We recently had the chance to connect with KiMaja Clay and have shared our conversation below.
Hi KiMaja, 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: Who are you learning from right now?
Teacher of life
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is KiMaja “KiKi” Clay, and my journey has always been about building connections and creating experiences. I started out in beauty and cosmetics, but since then my brand has expanded in ways that reflect both my professional training and my entrepreneurial spirit. By day, I work in the legal field as a paralegal and legal assistant, helping families navigate complex matters like probate and family law. At night, I manage and mentor waitresses in Houston’s nightlife industry, where I’ve learned the ins and outs of leadership, hospitality, and event promotion. On top of that, I also run Chivalrous Touch, my passion project where I design romantic setups for date nights, anniversaries, and special moments.
What makes my story unique is that I don’t fit into just one box. I’ve taken very different worlds — law, nightlife, and romance — and found ways to thrive in each of them by leaning into my creativity, hustle, and people-first mindset. Right now, I’m working on expanding my event brand and building a foundation that will support my long-term career goals in law while still allowing me to be an entrepreneur at heart.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I used to believe that I was naïve. I carried that label with me, and it made me timid in how I moved through the world — almost like I had to hold back because I thought I didn’t know enough. What I’ve realized over time is that simply being aware of your own “naïveté” is actually the opposite of it. The more I’ve grown, the more I’ve recognized that I wasn’t naïve at all — I was learning, observing, and becoming aware. Today, I no longer see myself through that limited lens. Instead, I trust my awareness, my intuition, and the lessons I’ve gained from experience.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, there was a time I almost gave up — in fact, I didn’t want to finish college. I thought I had it all figured out and told myself, “I don’t really need this degree.” But over time I realized that college was never just about the degree. It was about the connections I made, the knowledge I gained both inside and outside the classroom, and the resilience I built through the struggles I faced.
Balancing everything was overwhelming — I was working as a litigation coordinator at a law firm while also being a lead waitress in nightlife. At times, it felt impossible to manage it all, and quitting seemed like the easy option. But I’m grateful I pushed through. Finishing college taught me how to balance multiple responsibilities, sharpened my work ethic, and showed me that perseverance pays off. Looking back, I don’t regret a single challenge, because those experiences shaped the discipline and drive I rely on today.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
The ideas I rely on most aren’t my own — they come from God. I’m very faith-based and spiritual, and I’ve learned that if you pray for guidance, the answers will come. The key is patience and trusting that everything unfolds in God’s timing.
Since being baptized in late 2022, prayer has become my foundation. It’s what I lean on for clarity, strength, and direction. That faith shows up in every part of my life: in the legal field, where families often come to us during their hardest seasons; in nightlife, where I lead a team and have to make quick, people-centered decisions; and in my romantic setups, where I get to pour love and creativity into special moments. My faith keeps me grounded and reminds me that my work isn’t just about me — it’s about serving others with purpose.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think what people may misunderstand about my legacy is the role I played in Houston’s nightlife industry. From being a waitress to becoming a lead and eventually a manager, I wasn’t just showing up for myself — I helped put a lot of people on. I’ve gotten countless people jobs, trained nearly close to 100, and shown them how to succeed in this business. That’s something I’m truly proud of.
People often misconstrue bottle service as just a party lifestyle or “fast money,” but the truth is, it’s a serious profession that takes discipline, strategy, and people skills. For me, it opened doors: I learned management, event curation, staffing, hiring, and leadership. Those skills carried into everything else I’ve done — in law, in entrepreneurship, and in building my brand.
So if there’s a misunderstanding, it’s that people may see nightlife as surface-level fun. But for me and so many others, it was a stepping stone, a career builder, and a platform where I got to mentor others and shape a team culture that I hope continues long after me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kcnyree
