Gettin’ Grown – “Stay Curious” (Feat. Jasmine Imani)

Release Date: November 18, 2025
Hosts: Jade & Kia (Loud Speakers Network)
Special Guest: Jasmine Imani

Episode Overview

This episode centers on curiosity, career pivots, entrepreneurship, and self-care—especially through the experiences of Black women navigating adulthood, business, and personal growth. Keia and Jade welcome Jasmine Imani, a seasoned entrepreneur, consultant, and founder of Imani Imani Studio and COO at New Crits. The discussion explores Jasmine’s non-traditional career path, the importance of curiosity and self-inquiry, practical strategies for sustainable pivots, and concludes with concrete self-care advice, including lash health tips.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Real Talk Check-In: Navigating Life’s Heaviness

Timestamps: 02:31–13:15

• End-of-Year Burnout:

  • Both hosts reflect on feeling physically and emotionally “full” and “burdened,” citing work crunch and broader societal challenges.
  • Kia: “I feel really like heavy... From every vantage, like physically, mentally, emotionally, I'm just feeling like burdened.” (05:29)

• Community as Lifeline:

  • Jade makes a call to action for community resource sharing, especially as holiday season hits amidst loss of SNAP benefits.
    • “Community is what is—is really what's going to hold us together.” (07:35)

2. Kitchen Table Talk: The Power of Collective Action

Timestamps: 08:49–13:01

• Mobilizing for Change:
  • Jade and Kia shout out to progressive action in New York and across the country, underscoring the impact of collective organization.
  • Jade: “It really shows us that when we mobilize the way that we need to... we—the power that we need to hold.” (09:07)
  • Kia: “I'm grateful for him as a possibility model... Hopeful this will sort of usher in a wave of young leaders.” (11:08)

3. Introducing Jasmine Imani & the Pivot Conversation

Timestamps: 13:15–16:29

• Jasmine is introduced as an entrepreneur, beauty studio founder, consultant, and COO.
• Conversation focuses on entrepreneurship, agility, and leaning into curiosity for career success.

Jasmine Imani’s Entrepreneurial Journey

Timestamps: 17:39–24:30

• Roots:

  • Grew up in an entrepreneurial household; started yard sales and projects as a child.
  • First major venture: Online software business with her brother post-high school, generating $3 million in six months.
    • Jade: “Wait, hold on. Kia's face alone—why $3 million dollar business in high school.” (19:20)

• Varied Career Moves:

  • From online lingerie retail (Graffiti Pink), to buyer at Karma Loop, creative director at Forever 21, and then a “glorious” pause to raise her child.

• Organic, Non-Linear Path:

  • Jasmine never planned her jumps—they were driven by curiosity and intuition.
  • Jasmine: “I've always led with curiosity... a big mantra for me... just jump off the mountain. Like, just do it.” (21:27)

Lessons in Pivoting & Navigating Uncertainty

Timestamps: 24:30–28:54

• Knowing When to Pivot:
  • Jasmine tunes into her body: “I'll keep the patterns of my day to day and realize, like, I feel like I'm struggling and that usually means something else is for me around the corner.” (24:30)
• Overcoming Fear:
  • Raised to value freedom and self-inquiry rather than deference to stability.
  • Encourages building backup plans (“fuck you money”) and preparing for change, but warns against leaping with zero preparation.

The Practice of Curiosity and Self-Assessment

Timestamps: 28:54–31:51

• Intentional Practices:
  • Jasmine is “seasonal” with her routines, takes things in “bite sizes,” and is businesslike in managing her schedule:
    • “What are the things that energize me and what are the things that deplete me?” (29:25)
• Curiosity as Compass:
  • Key practice: Stay curious.
  • Jasmine: “I tell everybody to remain very curious, like, ask the questions... Everything comes beautiful when you are like, just very curious about what serves you, what's helping you, what's hurting you.” (31:23)

Practical Steps for Career Change & Entrepreneurship

Timestamps: 33:29–44:11

• “Fuck You Money” as Security:
  • Save a runway so you’re empowered to leap when needed.
  • Collecting “fuck you money... really does root you in a groundedness of like, well, I have nothing to lose.” (33:29)
• Validate Your Passion:
  • “Test everything”—prove your ideas can make money before fully leaping.
• Learning on the Job:
  • View every job as a paid learning experience for your next move.
  • “You have to change that mindset and think, I'm getting paid to learn.” (39:27)
• Mentorship vs. Coaching:
  • Mentors aren’t always a formal relationship—find inspiration anywhere.
  • Coaching provides accountability, practical steps, and prevents burnout.

