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

Hi Nygeria, what role has risk played in your life or career?

When I think of the word risk, what comes to mind is FAITH… Believing and having confidence in the unknown and unseen. For we all know that Faith without work is dead! It’s also about finding yourself, making sacrifices for what you believe in, even if no one sees or understands your vision. The odds have always kind of been stacked against me, but looking back at my life, I’ve always been a risk-taker. I’m a first generation American, my father is Jamaican, and my mother is from Trinidad. I became a mother at the age of 16. During that time, my father was deported back to Jamaica and my mother had just relocated back to the city because I needed help with my baby girl. From the day she entered this world, I knew it was no longer about me. I had to rise to the occasion. With the help of my mother, I was fortunate enough to stay in school and work a full-time job. Within a blink of an eye, I went from being a kid, having a father that provided for me, to being a parent and having to provide for my child and Father. Many of you may not know the hardship that comes along with being deported back to a country with no family after being gone for about 3 decades. For the past ten years, I’ve been able to maintain my life, children and send money to my father in Jamaica. When COVID-19 hit, I wasn’t able to help him like I usually do. For me, that was one of the worst feelings. At that moment, I decided I had to take a leap of faith. I started to invest in myself and launch my business. It was one of the greatest decisions by far and has taught me so much about myself.

“No one gets out of the game of life alive. You either die in the bleachers or on the field.” So, you might as well play out on the field, and go for it.”


Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

Nygees Naturalz is a black female-owned business specializing in wildcrafted Sea moss and natural bath and body products. We have a variety of handcrafted artisan soaps, scrubs, butters and more that are infused with Sea moss, clays, 100% essential oils and Natural derived scents.  We also have soaps and paw balms for your furry family members. Our products are made in small batches to ensure the freshness of ingredients and the overall quality. My business inspiration came from the hopelessness I felt from not having products that helped with my problematic skin. That feeling of frustration led me to do the research that put me on the journey that I’m on today. Most importantly, it helped heal and maintain my skin!

From the time I’ve started my business, two of the biggest risks I’ve taken so far would be leaving my career in the Healthcare field that I was secure and established in for 11 years, to pursue my business in the skin care industry. I also relocated to Massachusetts during the pandemic with my two children as a single parent; not to mention two days after we arrived it was a big snowstorm! It’s been plenty of obstacles that I’ve overcome. To be honest, the road hasn’t been easy, but it’s definitely been worth it. I’ve learned to pay attention to signs, trust and believe in myself and God more. In life, there’s always going to be roadblocks. It’s all about training your mind to obtain balance. You have to find a way to take the negative and turn it into a positive. Most of all, just take a chance on yourself!

I would like the world to know that we’re providing a natural alternative to the chemically based products on the market. Sea moss AKA Irish moss is a superfood packed with vitamins, nutrients, antibacterial and antiviral properties that help heal, soothe and hydrate the skin. A lot of people aren’t aware that our skin is our largest organ, and it’s fast absorbing so, it’s important that we’re mindful of what we put on and in our body.

I like to inspire people and give them hope because we are our greatest asset and when you look good, you feel good!


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?
To be honest, I’ve only been in Massachusetts for a year. I arrived during the pandemic, therefore, I haven’t been able to explore the full potential of the city. I will say it’s a large west Indian community, so we’ll start with some good food, followed by music and drinks. we could also attend a boat party, spa or museum and depending on the time of year we could take a trip to the ski resort.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shoutout to my family and the people that have supported me and my brand!
Shoutout to my mother for encouraging and pushing me to be my best self!
Shoutout to me for not giving up on me!
Most of all shoutout to God for showing me the  way!

Website: www.nygeesnaturalz.com

Instagram: nyggeesnatural92

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nygee.gilkes

Other: Tik Toc @nygeesnaturalz

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