Rising Stars: Meet Dominique Faye Robinson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dominique Faye Robinson.

Hi Dominique, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself. 
Hey! My name is Dominique, but you can call me Dom for short. My story begin on the Eastside of Detroit, where I was born and raised. Shooting forward to my teen years, I was a vibrant and optimistic 15-year-old with a pretty active social life. Writing stories in my heart, I found myself mesmerized by grandeur. I was a dreamer, and as the only child for quite some time, my imagination had the opportunity to grow larger than life. I’ve always been excited for my future, with daring thoughts that ignited a fire and a desire in me for more, and honestly, I never believed that anything was too hard for me. I truly believed that whatever I could “see” in my heart, I could achieve. 

I was raised by a brilliant and creative single mother who ensured a nurturing and stable environment for me. And I didn’t know it then, but I realize now that as a young girl, I had a measure of faith that was almost surreal. Again, there wasn’t anything that I believed was impossible for me. So, with that, I did what my heart desired. 

I immersed myself in the arts, Detroit School of Arts to be exact, in downtown Detroit, with dreams to go into Journalism and become a radio host, television personality, or an actress. I also loved to write. I’ve never been short on words, and I appreciated the expressive outlet writing offered me, so Journalism seemed like the perfect match. 

Throughout my high school experience and with my mother’s approval, I started exploring my options in the area of beauty. I’ve always been a girly girl, begging my mom to do my hair because the fresh hairdo appeal had worn out, and if it wasn’t my hair, I was asking for a trip to the mall in hopes of convincing her just how much I “needed” that new shirt to stay current and on-trend with my appearance. The thrill and confidence that getting dressed and being put together brought me was a pleasure that I thoroughly still enjoy today, and that love eventually spilled over, sparking a desire to share what I was experiencing with others. It was the genesis of my journey into entrepreneurship, 

I vividly remember those early days of setting up shop in my mom’s living room. It began with lashes – long before lash extensions became a trend. I’d use Ardell individual lashes from the local beauty supply store and apply them to my friends for a modest fee. The word spread like wildfire, and soon, I was servicing my mom’s friends as well. My passion for fashion came next. Inspired by a pair of distressed denim, I grabbed my scissors, tweezers, and my trusted cheese grater and began customizing jeans, shorts, and jackets for a growing clientele. My creativity knew no bounds, and I soon ventured into tie-dye, crafting custom-dyed jogging suits and shirts that became a sensation. 

My final memory in my introduction to entrepreneurship was creating custom profile pictures for all of my peers’ Crushspot and Facebook pages. If I would have charged a fee for this venture, I probably would be a millionaire right now; however, instead of millions, it sent me to pursue my degree in graphic design. 

Fast forward to today, and I find myself not too far from where it all began. It’s amusing how the interests of my teenage years have seamlessly woven into my adult life. My passion for fashion, beauty, and design remains as strong as ever. I’m a firm believer in Jesus Christ, and the words of Romans 8:28, which state that “all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose,” ring true for me. 

My life feels like a puzzle, with each piece contributing to create a masterpiece, and I’m more excited about the future than ever before. 

Currently, I am a fashion designer for Joys of Womanhood or JOW BRAND, an everyday luxury brand for women by women who believe that when you look good you feel great! We encourage women to get up and get dressed every day, no matter what! We promote self-care through fashion, inspiring women to prioritize themselves by creating a space for them to recognize how important they truly are. “We create luxury womenswear and happier women.” 

My second endeavor, Fayve Cosmetics, is a beauty brand that puts women of color front and center. We embrace simplicity by specializing in lip products tailored to enhance the rich spectrum of complexions that women of color represent. Our goal is to become every woman’s ultimate choice, the Holy Grail of lip products. We achieve this by crafting timeless, everyday wear shades in natural and neutral tones, including hues of red and pink. These shades are meant to be constant companions in purses and makeup kits for women worldwide. Currently, our best-seller, ‘Millionaire’ from our velvet matte collection is effortlessly gracing the hearts of the women we serve. As we continue to build brand awareness, we hope for you to “Consider us your Favorite.” 

Lastly, I’ve recently launched a YouTube channel, Dominique Faye, where I share my life as a follower of Christ. My hope is that others feel seen, heard, known, loved, and inspired to live better. I share my struggles, revelations, and triumphs as a mother, a woman, and an entrepreneur with Christ at the center of it all. As I grow in the industry, I aim to foster a more authentic, transparent, and transformative environment for our generation to thrive in. 

