Cliff Vmir’s self-belief has been his anchor in entrepreneurship.
As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Vmir discovered his passion for hair at 8 years old. When he was 14, he began to take it seriously after his parents split and he was living with his mother. His talent was validated during his first year of high school when salons began reaching out for his services.
Social media changed the landscape for Vmir, helping him grow a loyal following that scaled from 1,000 to 20,000 by his senior year and landing big-time clients that included Tiffany Pollard, Jazmine Sullivan, and Cardi B. He now has 1.1 million followers on Instagram, at the time of this writing.
“Social media has been a major influence in my journey,” Vmir told AFROTECH™.
“It’s like a digital business card, but so much more powerful. It’s allowed me to reach people globally and tap into different markets. Through platforms like Instagram, I’ve been able to build a community, showcase my professional work, and share my everyday growth as a stylist,” Vmir continued.
FEMMÉ
In 2022, Vmir’s beauty brand, FEMMÉ, hit the market, debuting first with a silkening mist before expanding its lineup to include a satin leave-in conditioner, silkening chocolate shampoo, silk balm serum, hair growth oil, edge control, and more, AFROTECH™ previously reported.
As of November 2024, the products have generated $100,000 in monthly sales through TikTok Shop. They have also made their way into over 250 beauty supply stores across the U.S., according to information shared with AFROTECH™.
New Flagship Store
On Saturday, Oct. 4, Vmir announced the grand opening of FEMMÈ flagship destination, a 3,000-square-foot storefront located in the Buckhead district of Atlanta, GA. The location will feature a warehouse and salon staffed entirely by male hairstylists, according to a press release shared with AFROTECH™.
“I wanted to create a space where I could connect with my clients on a more personal and intimate level. My vision was to build a one-stop shop where clients can shop, purchase products, and receive services all under one roof,” Vmir explained.
“I also wanted to provide opportunities for younger stylists to work alongside me, to mentor them, and to give them a platform to grow and express their own creativity while bringing my hair vision to life,” he continued.
Acquiring the building presented challenges, as Vmir admitted he lost $35,000 working with individuals “who didn’t deliver on their promises.” While it was a temporary setback, he persevered and reached the finish line, self-financing the project with money he saved and earned through his work as a stylist and product owner.
“The overall cost ended up doubling from what I initially projected, which was definitely stressful, but I was determined to make it happen,” Vmir told AFROTECH™.
“I knew exactly which building I wanted and how I envisioned it inside. I invested in a complete renovation, from ceiling to floors — and even built out the bar area myself. It was a major commitment, but seeing it all come to life was worth every step,” Vmir added.
Looking ahead, Vmir said he will consider opening more locations, referring to the flagship as a “prototype for future growth.” He also hinted at launching a storefront with an all-female team in another state.
“The feedback from clients and celebrity friends about the all-male salon has been incredible, which confirms that this model has real potential. Ideally, I’d love to open one in each region to bring this unique experience to more people,” he expressed.
