Today we’d like to introduce you to Toya Arnold.
Hi Toya, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee—a city known for its grit, soul, and resilience. My journey began in a single-parent household, but it was my grandmother who stepped in and raised me alongside my three sisters. With our mother incarcerated and our fathers absent, my grandmother became the backbone of our family—our provider, protector, and teacher.
Growing up, life wasn’t easy. We faced our share of struggles, and at times, I even found myself homeless, trying to figure out how to survive and move forward. I graduated from high school and started college, but the weight of life’s challenges forced me to step away before I could finish. Still, I never lost my drive or my vision for something greater.
Entrepreneurship has always lived in me. One of my earliest memories is sitting with my grandmother as I helped her clip and polish her toenails. She would smile and say, “You know, baby, people make good money doing this.” That small act of care turned into a big dream. She promised that if I graduated high school and got my license, she’d help me open my own nail shop. Though she passed away before we could bring that dream to life together, I carried her words with me. I enrolled in beauty school, finished my program, and proudly earned my Manicurist License in the state of Tennessee.
But my creativity didn’t stop there. I’ve always been drawn to self-expression, and modeling became another outlet for me. I started building my portfolio, working on small gigs, and stepping into my confidence in front of the camera. Along the way, I also began designing clothes and creating custom T-shirts, expanding my vision from nails to fashion.
Through every high and low, I’ve held tight to my roots. I’m proud to come from Memphis—a city that taught me how to hustle, how to heal, and how to believe in myself even when the odds were stacked against me. My story is still being written, but every chapter is a testament to strength, faith, and the unshakable belief that where you start doesn’t determine how far you can go.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No it wasn’t a smooth road along the way facing adversity being homeless at such a young age and the whole process of trying to figure things out without any assistance of my family.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
For the past 15 years, I’ve been a licensed manicurist in the state of Tennessee, turning my passion for beauty and creativity into a lifelong journey. What began with doing nails became the foundation for exploring other artistic avenues like fashion and modeling—each step unlocking a deeper part of my identity. Through those experiences, I found a new lane of expression by launching my own creative business, where I design custom shirts and crafts that reflect my story, style, and spirit. It’s more than just a business—it’s a reflection of everything I’ve overcome and everything I love. I’m proud of how far I’ve come and even more excited for what’s next.
My heart and legacy, multi passion vision, resilience-fueled creativity and just my overall self-made Entrepreneurialship is what sets me apart.
What matters most to you?
Honoring where I came from matters the most because it taught me that staying true to my creative spirit, and building something meaningful will last forever and keep me grounded.
