Aspire with Emma Grede What We Can Learn from Failure with Ami Colé Founder, Diarrha N’Diaye
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Sep 9, 2025 Diarrha N’Diaye, founder of the beauty brand Ami Colé, shares her inspiring journey as a Black woman entrepreneur who raised over a million dollars in funding. She candidly discusses the emotional toll of closing her brand while emphasizing resilience and the invaluable lessons learned from failure. Diarrha explores the importance of community, navigating retail dynamics, and the balance between motherhood and career pressures. Her insights offer a powerful message about redefining success and the significance of personal growth in the entrepreneurial journey.
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Inclusive Beauty As Premium Experience
- Diarrha built Ami Colé to show inclusive beauty could be top-shelf, thoughtful, and timeless.
- The brand aimed to marry product, branding, and experience to make melanin-rich skin feel seen.
Seven-Year Apprenticeship Before Launch
- Diarrha spent seven years apprenticing across pro artistry, L'Oréal, and Glossier before launching in 2021.
- She used that industry experience to learn color theory, P&L, product briefs, and audience insight before founding Ami Colé.
Raise With Clear Readiness And Guardrails
- Take capital only when you are truly prepared and have mapped how it will be used to scale.
- Expect VC to demand growth and build guardrails, mentorship, and infrastructure to match that pace.
