Today we’d like to introduce you to Nia Miller.
Nia, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born and raised in the Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, NY. I grew up during the Biggie-era Bed Stuy. I don’t even recognize this new Brooklyn. When I was seven years old, my father, Bernie Miller was fatally injured when the boiler exploded at the bar that he owned. My mother was left to raise me on her own. She had two older sons, my brothers; Rodney and Joe from a previous relationship. They were 14 and 15 when I was born. I’ve seen photos but have no recollection of actually living with my brothers. I always felt like an only child.
I was a true brownstone girl. I grew up spending summers on the stoop, listening to music, playing Double Dutch and running back and forth to the corner store for 35 cent icees and sunflower seeds. When I was 16 my mother sent me to live with my cousins in Greensboro, NC to finish out my 11th and 12th grade school years. I was a Brooklyn girl in what I considered slow and boring North Carolina. It was at Martin Luther King Jr. High School in Manhattan, right across the street from Lincoln Centre that I found a new freedom and independence. I started messing up in school, skipping classes to play Spades in the cafeteria. Dumb things teenagers do.
On schedule, on June 4,1995 I graduated from Walter Hines Page, H.S. The very next day I was back on the block in Brooklyn. Without a real plan for my life, I began taking classes at Borough of Manhattan Community College. I majored in Liberal Arts because I didn’t know what I wanted to do. BMCC was always jokingly and affectionately referred to as “The Thirteen Grade”. It’s true, it was a party and hang out school. I maintained a B average in my studies, even Statistics 101, but I was bored.
My mother and I became estranged, for the most part, after I moved to NC. We lost the bond we once had. So, the years after graduation were some really rough years as I didn’t have a solid place to live. I was bouncing between friends and my brother’s houses or wherever I ended up. I was lost and alone.
At 20 years old I landed a two week temporary receptionist position at Chase Manhattan Bank in Midtown. I was eventually hired permanently as a Secretary within the Global Syndicated Finance group. From there I went on to work as Executive Assistant to the Vice Chairman of Investment Banking, the late James B. Lee, Jr aka “Jimmy Lee” in the finance world. There I was, this 21 year old black girl from Bed Stuy working with millionaires and coordinating meetings with the likes of Warren Buffett, David Stern, Lyor Cohen and other big-wig names. From Chase I went on to Lazard Freres, another financial firm at 30 Rockefeller Plaza and then General Atlantic.
At 31, I was back in contact with my old boyfriend from MLK HS. He was a young, lost Brooklyn kid trying to be tough. He started dealing drugs in Durham when I moved to NC to finish HS. He was my prom date. At 18 years old, he was caught up in a situation with some other drug dealers and shot and killed a woman. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Shortly after going to prison, I lost complete contact with him. Life went on for me.
One day, when I was 20, while on the 2 train in the Bronx, I suddenly felt this indescribable need to get off the train. The 2 train is an El train line and it was cold out. The train was full but not crowded. I was standing when I suddenly felt myself panicking. I needed to get off the train. I didn’t know why. But I needed to get off the train. Of course, at that moment the train would be stalled between stations. I began sweating profusely, I could hear my heart in my ears, began having trouble breathing, I felt nauseous and like I was going to go mad. I really wanted to cry. I needed off that train! Finally, the train pulled into the next station. Although it wasn’t my train stop, I got off. Once that cold air hit my face, I could feel myself calming down and getting my wits about me. When the next train pulled in, I got on it and continued with my journey. I was so confused though. I remember wondering if I had a neurological condition like a brain tumor or something. I didn’t understand what I had experienced or how to describe it at the time. I just knew I felt like I was in eminent danger and was 1000000 % confident that I was about to die. I just couldn’t explain why.
By the time I got to General Atlantic, I had rekindled with my HS boyfriend and was preparing to give birth to our son, Kai. Like many inmates thrown back into the belly of the beast aka the “free” world, he was having trouble finding his way in society. That relationship did not work out, rendering me a single mom. I made good money in New York so I felt I could handle the task.
I had developed a pride for my ability to have come from where I came from and gone on to purchase a home at age 26, travel to other countries and have the experiences I was blessed with. But things changed when I had my son. My entire purpose in life shifted. All I wanted was to be a good mom to Kai. I was committed. When I went to pick him up from the babysitter one day, he cried when she tried to give him to me. He wanted to stay with her. That broke my heart in ways I still can’t articulate today.
In 2011, life began to get the best of me and insert depression and anxiety. My job was extremely demanding. The people I supported were handling multi-million dollar deals and they relied on me to get them where they needed to be when they needed to be there. Despite the constant changes to agendas. They paid me good money to be alert and dependable.
I finally learned what it was that happened to me on that 2 train some years back. Turned out that was my first panic attack. They began occurring on a daily basis. Every morning I was greeted with panic upon waking up. It was torturous. At its worst, depression even led me to suicidal ideation. Despite my “good” life, despite my love for my baby, I didn’t want to live anymore. Life itself hurt. I began cutting on my arms for relief from the internal and emotional pain I was experiencing. My mental health was on a decline and I knew something major had to change if I was going to be around and healthy for Kai.
I began praying radical prayers. I needed God’s intervention. Though I didn’t grow up religious, I did grow to recognize Him and His authority. I knew only a blessing from Him could turn things around. I was spending way too many nights balled up on my bathroom floor crying. Life was beginning to hurt. It was getting overwhelming. Something had to change.
