watching how my once dream has expanded to become our dream.

We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.

Manufacturing products can be very expensive especially when you are first starting out. When we started our Diamond Divas Cosmetics, Bella Skincare, and Goddess Hair Care product line we had to research different manufacturing companies to make sure we found one that offered just the right ingredients that we were looking for. We wanted vegan and natural clean products without all the dyes and harmful chemicals. So of course, the more niche you are, the more the materials will cost. Also, when going through this process you have to be mindful of where the companies are located. Overseas companies are not FDA regulated like they are here in the United States. That is a major key factor in this industry. I remember spending thousands of dollars on test samples and chemicals and still not being satisfied with the outcome of the products. After 2.5 years we finally found our home with a team in New York that created our custom line of products with just the right ingredients, they were also based in the United States and FDA approved. Had we been open to private labeling it would have saved us tons of money and time.

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

Selling on these platforms allows access to clients that you wouldn’t normally have. I believe having a strong web presence is key. So, to show up on as many platforms and get your products seen everywhere. Diamond Divas Beauty Bar actually sell on our Diamond Divas Beauty Bar website, Amazon, and Wal-Mart. We have a store opening soon on Etsy and Cratejoy in the coming months with our subscription services and holiday gift boxes.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.diamonddivascompany.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/ddivasbeautybar
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/diamonddivasinc
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/diamonddivasinc/
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/ddivasbeautybar
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@diamonddivasinc
• Phone: 833.242.5338
• Email: [email protected]

Image Credits
Xslient Images Photography