My heart’s desire is for us to be better, live well, and experience all that life has to offer, and do my share to contribute the betterment of our generation. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Of course! Life has dealt me a series of circumstances that added a few rocks to my road. One of the earliest challenges I encountered was in my interactions with others. Despite my being an only child for a significant part of my life, my active social circle allowed me to be a part of various friend groups and experience a wide range of personality types. 

For the most part, I went into friendships and relationships with others like a trusting deer. My understanding of who I thought people were versus who they actually revealed themselves to be came at the expense of my trust. You can experience certain things in your relationships that can completely destroy your ability to see others the way you once saw them before, and having to overcome hurt and betrayal can change the way you experience yourself and others overall. 

I started to take on insecurities and belief systems that were no longer congruent with the optimistic young girl who believed all things were possible for her. Additionally, I ended up becoming a mother earlier than I had anticipated. I was 23 years old, trying to figure out how to wear shoes I’d never worn before while simultaneously grieving a version of myself that I still aspired to be. I didn’t realize at the time that life wasn’t over for me. However, those moments were extremely intense, and my heart was internalizing a wide range of emotions, leaving little room for the optimistic dreamer I used to be. To add to the complexity, I later discovered that my child was nonverbal and would be for the first 3 years of his life, and after a wide range of testing, he was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Frustrated and confused, I was confronted with another opportunity to be discouraged or to embark upon a journey of discovery. Fortunately, I chose the latter. 

I believe that each of us starts with a spark, a fire, a flame that’s ignited in our hearts, showing us versions of ourselves we were always meant to be, and life’s circumstances has a way of trying to extinguish that fire. As a woman of faith, it became very clear to me that no matter how low or messy my situation appeared to be, a tiny ember within me would always find a way to resurface, even through the dirt and debris. With what strength I could muster, I resolved to keep moving forward, regardless of the challenges. 

Sometimes, all we have is a mustard seed of faith, but that tiny seed is powerful enough to move mountains and position our hearts and feet towards a place of hope and assurance. God’s grace has proven to be more than sufficient in my weakest moments. I’m now excited to stand in victory over the obstacles that once discouraged me and made it difficult to see a future beyond my past experiences. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m deeply passionate about my work, which is centered around two distinct but interconnected ventures. Firstly, I’m a fashion designer for Joys of Womanhood, or JOW BRAND for short. Our brand is all about everyday luxury for women, with a strong emphasis on the idea that when you look good you feel great! What sets us apart is our dedication to promoting self-care through fashion. We hope to inspire women to get up and get dressed every day! Our special focus on encouraging self-worth and self-prioritization sets us apart from others in the fashion industry. “We create luxury womenswear and happier women.” 

Secondly, I’ve launched Fayve Cosmetics, a beauty brand with a unique commitment to women of color. We specialize in lip products that cater to the diverse range of complexions within our community. Our pride lies in creating natural and neutral shades that are always in style and never forgotten, while these timeless hues in reds, pinks, and nudes become staples in the purses and makeup kits of women worldwide. Our mission is to be the Holy Grail of lip products for our customers, and what sets us apart is our unwavering dedication to serving and celebrating women of color forever. 

I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve been able to turn my passion for fashion, beauty, and design into thriving businesses that uplift and empower women around the world. What truly sets me apart is my unwavering commitment to promoting self-worth, self-care, and self-expression, all while focusing on the unique needs and desires of the women I serve. I believe that beauty is built from the inside and out, and I’m intensely dedicated to the inner work that translates externally into every part of our lives, allowing us to thrive forever! My journey as a woman of faith also infuses a sense of purpose into everything I do, guiding me to create authentic, transparent, and transformative content that resonates with my audience and shifts the atmosphere for opportunity and possibilities for generations to come. 

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I’d like to offer a heartfelt encouragement to everyone who’s reading this: Never stop believing for more! As long as you have the gift of another day to breathe, seize the opportunity to find gratitude in every circumstance you find yourself in. Remember, you are part of something greater than you can currently fathom, so open your heart to the love and tenderness that life offers. Learn to cherish and honor both yourself and others. 

Find passion in every step of your journey and keep your heart pure as much as possible. Don’t let anyone diminish the best parts of who you are. You are important, and remember; all things are possible for those who believe. You are never without hope or a savior. Stand resolute and establish a strong foundation in your relationship with Christ, who is the source of transformation and power, truth, and more love than you could ever imagine. Never give up on your dreams. Keep pursuing them with unwavering faith and watch how they unfold into reality. 

Pricing:

• Velvet Matte Liquid Lipstick $26

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jowbrand.com & www.fayvecosmetics.com
• Instagram: DominiqueFaye__
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominique-robinson-a60372ab/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHa74ntcqfp-GmJHaQtGY9g

Image Credits
@tonybeephoto
@dreamsovereverything_