Meet Zaa’Kiya Green

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Zaa’Kiya Green a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Zaa’Kiya , thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?

I keep my creativity alive by staying connected to real life — the women I touch, the stories I hear, and the energy around me. My creativity comes from a mix of spirituality, everyday experiences, and listening to what my clients truly need. When I’m braiding, designing, or building a brand, I’m pulling inspiration from emotions, textures, colors, and the transformations happening right in front of me.

I also allow myself to evolve. I try new techniques, explore different aesthetics, and create space to play — whether that’s practicing on my own hair, sketching ideas at 2 a.m., or diving into other art forms. Creativity thrives when you stop forcing it and start letting it flow. For me, it’s a living thing that grows as I grow.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My name is Zaa’Kiya ‘Kiy’ Green and I am the creator of Krowned by Kiy. I’m a licensed braider, visual designer, and social media content creator. What I do sits at the intersection of beauty, art, and empowerment. I help women feel beautiful from the inside out — not just by styling their crowns, but by teaching them to embrace the beauty they were born with and giving them the confidence to stand tall in it.

I’m self-taught, and my journey started with my mom showing me how to do hair when I was younger. Later in life, my husband encouraged me to step fully into my gift, and a close friend helped me nourish my skills and see my potential clearly. That’s when everything changed. I realized that braiding wasn’t just something I could do — it was something I was called to do.

What’s most exciting about my work is the transformation. I love seeing a woman walk in one way and walk out feeling stronger, lighter, and more seen. Braiding is intimate — it’s therapy, it’s storytelling, it’s community. I get to create an experience that pours into women emotionally, spiritually, and creatively.

Beyond hair, I also blend my artistry into visual design and social media content. I create flyers, branding, digital products, and visuals that help other entrepreneurs elevate their businesses. I love helping people bring their ideas to life. Even business owners need nurturing — having structure, content, and visuals they can trust makes their dreams feel possible again.

Right now, I’m expanding in multiple directions. My knotless braids e-book — Krowned by Kiy: The Knotless Braid Guide for Beginners & DIY Baddies — is already created and available for purchase. I’m also developing my own hair-care line, starting with a nourishing shampoo and conditioner, a leave-in, and a heat protectant spray. And through my creative brand, Krowned Kreative Co., I’m continuing to build digital planners, branding materials, and visual content for entrepreneurs. My goal is to build a full ecosystem where women can come for beauty, creativity, and empowerment — all under one roof.”

My mission is simple: to change lives one crown at a time by helping women find, love, and elevate the beauty and purpose they already carry within them.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, the three qualities that impacted my journey the most were perseverance, teachability, and intuition. Each one shaped me into the woman and business owner I am today. 1. Perseverance

My journey wasn’t smooth or predictable. I had moments where life felt heavy, where I questioned myself, and where balancing family, business, and personal growth felt overwhelming. But perseverance kept me moving. It taught me to push through even when I didn’t feel ready, and to keep showing up for myself and my purpose.

Advice:
Perseverance grows when you give yourself grace. Focus on progress, not perfection. Show up a little every day, even on the days you feel tired or unsure.

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2. Teachability

I’m self-taught in braiding and design, and that only happened because I stayed teachable. I watched, listened, practiced, made mistakes, and kept learning. Teachability opened every door for me — it helped me evolve, try new styles, build my digital skills, and expand my creativity.

Advice:
Stay curious. Don’t be afraid to start from zero. Watch tutorials, study people you admire, practice without judging yourself, and stay open to constructive feedback. Teachability is what turns talent into mastery.

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3. Intuition

So much of my creativity and brand direction comes from intuition. I trust the feeling I get when something is right, whether it’s a style, a design, or a business move. Listening to my spirit is what keeps my work authentic and aligned.

Advice:
Slow down enough to hear yourself. Trust your gut, trust your vision, and trust the little nudges that guide you. Your intuition will always lead you where you need to be, especially when you’re building something from the ground up.

My best advice for anyone early in their journey is this: don’t rush becoming. Let your perseverance carry you, stay teachable, and honor your intuition. When you combine those three, you can build something beautiful — not just in business, but within yourself.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Yes, I am open to partnering and collaborating, especially as my work continues to expand in multiple directions.

On the business and creative side, I’m looking to collaborate with entrepreneurs, brands, and companies that need support with social media strategy, digital marketing, rebranding, visual design, or content creation. I enjoy helping businesses strengthen their online presence, refresh their identity, and create content that actually connects with their audience. This lane is open to everyone, regardless of industry or gender.

On the beauty side, I’m excited to connect with creatives, models, and women who want to feature braid styles or simply need a fresh new look. I love using my artistry to help women express themselves and step into a more confident version of who they are.

If anyone reading this is interested in collaborating or learning more, they can connect with me through email at [email protected], on Instagram at @krownedbykiy_, or through my website at https://krowned-by-kiy.square.site. My site is also where clients can book services and purchase my e-book.

I’m always excited to partner with people who value creativity, passion, and growth, and I look forward to building something meaningful together.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://krowned-by-kiy.square.site/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krownedbykiy_?igsh=Ym1ydmo4NDFiejFk&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1eCmxFvwme/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Other: Email: [email protected]