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

Hi Neeven, thanks for joining us today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

If I could go back, I would have started my creative journey as early as possible. From a young age, I had this innate love for creating—whether it was filming, designing clothes, music and networking events or just imagining these big, bold ideas that could inspire people. But back then, I let the doubts of others influence me. People told me there wasn’t a stable career in being a creative, and for a while, I believed them.

At the time, I was navigating life like so many others—trying to follow a “safe” path while suppressing my passions. I was working in traditional roles that didn’t light me up, but deep down, I knew I was meant for something more. It wasn’t until later, after experiencing life’s ups and downs, that I realized how much I needed to trust myself and pursue what truly made me feel alive.

Starting sooner would have been incredible because I would have had more time to grow, experiment, and refine my craft. Imagine having those extra years to pour into your vision—where could you be now? For me, I believe I’d be so much further in my career if I had trusted my instincts and started earlier.

At the same time, though, I’ve come to see that everything happens for a reason. The setbacks, the delays—they’ve made me wiser, more resilient, and more focused. Starting later has given me a deeper sense of purpose. I don’t just create to prove a point anymore; I create to leave a legacy, to share stories that inspire others, and to make things I truly love.

I’ll always wish I had started sooner because it feels like I left so much untapped potential on the table back then. But at the same time, I wouldn’t trade the wisdom and clarity I have now. I’m more grounded, more intentional, and honestly, more ready to embrace the challenges that come with this life.

The important thing is that I’m here now. It’s never too late to start, and I truly believe the best is yet to come. Every step I’ve taken, even the detours, has shaped the creative I am today. And I’m so grateful for that.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I grew up in a household where music and dance were at the heart of our lives. From a young age, I loved entertaining—whether it was imitating people in our living room to make my family laugh, drawing and creating art, or playing dress-up with friends and family. Watching my mom and uncle create and sew their own fashion inspired my love for clothes, eventually leading me to explore hair, makeup, and backyard photoshoots.

Later in life, I found my way into music promotions thanks to my brother, DJ Emile of the Bombshelter DJs. He welcomed me onto his team, where I handled booking and promotions for raves. It was during this time that I discovered my superpower: networking and sales. This ability has opened countless doors for me, allowing me to wear many hats in the creative world.

Today, I am proud to be one of the hosts of SongLabLive, a podcast at Marmera Creative where we highlight artists and changemakers. I also work alongside Don Milliono, the founder of Arizona Trending, as his right-hand woman, building a media company that showcases what and who is making waves in Arizona. I’ve fallen deeply in love with this industry and its ability to uplift and connect people.

Beyond media, I’m developing a clothing brand and working on other projects I can’t reveal just yet—but trust me, they’re special! My passion has always been to motivate and create opportunities for creatives and entrepreneurs, helping them showcase their talents and stories.

In March 2021, my life took a dramatic turn when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and I faced a recurrence in December 2023. My mother was my biggest support during these challenging times, encouraging me to keep pursuing my creative passions while helping me through my healing journey. I was also blessed to have Patricia Harrison connect me with Dr. Bonnie Wick, whose powerful IV therapies helped me heal at the root. Dr Wick and Patricia, along with Sylvia worked tirelessly to keep me healthy. I spent my life savings to save my life, and I’d do it all again if I had to. Sadly, my mother passed away from cancer last August. I miss her every day, but I am so thankful to have had her as my mom. Her strength and love continue to inspire everything I do.

Through those difficult years, I realized that creativity was my therapy and my outlet for healing. This experience has fueled my belief that creatives thrive when they lean into their superpowers, but they can fall into depression when they’re not fulfilling their purpose. This is why I advocate for supporting creative minds, especially in schools, where they’re often misunderstood. I was one of those kids who was labeled as average, only to test in honors later when I pursued college. Turns out, I wasn’t average at all—I just needed the right support and outlet to shine.

What sets me apart is my ability to connect with people authentically and help them see the value in their own stories and talents. Whether it’s through media, fashion, or personal experiences, my goal is to inspire others to create and live boldly. I’m proud of the resilience I’ve built and the opportunities I’ve helped create for others, and I’m excited to keep growing, creating, and making an impact.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Absolutely—this is a question I feel passionate about because there’s often such a disconnect between how creatives and non-creatives view the world.

I think non-creatives sometimes struggle to understand that being a creative isn’t just a hobby or a side passion—it’s a calling. For many of us, it’s not just what we do, but who we are. There’s a misconception that creativity isn’t a “real job,” and that couldn’t be further from the truth. The music you listen to, the movies and TV shows you watch, the podcasts that educate and inspire you, the clothes you wear, the concerts and festivals you attend, the makeup and hair that make you feel confident, the med spa treatments or art and furniture you use to create a space you love—all of it comes from creatives. Writers and visionaries, who create the books, ideas, and stories that shape cultures and industries, are also a vital part of this world. These are some of the most impactful and high-paying fields globally.

I understand why a 9-to-5 career might feel more stable and practical for some people, but for creatives, it often feels stifling. It works against how our minds, bodies, and souls are wired. Our fulfillment comes from expressing, designing, and building, not just following a routine or adhering to a system that doesn’t value imagination and innovation.

At the end of the day, I think it’s important for both sides—creatives and non-creatives—to understand and respect each other without judgment. We’re all contributing to the world in meaningful ways. If non-creatives could see how much their daily lives are influenced and enhanced by creative work, I think there would be more appreciation for what we bring to the table. Let’s celebrate the fact that we’re all different and work together to support each other’s unique strengths.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Yes, I can. My journey with breast cancer taught me more about resilience than I ever thought possible. When I was first diagnosed, I already felt sick—physically, mentally, and emotionally. I was overwhelmed with a sense of loss, feeling like I was missing out on everything life had to offer. But I knew I had to do something to lift myself up, so I turned to what I’ve always loved—getting dressed up, doing my hair and makeup, and creating photoshoots. It was my way of reclaiming a sense of control and beauty in a time that felt so uncertain.

I also leaned deeply into my faith. It became the anchor I needed to believe I had a bigger purpose. I started traveling to spiritual and peaceful locations, seeking places that would nourish my mind and body. Along the way, I decided to document and share my experiences publicly, hoping to inspire others who were also battling these symptoms of disease. I wanted them to know: “We can do this together, and it’s not over for us yet. We can still look good, feel good, and have joy.”

Just when I thought I was healing and moving forward, life threw even more challenges my way. In 2024, I endured an unimaginable year of loss. Within months, I lost my mother, my uncle who I called Dad, and my beloved dog of 13 years. Then came another breast cancer recurrence. This time, I made the decision to remove my breasts, undergoing four reconstructive surgeries while grieving the family I had lost.

To make things even harder, I couldn’t work, and my financial resources were dwindling. It was terrifying. But through all of this, the love and support from my friends, family, and my unwavering faith in God gave me the strength to keep going. I kept creating, because that’s what heals me. Knowing how short our time on earth is forced me to focus on what truly matters.

I turned to manifestation and prayer like never before, and I’m finally starting to see the results of that faith and hard work. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: If you’re still alive, you still have time to live the life you want. Stop taking life for granted. Stop hurting your body. Eat well, take care of your mental and emotional health, laugh, have fun, and be free. Life is a gift, and resilience is about finding your power in the face of pain—and realizing you’re stronger than you ever imagined.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Neveenthequeen
• Youtube: Neveenthequeen

Image Credits

Polo Gibson
Armani m Stylez ( stylist)
AngelBri makeup artist
Streetfame
Songlablive