Today we’d like to introduce you to Janiyah Peterson
Janiyah , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I initially started my business during the beginning of COVID in May 2020. I got tired of not being able to do anything I felt useless. I was going into my junior year of high school when I decided to start my business. Not going to lie, I told my pops, my aunt, and my granny that I wanted to start back making bracelets again. I started making bracelets when I was about eight years old. It’s something that I love doing it describes me and makes me stand out from the crowd. My pops was my very first investor. I knew absolutely nothing about running a business, the only thing I knew how to do was make jewelry. I knew nothing about promoting or marketing or anything at all. I didn’t know how much I wanted my products to be or anything it was a struggle in the very beginning. Thank Gof for family support though because if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t have a business at all nor would it have been a thought in the first place. The first step for me was buying the supplies. Me and my pops went to one of my favorite craft stores Micheals and he bought me a whole bunch of beads, elastic bands, charms all that and I was excited and thankful. Once that part was done I had to come up with a business name which was the hard part. I wanted my business name to be unique and different. I wanted to name my business after my sister, but the name was already taken so out of nowhere a name popped up. I decided to name my business Blanxa Jay Exclusives. Blanxa is pronounced like Blanca and a lot of my family members did not know how to pronounce it which was understandable. The only issue with the name was me finding the meaning behind it, what did Blanxa even stand for. I automatically knew that the “B” in Blanxa would stand for Bella which is my little sisters name. After while I said you know what there really won’t be a meaning behind it, but it’s more so what the business itself provides and sells to keep my customers happy. I knew I wanted a different yet unique name so I stuck with Blanxa Jay Exclusives. During that time due to Covid, running a business was hard no one could really touch anything because someone could possibly get sick, but thank God I never experienced Covid since the start of it’s existence. The pandemic kept me focused on my business. I was a little depressed though I couldn’t see my friends or much of my family and it was sickening. The next step was me making an business instagram page and posting pictures. I posted and kept posting. I did feel like I didn’t have support and that no one wanted to buy any of my handmade jewelry, but my aunt was my first customer and she told me to “keep posting even when you think their not looking they are so keep going.” I went on to make my own logo and it went from there. At that point I just went with the flow of it all. I had the attitude that if it sells ok great if it doesn’t whatever. I had to get out of that mindset. Now that I’ve had my business for four years now I’m in the process of getting my LLC and making a website. Recently I’ve rebranded my business and changed my business name to Niyah.T.Avenue Accessories & Apparel. Niyah.T.Avenue is an handmade jewelry and clothing brand. I told myself that I wanted a change and I want to expand with hopes in the future within the next five to ten years maybe even sooner that I will have multiple stores across Georgia. Having my business is my dream and I plan to one day in the future to pass it on. I’m not only a business owner I’m a brand ambassador for multiple clothing brands I’m a full time college student at University of West Georgia majoring in psychology for mental health and family therapy. As a young adult it is hard sometimes trying to balance multiple things at once but the biggest part is having faith through it all. I’m only 20 years old on the way to making 6 figures off of my business. I’m very thankful for my parents and family along the way that keep pushing me to become better and giving me aspirations that I need to keep going.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has not been easy. For the past four years I’ve been trying to to gain the mindset that my jewelry will sell and that people are watching. It’s hard now being a full time college student, brand ambassador and business owner trying to maintain a balance. Some of the struggles I’ve faced was trying to make sells. Like any other business some days are better than others. I would make as many bracelets, necklaces, and waist beads as possible and post them on instagram, facebook and TikTok to gain views to attract people to my brand. Sometimes on Sundays, after church I would sell products to some of the members at my church and I appreciate the support that they have given me and continue to give me today. I always want to make sure my customers actually fall in love with their jewelry and cherish it forever in hopes that the would pass the word on about Niyah.T.Avenue. My methods have worked so far, but by the grace of God my business keeps growing.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Niyah.T.Avenue?
Niyah.T.Avenue Accessories & Apparel is a jewelry and clothing brand that I started May 20th,2020. I make handmade beaded bracelets, charm bracelets, waist beads, and keychain’s. As of recently I’ve branched off into the clothing side of things. I am in the process of selling bodysuits, bucket hats, graphic tees, and bathing suits. I swear. I’m proud that during the pandemic that I thought eventually turned into a reality. My business is doing really good especially for me being 20 years old and starting my business at just 16 years old that I’ve expanded and learned and still learning from other businesses as my inspiration. I want to let young people or everyone in general that starting a business is not easy, but make sure you write out a plan, get advice from different entrepreneurs, do your research, map out what it is that you want to do whether it is an hobby you like doing or anything you enjoy doing that you know can help you grow. It’s important to have faith and pray because some days will be hard, but just know that you can do it if I can I know you can as well. Don’t let anyone tell you how to run your business it’s ok to ask for advice from time to time, but that is where doing your own research comes into place and having a plan for everything sometimes you can go with the flow depending on what you decide to partake in. I’m not only and entrepreneur I’m an brand ambassador for multiple clothing brands, college student and promoter. To the readers you can do All things through Christ that strengthens you.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My advice to anyone starting out is to first do your research and get some advice from other entrepreneurs that have experience in the particular field you want to partake in. Write out a plan and think about what you want to do. Have a conversation with your family so you can build that solid support system it may be days you need a shoulder to cry on sometimes. Prompting and marketing is the biggest thing. Take advantage of using different social media tools like instagram, TikTok, making a Pinterest page for inspiration, making reels creating content all around and gaining exposure. Tell your friends to tell a friend. You have to spend money to make money so keep that in mind. Most of all have faith it’s not an easy process.
Pricing:
- Enchanted Beaded Bracelets $5
- Enchanted Bangles Set $15
- Enchanted Stone Bracelets $7
- Custom Beaded Bracelets $10
- Waist Beads $7
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/niyah.t.avenue/p/C5loD-TLp4N/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@iamniyahsamone?si=0sJpsw1v65Dc4uam
Image Credits
Photographers Instagram: @aligned.productions @hoodie_soup @niyah_.diior
