Meet Jennifer Nakfoor | Creator/Business Owner/ Mother

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Nakfoor and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
I got a job right out of high school while I attended college; That experience taught me early on about balancing the many roles I played in my life. Even now as I run two businesses and raise two kids, I use the techniques I learned to maintain that balance. Of course it’s very different since I play more roles now, but I see balance as the foundation of keeping peace and positivity in my life. It’s a necessity for me. Keeping balance in my life now means using a planner, for everything!! Making a list of priorities and being adaptable if that list changes. Setting schedules and making those routine. I get up at 4:45AM to focus on personal and professional goals so my evenings can be spent with my family.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve always been a creative person and I found a love for art at a young age. Exploring the art of jewelry making has been a goal of mine and what drove me to start BentIntoBeauty. The meaning behind the stones and wire wrapping is what gets me most excited about my rings. Each stone has a purpose and can bring a positive light into your life. The biggest challenge with starting this business is finding the right market. Jewelry in itself is a high demand product but one that people find preference in. You have to realize that not everyone is going to like what you create and that’s okay. I go into my art not having any expectations. I create from love and passion; That will show in each uniquely made ring. It just takes one person to love what you create to keep you motivated to keep going and that person can be yourself. I also run a daycare business so maintaining the balance between the two is something I always strive to do. I won’t settle for just one thing, I believe we can find the time to invest in all the things we love and are passionate about.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Many people consider Lansing, MI to be a boring city, I’ve been guilty of that as well. However, there are hidden gems and lots of things to do. Old Town is one of my favorite places to go. You can find antique shops, clothing boutiques, restaurants, bars, and of course the river trail. I would definitely check out Ozone’s Brewhouse for a Vegan BLT sand which and fries ( I’ve been Vegan for 5 years). Then stop in at Pruess’s Pets to see the many birds, fish, and reptiles they have to offer. Take off to downtown Lansing and rent a bike to explore the city. Lugnuts stadium is a hotspot for local events as well as catching a quick baseball game. Downtown is a great spot for night life. Dance out on the Big Deck and enjoy a Faygo Bomb made from our Michigan made pop. Of course East Lansing is just minutes away and is full of life. It’s a campus town, home of the MSU Spartans. You can find music festivals, art festivals and food festivals here. MSU Dairy Store is the place to grab a scoop of ice cream and the Wharton Center to watch the most amazing plays. There’s so much more that our city has to offer you just need to know where to look.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I need to give a shout-out to my boyfriend Dwayne for the constant love and support. He pushes me to get out of my comfort zone and be free with my art. He is one person that helps me maintain the balance in my life that allows me to do all the things I love. I also need to thank my good friend Luanda for believing in me and giving me a platform to drive my business. She has the biggest heart of anyone I know.

Other: Email : bentintobeauty@gmail.com