Exclusive: Cliff Vmir Acquires New FEMMÈ Beauty Storefront And Talks Leadership, Ownership, And Impact

Forbes

14 hours ago

Cliff Vmir
When one thinks of the viral internet sensation Cliff Vmir, it should come as no surprise that words like 'trailblazer' or 'trendsetter' closely follow. Throughout his career, we've witnessed the tastemaker expand his brand into lucrative streams of income as a key figure in the beauty industry, serving as a leading celebrity hairstylist for notable clients such as Cardi B, Jazmine Sullivan, and Sexyy Red. Vmir's influence has only grown in recent years, thanks to his haircare brand FEMMÉ, a line of products tailored to the needs of his extensive clientele, focusing on hair growth, nourishment, and more. As it's clear that he's already paved (or slayed) his own path in the haircare industry, Vmir recently added another accomplishment to his growing empire — a 3,000 sq. foot warehouse, salon, and storefront to house his FEMMÉ brand. While he's excited about this level up, Vmir feels that the elation will truly set in as he continues to meet his entrepreneurial goals.'I'm very hard on myself and have been since I was around sixteen years old. It's a good thing and it's a bad thing. I am excited and happy because I'm twenty-eight, and before anything, I'm Black and this is Black excellence,' Vmir said. 'I really started taking my hair care brand super seriously, about 10 months ago. This is the fourth and biggest warehouse that we moved up to. In my opinion, I won't feel like we've made it until I reach Walmart status because I feel like I'm only 10% of where I want to be.'One aspect that appears to be a common denominator in Vmir's professional trajectory is camaraderie. Whether it's by way of his collaborations with some of the leading ladies of popular culture or shining a light on other creators who look to create their own success stories, this energy is embedded in this latest endeavor, as well.'It's going to be a store in the very front, a salon in the middle, and then in the back, there's a double door that goes into the warehouse. I don't mind helping stylists, and I want a lot of phenomenal stylists there. I wanted a primarily male-based salon because I feel that males bring a different energy,' Vmir said. 'But I just want people who are not afraid to help one another. The salon is undergoing an interior makeover, featuring nice epoxy floors, with a significant amount of money being invested in it. FEMMÈ is my first baby, but this is my first baby that I have to really take care of. I have to make sure everything is done correctly, and I have the right people representing it. I just want to make sure that no matter what, people are going above and beyond, regardless of who you are.'
Cliff Vmir
While the mogul continues to extend his reign in the fields of haircare and entrepreneurship, he admits that each discipline requires varying levels of intention. When it comes to ownership, particularly, Vmir admits that sustaining the livelihood of his colleagues is of utmost importance to him and fuels his motivation.'Ownership for me is a whole other ballgame. As a hairstylist, you may wake up feeling unwell and need to cancel appointments. When you own a business, however, people are depending on you. There are people who work for me who can't pay their bills or provide for their families without that job. Anytime you own something, you're always the root of everything, so I can't really take days off. I could take a sick day, but I still need to ensure things are moving forward. Every day when I open my eyes, it's all about FEMMÈ and how I can advance my career. I feel that if I were to stop working today or tomorrow, many people who depend on me would struggle to provide for their families. I'm not doing it because of that, but I love to be able to put people in a position. When you own something and it's yours and no one can take it away from you, it's a really powerful feeling, especially when you're building it from the ground up.'
Cliff Vmir
Just two years shy of thirty, the innovator's leadership style encompasses similar tenets to those of peers twice his age. According to Vmir, that instinctive quality of leadership is something he's embodied since birth.'I feel like I've always been a natural leader. I'm young and I've always known what I wanted. I worked for myself since I was fifteen, so I'm very seasoned. I'm twenty-eight now, and I tell everyone who has a business never to take no for an answer because I never do. If I'm expecting a package and they call me and say, 'Oh, we're going to have a delay,' I'm going to do whatever I can to get my stuff when I need it, so I never accept no. I have always been a natural-born leader, and I'm never going to follow after anyone because how I feel matters the most.'As the Delaware native continues to excel in all of his lanes, he feels that his career is a full-circle moment, given that his dreams have become reality.
'I just wanted to be a regular hairstylist. My mom used to get her hair done by a woman who would do hair at her home. It wasn't ever about money, but about the art behind hair. I used to watch her do my mom's hair, and they would gossip and have a good time; that is what I originally wanted. However, once I was fourteen or fifteen, I had another vision. I remember going to cosmetology class because I went to a vocational school, and a teacher asked us all, 'Well, where do you see yourself in five years?' And I said, 'Well, I want to be a celebrity hairstylist.' Again, at the time in Delaware, that was considered impossible. Everyone just started laughing, and here we are over a decade later. The tongue is powerful, and working hard really does go a long way. I'm just so proud of myself, and I have never said that, ever.'