Woman 2 Watch

Afya Ibomu, Nattral.com

As an Author, Certified Holistic Health Counselor, Entrepreneur, Freelance Journalist, Crochet Artist, Nutritionist, wife and mother Afya Ibomu has built a dynamic reputation in the past 10 years by consistently delivering on her promise to educate, guide and inspire people to live a healthy, natural, and creative lifestyle. Read below to find out how this Woman 2 Watch builds her Nattral empire…

FG: How did www.NATTRAL.com get started? And why did you feel developing the site was important?

AI: I had just finished my first crochet book and I knew I needed a website for people to get in touch with me. I wasn’t sure what I was going to have on the site but I just had to get it up. I knew I wanted a company that incorporated everything that I did (crochet, cooking, products, information). Nattral was my way of life and I wanted to share it with others.

FG: In addition to the starting the Nattral site you have authored two crochet books and a cookbook, how did you know there was a market for this and what makes your books different then those that were previously on the market?

AI: I knew there was a market because as a crochet artist I would go to stores to find books to improve my craft and get ideas. In my search there were no black based crochet books. I also lived in Brooklyn New York at the time. I saw a large movement of fiber arts through the Rasta religion and hip hop. I wanted to share this experience with the world. As far as my cookbook it was really the same thing. The lack of black representation in the health and vegetarian world was a large part of my motivation. Also because I have been a vegetarian for 20 years (vegan for 14), I really wanted to answer all of the questions that I have gotten over the past 20 yrs about being a vegetarian. I also wanted to share my experience and make the process of having a plant based lifestyle easier and make this lifestyle seem approachable and doable to the black and brown communities which are suffering so much from diet/lifestyle choices.

FG: What are some of the popular misconceptions about living a natural/healthy lifestyle?

AI: That it’s boring, we only eat salad and raw veggies (and some do). My goal with Nattral Unlimited and all of our products is to promote how fun, stylish and possible it is to live this way.

FG: If some one is interested in becoming healthier or adapting a vegetarian diet what are some tips you can give that could help them get started?

AI: I have a seven step process detailed in the book, but the first 2 steps are: 1. Take 1 new food out of your diet every 1-2 weeks. Whether it is pork, soda, candy or whatever you are ready for. 2. Add 1-2 new foods in that you have never had before. Sometimes people take everything out and don’t add anything new in. preferably star by adding in vegetables.

FG: You are also a wife and mother, what tips can you give women who are interested in introducing more healthy foods to their families?

AI: Adults should eat healthy themselves and be a good example. Children learn from what we do.

FG: Besides being an author and owner of Nattral.com do you provide any other services?

AI: I have an online magazine that ‘s a mix of health, culture and style. I also conduct healthy living/vegetarian workshops and cooking demos.

FG: How do you balance family life and the work?

AI: I’m still working on that J! Having a supportive husband is very helpful. Even though we both have busy schedules we try not to stress each other about the amount of work we do and schedule in family time.

FG: How many of your business decisions are based on know how vs. your intuition?

AI: 50/50. I take a lot of time planning and thinking but that planning comes from the lifestyle I lead and knowing where my market is and what they may want to know, or purchase.

FG: What do you consider to be some of the major highlights of your career thus far?

AI: Finishing 3 books. Many people talk about doing something but just having finished products in hand is incredible.

FG: What is a spiritual mantra or philosophy that you live by?

AI: Jeet Kune Do, which is Bruce lee’s martial art and philosophy. It basically means “no way as the way”. Don’t be in a box, and always be open to growth.

FG: What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

AI: Chose your career by doing something that you would do whether you were paid or not. This helped me to focus on my career path.

FG: What would you tell your younger-self if you knew then what you know now?

AI: Chose your career by doing something that you would do whether you were paid or not. This information would have helped me be way more focused in my late teens/early 20’s

Finish this sentence….

FG: Women should stop complaining about______and start doing____________________

AI: Women should stop complaining about there life (family, career, weight) and start doing what they know will help them take them to the next level (lose weight, go back to school, etc.)

FG: If your life came with a soundtrack, what would be the top three songs (and please indicate the singer or band)

AI: Get Up Stand UP- Bob Marley, Fight the Power- Public Enemy, Beef- KRS-1, You are the Sunshine of my life- Stevie Wonder.

FG: What project(s) do you have coming up?

AI: My husband and I are currently working on a relationship book that’s due out in 2011. I’m currently turning my online magazine into a video magazine and I’m also working on a Seasonal cleansing (detox) book.

For more information on Afya Ibomu check out my site www.NATTRAL.com

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