About Us
Meet Tameka Jones, the Visionary, CEO, and Founder!
Lip Esteem is more than just a beauty brand! It’s a celebration of confidence, empowerment, and self-expression. Founded in the heart of Minnesota by Tameka Jones, Lip Esteem was born during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time of uncertainty that sparked the courage to pursue a lifelong dream.
As a young girl, Tameka struggled with self-esteem, often teased for her full lips. For years, she tried to hide them, until she realized they were a part of her unique beauty. Like a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly, she embraced her features and found her passion in the beauty industry.
After earning her Estiology Certification from Saint Paul College in 2002, Tameka built a successful career as a freelance makeup artist with MAC and L’Oréal. She later managed top cosmetic brands like Fashion Fair and Estée Lauder while running her own business, Nevaeh Monet Faces. Throughout her journey, she witnessed people of all ages and backgrounds struggling with insecurities about their appearance. Determined to make a difference, she founded L.A.D.Y., a self-esteem group for young girls, and later earned a B.A. in Youth Development and Business Management from Metropolitan State University.
By 2019, Tameka was leading a cosmetics counter, dreaming of launching her own beauty line. Then, the world changed. The pandemic and rising social unrest made her realize that the time to act was now. She envisioned a brand that would heal, unify, and uplift; starting with something as simple yet as powerful as lipstick.
Meet KiJana Jones, Director of Operations
KiJana serves as the Director of Operations at Lip Esteem. Her role extends to strengthening the brand’s presence through strategic marketing, branding, and customer engagement.
With a heart for connection and a commitment to empowering others, KiJana continues to inspire change through her leadership, creativity, and faith-driven initiatives.
Meet Zykeia Brown-McCoy, Business Manager
As the Business Manager of Lip Esteem, Zykeia Brown plays a pivotal role in driving operational excellence, strategic growth, and customer satisfaction. With a strong background in retail management, business management and a passion for empowering beauty brands, Zykeia ensures that Lip Esteem operates efficiently while maintaining its commitment to high-quality, plant-based cosmetics. Her expertise in financial oversight, team leadership, and process optimization allows Lip Esteem to thrive in a competitive industry. Zykeia’s dedication to fostering a positive work culture and enhancing customer experiences makes her an invaluable asset to the brand. Committed to innovation and excellence, Zykeia continues to elevate Lip Esteem’s impact, ensuring it remains a trusted name in beauty and self-confidence.
Welcome to Lip Esteem
Lip Esteem is a plant-based, cruelty-free, paraben-free, and gluten-free cosmetics brand designed to enhance natural beauty without compromise. Our mission is to provide high-quality, inclusive lip products that celebrate boldness, authenticity, and self-love.
As a Black-owned, women-led company, we are committed to empowering our community, collaborating with organizations that promote education, mentorship, and entrepreneurship. Every lipstick and gloss is crafted with care, because beauty should be accessible, uplifting, and unapologetically you.
From our Minnesota storefront to a nationwide movement, Lip Esteem is redefining beauty standards one tube a time!
Wear your confidence. Own your story. Embrace your beauty.