Community Highlights: Meet Jeania Pierre of Niajaye Cosmetics

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeania Pierre.

Hi Jeania, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
What sparked the fuel and ambition in me to launch my cosmetic business occurred when a young lady commented that women of color could not wear different shades of lipsticks. This initiated me to make a deal to wear any lipstick she requested. In addition to that, I encouraged her to vocalize that she was beautiful every time we encountered her.

Emboldened by our tacit agreement and daily affirmations, I wore bright-colored lipstick daily. I was committed to doing what I had to do to aid in her viewing how beautiful she was in her very own skin. Little did I know that while helping her build her confidence, my self-esteem was a rebirth. From then on, I motivated myself to build my natural lipwear collection and persevered to cater to individuals of all skin tones.

Although I built the confidence to start, the fear of starting my business placed me on hold. One day, while engaging in a conversation with my Principal at the time, Dorsett McLeod, “Moments with McLeod,” he encouraged me to step out on faith and just start small. “It’s better to start your very own brand than living with regrets; make it happen!” he stated. As an educator, you must find other ways to make ends meet.

So, in December 2019, I took a leap of faith and withdrew money from my savings; I also applied for a second job. I knew immediately these efforts to start my brand would be extremely rewarding. We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road? I must say that it started rough, but that didn’t stop me.

I started making great sales and promoting myself at events or in person. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, new challenges presented themselves, but it gave me time to think of different marketing strategies and further cement the need for new sales tactics. I have been encouraged and successfully collaborated and networking with small business owners.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I must say that it started rough, but that didn’t stop me. I started making great sales and promoting myself at events or in person. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, new challenges presented themselves, but it gave me time to think of different marketing strategies and further cement the need for new sales tactics.

I have been encouraged and successfully collaborated and networking with small business owners. In addition, networking and events have allowed me to meet so many amazing people, for which I am extremely grateful. God has demonstrated to me that everything will work out in accordance with His plan and my faith if I fully rely on Him and trust the process.

As you know, we’re big fans of Niajaye Cosmetics. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Niajaye Cosmetics is committed to inspiring all humans worldwide to embrace their unique skin types while feeling more empowered with lip wear that expresses their unique personalities. My products are 100% vegan, versatile, and packed with intense color, giving your lips full, long-lasting coverage with a smooth finish. We at Niajaye Cosmetics believe that you are the brand that makes Niajaye’s Lipwear Collection FLAWLESS! Healthier, vibrant, sexier lips!

My brand has been worn by well-known people such as LaShawnna Stanely, who is the founder of Ethnicity Models; Karen Dupcie, celebrity makeup artist; Michele Romanow, cohost of The Dragon Den; Lourdie Pierre, who was Ms. Royalty American 2019/Influencer; Natalie Cargile the founder of Connect Show on CW network, and Johanne Wilson the CFO of COOL Creatives. I have the blessing of collaborating with different Makeup Artists as well.

I created more noise when posting content on my social media of individuals wearing my product. I received so much love just from my posts on my IG: @niajayecosmetics page, which led me to over 13K followers. Social media taught me how followers want to know you and feel a part of the journey. I’ve learned that being yourself allows your followers to appreciate, love, and support you.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
I would say that being blessed with being featured in magazines has set me apart from others. I won 6th place in my group on a Reality TV show called InfluenceMe TV, to being on The Connect Morning Talk Show on the CW Network, as well as on The Love Jones Show on Excitement Radio, and now becoming a BMC Beauty and Fashion Blogger, to having my online store niajaye.com.

I am known not just for my lipstick but for my Beauty and Wellness Expo and for inspiring others in person or through my IG: @niajayebwe page. One of my biggest accomplishments aside from my brand, Niajaye Cosmetics, was having not one but three Beauty and Wellness Expo to empower while building a community of support for all humans, especially women.

I have been blessed to have these successful annual events and looking forward to my 4th one. This isn’t the end for Niajaye Cosmetics; COVID-19 has given me a dream to do more. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for my brand and myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.niajaye.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/niajayecosmetics/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/niajayecosmetics
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl_r1QvvN3STY9Ww9iClhSg
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@niajayecosmetics

Image Credits
Swan Hunnid, Loudee_daily, Autumn Parks Photography, Fi Photography, and MissWenMUA