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| ("I just want to make sure that I raise an awesome, little person that is going to grow up and be an awesome adult." - Mimi Faust) |
Let's be honest: Mimi Faust holds it down on VH1's Love & Hip Hop Atlanta. She's a BOSS and we know it! In our exclusive interview, the mother, entrepreneur, and Reality TV star opens up to me in a very candid fashion. As you'll see, Faust explores tons of topics, including her personal style, new business venture ("The Maya Collection"), motherhood, her passion for interior design, what a young entrepreneur needs to understand, why she was really casted to Love & Hip Hop Atlanta, and the importance of showing respect to her fans. Proving the beauty in keeping it real, Faust continues to persevere and make a name for herself while doing it all for her daughter.
Let’s start with your style! Over the seasons, my
boyfriend and I can’t help but comment on how much your style has evolved…it’s
so chic! How would you describe your personal style?
Really, I dress for comfort.
Of course, I want to be stylish, but I want to be comfortable in my clothes.
And I have to give a shout-out to my stylist, Melvin Styles. He’s just amazing.
We’ve been working together since the middle of season one [of Love & Hip
Hop]. He’s just really awesome!
So I take it he’s helped you explore styles and trends
that go with your personality even more?
Yes, we definitely
collaborate! Please believe there are many times where he has brought me items
and was like, “Girl, I think you should wear this!” And I’m like “Are you
crazy?” [laughs]
Well, it’s working! All of the colors you’re wearing
are beautiful on you. Are there certain brands or designers that you typically
turn to?
No, I like to shop around.
It’s not really about a certain designer. More so, it’s about what looks good
on me. Actually, let me not tell a lie…I did find a designer, Karen
Millen. She’s out of the UK, and any
time I try on anything from her, it fits me to a T. So, her line
really works for me. But in general, it will have to catch my eye. I’ll know
from sight – I’ll see it on a hanger and I’ll just love it. I mean, I could be
in Target and I’ll see something that’s dope, and I’ll be like, “That’s dope!”
and I’ll get it. And someone will be like, “Oh my god! Where did you get that?”
And I’ll be like, “Target, yup, sure did!” [laughs].
I agree! Fashion displays definitely have to give you
the right vibe…
And as long as you have the
right shoes, you can wear a paper bag! [laughs]
So your newest venture, which I’m sure is making a lot
of women happy, is “The Maya Collection.” I understand that your interest and
journey with this business took you to India. Can you talk a little bit about how
this came about?
Well, that’s how we got the
name: The Maya Collection. It’s an actual Indian name. I wanted to go along
with the hair I’ve been wearing, which is Virgin Indian Hair. And we picked a
name to go along with that. I’ve been wearing the hair for a couple of years
now, and I just love it! I’ve tried different types of hair, but this one was
no shedding, it doesn’t frizz, you know, it’s not tangly, it’s just really,
really good hair. And I just said, "You know what, why not partner up with this
company and go into business with them?" And now it’s been a huge success! I’m really excited about it.
When did The Maya Collection become available to the
public? And, is it strictly available online?
It was launched this year and
right now, it’s online only. But we are working on getting stores where you can
actually just go and pick it up.
Growing up, what were some of the biggest lessons you
learned regarding how to take care of your hair?
You know, the crazy thing
about that, is that everybody’s hair is different. What might work for me might
not necessarily work for the next person. Everybody’s grade and texture’s
different, so my hair might be off or wrong for somebody else. I mean, my
daughter’s hair is awesome! And I was really trying to find something that I
could put in her hair to de-tangle it and make it easy to comb. So I mixed some
stuff together…and when I tell you I have come up with this miracle product
[laughs]…I have to figure out how to get this out because I give it to all of
my friends. I buy squirt bottles, and I make it for their kids or even them.
And in like a couple of days, they’re like "Oh my god, I need some more! What
IS this?"
Well, there you go! Another venture to add to your
repertoire of businesses…like a sister product of The Maya Collection!
YES! And this actually is for
natural hair. My daughter’s hair is natural; she has no chemicals…I don’t
straighten it or anything. But I spray it in her hair, and you can literally
run your fingers through it. It’s incredible! So, I gotta figure out how to get
that packaged up and out to the world.
So I hear you’re also pursuing interior design…that
it’s another passion of yours?
Yes…This actually started
when I started my cleaning business [Keep It Clean, Inc.] I was going through
people’s homes when I was actually doing the cleaning myself, and they would
ask me like, “Can you hook up my bedroom?” or “Can you hook up my bathroom?” So
I was like, “Yeah sure!” And I would do that for my clients, and I just thought
it was so dope. So that’s what made me realize how much I enjoyed decorating in
the first place. Then when I moved into my home, I decorated it. And when
everyone comes over, it’s like, “Oh my god! Give me the name of the person who
decorated your place!” I’m like, “I did.” [laughs] I mean, I could be at
HomeGoods for, like, literally four hours and wouldn’t think twice about it…and
I’m really gonna come out with a home décor line as well. You know, throw
pillows, rugs, blankets, and you know, decorative mirrors and candles, and
thinks like that. So working on that too! [laughs]
Well, it sounds like you have a really artistic eye
and an eye for detail!
