Ify Yvonne always had a passion for chemistry, as well as helping others be the best version of themselves. Receiving her doctorate as a pharmacist in 2012, she started experimenting with social media, and rapidly grew to digital acclaim. As such, we were keen to talk with her, and find out what propelled this Nigerian American mom, wife and entrepreneur to fame.
The epitome of the self-made woman, Yvonne has truly conquered new heights with her brand, Nkeoma by Ivy & Livy. Launched in 2015, Nkeoma has received roaring endorsements from people around the world, as well as celebrities. Recently, American rapper Queen Latifah was spotted sporting Nkeoma loungewear on her hit show, The Equalizer, an experience Ify describes as “unreal”. Insecure star, Yvonne Orji’s decision to include Nkeoma products in her gala goodie bags, left the creator “honored, grateful, and shocked”.
“Entrepreneurship is a rocky, lonely and stressful ride, so any moments where you see the fruits of your labor take off and be recognized are a great motivation and push to keep going even when times are rough and unknown.”
Also in 2022, Ify Yvonne saw her brand featured in Forbes and Essence magazine. Of course, a big aspect of Nkeoma’s success has been the brand’s powerful presence on social media, which Ify describes as “the powerhouse to [her] brand”.
“I launched my business on social media and till this day, it’s my #1 source on obtaining new customers and subscribers. Social media for any type of brand or business is so important because it’s the fastest, easiest and cheapest (free) way to showcase and market your business.”
With 49k followers on her personal account, and almost 20k on her brand account, Ify must be doing something right. So, we wanted to know how she first got into fashion, to which Ify didn’t hesitate to credit her mother as the main inspiration.
“She is always so put together with outfits meticulously planned. She moves with style and purpose. With that, and being an 80s baby, 90s kid, that era of fashion is still my favorite and always inspires me.”
Thinking back to those glory days of fashion, Janet Jackson is Ify’s go-to fashion icon, and she still listens to Jackson to this day, as well as Mariah Carey, Drake, and Burna Boy.
In them, Ify recognizes that golden hustler attitude that has powered her all these years, together with her deeply creative spirit.
“To me, being a creative means bringing your talents, skills and visions to life where they can be experienced and seen by someone other than yourself. Self-expression.”
Although the hustling spirit is her own, Yvonne credits her business mentors, Julie Solomon, Lauren Tickner and Alex & Leila Hormozi, with helping her see the light in her journey.
Lastly, we couldn’t let her go without a word of advice to young entrepreneurs.
“If you’re reading this, you have survived all of your worst days. Whatever you want to do, even if it may seem so far beyond you or crazy, just try it. You never regret anything if you at least tried. Success never happens in your comfort zone, so just start, jump off that cliff of “should I?” “Could I?” and just figure out how to build the plane on your way down.”
