We recently had the chance to connect with Akua Robinson and have shared our conversation below.
Akua , so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day are all about setting the tone and being intentional. I start by drinking a glass of water as soon as I wake up—it’s my way of giving my body that first “good morning” refresh. Once I’ve emptied my bladder, I take a few moments to nurture my mind and spirit. Depending on how I’m feeling, that might be a guided meditation, listening to soothing singing bowls, or simply sitting in silence with my thoughts.
From there, I’ll read a chapter from whatever book I’m currently into—it keeps my mind engaged and inspired before diving into emails and deadlines. Movement is next—either yoga to gently wake up my body or a quick at-home workout to boost my energy. After that, it’s tea time (my little morning ritual), followed by a shower to fully shift into “go mode.” By the time I sit down to work, I feel grounded, energized, and ready to tackle the day.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Akua Robinson, your Best Friend in Beauty! I’m a makeup artist, beauty educator, and community builder with over a decade in the industry. I’ve had the honor of working with incredible clients ranging from everyday people who want to feel their most confident to celebrities, brides, and corporate brands. But what truly lights me up is helping beauty professionals grow their businesses, elevate their artistry, and connect with opportunities they might not otherwise have access to.
I’m the founder of Friends in Beauty, a platform and community created to connect, educate, and inspire beauty industry pros. Through our podcast, events, workshops, and the Trailblazers Club membership, I create spaces where beauty professionals can network, learn, and collaborate—because I believe there’s enough room for all of us to win.
What makes Friends in Beauty unique is that it’s not just about makeup or hair—it’s about building authentic relationships, sharing resources openly, and uplifting each other in an industry that can sometimes feel competitive or closed off.
Right now, I’m working on expanding the Trailblazers Club, creating new educational resources for beauty pros, and planning Friends in Beauty’s first retreat in Bali in 2026—because even the hardest-working beauty entrepreneurs deserve a break to recharge and dream bigger.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
Growing up, I didn’t think I was that smart. I went to a high school that was heavily academic-focused, where grades were the main measure of worth. If you weren’t making the honor roll, you were basically invisible in terms of “achievement.” I never made the honor roll, so I internalized this idea that maybe I just wasn’t as intelligent as everyone else—I felt like I was just existing, going through the motions.
That belief completely shifted when I got to college. Suddenly, I was excelling—making the Dean’s List repeatedly and turning in freshman-level assignments that even exceeded the quality of work some upperclassmen were doing. That was my wake-up call. I realized that intelligence isn’t always about how you perform in one environment—it’s also about being in spaces that see and nurture your strengths. College showed me that I was more than capable, and it helped me own my brilliance with confidence.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Ugh, yes—almost all the time! What entrepreneur hasn’t? The truth is, building something from the ground up is not for the faint of heart, and there are definitely moments when quitting feels tempting. That’s why I’m such a huge advocate for community—because when you’re surrounded by like-minded people, you realize those feelings are completely normal, and you’re not the only one going through them.
What keeps me going is that my mission is bigger than me now. There are people who look forward to me showing up, who find value, encouragement, and inspiration in what I do. I can’t let them down. Knowing that someone is counting on me—even if it’s just one person—is enough to push me through the hard days and keep me moving forward.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
This is something I actually used to wonder myself. I’m not someone who sits around analyzing my own personality, so when I first started posting videos online, I’d watch them back and ask, “Are you being real? Is that really how you act?” Part of that came from comparing myself to the BIG, over-the-top personalities we see online all the time. If you’re not that loud or exaggerated, you start to question whether you’re interesting enough or truly showing up as yourself.
Over time, I realized that the public version of me is just a small fraction of all that I fully embody—but it’s still 100% the real me. Doing more long-form video content helped me see that. Watching and listening to myself over time, I noticed my quirks, my natural humor, and even caught moments where I literally made myself laugh out loud. That’s when I stopped doubting it—what people see is authentically me, just not the entire me. I have to keep a little for myself you know!
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m by the water—any kind of body of water will do, but send me to the beach and I’m in my happy place instantly. There’s something about the sound of waves, the smell of the ocean air, and the way the horizon seems endless that just quiets my mind. It’s like all the noise and busyness of life fades into the background, and I can finally just be. Whether it’s a beach vacation or simply sitting by a lake, water has a way of grounding me and helping me recharge.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.friendsinbeauty.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendsinbeauty
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/friendsinbeauty
- Other: Personal IG: www.instagram.com/akuarobinson
Image Credits
@Domoshotme @oneofakaiartistry
