We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nicoya Mothershed. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nicoya below.
Alright, Nicoya thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?
I remember working my butt off feeling burnt out and like I was missing out on being able to make moments with my family. Here I was a single mom of 2 at the time, always having to be away from my children in order to provide for them. I was literally working every weekend and would be swamped during the holidays as a stylist at Floyd’s Barbershop. I was desperately thinking that there has to be a better way to make ends meet. But I had not the slightest clue of what that was. Then out of nowhere due to unexpected circumstances, I lost that job. I was freaking out and panicked wondering how was I going to pay my bills. Instead of looking for work something told me to work for myself. So with little to no money saved and no idea of what the heck I was doing, I decided to start my own business by opening up my salon in a suite called P.O.S.H. (Producing Only Stylish Hair). As I mentioned I had no clue what I was doing, all I had was a vision. No plan or anything. So of course I wasn’t successful in sustaining that business. But by taking that risk of betting on myself, put my foot in the door of entrepreneurship. Which over the years help me make amazing connections with other successful business owners that guided me to obtaining the resources and tools needed to sharpen my skills and mindset as an entrepreneur. Taking that risk changed the trajectory of my life and sparked a fire in me that led me to my purpose of serving others. As the saying goes, there is no such thing as failure only lessons. BUT only if you receive it as such. I may not have gotten the financial success that I had hoped for but I gained something much better! I now believed in myself, my capabilities and got a taste of what freedom felt like. All from that one risk that I decided to take and I’m forever thankful that I did.
Nicoya, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I look back at how my business Plant Bae’s Life evolved into the name and brand that it is today and I’m in awe at how The Universe was conspiring all along to create something bigger than I had imagine. In 2020 I decided I wanted to become 100% whole food plant based. It was time for a lifestyle change. I wanted mental and physical health to accomplish the goals I had in life. I was now Co-Owner of a upscale Barber’s lounge called Blade Babes Co and wanted nothing to distract me from it being a success. Becoming plant based just seemed like the right step towards gaining the momentum I wanted to propel myself. I know, I know! Why did I think my eating habits would be so impactful when it came to entrepreneurship!? This simple statement right here is why “Health is wealth”! If you take good care of you then it will have a domino affect in other areas of your life. How you do one thing is how you do EVERYTHING. So on 1/1/2020 I went full throttle into this new lifestyle and gained the name Plant Bae Nicoya from it. I wanted all there was to know about this lifestyle and of course how to prepare meals so I joined groups on Facebook and followed major vegan influencers to educate myself through this new healthier lifestyle. Then on my birthday 3/22/20 at midnight the world would change forever and be shutdown due to what started as the Coronavirus. It was scary because this had never happened before but me being plant based aligned with what was taking place in the world and I was prepared for it. I knew I was in good health and would survive what was taking place.With no one being allowed out of their homes other then to the store, social media really blew up especially Facebook groups. It was the closest way to interacting with others face to face but virtually. I started becoming well known in these groups for my bluntness about the struggles of being plant based and for sharing my reviews and recipes. I quickly gained a huge following from it and after being asked by my followers I created my own group called Plant Bae’s Life. It’s a safe haven for those on every level into plant based life to share their stories, struggles and recipes without judgement or condemnation from the rude ass vegan soldiers. No seriously, some people would be so rude to others for being human having a moment of weakness or their misunderstanding of what not to consume. It was crazy to me! I would go live defending others and sharing my own struggles with this new lifestyle but how I believe in myself and be kind to myself during this time of learning something new. So my group was like a family and where my name and brand developed. Everyone knew me as Plant Bae Nicoya someone whose plant based, a spiritual motivator and real. I was relatable and I think that’s what drew others to me. I also found love in 2020, or did love find me? I’m not sure lol, but a pandemic relationship was created and 2 years later I’m pregnant expecting my 3rd daughter at the age of 39. Honey I was flabbergasted, numb and scared to be pregnant at almost 40 years old. What was this going to do to me!? Will my body be able to handle this? My 1st two pregnancies were easy but I