Nika Hollingsworth is a Fashion Designer, Poet and the proud Founder of Nilanjo! Fashion Entertainment, which is 501c3 non-profit based in Boston, MA. The Nonprofit’s mission is to encourage, empower and inspire our community by generating awareness for women, children, and health-based charities. Fashion is used to unite talent, small businesses and volunteers in an effort to raise funds for selected causes and charities.
Nika started designing when she was 7 years old. Her mother, Gladys V. Jones, was a great inspiration for Nika. Â Noticing her talents, her mother enrolled her in various art programs where she learned about symmetry and positioning. Sadly, her mother passed away from pancreatic cancer when Nika was 14 years old. Her drive to continue was lost. She became depressed and had lost all her passion. She stopped sketching, designing and never learned to sew. Years later, with guidance and encouragement from those around her, she enrolled herself in school and graduated with honors. Nika wanted to be an example and a testimony to others who were righting through times. Over time, she taught herself how to sew, participated in several organized fashion events and started freelancing to make extra money. She opened her business and produced a small show in 2001 with only 6 models, 12 designs, a few poems and 40 people in the audience.
Today Nika is well known and respected in the Fashion Entertainment business partnering with the likes Mother Caroline Academy (Dorchester, MA), Ruth’s Way, Cradles to Crayons. Age Care Kids, Boston Children’s Hospital, Peace Boston, and a host of other social events. Her support includes sponsorship of Peace Boston’s Hip Hop 911 play (November 11, 2017), raising awareness and funding for the Multicultural Aids Coalition (M.A.C.) of Boston and the Boston Health Commission (for the homeless). Nilanjo! Fashion Entertainment produces 4 +events annually and donates a portion of after-cost proceeds to both local and national charities such as the National Cancer Society, The American Diabetes Association, the Big Sister Association of Greater Boston and more. Later in life, Nika returned to school to acquire a third undergraduate degree with a concentration in Diversity in an Organization and an MBA in Leadership. She is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success and Delta Mu Delta, International Honor Society for Business for which she is a Mentor in the Ambition in Motion program.
Nika’s goals are:
- To use fashion to encourage, empower and inspire women of all sizes (and ages) to love themselves and to help promote positive self-esteem;
- To use events to focus more on community activation;
- To support small business enterprise and entrepreneurship;
- To increase awareness and access to opportunities, resources wellness and social connection;
- To connect to others in a way that promotes mutual talents and
Contact Nilanjo! Fashion Entertainment at 617 302 6452 or email contactnilanjo@nilanjo617.com  for more information on their upcoming events visit www.nilanjo617.com
AllisonJanel: How would you describe your SwagHer? What makes Nika, Nika?
Nika: What makes me, me is my colorful approach to everything. My style is bold. My personality is complex. My smile is bright. I’m passionately expressive. I truly try to be the light I want to attract. My daughter says I am always “extra†and there is nothing wrong with that. I agree. I’m like a golden egg mixed amongst a carton of plain ones!
AllisonJanel: How has poetry incorporated itself into your life?
Nika: Poetry came along early in life. I would write just to clear my mind. Eventually, the writing became more than a bunch of words. I realize I can clearly articulate my thoughts and feelings in a way that paints a clear and relatable picture. Over time, writing and poetry became part of my purging process. Now it is an intimate outlet. I share sparingly but I am learning to share more and more. I try to incorporate one new poem per year at one of my events. I am currently working on a poetic project set to release very soon!
AllisonJanel: Are there any businesses that you would like to partner with in the future?
Nika: I hope to partner with as many creatives and entrepreneurs as possible. My goal is to be part of an active network of women in business, seeking growth, unification, and strengthening. There are several businesses in my locale area, doing great things as well as some partnerships I am nurturing in other states that boast promising outcomes. I’m invested in the collective win.
AllisonJanel: What advice would you give to an aspiring female entrepreneur?
Nika: I’d advise them to drop the word “aspiring†when presenting yourself to the world. That was the best advice someone has given me, and it is advice I pass along.  Either you are or you aren’t. Even as we start off in our journey, we are who we are and then we learn, mature, evolve, master and even reinvent along the way. Owning who you are, including your strengths, weaknesses, successes, and failures, is extremely important. It is ok to be human.
AllisonJanel: What sparked your interest in becoming a mentor?
Nika: I became a mentor because I’ve had great mentors. They have each made a positive impact in my life. When my mother died, I was so lost. Many people, especially those closest to me, didn’t know how to reach me. I ran away, I rebelled. I was at a crossroads and one misstep would have resulted in a totally different person. My mentor then was Ms. Cindy. She stayed on top of me. She made sure I set goals. When Id accomplish one, she’d tell me to set another. She often reminded me to keep my mother’s lessons in the forefront of my mind. It was ok to miss her but my works while I am still walking this earth should honor her. She also reminded me to stay rooted in my faith. Honestly, if she wasn’t there for me at that moment, I don’t know who I’d be today.
Fast forward, when I decided to return to school for my MBA a few years ago, my professional mentor truly held me down and kept me focused. I didn’t think I could finish. She made me feel like I had a personal cheerleader. I believe in paying things forward. Often our experiences act as a testimony and inspiration to others. And sometimes, someone may be on the brink of quitting and just need someone to believe in them so they can keep going. Now I get to be someone else’s cheerleader!
AllisonJanel: What inspires the creations of your designs?
