We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Melissa Canastra-Han. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Melissa below.

Melissa , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of the toughest things about progressing in your creative career is that there are almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?

Since growing my business the last 2 years, I’ve truly learned how large the creative business space can be. In our current age of being chronically online, there are so many pathways and platforms to choose from that allow you to enter your presence in any industry and space you want!

During my creative journey, I’ve experienced challenges such as online perception and dealing with imposter syndrome. Being a handmade jewelry business, there is a constant conversation around “beating the algorithm” and making your business viral. It’s an emotional aspect of building a business that I feel is not spoken about enough.

I’ve been able to overcome these challenges in part by setting aside time for myself and refocusing on the reasons I started my business, all while staying mindful of my unique individuality. I remind myself that the hard work and resilience I put into my business always pay off, whether or not there’s a monetary gain.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

“I’m Melissa and I own Nyangs’ Curious Goods located in Brooklyn, NY. I am a queer Filipino-American who is navigating my path towards from working as a Registered Nurse to a full time business owner. I started my journey in the crystal jewelry industry because of my passion for gender neutral fashion/jewelry and the beauty of crystals. My business provides high-quality handmade one of a kind crystal jewelry and accessories for those who want to live their stylistic truth no matter who they are. Each piece is carefully handmade and built with intention to give our clients the confidence and edge they are looking for.

I believe that each crystal has its own story and energy, and I want each customer to find a piece that truly resonates with them. I’m most proud of the positive feedback I get from clients who feel a real connection with their pieces and have found them inspiring in their journey. For anyone considering my brand, I want them to know that I put my heart into every piece I make, aiming to provide a meaningful experience, not just a product.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

As my business grows, I hope to transition away from healthcare and pursue my dream of being a full-time creative. I’m looking forward to living a life where I can do something I truly love and have fun doing.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I had put more time and research about business grants and other financial assistance for business owners! I feel that if I had known more about how many there are out there, I would’ve taken a less financially tumultuous path in the early days of my business.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @NyangsCuriousGoods
• Facebook: Nyangs Curious Goods
• Other: Etsy: https://nyangscuriousgoodz.etsy.com