She is Making History: Meet Nyomi Peters

Nyomi Peters is an entrepreneur from Grenada who embodies the values of obedience, curiosity, humbleness and black girl joy. She took the bold step of leaving her job as a cashier to start her own hair care business after receiving what she believed to be a direct instruction from God. Her brand, "Her Hair is Her Covering," has become one of the most popular hair care brands on the island of Grenada, thanks to her ability to create effective, natural products for hair and skin. Over the last 5 years, she has built a devoted customer base who appreciate her dedication to quality and her faith in God.

Nyomi is passionate about her family, her business and her customers, and she regards her walk with God as the most important aspect of her life. Starting a business is never easy, but Nyomi’s hard work, humility, and leadership have made her a trailblazer in her field and an inspiration to many entrepreneurs in Grenada and the wider Caribbean region.

What core values are most important to you as a leader?

I hesitate to label myself a 'leader' to avoid the pressure to conform to other people’s standards. Instead, I consider myself a servant who is obedient to God. I am grateful for the gift that God has bestowed upon me, and I strive to use it to benefit others.

Integrity, consistency, honesty, and faithfulness with my gifts are some of the values that I hold dear. I strongly believe in humility and am cautious of being high-minded because I know that God can give and take away. To stay grounded, I treat others the way I want to be treated. I use this approach in all aspects of my life, including business, relationships, and communication with customers and vendors.

 Above all, I am aware that my life is not my own. I aim to lead a life that pleases God by putting Him first in everything I do and acknowledging Him in all my ways. I trust that by doing so, He will always direct my path.

Can you share an experience where you turned a failure into a learning opportunity?

I once attempted to create a hair refresher spray to add to my hair care line, but the formulation I was using just wasn't working. Despite several attempts and reviews, I couldn't get the desired results. I even considered giving up on the idea of adding the product to my line altogether.

Feeling frustrated, I talked to God, not in a formal prayer, but just sharing how much the process was frustrating me and that I was ready to give up.

After talking to God, I checked my email and found a message from someone I had taken courses with before. They were offering a heavily discounted course on how to make a refresher spray. I signed up for the course and followed the step-by-step instructions, and in no time, I was able to create the spray.

From this experience, I learned two valuable lessons: first, that God cares about me, even the little things like hair care; and second, that when I acknowledge Him in all my ways, He will direct my path. 

Can you talk about a time you had to advocate for yourself or your team?

Advocacy is a crucial skill in business, especially in a product-based one. People often have questions about a product, such as whether it lives up to the advertised claims if the business owner uses it themselves, and their overall knowledge about their business.

I've become quite skilled at advocating for my product by regularly showing up online, sharing positive reviews from satisfied customers, demonstrating how to use the product through videos, and sharing my own personal experiences with it. Doing so helps build trust with potential customers.

I've had customers who have watched me for years before finally deciding to give my product a try because they saw how well it worked for me. I strongly believe that the most effective form of advocacy is consistently showing up and having confidence in both yourself and the product you are offering.

How do you celebrate yourself as a leader?

I am currently focusing on celebrating myself more. I acknowledge that I have achieved many things, both big and small, and this is an ongoing process for me. At present, I celebrate myself by treating myself to little things that I have wanted and by taking time to rest.

Although my business is growing and the demands are great, I understand that taking time to rest is one of the best ways to recharge and appreciate my accomplishments. I particularly enjoy taking staycations at different resorts on my home island of Grenada. Treating myself to pampering, relaxation, and self-reflection is a way to celebrate myself.

What advice would you give to other women aspiring to become leaders?

Before offering advice, I would ask an aspiring leader to define what leadership means to them. While some people may view leadership as an opportunity to exert power over others, true leadership is about serving and supporting others.

Successful leadership requires having the right motives. I believe that honesty, supportiveness, respectfulness, and consistency are some of the key qualities that make a great female leader.

Above all, I believe that true success in leadership, whether as a trailblazer or in any other role, comes from seeking God first. By following His path and using the gifts He has bestowed upon us, we can be sure that we are on the right track.