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

Hi Nefertiti, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Me personally I feel like taking a risk is like taking a Chance in life, you will never know if the decision you made is a hit or miss until you go for it! Some people are so comfortable with staying in their comfort zone that they become to afraid to step out of it because their afraid of what others might say or think of them. Then, you have others who are tired of the life they live or bored of the same results in whatever that their doing that they eventually take that leap of faith “that risk” and step out their comfort zone to better themselves and/or their lives.
Now for me, when I was younger I was always a risk taker and the black sheep of the family. I did not care what others thought about me because in my mind I’m my own person and if it felt right then I’m going for it. Some of the risks I did take were a lesson learn for the bad and some were for the good, either way they both made me the person that I am today.
I was able to see the things that I was good at and the stuff I was terrible in. A lot of it allowed me to learn the pros and cons of how a business should be ran in the entertainment field and it helped strengthen my marketing skills. It opened so many doors in different areas that I would never had came across if I never took any risks in life.
Taking risks made me more business oriented and goal oriented, me seeing other entrepreneurs go after their goals and trying out new things to see what best suits them made me level up.
And even though I knew that taking a risk can possibly leave me financially broke I still gambled it and went for it but at the same time I was smart, I still kept my regular 9/5,saved enough money until I felt like the timing was right & then I managed my time in between working and going after whatever I wanted to either when I was off or after my shift because at the end of the day bills still need to be paid and realistically you have to still maintain a life for yourself that keeps your mind at peace and your body in good health.
Right now I am a Nurse & owner of Ucollection Boutique I also accomplished so much other stuff from published modeling,radio personality, tv hosting etc etc all because I decided to take risk!
And to be honest a lot of the stuff I now do I wouldn’t have ever known I was capable of doing if I never had taken risks

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Well back then when I was modeling heaving in the entertainment business I had a lot of people come to me and ask me to wear their gear and market it. Some were a beneficial for me and some I was more beneficial for them either way it was always good network. People would always ask me “where did I get this” “where did I get that” “can I buy this from you” “do you have a store/website” so Eventually I got to a point where I got tired of making other people/brand money. So, I choose to invest in myself and come up with a brand that I felt like was suitable for me and what others would like to wear which is why I came up with the name “ucollection”.
“U Collection is YOU” it’s designed for you and is made just for You.
Now I’m Making my own money, Wearing my own brand & marketing my own brand
Absolutely Love it!

One lesson I did learn from becoming my own black Owned Business Owner is that success doesn’t happen over night. A lot of these people on social media show off the after math of their business booming and make it seem like their businesses has always been great since day one even financially and that’s not the truth!
Their has been a lot of sleepless nights, financial struggles, doubts from stuff not moving fast enough etc etc.
You really have to be your own cheerleader and self motivator most times in the beginning because Alot of people who don’t see your vision 9/10 times arnt as supportive as they should bE And that can be discouraging.
In the beginning when I started my business out of my bedroom, I had to constantly remind myself and talk to myself daily that if this is something that I really want then I still need to push through and go hard for it even if their is 0 likes on social media or a few purchases on my website account. I was working 15 to 18 hours shifts at my job and still finding time while I was tired or exhausted to put in work for my business that’s how dedicated I was to it!
Eventually, it all paid off after a whole year of being consistent.
Now, even though I still work my 9/5
I have a boutique shop on auburn Ave in Atlanta,GA and my online site is doing well.
I told myself the only way I’ll stop working my 9/5 as a nurse and focus more on my business is when I get a bigger store front and my numbers financially triples my current income and so far I see that happening in the next year or 2!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well I’m more of a adventurous type of person so I definitely would have a list of fun activities to do with them like sky diving,roller skating, bike riding, 4 wheel riding, sip n paint etc

I hate clubs so lounges with good music good vibes & great food would do

I also like to go hiking in places that have nice scenery!

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?
Of Course I definitely want to give a shoutout to GOD and My Divine Ancestors,My Family and all my Supportive Friends and Fans that helped paved the way for me. I’m only One person and One Person can’t do All so I appreciate everyone who did help and who did support me in my journey

Website: Ucollectionllc.myshopify.com

Instagram: Nefertiti2u & ucollection__boutique

Twitter: Asknefertiti

Other: Snapchat “asknefertiti”

Image Credits
Ucollection Boutique Dellz Luxure Phan Photography

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