Today we’d like to introduce you to Ne’Kya Mabry.
Hi Ne’Kya, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
Hi, I’m Ne’Kya, Actress & Licensed Esthetician. I know you may wonder how those two go hand and hand but they both keep the fire lit inside of me. Born and raised in Tupelo, MS not many opportunities were presented to me and there wasn’t much I could be a part of coming from a strict Muslim background. I found myself as the outcast or the black sheep at school and at home. During my early teenage years, I became very rebellious, and gave my mom a cool run at parenting, she’s welcome lol. In middle school, I moved to a new school and joined the chorus. No, I cannot sing but Mrs. Nesbit took me anyway. I loved performing and traveling and just being able to be a teenager and actually enjoy school. In 7th grade, I entered a talent with 2 other girls and performed a dance to “Rock the Boat” by Aaliyah. Looking back now I’m ashamed and I blame the teachers.
The performance itself was horrible but I had so much fun. I attended Talent Search events and picked up some modeling gigs and even got the chance to spend the day interviewing and chilling with the Harlem GlobeTrotters! I wanted to be a model and work in the International Fashion Industry but life happened. While in college, I became a mom at 19 to an amazing baby boy. My head was no longer in the clouds I was in mommy mode and trying my best to secure our futures in the most realistic ways so dreams were just dreams. I continued on through college majoring in Psychology. I became an overnight supervisor for clients at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility. Absolutely hated it so I left and went to trade school for Phlebotomy.
Once I graduated the field was super hard to get into so I just took a job working as a CSR for a call center. This allowed me to really sick back and think about what I wanted for myself and my son. I needed inspiration and I always relied on myself for it because who are you going to have when you don’t have people? Yourself. I knew I wanted something of my own, where I could be myself and operate the way I wanted so entrepreneurship was heavy in my thoughts but I had no clue what I wanted to do. First, I started with a freelancing styling business but realized People fight change so I decided to only style a select group of people who so graciously still take my styling tips. Makeup became a hobby turned hustle accidentally lol I even traveled to St. Louis once to do a whole wedding party’s makeup. That was wild lol. In 2017, I was still searching for what I wanted to do and I felt very complacent, with no inspiration around me and that was an uncomfortable feeling for me. People always ask me why I chose Memphis but I honestly feel like Memphis chose me.
When I first came to Memphis I slept in my car, in hotels, &. at friends’ houses. This will be a lot of people’s first-time hearing this from me. My son stayed behind with my parents and I got a job working at FedEx and Southwind high school. At the time I couldn’t get an apartment because I didn’t have 3-6 months of consistent income. After 3 months of saving and working, I was able to get my first apartment in Memphis. Felt good. Entrepreneurship in Memphis was something I’d never seen in my entire life. Thriving people who look like me. This city inspired me because I was finally able to see what could be without being so focused on the how. I knew it was possible because I physically was seeing it. I dabbled in a few jobs and went back to school for Dentistry and became a Licensed RDA, I worked in Cosmetics mostly but dictatorship & management made a fun job of helping and giving back, suck. I decided that I would finally take being a Pro-MUA seriously and researched how to market myself and become better at my craft which is how I discovered Esthetics. I did my homework by researching what schools offered the best curriculum for what I needed. I chose The Memphis Skin Academy which is state accredited and locally owned and Directed by Melanie Saulsbury. Once classes started, I had my hands on everything and found myself wondering if I wanted to do makeup anymore. My purpose has always been pretty clear to me. I love to make others feel good physically and mentally. That’s a light I have and I like to share that with people. I graduated from esthetician school and passed all my state board tests to fully operate as a Licensed Esthetician. I decided in school that I would dive straight into entrepreneurship because that’s what I came for and I knew and micromanaging didn’t get along.
So, I came up with a business plan and opened Look Babe! Wax & Sugarbar in 2020. I started in an empty space and my home and opened a physical location in 2021. Achieving that goal was unreal and it still is to this day. I never thought I would be able to say I own and run a business. I pour my all into my clients and I don’t think any of them doubt that I love what I do. Diving into the self-care industry opened doors for me that I thought were off-limits. I met people from all backgrounds who introduced me to some of the most cultural and historical places in Memphis. I took it all in and within that I found what I call “My people”. The free but intentional. Poets, painters, dancers, writers, musicians, rappers’ singers, etc. You name it Memphis got it? I felt this was a sign and the perfect opportunity to jump back into performing and showcase art my way. I’m an amazing writer but can never make it make sense without overdoing it so I’m much better at delivering the message. I self-tapped a video to myself saying “this is a promise to myself that I will do everything I’m afraid to do and I will create, you are enough”. Two weeks later the most random Facebook post was on my feed about auditions being held for a feature-length called “Bay County Baby” that would premiere on Tubi and Amazon Prime. At the time I didn’t follow any film groups or directors so it was kind of bizarre that it would appear so casually lol. I stuck to my promise and I auditioned and landed my first role as Ava in this amazing film directed and written by Tanesha McKenney. The film will debut this year.
While filming I began classes at Indie Acting Studio & I also invest in private coaching. Being on set and in front of the camera is the biggest rush that never subsides for me. I can’t imagine life without that feeling. Acting is a form of art that allows you to be very vulnerable if you’re passionate. You are choosing to be a vessel through storytelling, that’s why I love it. There isn’t a day that I’m not creating or working/planning with someone in the industry to create. Memphis has a huge film community that a lot of non-industry people are unaware of. We placed #17 in cities in the U.S. that Filmmakers like to work and create. That’s major in this Industry and as an actress.
I’m never without work. After my first production, I went on to do 7 more productions my biggest one being “Young Rock” season 3 which was filmed here in Memphis. I played the role of a Denver fan in one of the wrestling scenes. This year I’ve secured 4 productions so far and working to book more anywhere from web series, short films, plays, and feature-length films all while running a business.
It’s organized chaos lol. I am working with some of the biggest and most talented directors and producers in Memphis, Nashville, Louisiana, Texas, and even LA. Currently, I am in production for a feature-length I’m starring in called “Blinded Shot” written and directed by Jason Martin of Jason Anthony Productions. I think this film will be the talk of the summer for Memphis and it will be in theaters here as well. Can’t talk much about it but can’t wait for the city to see what we did and what we will continue to do. I’m often asked if I’ll ever choose between esthetics and acting and my answer is no. My art/passion will always go where I go. One may outshine the other but I won’t stop pouring into either. I will always adjust to make room for what I am passionate about.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all but what road is worth taking? I read a quote a long time ago that said “ if your dreams don’t scare you they aren’t big enough”. I think in order to get something you never had you gotta do something you’ve never done and surprisingly life doesn’t come with a handbook or a guide.
Through my struggles of job security or being told no, or just trying to figure life out I always understood that the struggle will always be a part of the process when elevating, that sometimes I’m gonna hear “no” and it doesn’t mean I’m not good enough nor is it a direct reflection of who I am it just means that particular thing wasn’t for me.
What matters most to you? Why?
My and my son’s happiness. Joy does not rely on things but on the ones who love us regardless of what we have or don’t have. I teach my son that passion never dies so do what you love always.
Pricing:
- Facials $45+
- Brazilian wax $40
- Advance facials $75+
- Organic Sugar scrubs $10+
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lookbabewaxandsugarbar.square.site/
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/therealnickiswayze
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/Ne’KyaMabry
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@therealnickiswayze
