Today we’d like to introduce you to Nelma Karina Sumbe.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I moved to Southampton, England in 2011 for university, and being a college student is a humbling experience. You learn so much about yourself and what you are capable of, all while trying to graduate, budget, live life, and stay mentally sane. For me, food, cooking, and exercise became my therapy. Eating healthy and working out became a staple in my every day while overseas.
I remember there would be days after a night out we would wake up all hungover and would go to the nearby grocery, and everyone would put in money for a massive meal that I would then prepare for my friends. Having them over and seeing them enjoy my meals was a huge boost to my confidence while I was beginning to tap into my natural abilities.
Feeding others something that I created with my own hands and seeing moments of happiness in their faces with every bite was the catalyst to it all because it reminded me of the happiness I felt while eating my grandmother’s food as a child.
Naturally Nelma is a brand that came from my own personal journey. I feel like we live in a world that is no longer authentic, we, as a collective, go out of their way to act outside of our natural selves to the point that we lose ourselves and begin to live a life according to others. Naturally Nelma is a brand that inspires you to be naturally and authentically you. While staying active is an important part of who I am, eating good, healthy food is the best way to sustain yourself mentally, spiritually, and physically. I truly believe that food is a form of medicine.
Great, 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?
So in Fall 2014, I returned home to Houston after living overseas for three years and enrolled at the Art Institute of Houston. Mind you I had already attempted a couple of degrees before this, but this was the single hardest experience of my life. It wasn’t hard because it was “hard”, it was hard because I never wanted anything more. Cooking and learning came easy, but staying focused was the problem, I have ADHD and had severe anxiety at the time. It was honestly an uphill battle to graduate. I felt like I was going through my own “Twelve Labours” because it felt like one obstacle course after another just to get a degree.
In March of 2017, I was at the Burger Joint with my best friend in Montrose, and someone broke into my car. They took my MacBook, which had my entire senior year capstone, and they stole a knife kit worth about $800. I was at a mental breaking point because I was due to graduate in June, and all my school work was stolen with no digital back up of any kind. After a personal retreat, I spoke to my parents and told them I needed to isolate myself from the world for the next three months so that I can graduate, I did a sublease with an amazing friend of mine, and for three straight months, all I did was go to school, come home and work on my capstone.
The amount of caffeine I absorbed those three months has made me literally unable to drink it regularly today, but I did it. I completed two years’ worth of work in 3 months, aced my senior capstone, and walked the stage on June 16, 2017.
Please tell us about Naturally Nelma LLC.
If you are actively working with a Doctor, Dietitian, Nutritionist, a Health or Fitness Coach, then they have likely given you a meal plan you are required to follow, and that is where I come in.
Naturally Nourished by Naturally Nelma is a meal-prep concept unlike any other. Regardless of what your health goals are, whether it is losing weight, gaining weight, maintaining, or eating healthier, with Naturally Nourished, you can still enjoy meals as they are prepared to suit your personal preferences. Naturally Nourished also allows you to create your own meal preps on your own budget. The meals are made exactly how you want them and infused with superfood nutrients of your choice. Clients begin to notice changes in how they feel after a couple of weeks, showing signs of feeling healthier, happier, and more energized.
The concept is focused on creating healthy and holistic recipes for my clients. I can express my love for the creativity of cooking through my various use of herbs and colorful vegetables in my dishes. I focus on gathering the most natural and local seasonal ingredients.
Customization is key because I understand that the world is unique and diverse, just like my clients. Working with me means that you have made the decision to be serious about your health. Naturally Nourished is not a “cooking in bulk” or “distribution” type company. Your menu is built for you and you alone. So, whatever you have in mind, from Keto, Paleo & Cardiac diets, to Vegan and Alkaline diets, I am trained and qualified to make it happen.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Growing up in Angola to me was like a big party. My family and I would return every summer and during the winter holidays to be with everyone. I am one of over 70 cousins, and you can only imagine there was a party almost every other week it seemed. Whether it was a birthday, a christening, or a wedding, my memory lies with all the food I would be around, whether I was eating it or helping prepare it.
It is truly a blessing that food and family complement each other so well in my story, and to this day, when we can, we love getting together at my grandma’s house and just enjoy being together sharing a soulful plate and some great wine.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.naturallynelma.com
- Phone: 8328085833
- Email: naturallynelma@hotmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/naturallynelma
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/naturallynelma
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/naturally-nelma-houston?uid=wNqtmtudl07-Q1e8MtUslQ&utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
Image Credit:
Professional Photo by Daryl Hamilton and Lacoya Windham
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