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

Nicole , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Blaque is a small business founded by Nicole Newby, whose love for family and fashion has blossomed into a passionate career. Nicole designs custom garments for a variety of organizations, blending creativity with purpose.

The mission of Blaque is to provide customers with exceptional service and high-quality products that reflect the standard of Blaque Excellence.

As a mother, wife, full-time doctoral student, and business owner, I’ve come to truly appreciate the strength and beauty of being African American. Creativity is a gift; and I’m so thankful to have found a path that allows me to express it every day.

Nicole , 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?

What I’m most proud of is being able to pursue multiple goals at once; running a business, raising my children, continuing my education, and most importantly, showing my children that dreams are worth chasing. I want them to understand that when you pour your heart and soul into something, it has the power to give back. Since beginning this journey, I’ve been overwhelmed with love and support, and I’m truly grateful for every kind word, every purchase, and every person who has walked alongside me.

What I want people to know about me is simple: I’m human. I wake up each day just like you. I pray, I struggle, I learn, and I grow. I believe that one of the best things you can be in this world is a kind human. I pride myself on leading with kindness, whether you meet me in person, interact with my brand, or wear one of my pieces. If you’ve experienced me, I hope you’ve felt that. Because at the heart of Blaque, beyond the garments and products, is a mission rooted in love, healing, authenticity, and kindness.

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

When I launched my business, one of the most important lessons I had to unlearn was the belief that I needed to do everything myself in order to ensure things were done the “right” way. In the early stages, I took pride in being hands-on and managing every detail from product design and packaging to customer service, inventory, and social media. I equated control with quality, and I was hesitant to trust others with tasks that represented my brand.

That mindset came to a breaking point when I received my first major bulk order over 1,500 products. At the time, I was so committed to maintaining a personal touch and ensuring perfection that I attempted to fulfill the entire order by myself, without any assistance. I underestimated the physical and mental toll that decision would take.

The result? I was completely burned out exhausted, overwhelmed, and barely able to keep up with other aspects of the business. What should have been a celebratory milestone quickly turned into a wake-up call. I realized that trying to do everything alone was not only unsustainable but also counterproductive. My desire for control had become a barrier to growth.

That experience forced me to reevaluate how I operated. I learned the power of delegation, not as a sign of weakness, but as a sign of maturity and leadership. I began building a support system, hiring help, and creating processes that allowed me to focus on strategy, innovation, and relationships while trusting others with execution.

Unlearning the need to “do it all” was a difficult but necessary step in my journey as an entrepreneur. It taught me that building a successful business isn’t about doing everything yourself; it’s about creating a structure where others can contribute, collaborate, and help your vision to come to life. Delegating empowered not only my team but also me as a business owner, allowing me to lead with clarity instead of burnout.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

At the start of my business, I partnered with my financial analyst Lakia Hankins to develop a comprehensive financial strategy. I allocated personal savings to fund the initial launch and strategically reinvested profits to support the growth of the business, remain aligned with my long-term vision, and pursue my passion with purpose.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.blaquecollection.com
• Instagram: the_blaque_boutique_
• Facebook: Nicole Goodson
• Linkedin: Nicole Newby

Image Credits

Photo credit : Diaography – Lydia V.
Williams