Meet Niya West | Priestess and business owner

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

Hi Niya, what are you inspired by?
I am inspired by my culture and the African diaspora. I am a newly crowned and initiated Priestess of Oya, another name would be Iyawo. I love what I am apart of and what it represents and it is the foundation of my businesses. Eclectic Faith Botanica and Wellness Center is my new baby. It is the only Botanica and Wellness Center that i know of in Georgia. We sell metaphysical supplies like (sage, crystals, incense, tarot cards, books, candles, altar tools, loose herbs, and seamoss). We also offer holistic spa services (yoni steaming, ionic foot detoxes, body sculpting, reiki, Sauna). I decided to take a chance on me and everything that i believe in and my shop was born. My faith and the strength of my Ancestors is what got me where i’m at currently in my life. So when u ask me what I am inspired by I would say my spiritual team and guides with God being first. Me keeping faith in spirit has been the backbone and foundation of my life, and my businesses reflect that.

What should our readers know about your business?
I am the owner of Eclectic Faith Botanica and Wellness Center located in Conyers Georgia. We sell metaphysical supplies like sage, crystals, candles, books, tarot cards, loose herbs, seamoss and handmade skincare (Ife Kosmetics). We also offer holistic spa services like yoni steaming, ionic foot detox, body contouring, reiki, and we have an in house sauna. My shop is a representation of my spiritual beliefs. I took everything that I love and put it under one roof. I also am grateful to be able to bring healing to the community (my way). All services are more like ceremonies because you are served by a Priestess, so therefore u are receiving healing for both your physical and spiritual bodies. I wanted to create a spiritual one stop shop for those who are on their spiritual journey are those who seeking spiritual guidance and healing. I consider myself a healer for the healers. A recharging station for individuals to come and decompress and recharge to continue on this journey we all call life. We all know that life be lifing for us all, so i wanted to create a space to love on meaning pour into those who are consistently pouring into others without the same in return. I believe highly in self love and self care. If you aren’t feeling whole how can you give to others? It becomes draining when you attempt to do so. It’s always an even exchange with my customers. I believe in making sure your cup is overflowing before u attempt to pour into others. Selfcare is needed by everyone and as I have seen everyone wants to be loved on but aren’t getting it. Something simple as a foot rub or someone just catering to you for a few hours, or getting your energy back realigned with Reiki is truly a form of self love. Taking care of our mental and state of being should always be top priority. I truly love what I do and it is felt whether you come in and shop or you come for a service its all a way of me loving on those who love on me. The community needed a space like this so i created one. This is my second shop, my first was the size of one of my rooms in my shop that I now have. Just four years ago I was only doing reiki, ionic foot detox and yoni steaming in one room with my bathroom being down the hall. I decided to step on faith and leave my then husband and take on life by myself. I had to close my shop to focus keeping a roof over my kids heads and also start over. I cried so hard when I closed my shop not knowing what spirit was blessing me with. I prayed for a storefront with my own suites and bathroom and windows to be able look out at the parking lot and my car. My ancestors blessed me with what I prayed for and more. I am the first tenant in this suite. This plaza is ten years old but my suite was not complete until i came and signed the lease two years ago. Spirit blessed me with the funds to open up my second shop and the process took me two years and a half to complete. The process was long and hard but I have learned so much throughout this process. I worked in a warehouse to fund what I didn’t have not too add I had to do a full build out. Coming into it I really didn’t know what I was getting myself into but one thing about me is “I am never scared to take a chance or risk”. If you only live once was a person then she would be me. This year i meant my shop would be open and I was not going to let anything stop me. My dad passed away April 19th my shop opened May 7th. My dad passing was a blessing in disguise. He left me what I needed to complete my shop. So when I say my ancestors are my foundation I mean that. I walked in this culture with nothing to lose but alot to gain and in the midst I have broken generational curses and created generational wealth all in the same breathe. I would not be where I am if my mom and dad wouldn”t have blessed me. So my life as well shop is dedicated to not just my ancestors but all of those known and unknown who have paved the way for us including me. My strength has come from spirit literally. Prayer has truly become my biggest weapon and manifestor. I want to show others how to honor their ancestors and to help them as a spiritual advisor. It was not easy to get here and to be honest it is hard to maintain but my love for what I do and who I do it for keeps me pushing. I am my brand in all aspects from the services to my skincare line ( Ife Kosmetics). Everything that I do is infused with love and spirit because it is them who are working through me. All of my products are handmade and also blessed by me. Everything in my shop is intentional from the services to the decor. I am Ifa Ife’/Oya Tolu and i am the owner of Eclectic Faith Botanica and Wellness Center, and also Ife Kosmetics. I am also a mom of six kids and a grandmother to one granddaughter whom I share a birthday with.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well I live in Atlanta so there’s always something fun to do. My version of fun is going to one of the many rivers that Georgia has or going on a hike. I love going to yoga events or creating my own events. Sweet Water Creek is probaly one of my favorite places to go when I have free time. I am definitely a nature girl so my definition of fun might be different to others. I am a burlesque dancer as well so I love catching different shows throughout the city. My home meaning venue is The Love Below Speak Easy. I am on a hiatus from the stage until November after I finish my inititation period from becoming a priestess. My stage name is Freda Love Laveau. When it comes to restaurants I love seafood and Hibachi. Seasalt Atl is a great place to check out. The food is bomb and the atmosphere is also pleasant, they also have hookah. If you are cigar smoker then you should try Havana’s Cigar Bar and tell them Ife’ sent you.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I will have to give all of my success and growth to my Ancestors and of course God. I am where I am standing currently because of not just my sacrifices but the sacrifices of my those who came before me who”s DNA dwell within me. My foundation is Ifa and all of my ancestors known and unknown. I am because they were. I wouldn’t even exist if it wasn’t for them so I will forever give thanks to my Ancestors for helping me to elevate into who I came her to be.

Website: www.eclecticfaithbotanica.com and https://www.schedulicity.com/scheduling/EFH7VF

Instagram: blaquegodyss, eclecticfaithbotanica, ifekosmetics

Image Credits
Shots by Go and SJR Images