Meet Imani Gabriel

We recently connected with Imani Gabriel and have shared our conversation below.

Imani, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

Confidence is often seen as something you gain only after reaching a certain goal or changing something about yourself, but to me, confidence is a way of life—a practice. It’s about fully embracing who you are. As a child, I was insecure about my small frame and big, kinky curls. But as I grew older, I learned to love those very features that made me unique. Looking back, I realize my insecurity wasn’t because I disliked my features; it was because of the kids who teased me and the society that celebrated a beauty standard that didn’t include me. The beauty of confidence is that it doesn’t come from others. That’s why even celebrities, adored by millions, can still struggle with self-esteem. True confidence is something you define for yourself.
For years, I disliked my natural hair. I begged my cosmetologist mother for a relaxer to straighten it, but she told me I could make that decision when I turned 18—and I’m grateful she did. My mom often straightened my hair, but when I went off to college, I damaged it with heat and dye. That’s when I decided to cut it all off. Surrounded by people who loved me just the same, I realized that my hair didn’t define me—it was simply a way to express who I am.

By the time quarantine hit in 2020, my hair had grown back, thanks to the care and attention I gave it. As it flourished, I fell in love with learning how to style and nurture it. That big chop marked a turning point in my hair journey, from hate to love, and it symbolized a fresh start in my relationship with my hair.

Confidence is rooted in acceptance—accepting yourself entirely, flaws and all. Even if there are things you don’t like about yourself, you must first accept them before you can change them, and that acceptance is what allows true confidence to grow.
Just like anything else, the more you practice, the more confident you become. I wasn’t afraid to experiment with new hairstyles and products, even when I failed, because every misstep taught me something. My hair is mine to care for, and society doesn’t dictate what I do with it. The confidence I’ve built led me to embrace loc’ing my hair, which I now rock proudly. And if I decide to chop it all off again tomorrow (which I won’t), I wouldn’t be afraid to do so.

Confidence grows through trying, failing, accepting, learning, and evolving. It’s all part of the process. Be patient with yourself along the way, embrace each step, and watch your confidence bloom.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Hair depression is a significant issue within the Black community, stemming from a history of discrimination, assimilation, and a lack of knowledge about how to care for natural hair. Many women turn to weaves, relaxers, or other alternatives, not out of preference, but because they don’t know how to properly care for their natural texture. This often leads to stress and a strained relationship with their hair.

Growing up as the daughter of a skilled cosmetologist and salon owner, hair has always been an integral part of my life. Despite having access to the best professional hair care, it wasn’t until college, when I had to manage my hair independently, that I truly understood the complexities of my natural hair. It became a personal journey of discovery and self-acceptance.

I started Her Crown and Glory as a blog to share helpful information with women on how to care for their natural hair. Over time, I expanded it into a quarterly subscription box, creating a hands-on approach to guide women through their natural hair journey and provide them with the right tools and resources. My goal is to make the process easier and more enjoyable.

At Her Crown and Glory, we focus on helping women feel confident embracing their natural hair. I collaborate with brands that prioritize clean, safe hair care, so subscribers don’t have to worry about vetting harmful products. Each quarter, I curate personalized hair care routines and provide products that make it simpler to manage their hair, reducing the stress of trial and error. The natural hair journey can be overwhelming with the abundance of products and routines, but Her Crown and Glory is here to support and guide women every step of the way.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

1. Resilience is one of the most important qualities you can have when starting a business. Failure is often a steppingstone on the path to success, and it’s crucial to understand that even the biggest, most successful companies face setbacks and losses. What sets them apart is their ability to learn from those challenges, adapt, and keep pushing forward. Instead of saying, “This didn’t work,” they ask, “How can we make this work?” or “What will work?” It’s that mindset that fuels growth and greatness.

I’ve experienced this firsthand in my own journey. It took months after launching my business before I made my first sale, and nearly a year before I found the right system to effectively run my subscription box. If I had given up early on, my business wouldn’t be standing today. The trials, errors, and adjustments were essential to discovering what worked—and without resilience, I wouldn’t have the opportunities I have now.

2. Passion is essential. In entrepreneurship, challenges are inevitable. At its core, entrepreneurship is a continuous process of problem-solving, and when things get tough, you need a deep sense of purpose to push through. This is especially true in the early stages when you’re working hard to bring your vision to life. Your passion must be strong enough to keep you from giving up. For me, hair care holds a special place in my heart because of my upbringing and personal journey. I am deeply committed to helping others care for their hair—without that passion, I would have let go of this vision long ago.

3. Be Open to Adapting. Whether you’re just starting or already established, you might have a clear vision of how you want your business to operate. However, I’ve learned that sometimes you need to let go of that original plan to bring your goals to life. Be willing to explore different approaches. I was initially fixed on doing things a certain way, but over time, I experimented with various platforms, subscription models, and content types. Embracing flexibility allowed me to discover what truly worked and led to success.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, I remind myself that I’m human, and my primary purpose here is simply to be. Everything else is a bonus. We often stack endless tasks and problems on our shoulders, pressuring ourselves to believe that things must happen now or be done perfectly. The fast-paced, constantly evolving world of technology and social media only adds to that pressure. It can feel like life is moving at lightning speed, but by grounding myself in who I am at my core, I’m able to slow down, gain clarity, and approach things more thoughtfully.

As a business owner, new homeowner, and student continuing my education at the University of New Orleans, there’s always something that demands my attention. In those moments of overwhelm, I choose to shift my perspective and reflect on how fortunate I am to carry these responsibilities—they allow me to maintain and nurture the blessings I’ve been given. Although it often feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day, I remind myself that creativity is at the heart of my business, and stress stifles that. Prioritizing peace and gratitude helps me stay connected to my creative flow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hercrownandglory.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hercrownandgloryofficial
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hercrownandgloryofficial