Inspiring Conversations with Iman Del Sol of Gangsta Grease

Today we’d like to introduce you to Iman Del Sol.

Hi Iman, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have always been fascinated by making my own products. The DIY mindset was instilled in me by my older sister, from making our own clothes and punk band patches to creating homemade hair masques and deep conditioners from ingredients we had around the kitchen, like honey, bananas, and avocado. That early curiosity eventually grew into a passion for formulation and led me to earn a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Wiley College (now Wiley University) in Marshall, Texas.

After graduating, I had the opportunity to participate in a medical mission trip to Aba, Nigeria through NACENA (North American Council of Eastern Nigeria Adventists). While working in the pharmacy department, I was introduced to the world of pharmacy and healthcare. The experience had such a profound impact on me that I returned to the United States determined to become a pharmacist. I later earned my Doctor of Pharmacy degree and became a registered pharmacist in 2021.

The idea for Gangsta Grease was born while I was visiting home in California. I was looking for a moisturizer with ingredients that weren’t sketchy–ingredients I felt good about using–and I was frustrated by the available options. I decided to make my own body butter using raw shea butter, olive oil, and tangerine essential oil. After sharing it with family and friends, word quickly spread and people began asking for their own jars.

What started as a simple body butter evolved into a creative outlet where I could combine my background in science, formulation, and wellness. As I experimented with more complex blends, I began creating scents that started as ideas in my head and bringing them into the physical world.

While living in Connecticut, I started introducing Gangsta Grease to customers through farmers markets, community events, and pop-ups throughout Connecticut and New York, including Run It Markets in Berlin, Connecticut, Microphone Mondays in East Hartford, and events with SpareNYC in Brooklyn. Through those conversations, I realized there were people who wanted healthy, moisturizing skincare but also loved the bold, expressive scents typically associated with perfumes and colognes. Having grown up in and around Los Angeles and later living in Connecticut and New York, I struggled to find a skincare or wellness brand that reflected the communities, culture, and experiences that shaped me.

That realization led me to create two distinct collections: THE REMEDY, featuring aromatherapeutic essential oil blends centered around grounding and restoration, and THE TRAP, featuring bold, expressive fragrances for people who see skincare as another form of self-expression. Both collections are built on the same foundation of raw shea butter and cold-pressed coconut oil.

Today, Gangsta Grease operates primarily online and through pop-up markets and community events throughout Los Angeles. One of my favorite products is the Care Package for Hustlers, which includes a jar from each collection. It represents the idea that life is a spectrum. Sometimes we’re “outside” making things happen, and other times we’re inside, in need of restoration, grounding, and reset. Gangsta Grease was built for people who move between both worlds.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has definitely not been smooth, but it has been an incredible learning experience.

I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit. From selling candy in elementary school, to tacos and plates in college, to vending my handmade crochet pieces in Leimert Park, I’ve always enjoyed creating things and sharing them with people. What I underestimated was how different that is from building and operating a legally structured business.

My background is heavily rooted in science, healthcare, and formulation. I earned degrees in Biology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy, but I never formally studied business. Building Gangsta Grease has required me to learn everything from branding and marketing to inventory management, photography, website design, bookkeeping, shipping, and customer acquisition. As a small business owner, there is no department to hand things off to. At various points, I have been the formulator, manufacturer, photographer, marketer, inventory manager, shipping department, and customer service representative all at once – I’ve worn all the hats. Every day presents a new lesson, and progress is made one step at a time.

Another challenge has been funding Gangsta Grease entirely through my own capital. To date, I have not received outside investment, grants, or business loans and have bootstrapped the company from the ground up. Every pop-up fee, label, jar, and almost every ingredient, and piece of equipment has been funded through the business and my own resources with the exception of a few items purchased by close friends in support. That experience has taught me the importance of budgeting and prioritization. There are times when I have a scent idea in my head and want to invest in new essential oils immediately, but the business may need inventory, equipment, packaging, or other infrastructure first.