Often times, before things get better, they get worse. I felt like I lived on the verge of a major breakdown. I was always holding back tears at my desk. It didn’t help at all that I had a high strung, over-achieving woman for a boss. I began having full on panic attacks right there at my desk. It was so embarrassing. It’s scary to see when you don’t understand. They kept calling EMS and having me strolled out on a gurney. I became a workplace “distraction”. I was eventually sent home permanently, but on my terms.
During this time of limbo, I began thinking maybe this was God’s plan and my chance to go. To get out of NY’s rat race and raise my son. In divine order, a woman I worked with 13 years prior at Chase began communicating with me on Facebook. She had relocated to Houston, TX some years earlier. I began opening up to her about my feelings of suffocation and needing to desperately get out of New York. She then extended an offer for me and my two year old son to move to Houston and stay with her until I found employment. While I am staunchly independent, I just knew that had to be a blessing from God. Kai and I were Houstonians a month later.
I love Houston but no place has the flare that New York has. I missed driving to 125th Street in Harlem to shop the street vendors with unique earrings. It was one of my favorite things to do. I love large, bold, eclectic creative pieces. I remember the excitement I experienced when I discovered a pair of feather earrings. They looked like they were plucked straight from a bird and put on a hook but I absolutely loved them. I wore them every day. They made me feel pretty. I especially loved finding lightweight designs made from fabric and other materials. I couldn’t find that in Houston. At least I didn’t know where to find it.
I stayed with my former co-worker for four months before Kai and I got our first place in Humble. It was really the first time I had been still in a long while. I was home with my son all day.
One day, I decided I would try making some earrings for myself. After all, how hard can it be to make large yet lightweight earrings? They had to be lightweight because although I love large and bold earrings, the years of wear and tear had stretched my piercings. I went to Michael’s Craft Store and purchased some wood circles. I bought a wood burning tool to make holes. Then I went to Walgreens and bought some nail polish. Finally, I went home and started making earrings. I burned a hole in the wood and painted an Afro lady on it. Then I found an old pair of earrings and put the hooks on.
Everywhere I went I was complimented on my earrings. People would ask me where I got them. It still didn’t click for me. I was never aware of any artistic abilities in me. I never really tried to draw anything. I always had the typical flare for fashion that most Libras have so I’d sometimes put together outfits that were “all Nia”. My friends would often say, “Only you could pull that off.” I was known to add a touch of flare to everything I did.
One day, a woman complimented my earrings and asked where I had gotten them. When I told her that I made them, she got excited and asked if she could pay me to make some for her. It was in that moment that the bells began ringing. EarCandy Designs By Nia was birthed. I just kept creating whatever came to mind and I’d share my creations to my small group of Facebook followers. My friends were impressed and encouraged me to start a website. They began placing orders and sending me money. I couldn’t believe it. I had started my own business!
You hear of a lot of people having dreams that they pursue. I never really pursued any dream. I kind of always just let life happen and dealt with things as they came. I was winging life. My thoughts and plans had never been structured. I opened a shop on the Esty marketplace for crafts. There, artists from all over display and sell their creations. My sales took off. I often would vend at the Buy Black Marketplace at the Shrine of The Black Madonna. On Saturdays, I’d put my earring display in my trunk and visit various hair salons around Houston.
As time went on, the sales became more sporadic. Sometimes I’d go a month without selling anything. All of my friends had met and exceeded their quota for support. I kept creating though.
One day, I went to Walmart and spontaneously purchased a sewing machine. I knew absolutely nothing about sewing. I had never taken as much as a Home Economics class. I didn’t know the first thing about sewing machines or making clothes but my spirit led me to purchase this machine. I had no clue what I’d do with it. I figured I’d learn how to sew, eventually.
For two years the machine sat and collected dust. Finally, I went on YouTube and watched beginners sewing videos for my specific machine. I got familiar with my machine and practiced making stuff. My first piece was an African print maxi skirt. My niche was developed; African inspired women’s clothing, jewelry and accessories.
It has now been eight years and I am still learning and creating. I still shock myself on a regular basis with my creations. I don’t believe I’ve even peaked yet. I have sold hundreds of pieces. I have 2500 Facebook followers. Now I have regular repeat customers including some overseas. I plan to keep creating, sharing and growing my EarCandy brand.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It hasn’t been a smooth road at all. I still struggle with anxiety and depression. There were a couple of hospitalizations over the years. I still wake up to a panic attack every morning. I am in therapy and “doing the work” needed to learn how to cope with life ‘s challenges. Being a single mom comes with its own set of struggles. Starting a business takes quite a bit of time, money and sacrifice. I took a lot of risks and loans. My cousin Tyesha has been my rock! If it weren’t for her, I don’t know that I would have been able to stick with it.
EarCandy Designs by Nia – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We specialize in large, bold but yet lightweight fashion jewelry, accessories and women’s clothing including chic African inspired maxi skirts and more. Every item is handmade by me. All garment pieces are custom made to fit. We cater to all women.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I always say there is some kind of special bond between me and Cancer women. In my life, there were many instances where a Cancer woman would step in like an Angel without even knowing it. I didn’t have the self-confidence I needed to reach my potential. I still didn’t know I was talented. I never associated the word with me. Today, I can say “I’m an artist” and believe it. When I first started creating, I wasn’t sure how others would respond. I knew I had an eclectic style that not everyone can always get with. Two Cancer women who played a big role in encouraging me to keep going were Ebony Diaz and Christine Prosser. They would always like and comment on my designs and they were my first customers; my biggest cheerleaders. They saw it before I could. I am forever grateful to those Cancer Queens.
Contact Info:
- Website: EarCandyDesignsByNia.etsy.com
- Phone: 9173189555
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/EarCandyShop/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EarCandyShop/
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