Today we’d like to introduce you to Daisha Nychelle.
Hi Daisha, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story is rooted in curiosity, creativity, and community.
My love for style and retail started early—spending Saturdays shopping with my grandmother, completely fascinated by textures, displays, and the way a well-curated space could make you feel seen. Those moments stayed with me. Over time, I became the go-to “style therapist” for friends and family, helping people feel confident through what they wore and how they showed up.
Professionally, my journey hasn’t been linear. I’ve balanced corporate roles, nonprofit leadership, creative work, and entrepreneurship—often simultaneously. Each chapter sharpened my skills and clarified my purpose. I learned operations, customer service, storytelling, and the power of community-centered work. Most importantly, I learned resilience.
August Ave. grew out of that lived experience. What began as a small passion project evolved into a thoughtfully curated lifestyle boutique and gift shop—one rooted in Detroit pride, elevated service, and the art of intentional gifting. I saw a gap in the retail landscape for an in-person shopping experience that felt stylish, warm, and affirming—especially for women of color who deserve to be met with care, attention, and ease.
Along the way, I faced personal and professional challenges that could have slowed me down, but instead became fuel. I learned to build with what I had, ask for help when needed, and trust that progress—even when imperfect—was still progress.
Today, August Ave. is more than a shop. It’s a love letter to Detroit, a space for connection, and a reminder that style, joy, and affirmation belong to all of us. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, and even more excited about where I’m going—continuing to grow with intention, creativity, and heart
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been a smooth road—by any stretch—but I’ve come to understand that challenge has been a defining part of my growth.
Building August Ave. required doing a lot with very little while still refusing to compromise the standard or the vision. I’ve worn nearly every hat—creative, operational, strategic—often at the same time, and learned quickly that resilience isn’t optional when you’re building something from the ground up without a safety net.
One of the most defining moments came right before my soft opening. I developed a severe case of cellulitis on my face that escalated rapidly and required immediate medical attention and hospitalization. At the exact moment I was supposed to be stepping into celebration, I was facing the fear of missing a milestone years in the making. Mentally, I spiraled. I had to make a conscious decision to get my mindset out of the gutter—to choose clarity over panic and strength over self-doubt—because everything I had built depended on my ability to steady myself.
That experience changed how I define success. It taught me that endurance is just as important as ambition, and that leadership starts with self-regulation. I showed up anyway—not perfectly, but intentionally—and that mattered.
Beyond that, there have been the ongoing realities of entrepreneurship: financial pressure, maintaining a physical retail space, and consistently advocating for my value as a woman of color in business. I’ve learned to speak with authority about my vision, protect my energy, and trust my instincts—even when the room isn’t built with me in mind.
The road has been demanding, but it’s also been refining. Every obstacle has strengthened my resolve and sharpened my purpose. I didn’t just push through the challenges—I grew from them. And that growth is embedded in everything I create.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At the core of my work is creating experiences that spark joy, confidence, and connection.
I’m the founder and curator of August Ave., a lifestyle boutique and gift shop rooted in intentional style, elevated service, and Detroit pride. I specialize in thoughtful curation—bringing together fashion, jewelry, home goods, and affirmation-based products that feel personal, meaningful, and wearable in everyday life. Much of my work lives at the intersection of style and well-being, where gifting becomes a form of care and self-expression.
I’m best known for my attention to people and my ability to make people feel seen. Whether it’s through our Signature Detroit jewelry collection, our Ave-ffirmation products, or the in-store experience itself, I approach everything with a “white glove” mindset—warm, affirming, and accessible. I’m proud of building a space where customers don’t just shop, they connect. The biggest compliment we get is, “oh my gosh, love the vibes here!”.
What I’m most proud of is creating something in the city on the Eastside where I’m from that reflects both my values and my city. August Ave. is a love letter to Detroit—especially to the women who stayed, built, and continue to show up with style and resilience. Seeing customers find pieces that resonate with them, gift intentionally, or feel affirmed in the space is deeply fulfilling.
What sets me apart is that I don’t just sell products—I curate moments. I lead with empathy, intuition, and lived experience. My background across corporate, nonprofit, and creative spaces allows me to approach retail holistically, with both heart and strategy. I’m intentional about community, collaboration, and representation, and I build with purpose, not trends.
Ultimately, my work is about helping people style their lives—through what they wear, how they gift, and how they show up for themselves and others. That’s what I’m most proud to stand behind.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love most about Detroit is the people and the spirit. There’s a deep sense of pride, creativity, and resilience here that you can feel in every neighborhood. Detroiters know how to build, rebuild, and support one another—often without recognition or resources. The city has a way of shaping you; it teaches grit, originality, and heart. I also love how much culture lives here—music, art, fashion, food, and entrepreneurship are all deeply intertwined, and that energy is constantly inspiring my work.
What I like least is that access and opportunity aren’t always distributed evenly. There’s incredible talent across the city, especially on the east and west sides, yet visibility, funding, and infrastructure don’t always reach the people doing the work at the grassroots level. It can feel like you have to work twice as hard to be seen especially with the vote based programs, pitches and funding competitions.
That said, I also see that as an opportunity. Detroit is still being written, and there’s room to advocate, collaborate, and create systems that are more inclusive and intentional. Being part of that work—however small my contribution may be—is something I take seriously and proudly.
Pricing:
- $45
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.augustave.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onaugust.ave?igsh=MXRoZXJqYm1nZjZqbw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17byceSNXt/?mibextid=wwXIfr
