Today we’d like to introduce you to Na’Koia Hailey.
Hi Na’Koia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey began in 2017 with a moment that changed my life forever. After working two jobs, exhausted and just trying to make it home, I fell asleep behind the wheel. I crashed into the back of a steel gravel truck, and in an instant, everything shifted. I shattered my hips, broke my pelvic bone, and my leg was broken in five places, including my femur. I was also pregnant at the time—and because of the trauma, I lost my baby.
That season was one of the darkest times in my life. Not only was I physically broken and unable to walk for a while, but I was also emotionally and spiritually drained. The life I once knew—working in the corporate world—was no longer something my body could handle. I found myself battling depression, trying to make sense of the pain, the loss, and the uncertainty of what my future would look like.
In the middle of that struggle, I started searching for small pieces of joy—anything that could lift my spirit, even just a little. That’s when I began baking cheesecakes, selling jewelry and makeup, and even trying to make blankets. It wasn’t just about income—it was about survival, healing, and finding purpose again.
Then I faced another heavy loss when my father passed away as well as loosing another baby. That grief hit me hard, and I shut down again. I dropped everything and went back into what I can only describe as functioning depression—going through the motions, but not truly living.
But even in that place, God never left me.
In July of 2025, I felt something shift. God placed it on my heart to start making purses. I didn’t fully understand why at the time, but I listened. That step of obedience became the beginning of a new chapter for me. What started as an idea turned into something deeper—a way to express myself, to rebuild, and to reconnect with purpose.
Today, I can see that every trial I went through didn’t break me—it shaped me. My journey is one of pain, yes, but also of resilience, faith, and restoration. I’m still healing, still growing, but I’m no longer the person I was in 2017.
God took my broken pieces and is still turning them into something beautiful—and this journey with my business is just one part of that ongoing testimony.
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?
My brand was birthed out of pain—but it did not stay there.
The journey to this moment was not easy. It was filled with challenges, setbacks, and moments that tested not only the vision, but the person behind it. Yet through every obstacle, there was growth. Through every trial, there was purpose.
One of the greatest battles wasn’t external—it was internal.
There was a constant pressure to be perfect. Every design had to be flawless. Every purse, every accessory had to meet an impossible standard. But over time, something deeper was revealed: perfection is not what makes something beautiful. Authenticity is. The slight imperfections, the unique details—those are the things that give each piece its soul.
I’ve had to learn to give myself grace—to release the weight of unrealistic expectations and trust the process. Most importantly, I’ve learned to lean on God, allowing Him to guide not only every stitch I make, but every step I take.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am the founder of Imperfectly Perfect U and the designer behind the handmade luxury purse line, Na’Koia. Every purse I create is intentionally crafted and prayed over, with each person in mind.
I am especially known for my “Touch The Hem” purse—a customizable bag designed to bring healing, comfort, and encouragement. Each piece can include scriptures or uplifting words placed onto the lining, creating a deeply personal and spiritual experience for the person receiving it.
What I’m most proud of are the reactions from my customers when they see their custom purse for the first time. The tears of joy, the peace, and the comfort they feel—knowing that God sees them and is with them—means everything to me.
In those moments, I’m reminded that I am truly walking in my purpose. And that alone makes everything worthwhile.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I have learned not to give up on myself or to be defined by what others think. God already defines who I am in Him—fearfully and wonderfully made.
His timing is perfect, and obedience matters deeply; it can shape or change the outcome of any situation. When God speaks, the response is simple: listen, obey, and act.
Even faith as small as a mustard seed can transform a life when it is truly believed and lived out.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Imperfectlyperfectu.square.site
- Instagram: Imperfectly_Perfectu
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/imperfectlyperfectu
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@imperfectlyperfectu
- Other: https://Linktr.ee/imperfectlyperfectu
Image Credits
Photos taken by Na’Kea Robinson
