Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Nailah Freeman of Marietta

Nailah Freeman shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Nailah , thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I’m walking a path—one that I’ve learned to pave with purpose, acceptance, and faith. For a long time, I thought I was wandering, but every twist and detour taught me something essential about who I am and who I’ve always been deep down. Now, I move with intention. Even when I don’t have every step figured out, I know the direction I’m headed aligns with my growth, my creativity, and my peace. So no, I’m not wandering anymore—I’m walking a path that’s uniquely mine.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi Voyage! My name is Nailah Freeman, and I’m the founder of Naijeya Beauty — a brand Beautifying the Human Experience. What makes Naijeya Beauty unique is that it’s more than just a salon; it’s a space where men and women come to rediscover themselves through hair and self-expression. I believe beauty should feel personal and empowering, whether I’m customizing hair services in the salon or advocating through my September Black-Owned Haircare Movement. Through Naijeya Beauty and my brand partnerships, I hope to inspire confidence and help others embrace the beauty that’s already within them.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was simply an observer, quietly taking in everything around me. I didn’t realize it then, but I was connecting with people on an energetic level rather than just through words. While most listen to respond, I’ve always listened to understand, because actions have always spoken louder than conversation. Paying attention to the small things has always felt natural because those details reveal truth. As I’ve become more in tune with myself, I’ve learned to see people and situations for what they are, not what I wish them to be. There’s a certain disappointment in that realization, but also peace. Accepting the things I cannot, and do not wish to change has brought me a deeper sense of calm. When you become accountable for yourself, life feels lighter. You speak to yourself with more kindness, hold your head a little higher, and move through life with a quieter confidence. The hardships don’t disappear, but real growth shows in how you face and rise above them.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be: “You’re still doing it, and it still makes you happy!” I was fortunate enough to discover my passion for hair at just eight years old, and nothing has stopped me since. Today, I continue to speak life into my business, Naijeya Beauty, finding joy in every part of it. As a creative, working with my hands frees my mind, and connecting with my clients brings me joy. My salon was designed to be a space of comfort and authenticity, where stories are shared, laughter flows, and naps happen! My younger self would be so proud of the woman I’ve become — someone who turned a lifelong passion into a business that I not only get to share with my community, but keeps me smiling every day.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The biggest misconception in the haircare industry is that creating space for Black-owned brands and diverse representation isn’t profitable. In reality, Black consumers account for roughly 11% of total beauty industry spending, yet Black-owned brands make up only about 2.5% of the industry’s multi-billion-dollar revenue. Despite our significant influence and buying power, many mainstream brands still fail to adequately address our needs, from inclusive shade ranges in makeup to quality products for textured hair. Too often, we see promising Black-owned brands rise to prominence by serving their community authentically, only to be acquired by larger corporations that alter formulas, repackage products, and ultimately dilute the original mission. This pattern highlights the importance of not just representation, but ownership and integrity within the beauty industry.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days. 
I tap dance into my salon with pure joy because it truly is my happy place. Each time I arrive, I take a moment to pause, exhale, and release any lingering stress or negative thoughts. Then, I greet my space with a simple affirmation: “Hello…Today’s going to be amazing.” It might sound small, but that ritual sets the tone not only for my appointments but also for my mindset. When I first moved into my salon, I used to stand at the door in disbelief that I could even afford the space. I’ve come a long way from doing hair in my dining room and $50 hairstyles. Every day I am reminded of how far my passion, hard work, and belief has taken me, and I could not be happier about the journey ahead.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.Naijeyabeauty.as.me
• Instagram: Naijeyabeauty
• Facebook: Naijeya Beauty
• Youtube: Naijeya Beauty
• Other: Tik Tok: Naijeya Beauty

Image Credits
Picture credits:
1-2. “Dizzy” Watts – @dizzyshotthat (Instagram)
3-5. Nailah Freeman – @naifree2.0, @naijeyabeauty (Instagram)
6. “Dizzy” Watts – @dizzyshotthat (Instagram)
7. Nailah Freeman – @naifree2.0, @naijeyabeauty (Instagram)
8. Tianna Croom – @onea_theartist (Instagram)
9. “Dizzy” Watts – @dizzyshotthat (Instagram)