Today we’d like to introduce you to Imari and Iman Anderson #TheAndersonTwins.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
We are Imari and Iman Anderson, also known as #TheAndersonTwinz, from Birmingham, Alabama. Our journey began with a strong foundation in academics, graduating in the top 5 percentile of our high school class despite facing significant personal challenges. Our mother, Xaveria Powell-Anderson, a former Miss Wheelchair Alabama, tragically passed away in 2016 due to an unresolved house fire. Despite this, we persevered and received full-ride scholarships to Troy University, where we graduated with bachelor’s degrees.
As struggling college students, we started selling clothes and hair from our grandmother’s living room to support ourselves. This side hustle turned into a full-fledged business after graduation. In 2018, we launched our separate companies: The DoubleTake Boutique and Iman Hair Extensions. By 2022, we combined our efforts to open Double Beauty, Alabama’s premier one-stop glam shop in the Crestwood area of Birmingham, offering a range of beauty and non-surgical services.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey has not been easy. We faced the immense personal loss of our mother, which was a significant emotional and financial burden. Balancing our studies while trying to build a business from scratch as college students was also challenging. We had to learn to manage our time, resources, and energy effectively. Additionally, finding the right market for our products and services and building a customer base took considerable effort and perseverance.
We’ve been impressed with Our business is called Double Beauty, LLC., but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Double Beauty is Alabama’s ultimate glam stop, offering a unique blend of fashion and beauty services. We specialize in high-quality hair extensions, trendy fashion items, and a variety of non-surgical beauty services such as teeth whitening and body contouring. What sets us apart is our commitment to providing a comprehensive beauty experience under one roof, making it convenient for our clients to look and feel their best. As we evolve and grow, you can also expect that from our business.
We are proud of how far we’ve come from selling items out of our grandmother’s living room to running a successful storefront. Our re-grand opening will feature private booths for stylists and an in-store beauty supply, further expanding our offerings. Our story of resilience and determination is at the heart of our brand, and we aim to inspire others to pursue their dreams regardless of their circumstances.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Resilience is the most important quality for our success. Despite the hardships we’ve faced, we have always found a way to persevere. Our ability to adapt, stay focused, and push through difficult times has been crucial in building our brand and achieving our goals.
Finding a Mentor
Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
Finding a mentor can be challenging, but it’s essential. Our advice is to network actively and be open to learning from others. Attend industry events, join professional groups, and don’t hesitate to reach out to people whose work you admire. We found mentors through our university’s alumni network and local business associations. Social media has also been a valuable tool for connecting with potential mentors and collaborators.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/NfELLpG5Q5tXf4RZ/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@doublebeautytv
