We had the good fortune of connecting with KaNisha Williams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi KaNisha, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I’ve always wanted to do something I’d enjoy for the rest of my life, and I’ve found that my creative endeavors were something I never got tired of. I’ve loved fashion for as long as I could remember and something told me that I’d do something in that field.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m an entrepreneur, consultant and a professional creative. I work in fashion as a director of retail. I am an owner of the Moonlight Sage, It is a bath and beauty brand created myself and my business partner. This is our 5th year working on that its been a ride. I consult and style under Bella Creative.

I moved to LA in 2014, I was living in Detroit before I moved here, I knew from a young age I’d move here. I visited as a teen and was always drawn to the idea of living here. I decided that after I graduated I’d make it a reality, I graduated college, worked a few years locally in menswear, fashion shows, and visual merchandising. I knew I’d have more opportunity here. I packed my bags, came out here without a job and decided to hit the ground running. I started out doing luxury sales and styling Carlo Pazolini, that place closed 3 months after I got there. I worked with a few more brands in a variety of capacities and gained a number of skills and worked my way up in several positions. Some of those brands include LK Bennett of London,Vice Media/Weedmaps, HeyDay, LoveKief and Snoop Doggs. I started 2 businesses here, Moonlight Sage, and Bella Creative. It wasn’t an easy process at all, you bet on yourself to be successful in a place that you know nothing about, you’re out of your comfort zone, you’re starting a new life from scratch, all based on the idea that it can possibly work out. You hustle, you grind, you cry, you laugh, you build relationships, friendships community, family. You find gratitude and solace in this chaotic process when you reflect on it, you realize its not for nothing, and you’ve built character. You also experience alot of loss, I work in an industry that is fickle, unemployment can happen at any time and you learn to push through and realize that you are the value wherever you are. The pandemic really drove that idea home, my career was reliant on being able to go out and work with people in a front facing way. I had to shift my mindset, I was in a situation that I had to grow through

I’ve been passionate about fashion and business for as long as I can remember. I went to Wayne State University and obtained my degree in Fashion Design and Merchandising, while co majoring in Marketing. I’ve done a little bit of everything in my field from styling, luxury, fashion direction, to merchandising, event planning, e-commerce, social media and marketing. I genuinely love what I do, I can add value in a number of ways, and I can choose what that means. I think that is what sets me apart, I’m curious and I love to learn. When I have an interest in something, I can become a student, and morph into learning mode. That has also been one of the best pieces of advice I was given, to never stop learning and continue to stay curious. In my current role, as a Retail Director at Snoop Doggs, I’m able to use all of these skills with my team, to help coordinate and build the brand out. I don’t take it lightly that I am empowered to be able to lead in that way. Its been a blessing to be in a position to grow creatively because our team is so supportive. Everyone really wants the best for the business. We want to help the brand grow. I am able to not only have my hands in the business side of the store and ecomm, but I can also be a part of the creative direction, the marketing, the social media, the events, the photoshoots, the visuals and special projects. Its so much fun. We’ve been running a donation and distribution center at our store for those who have been impacted by wildfires and it has been really rewarding. It is ran by our store team and volunteers. It has grown in ways that we could have never imagined. We have incredible volunteers and community support. We’ve been able to help so many people through our center and fundraiser. Its been a beautiful experience.

