Meet Janiyah Peterson | Entrepreneur & College Student

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

Hi Janiyah, looking back, what do you think was the most difficult decision you’ve had to make?
The most difficult decision I’ve ever had to make was deciding to take a semester off from college to give myself a break. My mental health was at stake, so I decided I needed a breather and making bracelets helps me to relax my mind and allows me to focus on something else. At the time I’ve lost a best friend from high school and I have lost my grandmother and trying to juggle being on my own and being everyone’s dependent. Making jewelry keeps me busy. After I knew it I’ve probably made over 100 bracelets at a time, which reroutes my mind to another place of focus making sure I have a certain amount of beads on each bracelet making sure the customer gets exactly what they ask for executing every action that is required of me as a business owner. Taking a semester off was not a mistake I was told that I graduate when I’m ready and to move at my own pace which is what I’m doing. Leaving college is not an option I will graduate and I will be great and get my bachelors of science in psychology. Im doing what’s best for my mental health so I can be successful. I want my story to be an inspiration to many people. My decisions and mistakes are my own and I will continue to learn lessons everyday.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Honestly when i decided that i wanted to start a jewelry business I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. In May of 2020 I Launched Blanxa Jay Exclusives during the pandemic. I got tired of not being able to do anything and during that time everyone had to make their own fun. I started making bracelets when I was about 8 years old. So at the age of 16 starting a jewelry business was just a go for me because it was one of my dreams. At the time, all I knew to do was make the jewelry and make a business instagram account so I had to ask my pops and my aunt for help. My pops was my very first investor he took me to Micheal’s , which is a craft store to by different kinds of beads and charms to make all the bracelets I wanted and he made sure I had a budget. Once my aunt seen I was making bracelets again she became my first customer and has been with me since day 1. At that time I had to figure out prices and learning how to promote it and how to reach out to different customers. I didn’t know what I was doing in the beginning. But now 4 years later I relaunched my jewelry business which is now Niyah T Avenue Accessories & Apparel. All no of my accessories are handmade with love. I’m still working on a lot as I am still young and learning the business. It takes time and patience to do these things especially when you are working with your hands you want your work to be the best creative quality and you want it to last long and catch the customers eye so they can keep coming back for more. I have faced many challenges over the years wondering if my business was ever going to get noticed was anyone ever going to shop with me that’s why I have to work hard to keep promoting my work. Niyah T Avenue is a brand that stands on creativity and self expression. I’ve learned lessons that my creativity is not for everyone and my jewelry business may not always be noticed and that there is good and bad days but I have to stay focused and strive for more. It makes me happy to see my customers smiling and happy with their jewelry that lets me know I did something special and right for them.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m a Decatur baby I was born and raised here. In my words Glenwood made me but river road made me, but growing up I live just about all over Decatur. If I wanted to take my best-friend somewhere I would take her downtown to Breakfast at Barney’s for brunch and afterwards to Perimeter mall to do a little shopping maybe even have a nail date at My Girlfriends Place which is a nail salon I love. I would have booked us a room at countryard downtown and went on a spa day at Jeju sauna which is one of my favorite places to relax.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Someone that has really dedicated to my success is my parents, my momma Terrell my pops Ian, my grandparents Jeff & Frances, and my aunt Nikki. They have helped me strive for success and push me everyday to be a better me and remind me that my life is worth living. They remind me that there are many lessons that are going to be learned and sometimes taught but it’s all about willing to take in that information without blocking out something even if I don’t ws to hear the truth hurts one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in being a young adult. I’m reminded to keep God first and if I ever have an issue I go to him for help or anything, I’m reminded to not just cry to him but thank him everyday for giving the chance to see the sun rise and set. My family are my biggest cheerleaders and inspiration aside from that I have to give credits to all my friends for being who they are as well as I like to call them my brothers and sisters because they are there when I need them and know how to put a smile on my face but the best thing about them is that they are very supportive on the scene and behind the scenes. I appreciate both my families from both college and biological.

Instagram: @niyah_.diior @niyah.t.avenue

Twitter: @TSamone1

Youtube: IamNiyahSamone

Image Credits
@hoodie_soup @aligned.productions