Sista with Substance: Nyoka Gregory Green

Haircare and makeup extraordinaire Nyoka Gregory Green has built a mini empire in the entities of DivineCre8ions and Divine Faces. Both beautiful and talented, this Houston native broke out of the hum drum cycle of conventional hairstyling when she became self-employed in 2000 to create Divine Cre8ions, a hair care business focused on being customized to each client's needs. Though she's been recognized for her stand-out work and featured in hair magazines such as Black HairCare, Nyoka, affectionately known to many as "Nyke," sat down with Miss Major Substance to discuss how she's created two successful businesses while keeping a level head and a humble spirit and how she keeps a leg up above competitors with her secret weapon: the personal touch.

Miss Major Substance: What first sparked your interest in doing hair and makeup?

Nyoka Gregory Green: Well, I actually got interested in hair when I was 13 years old. My mom came home and I had put on my own relaxer. I didn't know if she was going to kill me or not but that was the first risk I took and it paid off . . .LOL. Ever since then I worked at it, cutting my hair and working it into different styles. Makeup came later on in life in 2001. I was fascinated with a makeup line that did a trial makeover on me for my first marriage. I was in love with it from then on and now I work for that company . . .Smile.

MMS: From what I've seen, you've built a successful and flourishing business from the ground up. How does that make you feel and what does this accomplishment mean to you as a woman of color?

NGG: I am always amazed when I look back and see myself as an African American woman at the age of 30. I've done a great job so far at making the right decisions in life and with my business, but it was with the help of God and family. I sometimes can't believe it! When people go through great lengths to pay for my flight and hotel for me to come to do their hair or makeup it is definitely an honor and it brings me to tears. I mean I started Divine Cre8ions in 2000 and didn't know it was going to be as successful as it has been.

MMS: I've noticed that you've been involved in community and awareness activities such as a breast cancer run, etc. Could you tell me more about your involvement? Does Divine Cre8ions as an entity reach out?

NGG: When my grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer I was too young to understand it and it was kinda brushed under the rug for me. It wasn't until my mother went through it that I woke up and started to be an advocate for it. My grandmother was not a survivor but my mother was and I wanted to honor her as a courageous woman who inspired me so I did my first breast cancer fashion show back in 2006. It was a great success so I had to do it again. I also support the HIV/AIDS awareness on behalf of the makeup artists all over the world.

MMS: Where do you see yourself and Divine Cre8ions in 10 years?

NGG: I see Divine Cre8ions and Divine Faces going to greater levels and new heights. I'm not really big on opening up my own salon/spa type thing. There are plenty of those out there. I'd rather just teach the health of hair and how to maintain that and also continue to teach the basics of makeup and how to apply it. Most people want to do celebrities and that's fine too but I like working with regular folks that don't have ego problems. LOL.

MMS: What advice would you give to a young woman of color aiming to become self-employed?

NGG: The market is open to anything you want to do. Just know that it will be a rough ride. You have to have the willingness and the drive to make your business work. No one can promote my businesses the way I can because no one wants it more than me. This is who I am and this is what I do.

For more information visit divinecre8ions.com or myspace: Ms. MACkeup or Divine Faces.