Meet Nakia Montgomery | Creator/Author

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

Hi Nakia, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I could work long, arduous hours for a corporate job, and never accomplish my goals. Being employed at companies that seldomly appreciated my talents had become exhausting. I realized I was my happiest when doing what I love.

After losing my employment in 2018, it was solidified. I would no longer work for anyone else. I needed gratification versus a lateral move. It was then I went back to the basics of storytelling and creative writing.

My love for sharing my experiences through my own words gives my voice a freedom and allows me the opportunity to be openly vulnerable.

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 consider myself a 24 hour creative, there’s NO such thing as a day off for me! I am physically creating whenever I’m thinking! From age 11, I can remember my curiosity and imaginative exploits getting the better of me, so much so, I could cook up elaborate stories just from my wild thoughts. I became so enthralled in the joy of storytelling, it would be a few more years before I understood the power of my voice.

Unfortunately, the route to get to where I am today was unconventional, nontraditional, and long. I worked for over 20 years in corporate when I realized my dreams would forever be on hold until I put action behind them. 2018 was my breakthrough and saving grace; from losing my job, experiencing a great depression, and becoming a first time Gia. It was in those sad moments I channeled my hurt and journaled my happiness.

Fast forward a year later, I’m writing full time stories about the real life antics and growing pains of my 1st grandbaby, highlighting his #BlackBoyJoy on an educational platform. I knew I had to use my passion and newfound purpose to share my love for writing to the world.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Seeing as I am a new resident from Texas, who relocated to Long Beach last year, I wanted to immerse myself in the culture of California as well. So, I spent the past year learning different cities in order to find little treasures.

If you want an easy start to your morning, I would suggest Bixby Joe Coffee & Tea, Their menu is simple and sure to please. They often have a special, and offer an array of freshly blended fruit smoothies, creatively crafted coffees, and various flavorful baked goods. I also fell in love with their customer consideration, it is a no brainer.

Because I wanted to continue experiencing great food, quick service, I visited The Hotel Maya-DoubleTree by Hilton for a luxurious night of pampering. What’s interesting is I’m not a native, but I felt downhome hospitality. The hotel staff really did go, “above and beyond”…

Aside from the hundreds of parks and beaches to lounge on, Santa Monica Pier gives you the nostalgia of the movies, with the feel of it being an everyday neighborhood carnival. There are shops, eateries, and rides for fun entertainment.

And until moving here, I had never heard of Porto’s restaurant. This slice of heaven gets better every time I patron with him, the pastries’ crust is so flaky and buttery it melts in your mouth.

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?
Levi&Toonk,LLC Creative Team My Muse-Levi Smocks
Business Partner-Bri Smocks
SMG-Smocks Media Group
AKF-Ari Kenzo Foundation

Instagram: @realkiamauthor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRealKiaMAuthor

Image Credits
Arthur Smocks Kia M. Lauren Adams