Yes…and I think I get that
from my dad. My dad was an artist. He had a whole art park in his backyard,
where he lived in Upstate New York. He had created life-sized pieces. I mean
six, seven, eight-foot tall, life-sized pieces of art that he carved out of
wood and metal…and he’d make sculptures and stuff. So I’m pretty sure I got it
from my dad! [laughs]
So interesting! I love how every artistic person has
their own creative outlets to express him or herself. OK, now you being an
entrepreneur, a Reality TV star, and a mother…just how do you stay inspired day
in and day out to just keep going no matter the challenges you may be faced
with?
My daughter, hands-down. She
has been such an inspiration to me, and for me. I think, too, because I never
wanted Eva to experience the things I did growing up…I really try to push and
go the extra mile so she doesn’t have to. I had a rough childhood, real rough.
And I just didn’t want her to go through that. So I’m gonna do everything in my
power to not have her in that situation. And I think it’s also cool that I’ll
be able to teach her right from wrong. You already know that I have made plenty of mistakes, but I can tell her,
“Mommy has made this mistake. This is what you don’t do.” You know what I’m saying? I didn’t have that growing up.
You know, I’m not blaming or pointing fingers, I’m just saying it is what it
is. But I just want to make sure I raise an awesome, little person that is
going to grow up and be an awesome adult. You know? So that’s what I’m doing.
So when it comes to being an entrepreneur, what kind
of tips would you give to a woman who has a really great idea for a business
but she’s not sure how to get started?
First thing is to write
everything down. Write everything down on paper – your ideas from start to
finish. Like where you want to see yourself in the next five to 10 years. Write
it all down, so you have something to look back on. Like a checklist…and then
you just start checking it off. You know, it’s gonna change. It’s gonna vary a
little bit, but you write everything down. Let’s say it’s a cleaning business.
You need to get it incorporated, licensed, insured, bonded…There’s steps you
have to take to do whatever business you’re trying to do, and just make sure
you cover your butt. You also need to read all of the paperwork if there is
paperwork involved. You have a good attorney to go over things, such as
contracts, with you. A good attorney is key. Please make sure you have a good attorney. And just take the proper
steps and don’t do any type of shady or sideway business. Do it on the up and
up, put the work in, and then your business will turn around and work for you.
As a Reality TV star, what misconceptions do you think the public has in regards to letting your personal life go public? Or, do you even
think there are misconceptions?
Absolutely. It’s one big misconception, because what is
shown is only what the show wants you to see. Let’s break this down for a
second: When we tape, it’s two hours. From a two-hour taping – and sometimes
maybe more – you’re getting five or six minutes of those two hours that have
been chopped and edited. So you are gonna sit here [the public] and determine
or judge someone from a two-hour taping that has been broken down into five or 6
minutes?! You can’t do that. You can’t know someone from that. And the show is
only gonna allow you to see what they want you to see. You’re seeing a fraction of these people’s lives. A small fraction, so don’t be so quick to
believe whole-heartedly. Like people watch Love & Hip Hop and are like,
“Oh, I saw it on Love & Hip Hop. That’s what it is!” Not necessarily so…
[laughs] You’re seeing five or six-minute edited clips! Like come one…you can’t
judge what you see on Reality TV seeing only a small portion of that person’s
whole life.
And now, since you’re not new to Reality TV, you know
what to expect. But what about a newbie to this? I imagine this must be a
struggle sometimes…
Absolutely. A lot of cast
members are mad when they watch the show. Like saying, “They didn’t catch what
I was really trying to say” or “I didn’t say it like that” or “I didn’t mean it
like that”…There are a lot of ways it can come out misconstrued and not come
out the way you said it. [laughs]
You know, I’m a Reality TV junkie! And there are just
some people you connect to more than others. I truly enjoy watching you on the
show and respect you as an entrepreneur. I mean, you’re a BOSS, and I
appreciate that. Anything you’d like to add?
Well, what I want to say is that I
think the difference for me when I started this journey on Reality TV is that I
didn’t set out to be a television star. I’m telling you my life literally
changed overnight…
I had a girlfriend send me a
text saying, “You and Stevie should go down for the casting of the show.” And
that was it. At the time it was only Love & Hip Hop New York, so I hit her
back and said “I need more information.”
