Today we’d like to introduce you to Ayana Wilder

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?

LoverByNature started as just a hobby to keep me preoccupied while being a stay-at-home mother during Covid. As time went on, my hobby turned into a passion. I have always enjoyed art and making things with my hands ever since a young age. I turned that passion for making art, over into my business. Originally, I started with just creating statement jewelry pieces. Unique earrings that most people would not think to make. From there, I have now branch off into making custom cups and tumblers, custom shirts, and more. All of the pieces that you will see on my website are handmade by me. I take the time to perfect anything that I make. Some items may take longer to make than others, but I do not mind that at all. Like I said, art has always been a passion of mine. So, although I am “working”, I am doing something that I love, so it does not seem like “work”.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

Running a business is not necessarily hard, but it is not easy either. I will say that thankfully I have not had to shut my business down at any point yet. Yes, some months I may not get as many sells as others, but that does not stop me from continuing to do what I love. For me, I think the main thing to remember is that we live in a world where people like to see things and see reviews. Digital marketing is the main thing that I am trying to work on currently. Also showing how I make my products or the process I go through when making them makes others want to buy them more. People have to see things to believe it is legit. For me that has been the main thing that I am trying to work on this year is just getting my digital marketing up. Of course, money to keep the business afloat is another thing. I just try to take it all one day at a time, and not overwhelm myself. I believe that my small business can be a big business one day. I just have to stay the course. Be patient.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

The products that I make are all custom made. For example, my top selling product has been Custom Name Bamboo Earrings. I called them the throwback to the 90s, because it just reminds me of throwing a cookout, and having some big hoops on that say your name or something cute on them. I also make custom tumblers and cups. Those can have a sports logo, or any kind of design that you can think of I will make it. Basically, you give me a design I am going to come up with something that will fit your cup, your shirt or even your earrings. That is what art is, using your imagination and bringing what you imagine, to life. Man, it really makes me feel good to see something that I was visualizing in my head show up on my products. That is why I love what I do.
I think that is the thing that sets me apart from everyone else. People try to do the same thing that others do, but not me. I will take inspiration from something and add my own twist to it. I am okay with being different from everybody else. Matter of fact, I love being different. Growing up I always wanted to fit in with everybody else, and of course I managed to do that, but as I have gotten older, I realize that I am not the same and that it is okay for me to be different. I show my difference in the stuff I make. When you buy my products, you gone stand out. You gone have people asking where you got your stuff from, because it’s different but it looks so good. That is my goal, to continue to be different.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?

Currently I live in Norfolk. It is the “city” in comparison to where I was born and raised, which is the country. I like that there is a lot to do, I am by the beach, and I can make connections anywhere I go. The one thing I don’t like, again, is that it is too fast paced here. You got to slow down and enjoy the things of life, and not be in a rush all the time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.loverbynature.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loverbynatureproducts/