RISING ICON #89: Anita Ibama
What name do you prefer to be called?
Anita Ibama, some people know me as Ms. Lavish
What are your pronouns?
She/ Her
Where did you grow up?
I mostly grew up in Minneapolis/ Queens New York
What city are you currently based in?
Minneapolis, Minnesota
How do you typically introduce yourself to new people?
With a huge smile, most likely I’m showing my teeth
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about you?
I am very artistic. I see the art in the little things
Who do you help?
Anyone with SKIN! People suffering from skin/ hair problems, or just anyone that wants glowing hydrated skin and hair.
What are you building now?
Right now, I'm building brand awareness, there are so many people in search of the quality products I produce.
What were you building ten years ago today?
I was actually in school, I became a college graduate with a degree in Biological Sciences! I started building my online and physical presence since then!
What do you predict of yourself 10 years from now?
Major success, widely known from different cities and countries. Marketing/ Sales Companies
What’s a fact or statistic you wish everyone knew about your industry?
Many people create products, but what matters is quality and effectiveness.
Why do you believe the work you do matters?
I change life’s for the better. Lavish Shea Butter allows customers to gain confidence that was once lost. I’ve come across all types of people looking for a solution, they run into my products and suddenly finally find the solution they wanted for years.
Who is your mentor and what is the best advice they’ve given you?
Rihanna. I admire her business style. She’s been able to take the beauty industry by storm, not only through her influence but also product quality.
What piece of content about you or your company are you most proud of?
I’ve been published in VoyageMinnesota and also Canvas Rebel which were two articles that reached out and showcased my brand and product.
What publication do you hope to appear in next?
Cosmopolitan - I could see the headline now … “Taking the skincare world by Storm”.
Who would you love to be interviewed by?
I’ve always wanted to be interviewed by Essence Magazine. That would be a dream come true. I believe that I embody what they stand for!
If you had to give a TEDTalk tomorrow, what would the title be?
“The Product I Never Knew I Needed.”
What award would mean the most to win?
Any award received by my work would mean the world, but if I could choose one- maybe Allure Reader choice award! That would mean I made it
What makes zero sense to you?
Not investing in Organic skincare products for self-care.
What’s a word in your industry you hope gets re-evaluated?
Luxury! Many luxury products contain chemicals and preservatives. Organic Skincare should indeed be seen as Luxury for being completely natural and healing to the skin.
What game are you changing?
Making and selling Lavish Shea Butter the same day is a game-changer on its own! I’ve been able to accomplish this for the past 3 years at the Mall of America, and also through my online business
What’s the next thing you’re a part of that you want to invite more people to participate in?
I would love to create an event where people of all creatives come together to showcase their ART/ Talents. Dedicated to all things natural!
Where can we follow you online?
Instagram: Lavishsheabutter or Online at Lavishsheabutter.com
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We’re grateful to each Rising ICON for their transformative work. Thank you, Ms. Lavish, for sharing your story!
LAUREL is a media relations partner for bold leadership. For nearly a decade, we’ve helped leaders build effective strategies for scale and growth specializing in key opinion leadership and go-to-market strategy for emerging brands. To follow along with the RISING ICONS series, nominate a leader or subscribe to our weekly email newsletter. To accelerate your own rise, get our free guide to elevating your leadership profile, FIT(lite). RISING ICONS is made possible by grant funding from Knight Foundation.
“Many people create products, but what matters is quality and effectiveness.”
Notice: It’s important for our readers to understand the origin of the interview content. The featured ICON contributed responses that were not edited from the original submission. All claims are made solely by the contributor and do not reflect the views of LAUREL or its partners. Thank you for supporting innovation leaders. We’re convinced, the future is bold.
