When you were younger, did you imagine yourself in the position you are in today? If not, what did you think you would be doing?

After canceling the idea of being a Pediatrician when I was younger (I don't even know where that idea came from, or which crazy person in my family suggested that to me), I always imagined myself working in TV/Film. I was inspired to go into the entertainment industry after seeing a live taping of Fresh Prince of Bel Air - which I did, for 10+ years - but, did I expect to go from working in entertainment to becoming a handbag designer? Absolutely not. It still blows my mind. Although I had always envisioned myself with a career in entertainment, I found myself getting burned out and praying to feel more 'free' in my career; to do what I love while having the ability to create my own schedule. I guess you could say that those prayers came true, just in a different form.

How did you learn about leathercraft?

After two years of designing fabric bags, I decided to experiment with different textiles. I'm a self-described maniac when it comes to researching; when doing so, I came across Arthur Porter via YouTube. He wasn't a leathercrafter per se, but he was skilled in designing leather handbags. To find a how-to video on leathercrafting at that time was like finding Waldo at Disneyland. He additionally resonated with me as the only person of color showcasing their leatherwork via YouTube. I became intrigued by his process - the intricacy and attention to detail - and I knew that leathercraft was a skillset I wanted to adopt.

Tell us about Nikki&Mallory and Nikki Made.

Nikki&Mallory offers bohemian inspired custom leather goods, specifically handbags, accessories, and home décor. Each piece is literally made-to-order by my two hands, while still offering quality, sustainability and affordability. In conjunction, NikkiMade is a platform that teaches creatives and everyday DIY-lovers the artistry of handbag design and leathercraft. It also serves as a resource for leatherworking, bag-making patterns, kits, and workshops. This two-fold business is a space where ownership & craftsmanship is valued while igniting people's passions to create. “Each one, teach one,” has always been my motto, but creating opportunities is my legacy.

What challenges did you come across in getting to where you are today?

Being an entrepreneur in itself is challenging, but the challenge is heightened when wearing every 'hat' on your own. There are not a lot of individuals who are local to me that specialize in leatherwork, so finding help has been a process for me. Additionally, the leathercraft industry is male-dominated, with very few women of color. That was very daunting to me when I first started out, but I honestly never looked or expected to fit in; I just wanted to create beautiful leather goods. Thankfully, I've managed to hold my own and create a lane in which I have thrived; on the flip side, I have been embraced by so many in the community. It is gratifying to know that the challenges that I faced were not in vain. Now, I have people that I can reach out to if I have questions and no longer feel like an outsider.

Where do you hope to see Nikki&Mallory and Nikki Made in the next five years?

My visions for Nikki&Mallory + NikkiMade are bigger than I can articulate. While I prefer to keep some of these visions and goals to myself, I definitely plan to travel and teach more, to build my own team, expand my workshop space/warehouse, and push my brand to bigger platforms. No matter how much I accomplish, I am always learning. So, as I say with each passing year, I am only just getting started. □