One of the more unique challenges has been staying true to the vision of the brand. Gangsta Grease was built around the idea that people should not have to choose between healthy, moisturized skin and bold, expressive scents. Many fragrance profiles people love are not always paired with ingredients that align with the cleaner, more intentional approach I wanted for my own skincare routine. Creating products that deliver both has required patience, research, formulation, testing, and careful ingredient selection.

Despite the challenges, I am grateful for the journey. Every obstacle has made me a better entrepreneur, and every customer interaction, pop-up event, and sale has reinforced that there are people who connect with what Gangsta Grease represents.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Gangsta Grease is a non-traditional skincare company that exists at the intersection of wellness, culture, and self-expression. While many skincare brands embrace a minimalist, neutral aesthetic, Gangsta Grease takes a different approach. The brand is bold, unapologetic, and rooted in the communities and experiences that shaped me.

At its core, Gangsta Grease is a self-care ritual born from hustle culture. We live in a world where productivity is often celebrated above everything else. If you’re not constantly hustling or “getting to the bag”, society can make it seem like you’re falling behind. Not to say that you shouldn’t aspire to get a bag if that’s what you want (getchyo money mang) – but this is often at the expense of our health, happiness, and overall well-being. Gangsta Grease was created to serve as a reminder that taking care of yourself is not separate from success—it is part of it.

What sets us apart is our commitment to bridging two worlds that are not often found together. Through our THE REMEDY collection, we offer aromatherapeutic body butters crafted with essential oil blends inspired by grounding and restoration. Through THE TRAP collection, we create bold, expressive scents for people who view fragrance and skincare as another form of self-expression. Both collections are built on the same foundation of premium moisture, featuring raw shea butter and cold-pressed coconut oil.

We also take great care in selecting ingredients that align with our standards while still delivering an experience people get excited about. I wanted to create products for people who love bold fragrances but still care about what they put on their skin. In many ways, Gangsta Grease was born from the belief that customers should not have to choose between healthy, moisturized skin and expressive, head-turning scents.

Brand-wise, I am most proud of seeing Gangsta Grease take on a life of its own. What began as an idea and a name my dad gave me has grown into a company with customers across the United States. There have been moments when complete strangers recognized the brand and said it was their “favorite product” while I was out running errands in a Gangsta Grease t-shirt, only for me to discover they first encountered it through a friend or family member who purchased it at one of my events. Moments like those remind me that Gangsta Grease has grown beyond an idea in my head and is creating genuine connections with people.

At Gangsta Grease, we handcraft premium body butters with intentional ingredients that WILL Knock The Ash Off Ya. We encourage people to Say No To Ash daily by using our products and most importantly, we believe in staying GREEZY. Keep an eye out for Gangsta Grease, we’re coming soon to a hood near you.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Over the next 5-10 years, I believe consumers will continue to become more intentional about the products they use and the brands they support. People are paying closer attention to ingredients, sourcing, transparency, and the values behind the companies they purchase from. I think that trend will continue to grow.

I also believe the lines between skincare, wellness, fragrance and self-expression will continue to blur. Consumers increasingly want products that not only work well, but also reflect who they are, what they value, and how they express themselves.

Another shift I expect to see is the continued rise of independent (or “indie”) brands. Social media, e-commerce, and community-driven marketing have created opportunities for smaller companies to compete in ways that were much more difficult in the past. Consumers are increasingly curious about who is making their products and what story exists behind them.

For Gangsta Grease specifically, I see significant growth ahead. I have intentionally kept the business relatively small while learning, refining the brand, and assessing demand. As the business continues to grow, I plan to scale production, reach more customers, and eventually expand into international markets while staying true to our original values.
Most importantly, I want Gangsta Grease to continue introducing people to a different vision of self-care—one that is rooted in wellness, culture, and self-expression. If I can help more people discover products they trust while encouraging them to take better care of themselves, I’ll consider that a success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shopgangstagrease.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gangstagrease/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GangstaGrease/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@gangstagrease?si=wHw-cncYUsv3ifPc
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@gangstagrease