We had the good fortune of connecting with Naiya Cunningham and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Naiya, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I feel as if the business ambition has always been in me. All around me are business owners, so what’s stopping me from taking the risk? I also wanted to have something that I could call mine. Something that I built from the ground up. That’s exactly what i’m doing with @MoreLuxCo. I already built my first business @ShopSoHeartless up so whats stopping me from doing it again and again? Plus, I also love a good phone case. More Lux was the perfect business for me especially with everyone and their momma asking me where I got my cases from.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Let’s start allllll the way back in 9th grade… like I said before I wanted a business I could call mine. Something that I could build from the ground up. So I started The Heartless Kollection! At the time I was in love with the name, then I started growing up lol. Later down the line I switched it to Shop So Heartless and ever since then that stuck with me! This set me apart from everyone else in high school because at the time nobody had or really even knew how to start an online business. The parts of my business life that I am most proud of is, one everyone that I have worked with or at least gotten noticed by and two my ambition. Having a business is NOT easy at all, and through all the ups and downs here I am still standing ready to take on the next path of this journey. Every challenge i’ve overcome is because I just kept going, I didn’t let anyone or anything stop me! With my new brand @MoreLuxCo I want everyone to know that your phone deserves luxury too! You spend thousands on a phone just to put a basic clear case on it? Not over here! Spice it up with a Custom Case or one of our Luxury Cases. While you’re at it, stop at our Arm Candy section too! You know you want toooo!
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.
Okay so lets start at the fact that 1, I am nawttt a club girlie and I like to have FUN!
Some food and vibe places I would love to hit up with a friend is K&K Soul Food, Hungry AF, Teranga City, Nouveau, Toast on Lenox, Sea Salt, Suite Lounge, The Bank, the Hawaiian Chic Fil A, Cru Lounge, Views Bar and Grill, Sabrinas Kitchen, Cheba Hut, GrindHouse, Hookah Hose, and so many more those are just a few of my top selections!
Some places for a sweet treat I would def say Auntie Annes, Cinnabon, Sugar Shanes, Kiwlins, Sublime Doughnuts, Funnel Cake Atlanta, Cereal and Cream, The Yard, I Scream Rolls, Subzero, & My Fair Sweets.
And last but not least some places for fun! Round 1, Andrettis, Adventure Air Sports, Cascade Skating Rink, Candle Lit Atl, Activate Games, High Museum, I Heart Bowling, Upscale Bowling, Sandbox Vr, Tutu Tufting, Battle and Brew and many more!
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 want to one thank my mother and father for supporting me in any and everything I do. Right or wrong they always have my back and I will forever appreciate them for that. My mom also has a business called @candiedtreats_ , she has the BEST Candied fruit in ATL! Grapes, Strawberries, Pineapples, Cherries, you name it she can definitely add some flavor to it! Second, I want to shout out my 4 closest friends that literally help me through every single last one of my business thoughts and guess what? They all own businesses! You have Amya with @thebaddiefactory (Women’s Boutique Clothes & Accessories), Nyah (My Twin) with @wrldofsaint (Streetwear Clothing), Ti’aira with @shoptlcgraphics (Graphic Designer) & Asja @thefacefactoryy (Makeup). Love these girls with everything in me! They keep me going everyday, especially when i’m in a funk.
Instagram: @naiyakimari / @moreluxco
Other: To Shop Phone Cases and Accessories here’s the link https://moreluxco.shop
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
