We recently had the chance to connect with Tonique Brown and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Tonique, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
What has been bringing me joy lately is taking care of my houseplants. I have a growing collection and I’ve given each one a name and personality. Watching them thrive and seeing new growth reminds me to slow down and appreciate the small wins. It has become both a calming routine and a creative outlet.
I also find a lot of joy in designing for my lifestyle brand, Nonchalant By Neek. Being able to create pieces that feel bold, stylish, and personal gives me space to express myself while sharing that energy with others. Between my plants and my creative work, I feel surrounded by growth and inspiration every day.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Tonique Brown and I am the founder of Nonchalant By Neek, a lifestyle and customization brand that blends creativity, luxury, and personal expression. I started the brand because I wanted to create pieces that feel bold, stylish, and meaningful, while also giving people the chance to make something truly their own.
What makes Nonchalant By Neek special is the attention to detail and the energy behind it. Every design, whether it’s custom drinkware, apparel, or home pieces, is crafted to stand out and carry a sense of confidence and individuality. The brand represents my own journey of balancing professionalism, creativity, and self-expression, and I want people to feel that same spark when they experience it.
Right now, I’m working on a relaunch that expands the product line and introduces more lifestyle collections that tie into my personal passions, like plants and luxury-inspired design. My goal is to continue building a brand that not only looks good but makes people feel proud to own it.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My family and my close friends. They have always seen potential in me even before I truly saw it in myself. They recognized my creativity, my resilience, and my passion for creating something meaningful out of nothing. Their support and encouragement helped me build confidence and reminded me of my purpose during moments when I doubted myself. That foundation shaped who I am today and it is the same energy I pour into everything I do with my brand.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There were moments when I felt like giving up, especially while trying to juggle my career and build my brand at the same time. I would put in long hours and sometimes it felt like the results weren’t matching the effort. What kept me going was reminding myself of the bigger picture and why I started in the first place. Leaning on faith, my support system, and celebrating small wins helped me push through and keep moving forward.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would say what matters most to me is staying true to myself and creating a life that reflects who I am. They know I value peace, growth, and surrounding myself with things and people that inspire me. Whether it’s the way I care for my plants or the way I put detail into my brand, they’d say I pour myself into things that feel authentic and meaningful. At the end of the day, what matters most to me is building something lasting that I can be proud of.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I lived authentically, that I poured myself into everything I cared about, and that I left people and places better than I found them. I want to be remembered for creating something that inspired others to embrace who they are, whether that was through my work in 911, property management or through Nonchalant By Neek. Most of all, I want people to say I never gave up on myself and that I showed what’s possible when you bet on your own vision.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nonchalantbyneek.bigcartel.com
- Instagram: HTTP://www.instagram.com/nonchalant_by_neek
- Other: TikTok:@nonchalant_by_neek
Image Credits
All apparel and designs featured in the photos were created by me under my brand, Nonchalant By Neek.
