HER Vision: Alisha Amani Lee

Please introduce yourself to our readers:
Alisha “Amani Lee” Maniece is the founder of Amani Forever Beauty, an online beauty supply store dedicated to celebrating black culture. Alisha utilizes her unique afro features to her advantage in order to stand out in an oversaturated world of beauty. She teaches women of color various methods to properly care for their hair using her website’s products. With hair care tips, product demonstrations and frequent giveaways, she provides her clientele with a positive experience where they are respected and appreciated.
 
She is also the author of the blog, Amani Forever Celebration, dedicated to celebrating and showcasing black entrepreneurs and their businesses. She brings her guests an opportunity to have their stories heard.
 
Alisha is a proud first-generation college graduate of Arizona State University. She has her Bachelor's of Science in family and human development. She currently works in the realm of education also.
 
What makes you a visionary?
One of the most prominent lessons I’ve learned in my 25 years, is that history tends to repeat itself. Because of this, I not only learn from my mistakes, but I learn from the mistakes of others as well. This has given me strong critical thinking skills.

Share the 3 key steps that helped you bring your vision to life:
As a first generation graduate, at times the entrepreneurship path can feel overwhelming. There are many basic concepts that I have only recently learned as an adult, and that can bring out feelings of doubt and insecurity. The following 3 steps have greatly aided me in my path and has brought forth my inner confidence:
1 - Having a solid blueprint
2 - Having faith even when entire picture is unseen
3 - Networking and collaborating with others

Although life is unpredictable, I believe it is critical to have a solid blueprint of your career goals and life desires.  I’ve always wanted to open a beauty supply store since I was a young child. My original plan was to pursue my MBA in hopes that it would equip me with the knowledge to establish and operate a brick and mortar.  After a year in a MBA cohort, I realized it was not what God had intended for me. It was difficult leaving grad school and essentially disappointing my parents, but I knew my plan to open a beauty supply store had not failed, just detoured. Moments like these are guided by my strong faith.

I had no solid backup plan when I left school, in fact, the healthcare company I had worked at for 2 years eliminated my position just 2 days after I left my last lecture! Things were not looking promising, but I continued to remain resilient in my faith in God  and I did not give up!