Today we’d like to introduce you to Damesha “Daye” Nealy
Hi Damesha, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
From Lexington to Living God’s Purpose: My Journey
I was born and raised in the small city of Lexington, Kentucky—a place where dreams are nurtured by the quiet simplicity of life. My journey began with my mom, a strong and courageous woman who had me when she was just 16 years old. I came into this world as a miracle, weighing only 1 lb. 5 oz., and I’ve always felt that God placed me here for a reason.
Growing up, my Sundays were spent in church with my grandmother and great-grandmother, where I not only discovered my faith but also my love for fashion. Watching them dress up to worship was inspiring and sparked my creativity. I spent my childhood dreaming big, dancing, cheering, and filling my room with pages ripped from fashion magazines.
My mom worked hard to ensure my brother and I had everything we needed, despite the struggles she faced. Her sacrifices instilled in me a determination to make her proud and to pursue my passions. This drive led me to Los Angeles in my early twenties, where I chased my dream of a writing career. L.A. was an incredible learning experience, but after some time, I returned to Lexington, still searching for something more.
In 2020, shortly after my 27th birthday, I rededicated my life to Jesus, and that’s when everything changed. My faith became the center of my life, and I began to see God’s hand in every aspect of my journey. In 2022, I was baptized, and soon after, I encountered someone who would change my path forever—a divine appointment that only God could have arranged.
While working at a Marriott hotel, I met Nick Hall, the founder of Pulse in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His words of encouragement touched me deeply, especially as I was struggling in my relationship with the Lord. This encounter led me to Pulse 100, an evangelist ministry program that has transformed my life. Through this 10-month training, God revealed His plans for me, plans that were far greater than I had ever imagined.
Ministry was never something I envisioned for myself, but God showed me that my love for fashion, writing, and creativity could be used to glorify His name. Minnesota, with its vibrant and growing community, has become a hidden gem in my story, a place where I continue to grow in faith and purpose.
What began as the dreams of a little girl in Lexington has now become a journey of catching up with God’s dreams for my life. I give all the glory and praise to my Savior, Jesus Christ, for guiding me and revealing the incredible future He has in store.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have definitely been obstacles and challenges on this journey—they’re expected, right? Life is filled with many hurdles, but it’s about how we overcome them that truly matters. For me, I’ve had to lean heavily on God to get through the tough times.
Growing up, I was incredibly close to my cousin and my best friend, Chaz. Tragically, I lost Chaz to gun violence during my junior year of high school, and my cousin to the same fate during my sophomore year of college. These losses have had a huge impact on my life, shaping how I move forward and fueling my passion for helping the youth and giving back to my community.
I also struggled with people-pleasing for much of my life, but as I get older, I’ve learned that my focus should be on pleasing God. Our purpose and calling are not just for ourselves—they’re for the people connected to us, those who depend on us to be obedient to God’s call.
My mom and grandmother have shown me how to navigate challenges by keeping God first and maintaining a strong prayer life. My church constantly reminds me of the importance of community, especially when we face difficult times. Having a strong community to lean on is vital.
My stepdad has also played a significant role in how I view challenges. Watching him face health issues with unwavering faith has been an inspiration, as has witnessing both of my brother’s resilience. These experiences have deepened my belief in the power of faith and the importance of trusting in God’s plan, no matter what life throws our way. Even when it comes to our dreams, there will be challenges, but we have to always remember the goal and sometimes change the plan.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
In all honesty, I consider myself a multidisciplinary creative, someone who thrives in the arts and loves to create in various forms—whether it’s writing, design, dance, or photography. My creative journey began with writing, and I’m most known for that. I started blogging back in 2015, during my junior year of college, and quickly realized how much I loved it. The thought of turning this passion into a career excited me, especially after experiencing the creative energy of Los Angeles and New York City. These experiences only fueled my love for writing, creating, and fashion even more.
While I’ve always had a strong connection to fashion—continuing to do freelance work in writing and styling—I’ve come to realize that I want to tell bigger stories, stories that go beyond the surface. My goal is to create everything for the glory of God, ensuring that my work has a deeper purpose.
Currently, I’m working on launching my own clothing label, a project that’s been in development for a while. I plan to fully launch it in 2025, starting with jewelry pieces that are close to my heart. In addition, I’m also re-launching a women’s ministry and community I founded in mid-2024. We are set to launch the community in early january, 2025. This space will provide girls and women with the opportunity to grow their faith both individually and collectively while building sisterhood along the way. I’m super excited about the community and the chance to connect with more women.
I specialize in creative writing and personal styling, and I also dabble in photography and design. I like to think of myself as a creative director, someone who brings various elements together to create something meaningful. Fashion is definitely a big part of who I am, but what I love most is being able to encourage and inspire others through the different mediums I’m passionate about. Creating makes me excited and happy, and I truly believe I was created to create.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was the kind of kid who made friends easily—I never had a problem meeting someone new. I was very bubbly and outgoing, always ready to dive into something fun. Dance was a huge part of my life back then, especially hip-hop, though I dabbled in jazz too. It was our way of expressing ourselves, and I absolutely loved it. I had big dreams, always wanting to do something significant. When I heard producers were coming to Kentucky for auditions, my friends and I, full of excitement, caught the bus downtown to try out. I was only in the 7th grade, and while I had no idea what I was doing, the experience only fueled my desire to be on TV, model, and act. Unfortunately, my family couldn’t afford to fully support those dreams, so I didn’t get very far with modeling and acting.
But when I finally got the chance to go to Los Angeles for real, it felt like a dream come true. It was proof to me that God really does listen to our prayers. Skating was another big part of my childhood—my friends and I would spend Saturdays at the mall and then head to the skating rink, staying there until midnight. Dance and skating were our lives, and it was so much fun.
Of course, my grandmother made it clear that if I stayed out skating on Saturday night, I had to be up for church on Sunday morning! I had a pretty good childhood. I also played dress-up a lot, raiding my grandmother’s and great-grandmother’s closets, and I journaled frequently. Another significant part of my growing up was hanging out at “The Teen Center,” a place where we could go after school to get help with homework, eat lunch, and play board games. It was a safe space, and I wish there were more places like that for kids today. In fact, opening something like that in my city has always been an ultimate goal for me.
Despite hearing from some people that my dreams were too big or unrealistic, I never believed it. I’ve seen God’s faithfulness firsthand, and those childhood dreams that seemed impossible? Some of them have come true, reminding me that nothing is too crazy to go after if you believe.
Pricing:
- For a personal Styling services via in peerson via Remote : Starting at $100-$150 depends on lenght of time, and events and how many outfits styled
- Personal styling consulting call\Get to know (Vision planning)30 min) $50
- Freelance Writing : $100-150 per article .
- other prices inquires , can email me at [email protected]
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/accordingtodaye/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@accordingtodaye
