We had the good fortune of connecting with “Emhotep” Gerald Richards and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi “Emhotep” Gerald, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I believe that to accomplish your dreams, you have to be willing to take risk. Calculated risk but sometimes you have to go with your gut feelings. Life is a series of challenges and you can’t be afraid to confront those challenges and be willing to sometimes lose, in order to accomplish the goals you’ve set for yourself. I’m still chasing my passion and I’ve fallen many times taking risk and pushing the envelope but thats what makes the journey exciting and fulfilling. You just have to continue to grow and develop and work towards your goals.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My wife and I own an apparel company called Nuwbia Apparel. It’s themed around the culture of the Ancient Nile Valley, primarily Ancient Kush. I’m the designer of the brand and currently create all the artwork for t-shirts, hats, socks and jackets. What sets us apart is the fact that I’ve been able to blend Hip Hop culture and Ancient Kemetic art into a brand that is able to provide a positive and culturally themed clothing brand focused on our African culture. With positive and uplifting messages and artistry. We started in 2009 and we’ve definitely went thru many ups and downs. Building a brand is time consuming and costly, so we’ve encountered many of the same obstacles most small businesses encounter. Particularly financial struggles, learning the game, navigating the covid era, etc. It has definitely not been easy but you’re doing something you love so it makes it worth it. When you’re able to take your passion and turn it into a profitable business, there’s a huge sense of accomplishment. As African Americans of the Diaspora, the chips have always been stacked against a lot of right knowledge, faith in yourself and your ancestors and working extra hard and learning and applying those lessons as you move forward. I’m also a sculptor, specializing in Egyptian bas relief and statues. It’s a huge passion of mines that I’m planning on putting a lot more emphasis on. It’s taken a background to the clothing line and illustration but I’ve been concentrating on it more as of late. We do custom interior and exterior design. It’s an extension of our Nuwbia Design Studio and something we’ll be offering more of.
One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned is to use your time wisely and absorb as much information as you kind particularly on running a business. You can be one of the best artist in the world but if you don’t know and understand business, you’re bound to fall flat on your face. And also to nurture relationships and enjoy the process.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Lol, I don’t go out much but I’m into healthy eating so I would definitely take them by one of my favorite spots – Tassili’s Vegan Café in the West End. Also an alkaline restaurant named Life Bistro. And RHW RETAIL VEGAN CAFE. Definitely some good eating. You have to visit the King Center. So much history there.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shoutout to my wife Ebony Richards, co owner of Nuwbia. The greatest partner & support system I could ever have.

Website: https://nuwbiadesigns.com https://nuwbia.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nuwbia.designs/ https://www.instagram.com/nuwbia.apparel/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nuwbia/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nuwbiadesignstudio

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