Diarrha N'Diaye Discusses the Legacy of Her Cherished Beauty Brand Ami Colé

      Welcome to Second Life, a podcast that highlights successful individuals who have undergone significant career changes and adeptly navigated the pivot. Hosted by Hillary Kerr, co-founder and chief content officer at Who What Wear, each episode connects you with influential figures in their respective fields. Be sure to subscribe to Second Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform to keep updated.

      In 2019, Diarrha N’Diaye founded the beauty brand Ami Colé to celebrate melanin-rich skin. Her path to becoming the founder and CEO was not straightforward, as she initially pursued English studies at Syracuse University. Though she recently made the tough choice to close the brand, her journey is far from complete.

      Before she became an entrepreneur, N’Diaye honed her PR and social media marketing expertise through positions at Rebecca Minkoff, Teen Vogue, and VIBE Magazine, skills that eventually caught L’Oreal's attention. While working in digital marketing at the leading cosmetics company, she discovered her desire for a more dynamic, startup atmosphere, leading her to join Glossier.

      In 2018, she started working on product development for Glossier, helping to create and launch new products with a pioneering "social media-first approach." However, as Glossier rapidly expanded, N’Diaye lost her job due to company restructuring and the introduction of new teams to manage products. This unexpected turn prompted a transformative solo trip to Thailand, where she contemplated her future in the industry. Her conclusion? To create her own beauty brand.

      Since its launch, Ami Colé has received over 80 awards for its outstanding products and has been recognized for establishing a vital space within the beauty industry focused on darker skin tones. Thus, the news of the brand's closure was particularly heartbreaking, but it is clear that N’Diaye's influence on the industry will endure.

      Tune into the latest episode of Second Life to learn more about Diarrha N’Diaye, the creation of Ami Colé, and what the future holds for her. Next up: Meet Jennifer Anderson, founder of Kids Eat in Color.

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