Today we’d like to introduce you to Joy Nyargem.
Joy, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Some of my earliest memories are of me as a little girl, completely fascinated by my Mom’s sense of style. I loved walking in her shoes, literally, and spent hours playing dress up. I knew from an early age that I had a passion for fashion. In addition, I developed a love for reading and writing in my formative years. Books changed my life on a subliminal level by introducing me to a new and exciting world that would otherwise have been far beyond my reach.
I buried my head in words, and I was teleported to faraway places and surreal experiences. I remember promising myself that one day I would travel and experience those magical places firsthand. Penning my thoughts has always been a therapeutic form of self-expression. It was therefore not surprising that I was drawn to blogging. I launched my very first blog in 2007, before blogging evolved from obscurity to prominence. At the time, it was just an online journal to share my random musings and to serve as a creative outlet. I kept it going for a few months; however, it fell off the map as my hectic school schedule took over.
Fast forward to 2016, I was done with graduate school, and I was struggling to figure out what I wanted to do with all the spare time I finally had. I was surrounded by people who were launching businesses, and completely dominating the entrepreneurial sphere. After a period of reflection, I had a light bulb moment- I was going to launch a blog! Up until then, I had been sharing my style choices and snippets of my travel escapades sporadically via my social media accounts. It dawned on me that a blog could serve as a central location to chronicle that which I was passionate about.
I launched Afrostylicity in May 2016 as a platform to share my fashion finds, lifestyle tips, and my love for travel. Initially just a hobby, it quickly gained traction. One of my ‘aha’ moments was when I received my first email from a brand, within one month of the blog launch. It was at that moment that I realized that Afrostylicity was more than just a random online journey. Approximately one year into Afrostylicity’s launch, I realized that there was a need for a male voice. I would receive a barrage of questions from the audience, wanting to know if I was considering showcasing products and services that could be utilized by men.
Subsequently, in July 2017, Afrostylicity expanded to include a male voice. Hugh, my life and business partner, came on board and together we form a dynamic duo.
Hugh: Men are not as highly represented in the blogger/influencer world. I’m excited about the opportunity to play a role in changing this.
Great, 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?
Specific to the blogging and influencer sphere, one can get sucked in to the comparison game. In the first few months of Afrostylicity’s launch, I struggled with this. However, over time, I have completely come into my own, and I embrace my uniqueness unapologetically. I’ve learned that you will draw your tribe to you by staying true to yourself. “Be yourself, everyone else is taken,” is a mantra I live by.
An additional challenge I faced was juggling both my fulltime corporate job and Afrostylicity. Ensuring that each was afforded adequate attention was a delicate balancing act. At this point in time, I have figured out how to thrive in both spheres.
Tell us about your business/company. What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for? What are you most proud of as a company? What sets you apart from others?
Afrostylicity is a platform to showcase fashion, travel and lifestyle gems; shining the spotlight on top-notch products and services. In addition to that, one of our core responsibilities is to serve as a source of authentic reviews. In my experience, prior to purchasing any product or service, the first thing I do is look at the reviews. The reviews then determine whether or not I will proceed with a purchase. The audience looks to us a medium through which they can be introduced to new products and services in an unbiased manner.
Staying authentic is the foundation upon which Afrostylicity brand is built upon. When I hop on board and agree to collaborate with a brand, it is because I genuinely like the brand’s products or services, and want to share it with the audience. Afrostylcity’s “why” is to encourage people to live their best life. The audience likes to travel, they like to keep up with trends, they like fashion, and pretty much live life to the fullest without breaking the bank. Unearthing travel, fashion and lifestyle gems and sharing them with the audience has been a fulfilling experience.
I am proud of the exponential growth Afrostylicity has made. I’m proud of the fact that Afrostylicity has played a role in drawing awareness to smaller brands; thereby helping them gain exposure. I’m proud of the connections I’ve made with the audience, with other bloggers, and with brands. I’m grateful for the opportunity to play a role in making big brands seem more personable, and not beyond the reach of the average consumer.
I would say that what sets Afrostylicity apart is the fact that it is comprised of a male and female voice, speaking to an audience of men and women from all walks of life, who can benefit from the gems we showcase.
What are your plans for the future? What are you looking forward to or planning for- any big changes?
My plans for Afrostylicity are to continue to grow the brand by improving my craft and producing top-notch content that provides even more value to the audience. I’m looking forward to making more lasting connections and encouraging people to live their best lives.
Additionally, given the fact that I did not have a business mentor when I started out, assisting up and coming entrepreneurs is dear to my heart, and is a task that I will be undertaking shortly. To whom much is given, much is required.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.afrostylicity.com
- Email: info@afrostylicity.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/afrostylicity
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/afrostylicity
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/afrostylicity
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
