How Did Marvella Build Her Beauty Empire?

How Did Marvella Turn Her Brand Into a Beauty Empire?

Marvella is a Nigerian-born entrepreneur and digital creator who has built a thriving community of over one million followers across Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. Now based in Dallas, she’s the founder of Marviano Cosmetics, a brand already making waves with sell-out products and bold ambitions for the future. Known for her authenticity, creativity, and business savvy, Marvella opens up in this interview about her journey from content creator to CEO, the cultural influences that shape her work, and the lessons she’s learned while building a brand that reflects her vision and values.

Marvella Akiojano by Tolulope Gangbo

When did you begin your social media career, and at what point did you realize it could grow into a full-time business and brand?

I first began my journey in 2018, starting with my YouTube channel, which I really wanted to take seriously. At the time, I was inspired by other creators who were elevating their content and building something bigger from it. It wasn’t until around 2022–2023 that things truly shifted for me. I started receiving opportunities for collaborations, and the more I invested in my content, the more momentum I built. That was the turning point when I realized this wasn’t just a passion project, it could grow into a full-time business and brand, and I was excited to give it my all.

What is it about you as a person that you think makes you able to follow and work for this career path?

For me, it comes down to faith, drive, and gratitude. I’ve always believed in stepping back and putting things in God’s hands, trusting His guidance, and having faith in the journey. That foundation gives me the resilience to keep going. At the same time, my motivation is deeply personal, my parents sacrificed so much for me, and as their only child, I want to make them proud. Everything I do is rooted in honoring their sacrifices and ensuring that what they gave me was worthwhile. That combination of faith, determination, and gratitude keeps me moving forward.

You moved from Nigeria to the U.S. do you draw beauty and fashion inspiration from both cultures, and how have they influenced your content and product development?

I feel like Nigeria is already in me, so I don’t even have to try. Growing up there, the culture shaped my sense of style, energy, and even how I express myself. When I moved to the U.S. in 2018, I quickly realized that the way you present yourself matters and that audiences respond differently. I can’t approach an American audience the same way I’d approach a Nigerian one.

For example, I still have my accent, thank God it’s not going anywhere, and that instantly connects me with people from my Nigerian roots. Nigerians are also known for our warmth and vibrancy, and I think that naturally comes through in my content. But I’ve also learned to balance it, like, if I came on camera shouting with full Nigerian energy, my Nigerian followers would love it, but the rest of my audience might be like, “why is she yelling at me?” So, I’ve found this sweet spot where I can bring both cultures together.

Marvella AAkiojano by Tolulope Gangbo

As you’ve transitioned from influencer to entrepreneur and CEO, what has been the most rewarding part of the journey, and what were some of the most challenging lessons to learn along the way?

Stepping into the CEO role for my own brand has been incredibly exciting, but I won’t lie, it’s come with a lot of challenges too. Having a vision and actually bringing it to life requires more patience, persistence, and resilience than I ever imagined.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of patience. Not everything happens on my timeline, and I’ve had to accept that. I’ve also learned the power of letting go, sometimes you can’t control every outcome, and in those moments, I’ve had to put it in God’s hands and trust His plan. That mindset has helped me stay grounded through the ups and downs.

The most rewarding part has been personal growth. This journey has taught me so much about myself—my strengths, my limits, and how much I’m capable of pushing through.

One of the toughest challenges has been logistics. For example, once a product is shipped, it’s literally out of our hands. If something goes wrong in the dispatch process, like a lost package, it’s frustrating because there’s only so much, we can do. Those moments test you as a business owner.

Another challenge has been balance. I had this vision for a big, polished marketing rollout for Marviano, but the reality has been different. Life doesn’t always go as planned, and I’ve been navigating both Marviano and Marvella at the same time, often just rolling with the punches. It’s been tough, but every step is a learning experience.

Why do you think it was the shade Cinamon Shimmer that sold out so quickly and took the most popular spot among your products?

It’s so crazy because Cinnamon Shimmer was a shade that I personally didn’t think of as my favorite at the beginning. I am more of a dark lip combo type of girl but ever since Olandra mentioned that she double glosses, I haven’t stopped using it! That tip changed my routine, I got it on camera too and everyone went crazy for it and that was when Cinnamon shimmer had it’s time to shine.

My other favorites would have to be Brick Mocha lip liner and the gloss in shade Rosé Dazzle they are just beautiful.

What does your process look like when thinking of Marviano products, have you always had a solid vision for this?

I’ve always been a lippie girl; it’s my favorite part of any makeup routine. But one thing that used to bug me was how my lip liner would practically disappear by the time I finished the rest of my look. And every time I went out with friends, the first stop after arriving anywhere was reapplying liner together. That was my lightbulb moment, I thought, “Okay, if this is such a common issue, why not create something better myself?”

From there, I started researching manufacturers and testing samples—not even with the intention to sell at first. I just wanted something I truly loved. My friends were my first testers, and they were obsessed. By the time I wore one of my samples to NYFW and people were asking what I was wearing, I knew I was onto something.

My family and friends rallied behind me 100%. Some of them even work with me now, which makes it feel like this brand was really built with love from the ground up.

Marvella AAkiojano by Tolulope Gangbo

What is your selection process when it comes to brand collaboration?

My audience can tell when something doesn’t feel genuine, so I’ll never partner with a brand just for the paycheck. Any collaboration has to align with who I am and what I truly use or believe in.

Most of the time, I’m already familiar with the brand or have been using their products before a partnership even comes up. That existing connection makes a huge difference, it allows me to create content that’s natural, creative, and authentic because I already understand the story behind the product. At the end of the day, my goal is to work with brands that feel like a real extension of me, not just a transaction.

Do you have any dream brands you would love to Collab with?

So, yes, I have a few but Nike has been a dream for a while. I don’t know how that is going to happen but I'm putting my faith in God. Another one would be Apple; I have almost every single Apple product and I used to be so obsessed with buying each new iPhone ever since I lived in Nigeria. There are so many great brands I am so lucky to have the chance to work with, the future is exciting!

What was it like to meet your followers at your Dallas Meet and Greet this year and do you plan to do more events like this?

I have never had an official meet and greet before, and it was so beautiful. The girls came with great energy, so sweet and looking so pretty, of course. Everyone was so supportive and open to the experience which just helped the event go so smoothly. I must give a shoutout my team for this because they did so much for this.
We are planning to do a public workshop and maybe make it into a tour but for now we are doing our best to create monthly events for the ladies in Dallas.

The Marviano collection is growing quickly; what is your vision for the brand’s direction over the next few years, and how do you see it standing out in the competitive beauty industry?

Honestly, my biggest dream right now is to walk into a Sephora or Ulta and see Marviano sitting on the shelves. Online sales have been amazing, but packing and shipping can get a little crazy sometimes. Having the brand in retail stores would not only be a huge milestone, it would also make it so much more accessible.

And of course, I’d love to do a big collab down the line—by God’s grace, that’s on the vision board! We’re not just creating products; we’re creating a brand that feels personal, fun, and authentic. People know there’s heart behind it, and that’s something you can’t fake.