Today we’d like to introduce you to YKeitha Atkins.
Hi YKeitha, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hello thank you so much for choosing me to be on your platform today, I truly appreciate. I am a Client Relationship & Business Consultant who helps others Build, Brand, & Market their businesses utilize systems & OPP.
Originally starting in the Fashion & Beauty Industry, I knew at an early age I had a natural knack for business. I took cosmetology courses in high school, didn’t acquire a license, but continued to do natural hair as a side hustle throughout my life. Growing up, I’ve always been a loner & semi socially awkward person (outside of family & close friends). I wasn’t popular, but my family was well known, so due to them, I was just kind of thrown into the mix of different crowds. Eager to be accepted, I started retaining random information so that I could be a resource to that crowd. I discovered that I loved learning, educating, and solving others’ problems.
Fast forward to 2016, I started off on my first official “dream business” journey, which is where Meraki Muse Boutique was born. This boutique included unique pieces from sizes Small-4x. During this time, I could not afford to hire anyone for marketing, printing, branding, or web design, so I did the only thing I knew how problem solved. I reached back into my computer science, & myspace coding days and built my very first website all on my own. I then quickly realized that I still needed marketing, branding, and printing services. In 2017 I teamed up with my current business partner, and Your Brand in Print was birthed while Young Sir the Movement (non-profit for inner city youth) was revamped. For branding & marketing, we started hosting fashion shows, model calls, and networking events to push all of our brands at once. It started off rocky, but we soon landed partnerships with She’s Happy Hair, Ashley Stewart, Boost Mobile, Bun B, Slim Thug, BET, Liberty Mutual, & Bayou Place. Through our now-established print company, I decided to let fashion go and replaced it with Skincare Curation, which I learned when I was just 8 years old from my late paternal grandmother. N8ture’s Beauty & Wellness is a Vegan Skincare Brand that essentially solves skin problems, such as acne, hyperpigmentation, and eczema.
In 2018 I started a travel agency called The N8 Club that offered travel, retreats, and selfcare opportunities. Now balancing 4 thriving brands, a corporate job, and a multitude of events, I was tired, but I did not stop how could I? When Covid happened, travel slowed down, and skincare sales increased (due the the masknee), but we also saw a spike in small businesses all around the world. With entrepreneurs popping up all over the place they needed print and guidance, so what happened you guessed it.
During this time, I was now pushed into the business coaching/consultant role due to the success of my brands, so I started helping others from behind the scenes, from anything to website building, resources, sponsorships, and business plans. In late 2021 I started dabbling more and more into analytics, research, courses, books, and seminars. I was finally home and in my element with my consulting business. The N8 Experience transformed into a movement offering different services that were essential for business growth.
These business are possible due to the now help of my small but mighty team; over the last few months, they have pushed me to go even harder in business. We work diligently to provide an inclusive one-stop shop for new & seasoned people in business. We help them find resources, create new streams of income, and thrive. I’ve recently created a spotlight series that showcases stories of fellow business owners and their journey to give them a platform for growth.
I never truly had a support system, and together every day, we show up and drag one another across the daily finish line of success. Our partnership shows that apart we can carry a tune, but together our voices could move mountains.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I personally do not know anyone who has had a smooth road in business. I really think that’s the beauty of the journey because it builds character. I’ve been without lights, food, and gas in the name of my businesses because I believe in them so much. I know that I am meant to be self-sufficient and to reclaim my personal luxury which is time, finances, and freedom. People who are not meant to be entrepreneurs do not understand the drive and hunger that takes over you when you are mentally fed up with corporate policies, unfair/hostile work environments, and hair laws in the workplace. As a business owner the answer is not simply to find another employer; it’s to become the employer. Every time I feel myself getting closer to my exit strategy here comes another problem, such as debt, a flood, a pandemic, a negative trigger on mental health, or a recession. When your mind, body, and soul truly yearns to be in control of itself it can spiral into a depression, and if you aren’t careful, it can take you down. Not saying not all people do not struggle with mental health, but it hits different when you are building something for yourself by yourself. It’s not the same getting a better job to save for a dream car or house; you are really trying to save your livelihood while creating opportunities for others. Some entrepreneurs are building fortune 500 companies to make money, some are building them to change lives, and some are doing both, and that’s the pressure I am currently under. Every day I choose to wake up and dedicate my time to others’ dreams, but because I don’t use my wealth to impress social media, my content gets overlooked because it isn’t shiny enough. Not to mention I struggle with social anxiety, nervousness, and public speaking; I still show up every single day to deliver my message to those who need me to move forward. All of my callings require me to face my fears of being judged, ridiculed, and dragged in real life and social media, but I am willing to go through the fire to win, and that is my current struggle.
As you know, we’re big fans of Y’keitha Atkins LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
I own a Turnkey Consulting Agency that features Branding, Business Funding, Media Opportunities, Web Design, Grants, Self-Marketing, Collaborations, Business Systems/Strategies, Writing/Editing & Author/Speaker Prep. In addition to that one business, I also offer Travel, Event Curation, Skincare/Self-Care, A Business Social Club, & Printing/Marketing Services.
The N8 Experience Is a Turnkey Community of Businesses that unite to build not only brands but people as well. Our programs foster Personal & Professional Growth no matter where you are in your Entrepreneurial Journey. Utilizing the Power of OPP, OPM, and Problem Solving, we are able to continuously send an open elevator back down filled with Resources & Leaders to nurture the collective. So, whether you are in the Ideation, revamping, or the rewarding stage in your business, The N8 Experience is here to help you Dedicate, Educate, & Celebrate your success.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
1. If you are struggling in business, please, please invest in a mentor or coach; they’ve already made and paid the mistakes you are about to make.
2. It doesn’t matter where you are, who you are and what you do in life, just be yourself and love you. Do not spend your time consumed in the lives of others that you forget to actually live.
3. Be on the lookout for books, tours, and networking opportunities hosted by me and my team of hardworking people
Thank you so much for your time and opportunity to be a part of this amazing movement,
Contact Info:
- Website: Linktr.ee/TheN8Visionary
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandcoachbae/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheN8Visionary
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ykeitha-atkins-74722143
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheN8Visionary
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@brandcoachbae?_t=8eHx0IK2vWN&_r=1
