Beauty as an Art Form

Meet the student entrepreneur leveraging her love for beauty into a larger venture.

Sanaa Parker poses with a giant check for her beauty venture, Naani Vivonchi.

May 21, 2026

Junior Sanaa Parker was 16 when she entered the beauty industry as a freelance hairstylist. She was inspired by the strong women who surrounded her growing up—her mother, grandmother, and aunts—and the perspectives they shared on the subject. Through them, she learned beauty is more about grace, confidence, and humility than it is about appearance alone.

Through determination and commitment, Parker graduated high school a year early. By the time she was looking at colleges, she already had a strong sense of what she was looking for.

“I knew I needed an environment where I could grow academically while also having access to professors who are invested in their students,” Parker said. “That’s what drew me to �ǿմ�ý.”

Choosing to major in Entrepreneurship with a minor in , Parker hit the ground running. By applying principles from her coursework—strategy, branding, consumer behavior, and marketing—to her own ventures, she’s been able to bring her education into the real world and enter the industry early.

All along the way, Parker’s unity of purpose has been clear. “I want to uplift and motivate others, especially young women, to feel confident, seen, and supported,” she said. “I am passionate about creating experiences and solutions that enhance beauty and empower individuals.”

Parker started her first LLC, , at the beginning of this year. Naluxe Beauty Solutions serves as Parker’s umbrella company for divergent ventures in fragrance (through Naani Vivonchi) and hair styling and services (through Amour Plus Naa). “Starting my first LLC was a pivotal moment that shifted my entire experience as an entrepreneur,” she said. “It made everything feel real.”

Parker is grateful for events like the Brave Pitch Competition, where she placed second with Naani Vivonchi, for offering opportunities to flex her skills and move her ventures forward. She’s also particularly thankful for the guidance of her professor, Dr. Tanya Marcum, who taught her the importance of the legal side of entrepreneurship and protecting what she creates.

“My time at �ǿմ�ý has been transformational,” Parker said. “It has shaped me academically, professionally, and personally. I’ve grown into a more disciplined and purpose-driven individual, and I’m continuing to build toward a future rooted in innovation, impact, and growth.”

—Jenevieve Rowley-Davis