Today we’d like to introduce you to Nekiwa Smith.
Hi Nekiwa, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story is truthfully ever unfolding each day. It’s been a long journey to say the least. For me, the entrepreneurial “spark” was ignited on career day in kindergarten. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to go to school as. I asked my mother, “Mama, what do you think I should be on career day?” and she said, “An entrepreneur!” Of course, I couldn’t hardly pronounce or spell the word and had no idea what it was, but my mother began to explain what an entrepreneur was and why it was important for me to consider being one. Since then, I’ve always appreciated and longed to be a business owner. My journey included a series of ventures, I’d call serial entreprenuerial-ing. I had a lot of pitfalls and setbacks, start-ups and downfalls to arrive where I’m at today, CEO of Harvestegy Music, a faith-based, Christian record label, and Founder of Harvestegy, LLC. a business devoted to providing consultation, management, administrative support, marketing, web design and more. I’m also a Christian Singer and Rapper. My love for music comes from growing up listening to artists like Mahalia Jackson, Commission, The Winans, Betty White, Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige, Lauren Hill, Michael Jackson, The Clark Sisters, and Yolanda Adams. My great-grandmother and mother would always listen to the musical greats, music was a constant in our home, I was raised, alongside my two younger brothers by a single mother and great-grandmother who instilled a love for the things of God at a very young age. I started singing in the church choir by the age 7 and this ultimately led to me finding my voice, praising, and worshiping God. In 2017, I released my first Christian Hip Hop (CHH) mixtape alongside my then-now ex-husband as a husband-wife duo. In 2018, we released our debut studio album. In 2020, we formed the group DFW Lights, where alongside other, multiple DFW artists, ministers, and creatives, we released a series of singles. In July 2022, I went solo and released my debut solo single, “In Love,” and multiple consecutive singles thereafter. I’m currently working on my debut album, which is set to be released in 2024.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road. Work-life balance has definitely been a struggle. I’m naturally wired to give a thousand percent at whatever vision and goal that is before me and find it often hard to find and balance it with other aspects of my life. From being a wife and a mom of small children to now being single and mother to teenagers and young adults, my responsibilities changed a tad with each season shift that occurred throughout my journey. One thing remained and will remain the same: regardless of where I am in my life, I’ve grown to know the importance of balance. I’m a witness that having a work-life balance is critical to being successful. I started a lot of ventures, from network marketing to online companies, etc., that did not work out. Sometimes, you learn more from your failures than you’ll ever learn from your successes. Also, sometimes, it takes a while to find your niche and purpose. My journey wasn’t easy because it took countless attempts at different things, trial and error somewhat, until I discovered my “it”. I had many challenges, including failed businesses, balancing motherhood and marriage, continuing education, financial struggles, lack of support, you name it. I overcame because of my faith and confidence in God. My knowing that regardless of whatever challenge I was facing, He had purpose for my life and that those challenges would only make me stronger. I learned throughout those seasons that we are stronger than we think. I learned that we can overcome anything if we believe, dream, set goals, plan, sacrifice, and do the work.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Harvestegy Music?
Harvestegy Music was birthed from my story, my life, my vision…to see artists win! My being an artist myself, have experienced and know all too well the pitfalls of being an independent artist. Our company, management team, as well as our artists strive to effect change in the lives of people who might be struggling with finding themselves, their purpose, their faith. I love what I do. I know that it’s not just a ‘job’ or a ‘business’ but a calling for me. We provide and partner with our roster of artists to take their music to the next level, including promotions, branding, airplay, radio, management, booking, tours, and more! I think what us apart from others is our drive passion, coupled with our love for others and our team; we desire to see our team and artists (we consider family) and all connected to us grow and our willingness to sacrifice when needed for the greater good of the vision, mission, goal… We want listeners and followers to know that God loves them and He’s rooting for them. They’re winners, and they can be everything He’s called them to be! We reflect this with every opportunity we’re provided and in every musical work, single, album, venture, and show that we release to the world.
We’d love to hear about what you think about risk-taking.
Definitely! My journey has involved multiple risks; some did not work out seemingly, but at the end of the day, I learned so much from the things that did not work out. I’ve had to really assess, pray, and make wise decisions in regards to the risks that I’ve taken over the years. I do believe that every risk that we’re presented with is not work-taking. Each of us must make the decision as to whether or not to take it based on various factors.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.harvestegymusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harvestegymusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harvestegymusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@harvestegymusic
Image Credits
Pete Hampton
Cassie Juarez Shine Photography