And then she sent me a text – now mind you it was Monday when she sent
me this text – that said “Wednesday, four o’clock, Mansion Hotel.” That’s it,
that’s all she said… [laughs]. I’m like “Okaaaay.” So I called Stevie and said,
“Hey, do you want to go out for the
show?” Him and I were beefing at the time, and he’s like, “I’m not doing that
with you.” I’m like “Whatever.” So Wednesday rolls around and I’m like, “I’m
just gonna go down there anyway.” And when I get there, guess who beat me down
there? Mr. Man. [laughs]
So we had an argument right
there, in the lobby of the hotel. Mona’s assistant sees us upstairs for our
interview, and we were chosen just on likeability. Our lives were changed instantly. So what you’re getting is
really who I am. This isn’t like a character I’m playing or being all
extra…this is just who I am!
That’s so interesting! You weren’t even in the casting
room and your real-life personalities got you in immediately.
Oh, and let me tell you about
that! When we get upstairs, they said tell us about yourselves. Stevie turns
into, like, ghandi! He starts “Oh…the universe…” and the planets align and the
sun and the moon and the stars. And I’m like “What?!? You just got finished
cursing me out two minutes ago, calling me all kind of names and now you want
to talk about planets and stars.” I was livid.
I mean, my teeth were clenched, I was shaking my foot and I’m like, “Are you
seriously gonna sit here and play this role?” I couldn’t take it anymore. We
were supposed to be telling them about ourselves. I was like, “You wanna know
the problem? You wanna know what the real problem is? He doesn’t know how to come
home at night.” And when I said that, their ears perked up and they were like,
“Oh, tell us more!” Had I not said anything and kept my mouth closed, we would not be on Love and Hip Hop. Me, Stevie,
nor Joseline, OK? [laughs]
So do you think that this was all meant to roll out the
way it did?
I think it was. It wasn’t
forced or anything – it just happened. We went to one audition and our lives
changed…and we weren’t even gonna go to that! Yes, this was supposed to be and
I think, not just for me to be on television, but the other opportunities that
came from it. I’m not happy with all the stuff that’s happened on Love & Hip
Hop, at all. But the stuff that’s
come from me having that platform – don’t get me wrong, thank you very much
Love & Hip Hop, thank you to the end of the world, thank you – but I think
it’s the doors and opportunities that have opened for me from being on the show
is where this journey was supposed to be taking me.
Do you think that you guys add a sense of authenticity
to Love & Hip Hop Atlanta that otherwise may not have been there if you two weren’t on the show?
You know what’s funny,
everybody says, “Oh my god, Mona’s such a genius. She got these people that…”
Wait, no, no, no….Mona happened to pick cast members that really have a lot of
bullshit going on in their lives. [laughs] For real, like we’re really going
through this in real life. And then when we got the show, it just carried right
on to television. And I think what makes it so interesting and popular is
that somebody at some point can relate to me, can relate to Stevie, and can
relate to Joseline. This is because these are real situations. And that’s what
makes everybody tune in, ‘cause I’m pretty sure that people are like, “I can’t
believe they’re really showing this.”
I mean, yeah, at some point I thought, this has to be
real. It’s just so dramatic and the situation affected multiple lives! It’s all
pretty fascinating to me, both the highs and the lows…
Yeah…I didn’t expect this.
You know, a lot of people are like, “You know what you were getting yourself
into.” Noooo way in the world could I imagine that it would be this ever…in my wildest imagination. But
I’m enjoying the journey and I’m just rollin’ with it, you know?
Do you remember the first time when you realized you
were famous?
I still
don’t…My friend’s like, “You’re the most famous non-celebrity person I’ve ever
met.” [laughs] Like I could still go to Wal-Mart, I mean…I can’t just sit
around and get a bodyguard just to go to Wal-Mart. [laughs] I’m not gonna say
it’s stupid, but that’s just me. I want to raise my child to be a normal child
and do normal things, and I mean, yes there are safety issues…But just to be on
my high horse like I’m all that and I can’t leave the house without security
guards…come on man!
Well, you have a sense of realness about you, so if
you want a sense of normalcy, I can see you just going to the store as you
wish!
And when I go to the store,
yes, I get harassed. Do I take every picture? Yes. I had six interviews today,
and I was in Wal-Mart the whole time damn near, and I took about seven pictures
while I was doing interviews. I didn’t even tell them no, even then. I said I’m
on a phone interview, they nodded their head, and I still stood there with
them, hugged them, and took the picture. And I think that is important. If it
wasn’t for the people watching, the supporters, I wouldn’t be here! So why
would I treat them some type of way. That’s backwards!
Well that shows a lot about your character, you taking
the time to do that.
Yeah…If I had the nerve to go
up to someone and asked for a picture and they told me no, I can only imagine
how that would make me feel. That’s a real person and they have feelings.
To learn more about Mimi Faust, be sure to visit her website, as well as follow her on Instagram and Twitter! And to witness more of her realness, be sure to tune in tonight at 8/7 central on VH1!
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Anderson Group PR
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