We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nazhi Forrest. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nazhi below.

Nazhi, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

I have been baking for a few years now and I have also battled Sickle Cell Anemia since birth. One thing that makes me unique is that my two sisters also are fighting sickle cell! All three of us have a rare sickle cell trait that strikes all female children from my parents. After the tragic experience of witnessing my older sister have a massive stroke in 2014, I learned more about the history of our overlooked disease. I learned about trigger foods and special dietary needs that help people living with sickle cell stay healthy.
Since I love to bake, I decided to find new ways to make treats that we love. I came up with recipes for cakes that ANYONE could enjoy; even people battling Sickle Cell or on restricted diets. I have a big sweet tooth, so it was hard to find a way to create  the same taste. I kept on testing until I found a great formula that uses organic and natural ingredients. Once my parents tasted what I was making, they knew I was on to something and Nazhi Thee Baker was born! That also gave life to Nazhi Thee Baker Angel Foundation. I use the proceeds of my cakes to buy toys and items needed by children with Sickle Cell, stuck in the hospital for extended periods of time.
We are spreading awareness about Sickle Cell and we have been blessed to have our story told on local and national tele
vision and radio! This is just the beginning of our journey and we hope to inspire others to do the same.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I got into the baking industry after we met Dr. Charlie Ware, once he told us that we had told us we had to change our unhealthy eating habits immediately I knew that I wanted to look up healthier treats for us to be able to enjoy because I have a HUGE sweet tooth!

One day I wanted to try to start baking but my parents were a bit skeptical because they didn’t want me to burn down the kitchen. They decided to allow me to get in the kitchen to try baking, I first started of with sugarless and flourless peanut butter cookies…coming to find out everyone LOVED them but I just wasn’t satisfied so I decided to move on to cheesecakes and actual bundt cakes!

When I started in the baking industry I had countless nights of no sleep and baking nonstop because I was hungry for so much more! It started to go downhill for me a bit because it was putting a wear and tear on my body to the point where I would go into a Sickle Cell Crisis so I had to learn to bake earlier so I can be able to get enough sufficient rest!

I provide natural and organic treats for families living with Sickle Cell Anemia, Cancer, and different forms of Chronic Illnesses! To be able to put smiles on people’s faces puts a smile on mines to know that I actually have them a healthier option to enjoy!

Not everyone is able to enjoy store bought treats like a normal person, so I decided to create healthier treats so Warriors can be able to enjoy without having a flare up.

Thinking about others health sets me apart from others because I try my best to create treats that can be healthier with better high quality ingredients.

I’m proud of how far we have came with Nazhi Thee Baker LLC including Nazhi Thee Baker Angel Foundation, we could have done it without Father God and our wonderful supporters!

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

We started getting funds for Nazhi Thee Baker once we announced to our neighbors, family and friends that we were starting a non profit business to help children in the hospital!

This helped so much by having tons of fundraisers that would last throughout every week so we could meet our goal to have our first event which was our TLC bag event!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn to stop doubting myself, when you doubt yourself things won’t go as planned as you think it is.

Always remember to believe in yourself and that you have to start somewhere, don’t second guess yourself just do it!!        

Contact Info:

• Website: nazhitheebaker.com
• Instagram: Nazhi Thee Baker
• Facebook: Nazhi Forrest

Image Credits
Ronise deluz