Today we’d like to introduce you to Imani Ezhari.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Imani. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Growing up as a child of immigrants, I understand what it means to work hard. I’m grateful to be 1 / 17 people that have the fortune of being born in our free country so it’s been a blessing. I’m also grateful to be born and raised in a city of dreamers. (Los Angeles). I always knew that one day I was going to accomplish things that I would be proud of and that would align with my calling, the only problem was I didn’t know what my calling was until 19. That was the age I learned how to use my strengths and work smart.
I give all glory to God my lord and savior for his divine intervention. I was able to connect with a very successful family friend and entrepreneur, him and his wife had developed global businesses to the point where travel, impact speaking, and relaxation became their daily tasks.
I knew those people existed, but I didn’t know that I could learn from them, call them my mentor or even my friend. Through time and persistence, my husband and I finally got a chance to earn mentorship from people who are in life where we wanted to be.
Now we’ve positioned ourselves to live out our values. We have a few businesses that were born out of our commitment to excellence and our commitment to making a true impact on our community.
I have a full application makeup, skincare and training platform called Artistry by Imani. I cater to special events, runway, and editorial by enhancing excellence through beauty. I also run a business development company with my husband where we open doors to our circle of influence to help professionals transition into business ownership. My husband also leverages his gifts in marketing and advertising to deliver stories to broad audiences.
We’re grateful for where we are but we’re just getting started. We know that real success is based on how many people’s lives are better off because we have impacted them.
Has it been a smooth road?
The only smooth road I have seen are those that have been paved three days prior to my drive.
When I think of smooth roads, I think of flat lining. A flat line represents death. The road is always bumpy because I am alive and thriving. I have ups and downs as any other breathing human does, but I have a high ability to deal with chaos.
Since starting our businesses, I’ve had many failures. I had my first company fail at 21 yrs old, had a decline in my makeup business after moving states, had to rebuild my business development organization (still building) and I pretty much had to start over again. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned it is how to bounceback.
The best way to handle adversity it look at it as an investment of time. Once you’ve invested time into something that becomes an adversity you have to ask your self, “what is my ROI”. Your ROI is your bounce back time, your lesson learned, and the application of that lesson.
All that to say, smooth roads are for the deceased.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Ezhari Global story. Tell us more about the business.
Ezhari Global is our business development brand that uplifts and empowers professionals who are done being stuck in a 9-5 and want to control their outcome rather than just settle for income. We believe we can change communities when you can enhance the lives of others through personal, 360 degree mentorship.
The thing that sets Imani apart from other entrepreneurs is that I only work within my calling. I see so many people trying to do the most popular, microwave technique, over night flashy business. I think it’s truly rare & inspiring when you can see people create an organization overtime through perseverance and integrity to their purpose. I believe that is the way to true wealth. Make no mistake, earning money is not true wealth. It’s the longevity of your money and the values that you stand on that create a wealthy legacy. There is genuine value when you work within the strengths that are uniquely yours. I do not try to be a guru or the next best thing because I am the most excellent me and I’m unstoppable when it comes to that.
My framework is always based on helping others excel. While I do makeup, I teach my clients a trick or two, while I’m coaching business owners I infuse life lessons, while I give skin assessments to other clients I open the door to skin education. I believe there are blessing that comes when you open the door for other people to be great. Call me cliche, but you can not call me inauthentic. I’m undoubtedly the best me that you’ll ever find.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Next 5-10 years, I see businesses trends going towards automation on every front. Plug and play types of beauty enhancers and more automated coaching sessions (I personally believe nothing beats a personal interaction with a leader).
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @IB_Livefree | @Artistryby_Imani
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