The Moonlight Sage has its beginnings in 2020, during the pandemic. My industry was shutdown, I had no clue what I was going to do with my time or my career. I was supposed to start a new role a few days before it all shut down. I always knew I was an entrepreneur, I’ve always done side hustles and businesses. I started doing consulting on a project part time during the pandemic. Sylvia and I were already acquainted and had no idea that we both loved making handmade bath and beauty products. We are in a community facebook group and we’d talk hobbies and interest. It was a way for us all to feel connected. In my introduction, I mentioned that I wanted to get back into making and selling handmade products. She reached out to me and we’ve been partners since then. I started making handmade products in 2011, as a hobby. I grew up with eczema and sensitive skin and quickly saw results with the items I was making, and so did other people. I ran company called Primrose Soap with my cousin until 2014. I moved to LA and the business stopped, as I found my footing here and he found his back home. I stopped doing it for a while and the pandemic allowed me to get back in touch with hobbies I’d been sitting on for a while and I fell in love, again. When people found out I began making things for my friends and family again. When Sylvia found out, she wanted to partner. We really went in with no expectations, and we got support from the most unfamiliar places, we were taking bulk orders within months of launching, we were doing pop ups all over town, we were even in a book subscription box called SteamyLit. We had no idea what we were doing lol but we made it look good with our combined skillsets.

Moonlight Sage is black owned apothecary founded by 2 black women, Sylvia Stevenson and KaNisha Williams. The brand came to life through the shared passions of creativity, arts, skin care and handmade products. This has been an intentional effort to bring quality, handmade, luxury products to market for all to enjoy. All of our products are handmade with sustainably sourced materials that are both organic and natural to ensure a high quality product. It is our hope that the love, intention and care shines through in every product. We love experimenting with different ingredients to create one of a kind unique items for all of our clients to enjoy. We take an immense amount of pride in our ability to connect and be a safe space for all to enjoy. We are currently rebranding and relaunching this quarter and I am very excited about it.

I want people to understand you can do anything, you just have to have tunnel vision and faith that it will all work out, I know that I am always where I need to be.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love food, so when people visit, I center our experiences around areas that we can try a fun activity and eat great meals in the process. Its not always a specific place but an area. Here are some of my favorite things to do

Day 1: I love taking people to try Birria Gomez, or Kikes when they land for tacos. Manhattan Beach/ Manhattan Beach farmers market. Pier walk during the day, it is my favorite beach and the farmers market is cute, there is always amazing food to try. Head down to Venice for some souvenir shopping and shopping on Abbott Kinney. Dinner at Piccolo or Wabi and Rose, grab a drink at a local bar.

Day2: Fitness day at Iconix, farmers market, Sofi Stadium tour, treat at hilltop, Cinepolis for a movie, lunch at the Meeting spot, Cosm to catch an immersive experience, drinks at 1010 Wine bar.

Day 3: Brunch at Bacari PDR, or 26 Beach. Spa day at Escape days spa, mani/ pedi at John and Sandy nails or Nail Lax, dinner at Joey, Eddie V’s or Wabi and Rose beach walk in Venice or Marina del rey to catch a sunset.

Day 4: Museum visit Lacma, Moca, Grammy Museum CAAM are always good ones, Lunch at Grand Central Market. China night market DTLA, Grand Central Market, or Redbird for dinner. We can check out a live band or DJ set as well downtown. Wax on Hifi and Library Bar on certain nights is always fun

Day 5: Day trip to San diego/Oceanside. I like to let family take us around, we like to eat and hang downtown and wing it when when we go. We always do great rooftop experiences as well.

Day 6: Day trip to orange county for brunch and lunch. I love finding new asian cusine spots and burrito spots out there. Downtown Long beach for dinner, drinks and a walk on the harbor. If its summer the park by Queen Mary always has something to do.

Day 7 Before the fires: Malibu day! Hike the Eaton trails do a beach walk, rosenthal wines, dinner at Nobu. We would also squeeze the Hollywood and Beverly Hills area for tourist attractions and photo opps, Santa Monica, I love going to Elephante for an amazing meal, drink and roof top view and Smorgasburg + the Row!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to dedicate this one to Eric Dean, he’s my best friend, biggest supporter and the reason you’re speaking with me. I’d also like to thank, Sylvia Stevenson who is my business partner who is a huge supporter and the soundboard that I need very often,

Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheMoonlightSage

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themoonlightsage?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kanisha-williams-b2a55816?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Other: @snoopyslcothing on IG if you want to follow our journey

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.