Pharmacist, Influencer and Entrepreneur Fashion Career Real Life Portfolio

I know the paths of my different passions can be traversed at the same time. Ify Yvonne

One of the most common obstacles I hear from aspiring career changers is choose what career path to take when you have multiple interests. Ify Yvonne break those limiting beliefs by building a portfolio career that includes a day job as a pharmacist with two side jobs: 1) as a social media influencer (millions of YouTube video views and tens of thousands of Instagram followers); and 2) as a co-founder of the fashion line, Nkeoma By Ivy & Livy, with her sister.

Yvonnes’ goal with Nkeoma is to celebrate African culture (Yvonne is Nigerian-American) through fashion destroying other limiting beliefs that you can’t combine money and meaning. This multi-hyphenate builds a portfolio career that blends multiple interests, both business and creative.

My 3 favorite takeaways from our exchange:

1 – Pay attention to your market because your audience is telling you what they need. Yvonne develops new products based on customer feedback: With the success of my business, I have many friends, family, and followers who turn to me for help and guidance in building their own businesses. That’s how my business launch academy, Hustle & Glow was born.

2 You don’t have to quit your job to start your career change: During my freshman year as a pharmacist, after I finished my shift at the retail pharmacy where I worked, I spent curfew at the Nkeoma By Ivy & Livy building.

3 Be choosy about the advice you take: Don’t consult with people who are not where you want to be or are doing or have already done what you are trying to do. Their advice will always be guided by words that lead you to the safest path.

Our full exchange is below:

Caroline Ceniza-Levine: How will your varied portfolio career, and in particular the pharmaceutical plus fashion industry, unfold?

Ify Yvonne: Since I was in high school, I always knew I wanted to have my own business in the fashion industry, but also knew I wanted to have a professional career in the medical field. I am a woman, a Nigerian woman to be specific, so I know the paths of my different passions can be traversed at the same time. After receiving my doctorate in Pharmacy and starting my pharmacy career, it was time to pursue my dream of owning my own clothing line. Since I was still a budding influencer at the time, I built the business from the ground up. Along the way I learned a lot, especially the textile and manufacturing industry. With the success of my business, I have many friends, family and followers who turn to me for help and guidance in building their own business. That’s how my business launch academy, Hustle & Glow was born. At my business launch academy, I helped women go from 0 to launch in just a few months.

Ash-Levine: What prompted you to finally make the jump, or was it a gradual step?

Yvonne: It is a gradual step, however, always preparing and anticipating the next step. My vision and dreams for myself have always been my focus in everything I do. Immersed and enjoy doing work in a field that I love while still helping and motivating others to pursue the same as well. There are bound to be jumps with each stage. I commit to new concepts and figuring out as I experience each project is my method of action.

Ash-Levine: How did you decide to influence and then ecommerce?

Yvonne: I started my hobby as an influencer at the end of my studies in Pharmacy school, it really just happened and grew from there. Still maintaining my vision of what I want for myself, I know that growing an authentic and loyal audience is key to any business venture I will eventually pursue. Then, when the time came, and I discovered e-commerce, I launched my casual wear brand, Nkeoma By Ivy & Livy.

Ash-Levine: What resources are most helpful in making change e.g. courses, books, mentors or coaches, professional associations?

Yvonne: For the new project of creating my business launch academy, Hustle & Glow, I was looking for masterminds, mentors and coaches to actually help me build the systems and processes I needed to be able to efficiently and effectively help my clients launch their businesses… .[Specific examples include] Julie Solomon, Lauren Tickner and Jen Sinceros book series.

Ash-Levine: When do you feel like you have changed careers that is, you are identified as an entrepreneur v. employee?

Yvonne: During my freshman year as a pharmacist, after I finished my shift at the retail pharmacy where I worked, I spent the evening building Nkeoma By Ivy & Livy. That’s when I really felt the word entrepreneur was part of my name and title.

Ash-Levine: What, if anything, about your old career was beneficial to the new one? If so, what should you leave or leave your old career behind?

Yvonne: I am grateful for my career and experience as a pharmacist, because it taught me the importance of quality control and workflow. When filling out a prescription from a doctor, I have to make sure that the medicine the doctor orders is the one I dispense and give to my patients. All the steps I take as a pharmacist to ensure accuracy and safety are the same steps I take when filling orders with my customers. This greatly reduces the returns, exchanges and losses of money in the business.

Ash-Levine: Are friends and family supportive? If not, how do you find the motivation to work through your career change?

Yvonne: My immediate family, my parents and siblings, have been very supportive throughout my journey and I am grateful for that. I met my husband in the middle of building my business and he has been a cheerleader and support system when I was a wife and mother during all the turmoil. Then all my followers and supporters who have watched me grow over the years have become my motivation and inspiration to keep going and provide knowledge and entertainment to them.

Ash-Levine: What advice would you have for other professionals thinking of making shafts?

Yvonne: My advice to those thinking of making that shaft is to just go. Don’t hesitate or wait for permission. Fix your mindset (read lots of books to help you in that department!) and just go for it! You will know all the details of your journey to a new level. As you read this, you have passed your darkest day or toughest time. Everything always works out in the end. So, keep your vision and life goals at the forefront and take all the opportunities that bring you closer to your goals. Invest in coaches and mentors to teach you new skills and concepts. Don’t consult with people who are not where you want to be or are doing or have done what you are trying to do. Unfortunately, they won’t give you the right advice or strategy to get there. Their advice will always be guided by words that lead you to the safest path. To be successful, you have to feel uncomfortable and navigate unknown territory.

Ash-Levine: What’s next for you?

Yvonne: For me, I will continue to develop Hustle & Glow and help women around the world launch their businesses, gain financial freedom, and live abundantly. I am writing a business launch manual that will be of great value to those who need help and guidance on entrepreneurship and actually building a profitable business. In August 2021, I’m holding my first lady’s retreat at Waikiki Beach, Hawaii and I’m excited to start planning my next retreat for 2022!