Meet Imani Aldridge of Imani Modus

Today we’d like to introduce you to Imani Aldridge.

Imani, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I like to say my career started with internships. While attending Georgia State University, I had two: Essex Sustainability and RAGTRADE Atlanta. Essex is a company that addresses a diverse range of sustainability issues (not directly related to my interest; however, I’m not one to turn down an opportunity). After nine months, I applied for an internship with RAGTRADE Atlanta, a community-based organization focused on empowering independent fashion and accessory designers globally. Throughout this year, I gathered necessary tools for entrepreneurship, developed lasting relationships with some of the most inspiring people, and garnered a first-hand look at the creativity and talent embedded in my city.

Following RAGTRADE Atlanta, I interned at InStyle Magazine in New York, NY. As an editing intern, my most significant duty was fact-checking stories. I was responsible for identifying and correcting factual and grammatical errors before my assigned stories went to print (talk about pressure). Nonetheless, I did the work and had the help of those around me. After my 3-month run, it was time to return to Atlanta.

CURLBOX was the last destination along my internship path. From September 2018 to October 2019, I was a sponge. I wanted to learn, and I wanted to be great, but I failed at a few things; I didn’t ask enough questions (because… not wanting to seem unintelligent), and I didn’t give myself time. I needed time to learn the necessities to be great. I needed time to understand that I wasn’t going to excel at every aspect of my position in the first month or two. Here I am, an entire year in (with one month in as a marketing assistant), and I’m still a sponge, and working on excelling. Not to sound cliché, but this is the journey; I’m enjoying it so far.

Has it been a smooth road?
My journey has been far from a smooth road. The obstacles I’ve faced thus far are internal. I’ve never been challenged how I am with my current position, and it’s WELL NEEDED. I’ve removed emotion and am working on reversing my hindering habit of over-thinking to ensure that I’m absorbing, thinking, asking questions, and getting the work done (while remembering to pause at times). I know I’ll face plenty of obstacles; I also believe that I’ll tenaciously overcome them all.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Imani Modus story. Tell us more about the business.
I started Imani Modus (a fashion, beauty, and lifestyle blog) in my sophomore year of college. At the time, I had a keen interest in fashion and beauty. Four years later, [Imani Modus] is still standing with plans of upgrades to focus solely on beauty and lifestyle. I enjoy my blog; I think it serves as an excellent portrayal of where I was in my journey in 2015.

I’m continuously challenging myself to see what I can do better, differently, and interestingly to Imani Modus. My latest source of inspiration and joy comes from beauty product photography. I’m exploring just how creative I can be with it. Stay tuned.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I’m always amazed by the growth of the beauty industry, and what’s to come. With the many conversations on inclusion and diversity, I visualize this industry on a positive track to representing women of color in a more favorable image. We see the influence with CURLBOX, with having more people of color in elite positions, and with more beauty products targeted to women of color.

My primary goal is to create a larger conversation around beauty in Atlanta, where most discussions live in New York and Los Angeles. This vision will take commitment, focus, community, and the most crucial component, time.

Image Credit:
Tony Cash @therealtonycash; Imani Aldridge @imanimodus

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