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

Hi Tonique, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my own business is based on me wanting to work for myself. I’ve worked many jobs that I didn’t really enjoy doing. I just spent the last 7 years of my life working in 9-1-1. I was missing out on family time, relationships, vacations, and just self-care in general. I knew it was time for me to do something so I could gain control of my life again. I needed an outlet. I am setting myself up in a position to where I am going to be my own boss. No more punching someone else’s clock and working to make some one else wealthy. No more being told what to do and how to do it. No more telling me when I can and can’t take off. I want to create generational wealth for my future children. Overall, I want to retire my parents because they have given me the best life. I just want to do what makes Tonique happy at the end of the day.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
In 2014, I started my career as a 911 Dispatcher. It was the most challenging career I’ve ever had thus far. I went through the trenches with that career. It left me feeling depressed and feeling less than, because I gave so much to a career and I was always overlooked when it came time to move up. Dealing with mental abuse on a job makes it hard for you to enjoy a job. I No one knows the mental abuse and PTSD a dispatcher deals with behind the scenes.I overcame a lot of challenges in that career and it told me a lot about myself. Throughout, my career I have learned so much when it comes to dealing with the public and it has also connected me with so many people. My career journey has not been easy by any means and only the strong survive because you do endure a lot along the way. But I wouldn’t exchange my experience for nothing in the world, because it did make me in to the person am today. Which is stronger than I was when I first started 7 years ago. It gave me the backbone to stand up for myself and not care what anyone thinks. My career pushed me to want more out of life, because it showed me there is more in life and life is short so make sure I live it to the best of my ability.COVID-19 is what changed my life in 9-1-1 because it gave me the push that I needed to do more to get out of this career of feeling stuck. I was sitting at work one day and got on youtube and just started watching videos on how to make different things like shirts and masks. I told myself I needed an outlet and I got that outlet through crafting. Once I started crafting people started wanting to buy what I was making and that is how Nonchalant By Neek was started.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We would definitely hit a wine festival its a must. We would also hit Fin and Feathers I love their food.,drinks, and hookah whether it is for brunch or dinner. We would also hang out at The Battery. Definitely would have to catch a football or soccer game depending on the season in the Dome. We would also hit the Selfie Museum.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to first give thanks to God for giving me this gift. I want to give thanks to my parents for always pushing me to go hard. They are always my go to when making decisions and my walking billboards. They are always supportive and encouraging. I want to thank my grandma she is always my listening ear when I’m frustrated and ready to give up. She is my prayer warrior. I want to thank my two sisters Keyon and Deriyon, they always make me feel like I am the best big sister in the world and they are by far my biggest supporters. They do everything to support me whether it is buying my merchandise, making social posts, and even spreading the word. I also want to thank my family and friends because when I tell you they have showed so much love and support even from afar. I appreciate each and every one of them. Lastly, I want to thank everyone who didn’t believe in me because it just made me go harder for my brand. It just influenced me to go harder and get out my comfort zone.

Website: www.nonchalantbyneek.com

Instagram: nonchalant_by_neek

Facebook: Nonchalant By Neek

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