We were lucky to catch up with Timilehin Laniyi recently and have shared our conversation below.
Timilehin , appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
Tempire Beauty was founded on February 11, 2018 on the basis of beauty on a budget. The mission was to provide affordable hair services and wigs to women of all ages to ensure they have the confidence to take on their personal and professional goals.
Many people always ask, “What does ‘Tempire’ mean?” Tempire is a combination of Timilehins’ Empire. One of my many goals from a young age, was to create a business that represented who I am as a person and the values I was raised on. Then I said I must use those things and my skills to impact the world in a meaningful way.
Growing up a Nigerian-American Immigrant in the DMV a lot of my adolescence was a learning curve for both me, and my family. Luckily I had African parents that always supported my arts and crafts visions, even if they didn’t see the potential.. yet. I can appreciate the fact that they always would buy me the tools I needed, and let me play with things to figure them out. And that’s really how Tempire began!
Long before we were making wigs and doing hair, there was a girl in elementary school, making custom named bracelets out of beads and selling them to her classmates. A journey of just “getting by” as a family and figuring things out created what we now know and love called Tempire. I truly have to give all of the praises to my grandmother because my parents would buy the materials, but my grandmother would sit with me and we would do the projects together! We beaded, crocheted, colored, tie-dyed, anything creative you could think of we did it! She actually enrolled me in sewing school with her at the mere age of 11 years old and I fell in love. I loved being in control and turning small pieces of scraps into a beautiful masterpiece by the time my garment left the machine.
Years later I am making custom wigs for women who are in need from battling hair loss from cancer, alopecia, lupus, and many other conditions, or just women who are looking for something versatile and new to add to their hair wardrobe!
Now, we have rebranded to be a luxury hair collection and are happy to announce we have just got our first studio space coming in April 2025! A major milestone for our business and our growing clientele that has now expanded past the DMV, as we have start fulfilling international orders! After 7 years of business we are happy to launch this new journey and thank you to everyone who has stayed around for the process, as well as those of you who are just now joining. Welcome to the #TempireBabe community!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Nothing was smooth about the process when it came to creating my business, mainly because I always felt overlooked or undervalued when I was in my learning phases, it was hard for me to gain traction at first. But after I got consistent with myself, I saw the results! And I feel like I took the unconventional way for the beauty industry because I went to college and got my degree in International Business and Supply Chain Management from Howard University. But honestly I think getting a business degree gave me an edge!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
We specialize in custom GLUELESS units and lace installations for our clientele as they are usually looking for a low-maintenance and natural looking option! I am proud of the work that I do because it has established so much confidence in women to go out and take over the world in their own industries! And I love that my business prioritizes customer service and professionalism because the work attracts my clients, but the experience and communication retains them. Our growth so far is a testament to that.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
Starting my business wasn’t easy, I worked a full-time role as a finance professional immediately after college and worked that job until I had the courage to leave and take on my brand full time! I dedicated practically all of my pay stubs solely to building a brand I could stand behind. I also had help from parents who let me live peacefully at home while I chased my dreams!
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
I started building my social media audience when I started my clients and customers know who I was behind the business. So behind the hair, behind the craft, I started sharing my story. I shared my testimonies, I shared the role my friends and family payed, and then I shared the craft so now people could know the artist that they were buying the art from!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thetempire.com
- Instagram: @Tempirebeauty_