was in my 20’s and I was so scared that at my age it was going to put a toll on me mentally and physically. To be all the way transparent, I was extremely worried that I would get stretch marks and my body wouldn’t bounce back like it did with my other 2 children. Call it vain or whatever but that was a concern of mine, losing my self confidence. Because of the possibility of me no longer liking how I looked after giving birth. So it was time to once again put my concoction of oils and butters that I used in the past to prevent stretch marks to use. I’m like Lawd, I’m not 100% sure that this is why I don’t have stretch marks but if it worked then please let it work this time too. But I needed convenience instead of carrying 5 different oils to apply to my belly when needed so I decided to make it into a body butter. But with a lot more intentions and love to provide ultimate healing and protection to my skin. Being plant based I learned a lot about herbalism, holistic healing and their benefits. I incorporated healing ingredients and the chakra colors to my body butter to manifest nourishment to my skin. I’ve always gotten compliments on my body especially my stomach being flat with zero stretch marks after having kids and was often asked how I did it. So a few months later after announcing my pregnancy I posted a 10 second video of my homemade body butter to prevent my stretch marks and people immediately started hitting my DM wanting to buy it. I didn’t even have a name for it or anything and yet so many were ready to get my product! I was in shock! But was somehow prepared for this moment to happen. Oh, let me rewind it back to 2020, my business eventually shutdown because I was unable to get to my clients or recover from the debts the shutdown put me in. That was another moment that triggered my thought process of needing to create a online business. Something that doesn’t require me to be in my customers physical presence to still make an income to provide for my family. Ironically I had came up with an online business concept in 2018 but had a plan that looked nothing like what I’m doing today and would of needed major capital investment to get it started. Like I said, The Universe heard what I wanted and was working with me behind the scenes the entire time to make it happen. Little ole me didn’t even realize what was unfolding before my eyes. Fast forward to 2023 I’m creating a product available to purchase online. But one day I looked up and the name BAE Butter came to my mind and to have a specific name for this particular butter “Awakening”. Not knowing why, I’m just being obedient to the voice in my head and I’m thankful that I listened. BAE Butter “Awakening” was created with the intent to prevent stretch marks during my pregnancy but I quickly learned that it does soooooo much more. I never knew why my customers would buy it because none of them were pregnant lmao! Then they would reach out to me a day or two later telling me how them or their loved ones suffer from eczema and that within minutes of applying BAE Butter it stopped the itch and the next day their skin appeared more hydrated and smooth. Honey I was in completely shock! I’m like my product did what!?! You gotta be kidding me!!! The more sales I had the more feedback I was getting from others on how it helped heal their skin too from psoriasis, dermatitis, bug bites, diaper rash, severe dry skin and so much more! I was so happy to have something that was blessing and giving relief to others in ways I could of never imagined. I had nonstop sales every single day after posting that one 10 second video of my product. I remember on day 5 feeling overjoyed with emotions and breaking down crying in disbelief that this was taking place. See, what a lot of people was unaware of when I shared that video I had pretty much just lost everything due to pretty much being laid off from a job because business had gotten so slow for the company I was working for. I lost my downtown apartment, car and job while pregnant and I was no longer in a relationship with my child’s father although he and I remain very good friends and have a beautiful coparenting relationship. I was house hopping sleeping on my best friend’s couch and using whatever transportation available to get around. I was battling depression once again and not understanding why it seemed as though I’m always having to struggle getting the shorter end of the stick. Not to mention my sister was getting married and I was her maid of honor responsible for so many things not knowing how I was going to pay for the things I needed to. But BAE Butter came through unexpectedly providing for the things I needed. I have started several businesses but something about this was different. What was happening before my eyes had NEVER transpired with any of my past endeavors. It was time to create a plan and make this a real business. I struggled with thinking of a name for what I thought at the time would just consist of body butters asking help from my followers. Then one day it just dawned on me that I already have a brand and a name for it… Plant Bae’s Life!!! It has the name Bae already in it and my products are plant based. It was perfect and the rebranding of PBL kicked into