Nika: I am a lover of femininity. My designs embrace that whether in the use of color or in the intricate details or in how I drape and shape the fabric. However, I am most inspired by the person for whom I’m designing. I make custom designs – made to order. Once I learn the person’s personality and see their shape, it all connects. Sometimes I pick out fabric for a show and I can literally see the model in the fabric. Before I leave the store, I already know which person I want to wear it and how it will look on them.
AllisonJanel: How did you overcome and beat your depression?
Nika: We all have moments, especially after the loss of a parent. I will never be over it. But for anyone going through something, It’s always a learning process. I have triggers like anyone else and get into spaces I don’t want to linger in. That’s the thing, right? Getting stuck and not knowing how to move along. Luckily I have outlets and great people around me. I design, I write, I plan. Designing allows me to turn ugly feelings into pretty art. Writing helps me acknowledge what is going on with me. Planning gives me something to look forward to. I have also made those closest to me aware of how I can isolate, become non-responsive, and become idle – which is so not me. Their awareness is important, and they can be a resource to me in those moments I get “stuckâ€. I have one gangster Sister-Friend who will pull up if I don’t reply. She also bribes me to hang out with offerings of Sangria and Nachos LOL – sounds funny but it is usually the icebreaker to get me to talk things out.
AllisonJanel: So tell us more about the Ambition in Motion program, and what it seeks to accomplish?
Nika: I am a proud member of Delta Mu Delta, an International Honor Society for Business. Through this organization, I joined Ambition in Motion, which is a mentor program that connects current higher education students with alumni. The goal is to help increase the engagement of an organization, growing the culture of an organization and helping people pursue fulfilling careers by connecting students with alumni for professional guidance and mentorship. The program pairs mentors and mentees by career orientation and not just by major.Â
AllisonJanel: Tell us what was your experience opening up your first business? What advice would you give to up and coming business owners?
Nika: Nilanjo! Is my first business but it has evolved into something different over time. I initially created it as a means for me to showcase my own designs instead of relying on collaborative shows produced by others to “give†me the opportunity. Over time, I wanted to do more and wanted people to get more out of attending my shows. I started donating money to specific charities and building themes around that. I eventually decided to apply for 501c3 non-profit status. In addition, I still freelance as a designer and stylist. I also curate and merchandise a variety of accessories that I sell at my events – I am currently working on an eCommerce website for them with a summer fashion show in the works.
To any business owner, I encourage ongoing innovation. Don’t become so comfortable or complacent that yo5cu standstill. Find ways to keep what you do or the service you provide relevant and fresh. It doesn’t have to be grand. Just focus on improving an existing product or service or apply upgrades that improve quality, efficiency, productivity or even competitive differentiation. This may even involve more education to sharpen old or add a new skill set. Don’t be afraid to do it differently. We may have to renovate what we erect – and that’s ok.
AllisonJanel: Who did you look up to and aspire to be like?
Nika: I don’t think I had anyone I aspired to be like. I didn’t know of anyone other than the famous designers in fashion magazines that designed dresses. When I moved to Boston, I discovered a boutique in one of Copley Place, a high-end mall, called Nouveau Fashion Gallery – It is a woman-owned, black-owned business. That truly inspired me. I started researching similar businesses, designers, etc. That is what started my participation in fashion shows. It continued from there.Â
AllisonJanel: What continues to keep you motivated and moving forward?
Nika: My daughter motivates me. It sounds so cliché. I’m at a place in my life that I want to build a positive, lasting legacy. I want her to have a blueprint for success. It is important for me to give her the tools to be her best self. I want her to be fearless in becoming who she is destined to be and not to accept any of the boxes society (or anyone else) creates for her. I’m her first role model and I have to lead by example. There are times I have stood in my own way, yet I’d tell her the sky is the limit. So hypocritical. Furthermore, there is an entire galaxy and solar system above the clouds. I encourage her as well as myself to aim for the moon.
I am also motivated by my community. I know things need to change (i.e. how we build, educate, invest, eat, support each other) so it can be better for the next generation. I have to be part of that change – we all do. There is a failure to activate and execute. There are dire consequences for that, and it may not immediately impact us, but it will impact our children. I’m motivated to be and do better and to encourage and empower others to work toward the same.
AllisonJanel: How do you practice self-care?
Nika: Self-Care for me is as simple as sitting still and saying “noâ€. I’m always doing something. It is important I take time to do nothing – so on Sundays, I binge watch Netflix for a while. I try to write in my journal as often as I can. I get a monthly pedicure and have a standing bi-weekly nail visit. I burn incense and light candles. I also read affirmations. I write the ones that speak to me most in a journal. I make my own skin and hair oils – the combinations are very therapeutic. Right now, I am learning about crystals and their healing properties. I have started collecting some. I have Rose Quartz, polished and raw amethyst, citrine, onyx, and a few others.Â
AllisonJanel: Do you have any upcoming events or projects that you care to share?
Nika: Yes March 21, 2020, is our 3rd annual Queen’s Day Celebration – this is an event that specifically spotlights entrepreneurs, small businesses and creatives and gives them an opportunity to vend. It is our way of connecting with the community and engaging with other small business owners. 90% of the vendors are women – which is exciting! We make it an awesome night out and provide dinner, dessert, entertainment, speakers, photo booth and our DJ is amazing! I am also showcasing a new poem. For more information or to buy/donate tickets people can go to www.queens2020.eventbrite.comÂ
Connect with Nika Hollingsworth below:
Business Email: contactnilanjo@nilanjo617.com
Business Website: www.nilanjo617.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nilanjofashion\
Facebook:Â http://facebook.com/nikahollingsworth
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nika-hollingsworth-95975019/
YouTube: https://youtu.be/sJ1zem9EKtQ
