Meet Mercedes NaJae | Visionary, Author, and Entrepreneur

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

Hi Mercedes, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
To seek God and His kingdom first, and everything else will follow (Matthew 6:33).

It’s so easy to get lost in trying to please others that you forget about yourself, and you forget about your relationship with God. As a mother, entrepreneur, and former Superwoman, there was a time when I lost sight of my priorities. For many years, I was building my business while working a normal 9-5 career, and I was always in “go” mode. I barely made time for myself, so I definitely didn’t make time for God. My prayers became less and less frequent as I finally elevated in my career after struggling to find stability after graduating from college.

I was so focused on money and how much I needed to make to get x, y, z. Chasing these things only led me to being stressed out and overworked. I was mentally exhausted, physically fatigued, and spiritually dead.

My child was happy, my performance was satisfactory, but I was always tired. I wasn’t at peace. I was merely existing instead of living. But I knew I was created to do so much more.

Imagine being laid off from your full-time job during Covid, and shortly after entering depression. I was constantly trying to come up with quick ways to make cash because my business wasn’t achieving the desired numbers, and I was desperately trying to figure out how I was going to pay my bills. I applied to jobs that I knew I was qualified for but kept receiving denial emails. I was literally losing my mind.

Now, imagine God orchestrating that layoff so that you could grow closer to Him. But instead, you’re doing everything but that. Those denials were from Him as well. Imagine Him telling you to forget about trying to work and begin to focus on Him, and allow Him to provide and take care of you.

For many months, I did just that. I was no longer operating under “Me, Myself, and I,” but as “Me and God.” I obeyed because I had just experienced firsthand what “Obedience is better than sacrifice” means (1 Samuel 15:22).

I also began to take better care of myself. This included healing from things and people that no longer served me. One of those things was the need to be a Superwoman. I have no desire to be that because I now allow God to fight all my battles. I started only worrying about the things that I could control. I let go of the need to chase perfection, and I came to the realization that there just aren’t enough hours in a day to do everything. So there’s no need to beat myself up about not being able to accomplish everything I wanted to in a given day. Furthermore, I adopted the motto, “What doesn’t get done today will just have to wait until tomorrow.”

Make self-care a priority – How are you treating yourself mentally, physically, and spiritually? How are you feeding your spirit?

When I fully surrendered to Him, that’s when the blessings began to overflow. Ephesians 3:20 says that God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power. I am a living testimony to that. It’s because I gave everything to Him, including my businesses.

To anyone who reads this, I dare you to fully put your trust in Him and watch Him blow your mind.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My businesses are more than just ventures; they’re the tangible manifestations of my journey, born from adversity and fueled by purpose. Each holds a unique story, deeply rooted in my own experiences and passions.

The Visionary Palace
The Visionary Palace emerged from the frustration of navigating the post-graduation landscape with limited experience. It began with offering free resume services and business audits to build a portfolio. Today, it stands as a consulting agency dedicated to nurturing entrepreneurial dreams. Our services encompass guiding clients from idea inception to tangible success, fostering additional revenue streams, and crafting tailored strategies for business growth and improvement.

The Confident Movement
The Confident Movement was sparked by the loss of my daughter, Juliette, and a deep commitment to fostering confidence and self-esteem in African-American children. Our mission is to empower our youth through positive representation and role models. Rooted in the belief that confidence is cultivated through positive affirmations and representation, we’ve launched initiatives such as Confident Me, a collection of affirmations tailored for children of color, and My Child, a book encapsulating timeless lessons of parental love and guidance.

Healing In The Room
Healing In The Room is my latest endeavor, set to launch in late August. It’s a testament to the transformative power of faith and healing in my own life. Through this platform, I share my journey of redemption, highlighting themes of shame, guilt, love, and spiritual growth. Our offerings will include a podcast, healing devotional, workbook, and journal, all aimed at guiding others towards spiritual healing and self-care.
What sets my businesses apart is their deeply personal origins and unwavering commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Through each venture, I strive to inspire, uplift, and empower individuals to embrace their journey and discover the strength within themselves.

What are you most proud about?

I take pride in every step of my journey—the victories, as well as the challenges. Each experience has been a stepping stone, preparing me for this moment. Now, I stand poised to fulfill my purpose, drawing upon the lessons learned to pour into my businesses.

These experiences serve as the foundation upon which I manifest my greatness into the world. So, stay tuned—this is just the beginning. There’s so much more in store, and I’m ready to embrace every opportunity that comes my way.

How did you get to where you are-Was it easy? How did you overcome the challenges?

Has the journey always been easy? Certainly not. But every great journey must start somewhere. Remember, delayed does not mean denied.

For me, it all began with faith—holding onto the wisdom of Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trusting in the Lord with all my heart and leaning not on my own understanding; submitting to Him, and allowing Him to make my paths straight.”

What are lessons you’ve learned along the way?

Every journey and story is unique, and comparing oneself to others is unnecessary. Each person on this Earth has been created with a distinct purpose.

No matter how much you may desire something for someone else, they must ultimately want it for themselves. Belief in oneself is paramount.

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.
If my best friend came to visit, we’d definitely be hitting the road, heading south on I-95. While Brunswick is evolving, there’s nothing quite like a classic road trip. Our destination? Jacksonville.

Our first stop would be 7th Wonder Holistic Spa, where I’d book the Perfect Wonder package for two. A day of pampering awaits us with massages, facials, sauna time, lunch, and more. After our spa retreat, we’d head to 4CornersLoveCandles for a candle making class, igniting our creativity.

As evening falls, we’d indulge in a fine dining experience at Terra Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse, savoring every bite of delectable cuisine. Finally, we’d retreat to a Marriott Hotel, where we’d unwind and sing karaoke until our eyelids couldn’t stay open any longer.

The next morning, we’d hit the road again, this time bound for Orlando to embark on the Carnival Freedom. Our cruise would take us to Grand Turk and Bimini for an unforgettable five-day voyage.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I want to make sure that He always gets the glory in everything that I do.

Secondly, I’m a firm believer that it takes a village to raise a child. I’m so grateful for my close family and friends. And I cannot forget my hometown, Brunswick, GA. The Wick definitely raised me.

Next, I want to thank anybody who’s ever poured into me or my businesses, patronized one of my businesses, offered encouraging words, or provided valuable feedback that contributed to my growth.

I have definitely met some beautiful people along the way

Website: https://linktr.ee/mercedesnajae

Image Credits
Shys Luxury Photography