We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nakia Moody a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Nakia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

Reciprocated waters came into reality after I started suffering from some personal health issues I faced in my life. I realized I was fatigued and had black rings around my eyes. I was weak to the point I couldn’t drive my children to school or daycare. I knew something was wrong but I pushed myself to do what I had to do as a single parent.

I scheduled an appointment with my Dr. She sent me for blood work. A few days later, the Dr. Office called me to go admit myself into a emergency room. He says “Go Now!” I arrived at the hospital and they said follow me. The Dr. asked. Do you have anyone that could pick your children up from school today? I said No! Why are you asking me this?

He explained that I needed to be admitted for 24 hours for blood transfusion and that my blood levels was 10. He could not let me leave with the chance of me dying.

I was frightened for a second but I didn’t want to worry. I told the Doctor that I had no help for me to be able to be admitted into the hospital because of the lack of support for my children.

He cried and told me that he would feel horrible if he allowed me to leave and I pass away. I said, listen I know someone who is greater than my situation and let me go home and talk it over with God and see what he thinks I should do. I also asked that he trust me to do that. He stated he believes in God and he trust that God will see me through.

I went home I prayed and I prayed and I asked God. What is it that you want me to do for my health? I don’t like taking pills lord, I don’t want anyone’s blood going through my body and my kids need me.

The holy sport told me while sitting in silence “Eat and drink your fruits and vegetables” I got up and I bought every fruit and vegetable I could eat and wouldn’t eat to gain my health and strength back.

In 30 days I went back to get blood work and my blood levels was back up and I was fine. I was feeling good, my health was restored from being severely anemic and malnutrition.

I posted “What’s in your water” on my Facebook feed and story about how my waters have helped me and how they looked. I started getting questions and started doing pop up events. I prayed and asked God for a business name and he gave me Reciprocate.

I defined the word: implies a mutual or equivalent exchange or a paying back of what one has received.

The rest is history! I’m making my way to get Reciprocate Waters in a grocery store and market that’s Black Owned one day.

Nakia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am in the Beverage Business and I have infused waters that are alkaline based and farmed raised fruits and vegetables. I’m in the Natural goods. What’s sets my waters out from any other business is the beauty of my waters and they’re not a one time use water. You can refill the bottles until the life of the fruit parish.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

The word No pushes me to keep going. It build character and it helps you create better content and make better decisions and helps you know what not to do next time.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Pushing myself outside of my comfort zone. Placing myself in environments that are not meant for me. Healing and truly accepting myself and knowing that I am different than others and do what I love without limits.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @reciprocatedetoxwaterl.l.c
• Facebook: @Reciprocate1

Image Credits
Images: Nakia Moody & Jamonte Wilson