gear. It’s crazy because Plant Bae is acronym for Pursuing Life’s Abundance of New Treasures by Becoming Aligned Everyday and it still serves the same meaning and purpose. Except now I’m really impacting the lives of people. When I gave birth to our beautiful daughter I wanted to know exactly what I was putting on her skin which inspired me to create my 3rd BAE Butter “Clarity”. Something that’s safe for the entire family to use giving the same amazing results which is to heal, nourish and protect your skin. A year later and I now have 3 different BAE Butters, 2 BAE Buffers (exfoliants for your body, face and lips) and BAE Bars which is soap that’s great for cleansing not only your face but body as well. I have so much more in the vault to expand my skincare line with the intent to give love to your skin. The creativeness is just flowing and getting request from my Plant Bae’s of products they want from me is one of the best feelings. To be a Plant Bae goes beyond the skin. It’s learning how to give love to yourself so that in return you will get back the life you love. We’re all are plants in this thing called life with a calling and purpose to be of service to others. Giving love to yourself is how you water and grow into whatever plant that you are. You’re either growing or wilting away. I would like to believe that each of us are always growing but at our own pace to develop into the plant we’re destined to be. Some of us are flowers that makes life more delight, food (veggies or fruit) that nourish others, trees that provide shelter and safety, grass that help become more centered & ground us with stability, bushes to accentuate the life of those around them. See, that’s the true meaning of Plant Bae’s Life and what it is to be a Plant Bae. But you can’t be of service or attract the love you desire of life without giving it to yourself first. You have to be a blessing to give a blessing and I’m just thankful for the seed that was planted in me so that I can do the same and water others. This is only the beginning and I am extremely excited for what’s in store and will all develop from PBL Aka Plant Bae’s Life.
Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?
Funding for this business I started with zero dollars! When I posted the 10 second video I only had glass jars in stock and enough oils and butter for personal use. I had no capital or inventory for actual sells. So with my transactions being online I was able to flip the profits from the orders and make the products as they came in. I quickly learned that the price for my products made zero profit especially when it came to shipping and changed my price point to help marginalize and expand my business. I put 95-100% of my profits from sells back into the business to keep production going and improve my service and goods for my customers. This is literally a self start up company that as I gain more success with, I will eventually start receiving grants and other capital investments to expand Plant Bae’s Life into a international brand.
How did you build your audience on social media?
I’ve had several businesses and has always used Facebook as a platform to reach my potential clients/customers. It’s a great way to build your brand which I feel is the personality of your business that makes other trust in and relate to your business. Showing up as your authentic self and being consistent in who you are and your moral will help attract your tribe. I never looked at social media as a platform for me to display my personal life or political views. I don’t know, even before having a business mindset I just wanted to share my personality not my personal life. Sharing my journey allows others to see my growth and that they somehow contributed to the progression I’ve made personally and career wise. Converting my personal social media into what now appears as more of a business account was very seamless because the two always had a correlation in how I presented myself. I’m not for everyone and everyone isn’t for me and I’m ok with that. Yes, I want to be of service and help as many people as possible while still being fully aware that it’s perfectly okay if everyone isn’t interested in or like me or my business. I guess that’s sort of another way of finding your niche. Show up as your true self and what you believe in and I can assure you your vibe will definitely attract your tribe and it will feel effortless. The creative juices will just naturally flow making it easier to show up for yourself. Life has the tendency to knock us all on our ass here and there but that’s where our strengthening and conditioning is built. Adversity helps us tap into gifts that lives within us that has to be forced out. Remember we’re plants, our soil has to weather all types of inclement weather to sprout into the plant we’re destined to be. I have a love and hate relationship with social media but the key is just finding the balance to blossom.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plantbaenicoya/profilecard/?igsh=MXhpanVkbjNzMjhlcA==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/4ySCRnS9HkUU9Luw/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoya-mothershed-bb605b146?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
