We had the good fortune of connecting with Kenya Mighty and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kenya, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process was not chronological when planning and preparing for this business baby’s day-to-day troubleshooting. It all started with a vision. I saw Nest Music before I ever thought about a building. Before I ever thought about the build-out cost. Before, I thought about the lawyer’s fees, administration documents, tax filings, and compliance checks. The truth thought the vision constructed process. The dream I had of happy students playing their favorite songs after school. The picture of children finding adults who listen to them and take action on their behalf. The school system in our community is mediocre. And school system hasn’t changed much, but there’s intervention in the midst of this. There are plenty of average teachers, but outliers inspire children to learn through play. I had a few who inspired me, and now I can be an inspiration. When I first started the business, I had little experience, so I took things as they came. Now that I have gained more experience and am on course to complete my degree in business administration, I follow a more checklist approach, so I’m well aware of the task. I also am better at delegating tasks to focus on the more important task of planning.

What should our readers know about your business?
The Nest streamlines childcare, afterschool, music education, and practical academic development for children ages 5 to 12. Students 13 and over become youth mentors. These youth mentors are offered employment at the Nest at 15 years. That is the circle of Nest life, setting us apart from other programs because students see that they are valued and are held accountable for their behaviors. They see themselves as leaders at their beginner stages. We also teach students front-end web development language Javascript and business administration. We add these assets to the program because I wish I had been taught about budgets, credit, and banking when I was a child instead of waking up one day to a rude awakening. I feel pride when I see one of my children all grown up handling their business, and because of the Nest, I have a lot of kids who reach out to me for advice. One of my youth mentors is currently at Harvard, completing her neuroscience degree. I got where I am by speaking it first and then following through, which is never easy. I overcome my challenges by not focusing on the obstacles; I focus on the path through the obstacles. I learned to love learning because this has improved my routine, but I also learned something else about myself; the more I understand, the more I want to share to help others focus on the path. I like the world to know that the Nest has been here for 12 years. We have survived the pandemic, and that is because of donations and volunteers. People love to help causes without knowing if the reason is truly an asset to the community.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Most of my closest friends are either musicians or coders, so I’d first have a jam session at my apartment; if it’s nice outside, we’d jam at Oval Park. Oval Park is also home to my favorite tennis group Poppi Tennis and if it’s nice out, their probably host the tennis court. Another favorite I’d suggest is the Alamo Draft House; I love this movie theater for its vintage vibe. Next, I’d tell us to go rollerskating in Harlem Park, and then we can finish the day with karaoke back at my place. Karaoke is one of my all-time favorite pastimes and my number one Karaoke song is I Have Nothing By Whitney Houston; join me on zoom; I host live Karaoke events monthly at www.kenyakaraoke.live

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to shout out my cousin and mentor, Sherwayne Mahoney. He is a friend when I need a friendly word of advice and a voice of reason when I am stubborn.

Throughout the years, he has provided me with clarity and honesty. I am so proud to share his journey as CEO of Things2come Luxury, a women’s shoe supply line in Macy’s, this Summer 2022.

Website: www.nestmusicinc.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nestmusicinc/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nestmusicinc

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nestmusicinc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NestMusicInc/

Image Credits
Lucy Alvarez as an instructor to Nest Students in two pictures Lehman College Student Government Association Senators and E-Board Members

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.