It's Wednesday and we are back once again with #WomenOfStyleAndFaithWednesday! Since we love the phrase, what's goes around comes around", we are circling back today and re-highlighting super mom, natural hair diva, eclectic fashionista and founder/creator of Melded Beauty, Nakkiyah Gant! Since our last conversation with this naturalista, Nakkiyah made the hop, skip and jump to Atlanta GA, relocating her three young ones from the DC area to now call ATL home. It was not only a skip and a jump but a leap of faith, as she made the move with no job. Although non-employed was her status she's trusting in the ultimate supplier, waymaker and provider and HE, Jehovah Jireh has proven His faithfulness and provision every time!
She speaks more in depth about her challenges, her faith and her style in our initial interview. Read her complete original interview here
The busy enterprising mom is still at work raising her family, building her hair/body care line and strategizing her next move to position herself as a innovator and influencer in the marketplace.
When asked about any new projects and endeavors she had going on, this is what she had to say: "I'm in school taking an accelerated Business Intelligence class at Emory University, which is heavily concentrated in Big Data Analysis. This will add to my skill set and leverage my MBA. This will allow me to compete in the corporate world as well as strengthen and hone my entrepreneurial human capital and endeavors."
We also realized that she is not the only creative biz savvy individual in the family, but so is her oldest daughter Niara, who is now 14-years-old. She shared with us that Niara always loved art, but Nakkiyah as a full-time mom on a budget was unable to take her to the nail salon encouraged her to do her nails herself. Niara began practicing and watching YouTube videos when she was 11-years-old and from there "Nails By Niara" was born. Take a look at some of Niara's nail designs below.
Birthed out Nakkiyah's life journey, and the process and experiences found therein that got her to the end result, was Melded Beauty created. The product was developed to provide the most luxurious skin and hair imaginable. It is made of whipped organic cocoa butter infused with organic coconut oil, vitamin E and now also offered with shea butter too. Melded Beauty is great not only for hair, but for blemishes, stretch marks and scars as well.
"Melded Beauty will initially start off as a hair and body product company. Eventually it will expand to a full line of all natural hair care and body products. It will start off as a home based business, which will be sold using the Internet (social media) and phone ordering, and eventually expand to mall kiosk, and even a store. I would like Melded Beauty to be a brand that ministers to the world by its philosophy and the way it conducts business."
"I love Urban Outfitters, Zara, and of course TJ Maxx to rock style on a budget. As of late, I've really been feeling pieces found at Free People such as this dress I'm wearing in this picture."
"Several years ago the decision was made for me to become a full time stay-at- home mother, which meant a one-income household. Immediately I started to find ways to “cut back” on “extra” expenses. One of those cut backs were the salon (hair and nails). I had just learned I was pregnant with my son and decided I would not use any more chemicals in my hair until after he was born. During that time the strangest thing happened, I realized how much healthier my hair had become. I kept it in braids and twists and it was so much easier for me."
"Melded Beauty will be a platform to minister to young people, men and women, to let them know that there is a purpose for their lives and if they hone their gifts and talents the sky is the limit to what they can do. Every experience will be used for God’s glory if they commit their entire will to him. They do not have to be limited by how someone else defines great. God, the Creator is a God of purpose and everything he created he has predestined to be great and live to its fullest potential."
Be sure to check out Melded Beauty. Please connect with and follow Nakkiyah by visiting the links below:
IG: @jonovanni_mo3
Twitter: @jonovanni_mo3
FB: Melded Beauty