We had the good fortune of connecting with Marieme Konare Diagne and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marieme Konare, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Growing up in a Senegalese home in Brooklyn, it was very customary for us to shower with exfoliating scrubs, and moisturize our skin daily with Shea Butter. Throughout high school I made lot of scrubs in my mothers kitchen using everyday things such as brown sugar, honey, and lemon. When I moved to Miami for college I was limited to the resources I had being that I was now in a different cultural environment, so I continued to make those products in my dorm.

Never did I think after college I would be on a plane 3-5 times daily working as a flight attendant. Being on a plane majority of the day, the air on the plane began drying out my skin. As I was working the flight from Miami to Santo Domingo curious about what I can do to keep my skin hydrated and moisturized, it dawned on me. I figured I can use those same products I started off with in my mothers kitchen is to formulate products to keep my skin, hydrated and most of all Sunkissed!

With COVID 19 also at its peak, our newest facial accessory did not compliment with my drying skin and the plane’s air. I knew it was only right I for me to begin my research on esthetician schools and how to correctly use natural organic products on my skin.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am also currently a flight attendant, and it is not easy running a business when you’re gone for 3-6 days out of the week. In the beginning I struggled with getting my orders out on time because I could never make it to the post office due to my schedule. I quickly realized, to cut down process time I would have to carry my laptop, label printer, a few of each products, and packaging on my domestic work trips.

As i started to get more orders, it began to become more difficult to fit all of those products in my work suitcase along with my personal items. So for right now I am solely focusing on my business.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If i had to create an itinerary, the first stop would probably to get some Haitian patties and then enjoy the beach for a little. I like going to Sunny isles or Fort Lauderdale beach because it isn’t very crowded and clean.

I would also take them to wynwood because the true New Yorker in me loves street art so much. I love to eat, so we would definitely make a stop to eat at Dukunoo to enjoy the good music, food, drinks and hookah.

Lastly I would definitely do a spa day, whether that is at home with mimosas and using Sunkissed products or going to a day spa to be pampered.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My mother and my siblings! When I wanted to move to Miami, they supported it. When I became a flight attendant, they supported it. And most of all when I wanted to put everything in my life on hold to focus on my business they supported it. Even if they may not agree with my decisions, they will always support me and have my back.

The touching part of the name behind the brand is that Konare is apart of all my siblings and I names. I chose to name my company Sunkissed by Konare because most of the inspiration behind the brand is from my siblings.

Instagram: @sunkissedbykonare

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutMiami is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.