We had the good fortune of connecting with Nya Williams Jones and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nya, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I was the typical college student that needed extra money! I worked as a Production Assistant, which didn’t pay me a lot. I didn’t want to give up on my dream of working in the industry, so I thought of other ways to tap into my creative bag to create an extra source of income. To me, being creative doesn’t mean you are only good at one thing; it means you can hone in on your creative abilities and create a unique spin on anything you put your mind to, which is what I did with Crocs. In 7th grade, I always wanted to bedazzle converse; therefore, I brought out an old dream of mine! A few of my friends gave me their crocs, and I started practicing and noticed I did well. I decided to take it seriously, which is how I started.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

This is my favorite question to answer. My work is self-made. I never look for inspiration on anyone’s page. I break down different designs  I can put on my crocs, which makes me feel like I am in a creative playground. I never focus on what the next person is doing. I focus on how to top the last pair of Crocs I made.
 I am proud of doing different pairs of crocs for people on the show I was working on! From the accountant department to producers to directors! It was a great experience!
I learned that closed mouths don’t get fed. If you believe in your business, go after anything that will elevate it. Also, I learned to keep my word. I learned a valuable lesson from a special customer, which reminded me that there is no room for a young black woman to not be legit with her business. If you say you’re going to do something, do it. Your word is your bond.
I want the world to know that all this confidence in myself and my business is from God. I believe anything is possible with him! I know for a fact I wouldn’t have this talent, this success without him! So I thank him!
Also, if I can do it, I know anyone can do it! I am just a black girl from Cincinnati, Ohio pursuing her dreams.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

For breakfast here are my top options:
 The Hive (if we want to get lit)
Flying Biscuit (if we want a traditional breakfast)
Snooze
Milk & Honey
Different activities we would do is:
Creating our own carpet at  Our Bar ATL, the class is called “The Tuftest Class in Town.”
Hitting up the Atlanta Beltline
Stopping by Edgewood Ave.
Catching an Atlanta Hawks game or baseball game at Truist Park
My favorite lunch spots are:
Infusion Crab ATL (Best seafood boil hands down)
Velvet Taco
Superica
American Deli
My favorite dinner spots are:
Houstons (Classy/casual but fun)
Suite Food Lounge
Marcels

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 dedicate my shout-out to my entire village! Have you ever had so much love for someone that you can’t articulate how you feel? That is how I feel toward my loved ones. They are constantly in my ear all year long, pushing me to be the best me! The confidence they have in me is surreal; they believe I can do anything I put my mind to! The love I have for them is unmatched.
I thank them for sharing my products on social media and coming out to all my events. They hold it down for me for any business venture I go on. I thank them for making me feel like I am enough when I don’t feel that I am. I do not want my loved ones to want or need anything and I will make sure of that. I’ve realized that it isn’t just me that is connected to my dreams, they are too. The love runs deep for life.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crocpreneur/

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