Today we’d like to introduce you to Nyanda & Alex.
Hi Nyanda & Alex, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
We were inspired to pursue entrepreneurship during a recent trip out of the country. While brainstorming ideas, we realized that hookah is something we enjoy recreationally that could also be a profitable business. We decided on a name that represents our continued perseverance despite life’s challenges and our overarching goals in life, to constantly innovate and elevate. Elevations hookah is not only a hookah business, it’s our way of life; it’s our mindset, it’s our way to reach new heights.
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?
I wouldn’t say we’ve struggled, I’d say that any business starting out encounters adversity. There are a lot of doubters, being a Black-owned hookah business in a field where we are not the majority, some people question our legitimacy. To the naysayers, we let our professionalism speak for itself. When we arrive at our events, it’s is imperative that we elevate the ambiance. We provide incomparable experiences that leave guests fulfilled. The joy of knowing we’ve exceeded all expectations is satisfactory enough to keep us motivated to press onward.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
We are a mobile hookah catering service that offers hookah rentals for private events, we also provide hookah services to restaurants, lounges, bars, etc. We serve all of Southern California, this encompasses Los Angeles county all the way to San Diego county. Our name speaks for itself, we are known for elevating experiences. Not only are our hookahs top of the line, in addition both of us are customer service oriented and accommodate any and all hookah needs. We are most proud of our journey; the field of event catering is very tight-knit and hard to break into. Particularly, in the midst of a pandemic, it’s hard for people to be trusting of a newer company to deliver on its promises. We’ve spent countless hours dedicated to outreach and contacting local business to partner with us. We’ve heard more no’s than yeses but are grateful for those who have given us the opportunity to elevate their event. I think what sets us apart from our peers is our flexibility and willingness to go above and beyond to exceed any and all expectations. This can include hours of communication leading up to events with clients, making last-minute exceptions to provide catering services and transparency with an emphasis on respect and integrity. We only exist because of our guiding principles that we will never stray from regardless of how successful we are. Choosing elevations hookah is choosing yourself.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Manifestation. We believe in speaking what you seek until you see what you say. Everything that we have achieved thus far is a result of our belief in ourselves. We have been blessed to encounter people along way who are prominent contenders in the hookah field. These individuals have given us tremendous support and guidance. We are extremely grateful and humbled to be on this journey with such knowledgeable people. For anyone looking to be successful in this business or any business, you have to put yourself out there. People may laugh, people may doubt but there are people who will support and push you to be better.
Contact Info:
- Email: elevationshookah@gmail.com
- Website: www.elevationshookah.com
- Phone: 714.912.5920
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/elevationshookah
