Hi Lakeisha, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am Lakeisha Nealon, the owner of Unique Stylez and More Event Planning and Catering in Jacksonville, FL. My journey started in Mississippi, where I was born and raised! My mother was a single mom with five other kids so we had to learn a lot real fast. I always had a passion for cooking. I use to watch my mother, grandmother and aunts cook all the time. The kitchen was my happy place to express myself, especially with me being the youngest of six kids, it wasn’t very much I was allowed to do. I had my first child when I was 15, my second when I was 20 and my third when I was 24. So as you can see I wasn’t such a good kid growing up, but I never allowed any of my mistakes to hinder me from graduating number two in my high school class and going on to college at Alcorn State.
Unfortunately, being a parent was not all that it cracked up to be. My second child’s father was abusive to me so I packed my two kids up at that time and moved to Jacksonville, Florida, to live with my sister in 1995. I had no idea what to expect from the big city because I was just a country girl from Mississippi, still trying to find her way. With three kids now and barely making ends meet, I began cooking for events and holidays to make money on the side just to get by. I began to make centerpieces for my home, not thinking for a minute others would want to buy them. I did whatever it took to keep my family afloat. I saw my mother do it, so it came easy. In June 2008 I purchased my first home and I thought life was going to be much better. With three kids and one job I was totally wrong! I always had to remember what my mother taught us growing up, “ no one is going to take care you like you.” So I did what I had to do to keep us moving! I always kept my head down in the shadows because the lime light was not for me. I hustled, borrowed and begged to stay ahead because failure was not an option at this point! I never thought to put my skills that I had acquired in the kitchen over all those years to use. I have this huge fear of failure so that just was not an option!
In 2017 I joined the motorcycle scene and became an part of a Social Club here in Jacksonville called The Crew. I had no idea what to expect I just thought it was cool to do. I became the spokesperson for my club and things started to take off from there. I got involved with the MADDADS Jax Chapter who walks the neighborhoods seeking justice for families whose loved ones were victims of senseless acts of violence. I participated with various charitable and community service organization in our Jacksonville area because I wanted to try to make a difference as much as I can.
I became apart of an organization called Team Jernee where we feed the families and some of the staff at Wolfson Children’s Hospital on Thanksgiving and we hold Christmas toy drives every other year. I became a member of the BGN organization run by Kimberly Godbold. We strive to bring unity amongst black women but women as a hold. BGN is also a big supporter of Lupus. So if it’s great cause I am there giving it my all. I became a woman who had a drive for everyone else but herself. I was a people pleaser, if that makes sense. I wanted to help everyone else but myself. My love for my community grew because I have been on the verge of being homeless. I have gone to bed hungry but my kids were full. I suffered with depression and no one knew about, because I fought through it in silence. I gave my all to those who didn’t know I was struggling myself. I loved to see others rejoice and happy even if I was suffering. In August 2019 I began to reflect on so much of my life that I was about to give up and throw in the towel! I remember speaking to good friend of mines Nicole Robinson and she told me it was time for me to do me! It was time for me to bring my passion to life, so in September 2019, I did just that. Another good friend of mines came up with my business name Unique Stylez and More. He insured me all the time by saying “you got this.” So I began selling soul food dinners every other Sunday just to see how things would go! My first dinner sale was a huge success. I was overwhelmed by the amount of support I got. Totally amazed, so from there, I began cooking for birthday parties, baby showers, and anniversary parties. As my passion grew so did my clientele. Never in a million years would I have imagined doing the Mayor’s Reception in Palatka, Florida as well as their Safety Brunch.
I have catered several events since that time and have plenty more scheduled! Me being a mother of three trying to make it in what I thought was a big city was scary! I had struggled for so long to keep my kids and me afloat til success seemed out of my reach. I was always willing to be in the background unseen. This year my business has teamed up with three other businesses in the Jacksonville area to support Daniel’s Kids during the holiday season. We are reaching out to other organizations and groups to give donations to this well-deserved organization. This is a tradition that I plan on doing every year for Daniel’s Kids. I may not make a big difference but I will continue to do my best to change as many lives as I can. I saw my mom struggle with six kids, and she did what she had to do to keep us together. I may not have the world but I have a huge heart that has a lot of love to give. Helping my community and building unity is something I am very passionate about and Unique Stylez and More will continue to manifest into what I believe will be a great addition to the business world. My motto is: Your actions attract the people you want. Your character attracts the people you need.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
My journey has not been easy! Raising three kids and losing a job in the process but doing what you had to do to keep a roof over our head and food on your table was not an easy task. When every day you wake up feeling like a failure, with no motivation or desire to go on. The only thing that kept me going were my kids. They were my motivation to not give in. Almost losing our home and praying to God to give me another chance was unbearable days! Fighting depression and holding back tears in front of your kids was a battle I fought every day. My family nor my friends had any idea I was suffering inside! I felt worthless and unworthy for so long, it felt normal. I felt no one loved me enough to see my pain so I hid it constantly, hurting in silence.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
In my professional life, I am a certified medical coder. I have been in the medical field for over 16 years. I enjoy my job and would not trade it for anything in the world. I can say I do not have any particular thing that I specialize in, but if I had to pick something, it would be event planning. I enjoy planning, organizing and making sure that events run smoothly. I enjoy the thrill of it! I thrive on seeing the smiles on others faces when they see how their vision has come to life. That’s my reward. My ability to give selflessly without a second thought. My vision to see everyone succeed no matter what their dreams are. That is what sets me apart!
I haven been told by many that I have a gift of words and ability to bring people together. I have been told that my words speak volumes and motivates so many to get involved. So I take passion in bringing as much unity as I can to our community, not just here in Jacksonville but surrounding areas as well. My kids are my proudest accomplishment. They are and will always be my motivation to do better, to strive for more and to never stop working to be a better person. My genuine love to help others and expect nothing in return is my greatest love! I will give my last even if it means I will go without.
What’s next?
My plan for the future is to be able to manifest my business into a well-oiled organization! I have goals to open a restaurant (mom and pop) style with a southern feel and to eventually own my own event planning venue. Nothing in the works yet but my business plan and vision. I am learning so I won’t rush my dreams. I will comfortably sit back and watch them unfold when God is ready for them too.
Contact Info:
- Email: Uniquestyleznmore@gmail.com
