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

Hi Nkechi, how do you think about risk?
I think of risk as a dare to conquer my fears. From the start of my childhood, I’ve been a jack of all trades. I wanted to learn, do and experience it all. Every risk started with a “what-if” statement followed by everything that could go wrong. My life and career have progressed to what it is today because I chose to follow some of those “what-if” statements with everything that could go right. I haven’t become an unfailing risk taker but my willingness to take risks has awarded me the opportunities I’ve dreamed of having.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started creating natural hair videos on youtube in 2013 when I was 12 years old. 1 year later I started sharing hairstyles I created on my Instagram page @haairbynk. My business was very localized at first. People I knew would ask me who did my hair or mention that they came across one of my hair videos on youtube. At my age, it was extremely embarrassing when my peers would come across my youtube videos but I overcame that fear because I loved what I was doing far more. I had the support of the subscribers on my youtube channel and my many mentors. They believed in my ability to take what I was given and make it great. I started offering hair braiding services at extremely low prices I just wanted a chance to use my skills to help others feel beautiful. The profit I made braiding hair has funded my other aspirations from high school till now. I don’t have all the answers because the professional I am today and the career path I am taking is constantly evolving but I live by the quote from Africa’s first female president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. “If your dreams don’t scare you they aren’t big enough”. This spring I will be graduating from the University of North Texas with a degree in Broadcast Media and a Minor in real estate. I want the world to know that I am not just a content creator, hairstylist, business owner, future lawyer, or college graduate. I am a woman with many aspirations who refuses to be confined by one. I am a jack of all trades and a master of many. I refuse to let any aspiration take a back seat to another. At the end of my life, I hope to be content with the “what-if” because of the “what-haves” I was brave enough to follow.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am originally from Houston but I have lived in the DFW for the past 3 years. If my best friend was visiting the area I would take them to downtown Dallas at night so they could get a vibe of how peaceful the city could be amidst all the hustle and bustle.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I wanna give a big shoutout to my mother and sisters for being test mannequins when I started my hair business at 13 years old. (I wasn’t great the first couple of years). I also wanna give a shoutout to the many mentors I’ve had over the years who fostered my many aspirations. Here are a couple of names: Ms.Cazeboun, Mrs. Williams, Mrs.Lotsu, and Louis Obasahan.

Website: https://www.instagram.com/haairbynk/

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nkechi-chiedu

Twitter: https://twitter.com/melaninxnk

Facebook: Nkechi Chiedu

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NkechiChiedu

Other: tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melaninxnk

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