Business Coaching: Recommendations & Red Flags

Timestamps: 47:00–52:59

• Finding a Coach:
  • Recommendations are best; watch for those who truly listen and are curious about you personally.
  • Big red flag: Coaches who “haven’t been curious enough about me and... enter in kind of like a coach of like, I'm gonna tell you what you need to do and how to do it.” (51:17)

Jasmine’s Pivot to Beauty: Building Imani Imani Studio

Timestamps: 53:30–64:04

• Transition Story:
  • After losing joy in fashion, Jasmine spent a full year saving, consulting on the side, and researching before going to esthetics school.
  • The appeal of service and care drew her to lash/brow health.
• Step-by-Step Pivot:
  • Research, savings, school (Aveda), building a business plan and mood board for focus, starting with friends as clients, and hands-on training.
  • “Anyone building some kind of brand, you should start with that [vision board/business plan], because it's something you will consistently go back to.” (62:44)

The Role of Failure & Embracing Vulnerability

Timestamps: 66:36–74:34

• Failure is Essential:
  • Jasmine: “If you don’t fail, you’re not gonna win.” (67:08)
  • Mindset shift: Learn from things going up in flames—every breakdown is an opportunity to rebuild and refine.
• Looking Stupid is OK:
  • Kia reflects on “healing from perfectionism” and learning to fail out loud, especially as a leader.

Lash Health Tips from Jasmine Imani

Timestamps: 77:09–89:12

• Biggest Advice:
  • NO waterproof mascara – “It dehydrates your lash. It strips the lash, the hair.” (80:00)
  • Use gentle, clean mascaras; throw mascara out after three months (“filled with germs”).
  • Avoid eyelash curlers (“Lash curlers are the devil. They shouldn’t have been invented.” 82:29)
  • Oil cleansing or micellar water is better than harsh removers.
  • Lash serums can help—look for balanced, not all-chemical formulas. Jasmine recommends Barbaletta.
  • Hydrate lashes with light castor or coconut oil.
  • Sleep on your back for best lash, brow, skin, and general health!

Ending the Interview—Embracing the Era of the Creator

Timestamps: 89:12–93:34

• Jasmine is “sitting still” to listen for her next move, continuing to consult, and is excited for the “era of creators” where everyone, not just influencers, can shape their destinies by staying curious.
• Encouragement especially for Black women: “We are creators... get very curious. I know it's a very scary, great time. But I personally am very excited for all of you.” (92:46)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Everything's not for everybody. Even your favorites.” —Jade, on letting things unfold (03:59)
• “You don’t get to success without failure. Like, it’s... been proven, it’s been shown. So it’s about how you get up and what you do after you get up.” —Jasmine Imani (67:08)
• “Give yourself permission to suck at it first.” —Kia, on embracing vulnerability (73:40)
• “Collect your fuck you money.” —Jasmine Imani (33:29)
• “No one has the answers but you.” —Jasmine Imani (26:29)
• “Stay curious.” —A recurring mantra throughout the episode.

Key Timestamps for Segments

• Intro & Personal Check-In: 02:31–7:35
• On Community & Collective Action: 8:35–13:01
• Jasmine’s Introduction & Story: 13:15–19:51
• Advice on Pivoting Careers: 24:30–35:55
• Business Coaching & Mentorship: 44:11–52:59
• Beauty Career Pivot / Lash Health: 53:30–89:12
• Wisdom for Black Women Entrepreneurs: 74:34–93:34

Tone & Takeaways

The episode is supportive, candid, humorous (“fat on you hoes!”), and deeply practical. There’s a spirit of collectivity and encouragement, particularly for Black women and anyone navigating transition. Jasmine’s wisdom: Stay curious, take informed risks, listen to your own signals, and give yourself grace—permission to fail, look silly, and pivot again and again if needed.

Additional Links

• Guest Info: Jasmine Imani, Imani Imani Studio (NYC)
• Shoutout: Crystal Jean's podcast “Crystal’s Couch”

For those thinking about their next steps—career or otherwise—“Stay Curious” is both an actionable field guide and a loving reminder that you’re not alone in the messy middle. The journey isn’t linear, but it can be intentional.