Inspiring Conversations with Kynzi of Gem Central

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kynzi.

Hi Kynzi, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today. 
I spent some time living in Atlanta to nurture my music career and learned two things about myself: I probably wouldn’t be signing a record deal any time soon, and I loved wearing tooth gems. 

I’ve never really been outwardly expressive as a creative. You can usually tell a recording artist by their style and fashion, their tattoos, their piercings, their vibrant hair color(s), etc… You can gather, at the very least, that they’re a generally interesting person. But I’ve never much experimented with my appearance that way until I discovered tooth gems, and I fell in love! Even still, I keep the designs I wear very simple and subtle, but I’d finally found a way to decorate my person that felt true to me. I returned to Detroit with a shiny new smile and on a new mission: to start a business. I created Gem Central with the notion in mind that it would fund my career so I wouldn’t need a record deal. I could remain independent and retain my creative liberty as a recording artist. Gem Central has since become my mainstream of income, as intended. 

Gem Central is my business side. As for my musical side, I like to refer to myself as an R&B/Pop recording artist, but I can also write, dance, produce, and compose. There’s no shortage of talent in the city but I haven’t always felt there was an abundance of resources and opportunity to match that talent, so since I started music, I’ve been dedicated to creating both those things for myself. 

I’m classically trained, but contemporary R&B, alternative R&B, and Pop have had my heart for years now. My 2020 single “Siren” was described as “If Beyonce and Evanescence popped into Chloe x Halle’s studio” by Detroit Metro Times. Despite my focus on those genres, I always find ways to inject remnants of my classical training into all my endeavors, so as to not forget where I started, which was the Detroit School of Arts. 

I’d say I’m known for my polished and multifaceted brand. I think I’m also known for not taking any shit when it comes to my career lol. It’s why everything I do is at such a high caliber and quality; I hold everyone I work with to the same standards as myself and I’m very clear and firm about my expectations. If I’ve been doing my job correctly, “Kynzi” is synonymous with professional, hardworking, superstar, talented. I put a majority of my energy into the presentation of my art. The covers, the final mix, the visuals, the rollout – I’m thorough because I like a cohesive aesthetic and I feel that sets me apart. A lot of people just focus on the art and not how it’s delivered or received. 

I’m most proud of my latest two-pack single, “Choices.” The point of it was to illuminate my divorcing of perfectionism and commit to the craft by indulging all the motions that accompany my creative process. It was, by far, my most structured, most intentional, most artistically authentic release. “Kynzi” —an alter ego and stage name— exemplifies an extension of everything that I am, but magnified; “Intellect, magnified. Confidence magnified. Sex appeal magnified, like enchantment — everything’s up to a hundred.” My goal is always to communicate those sentiments, to impact and inspire, to express myself creatively and authentically, and to sing the things people want to say. 

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?
There was an insane learning curve, and it was so much easier said than done, but I truly couldn’t ask for a better journey. I obviously had to do some trainings and earn a certification before I could start Gem Central, but that wasn’t the hard part. The hardest part was identifying my market and gaining clientele, but thankfully my community has helped me in that regard. The patronage and support I’ve garnered through this business, the relationships I’ve built, the spaces I’ve been granted access to because of it — a huge blessing. I feel like, by the grace of God, I skipped so many trials and tribulations most small businesses encounter in the early days. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Gem Central?
Gem Central specializes in semi-permanent and affordable tooth gem installs that last anywhere from 1-9+ months with proper care. We have a carefully curated selection of precision-cut glass crystals, lab-created opals, and 18k gold charms. Whether you prefer simple and subtle or intricate and extreme, we can grant you the sparkling smile of your dreams! 

We’re commonly known for the pop-ups we do throughout Metro Detroit where upon request, we set up shop inside retail spaces and private events to do gems onsite. We take on about 4 pop-ups a month. We’re currently accepting new pop-up requests for the holidays and new clients always! 

We’re so proud of how we’ve grown and how many clients we’ve gained since our establishment in November 2022. The vibrant community of Metro Detroit has embraced us wholeheartedly, and we are honored to be a part of their lives. Our dedication to excellence shines through in every tooth gem application, and we look forward to expanding our family of satisfied clients throughout the greater Detroit area. 

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Gem Central is a proud representation of independent black-woman entrepreneurship, owned and operated by me alone. My passion for music and my belief in myself is what birthed Gem Central, not just as a business venture but as a means to fuel my musical aspirations and financially support myself on my own terms. As a full-time college student pursuing a B.A. in Philosophy, I still continue to make music in my free time while single-handedly managing Gem Central. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.itsgemcentral.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itskynzi/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsgemcentral/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@itsKynzi
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/itskynzi

Image Credits
Isaiah Johns
Mesgana Berhane