Nikki Madden of Phoenix on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Nikki Madden and have shared our conversation below.

Nikki, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
What I’m most proud of building that nobody sees, is my self-esteem. I am a single mother of two daughters, and I have been dealing with self-esteem issues. I was diagnosed with Psoriasis at the age of 15, and 80% of my body is covered with plaques and/or lesions. For the last 20 years, I have been telling myself positive affirmations, so I can avoid any kind of negative energy. Doing this, helps my daughters overcome any areas of low self-esteem, They have learned how not to allow themselves (and others) bring them down.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a single mother, with 2 daughters, and have been recently plagued with medical illnesses, which prevent me from working. Over the last few years, I’ve created a nonprofit organization, and online novelty store. My nonprofit organization is named Lali’s Foundation For Families In A Crisis. My online store is named Nikki’s Noveltiez AZ.

Nikki’s Noveltiez AZ is a small business in AZ where I sell items created by me, I initially began amidst Covid because I could not find hair bonnets that stayed on. Four years later, my inventory selection has grown, and now includes: satin hair bonnets, beauty/bonnet bags, lip gloss/balm, remixed jewelry, hair accessories, press on nails, fashion decor shades, and much more. Every item can be customized based on pattern, design, color, and/or brand association. One of the many items my customers love to purchase are customized boxes. These make wonderful gifts for any occasion.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that really shaped how I see the world was when I was going through a divorce. I was left with no resources, a bill of medical illnesses, and daughters needing help navigating this world. All my life, I worked multiple jobs, and began a career as a teacher, early in my adulthood. Fast forward to 2018, and my world was turned upside down. I had a daughter in college and one who was starting headstart (Pre-K); we moved in with a family member to avoid homelessness. During this rough patch of my life, the only thing I could think of was “how many other families are experiencing the same thing we are?”. Thus, shaping my early influence as an entrepreneurial.

Being a person who is known for working multiple jobs at the same time, it was only befitting that I began the process of building two businesses at the same time, too. Nikki’s Noveltiez AZ & Lali’s Foundation For Families In A Crisis were born. Nikki’s Noveltiez AZ is where I sell homemade products; I had to figure out a way to pay bills. I first started selling baked goods and jewelry. I quickly realized how other people viewed beauty care. After perfecting the technique and pattern, I was able to sew satin hair bonnets and add them to my collection. Before I knew it, I began making hair accessories, press on nails, and customized boxes, ensuring the importance of beauty care with women and little girls.

LalisFFC is a local 501 (c)3 nonprofit organization helping families with children. We provide wrap-around services, extended resources, and an alternative path to sustainability. We want to build a bridge between gaps. Our goal, with each client, is to help them sort their current challenges by reprioritizing life’s circumstances, so they can get back on their feet. We help our families to stay together with little to no disruptions in the kids’ academics.

I am extremely proud of these accomplishments and am blessed to have the skills/knowledge to create them.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Being a small business owner comes with many challenges. In June 2024, we experienced ours. I began my nonprofit organization in 2018, amidst my own crises. I was determined to figure out a way to help families during their rough patch. Between 2018-2020, I was able to research and create collaborative efforts with multiple sources. During this time networking and collaboration, we were able to partner with other nonprofit organizations aligned with our ideas.

I completed my business plan for LalisFFC in 2022 and was introduced to a pastor who supported our cause. The offered us a space for us to blossom and thrive. Our office space and boutique & supply closet were created on the church’s campus. From 2022-2024, we created 7 programs, a student-led volunteer-based program for students K-8th, conducted free community events, was known as a diaper bank, assisted Asylum Seeking Families, and helped domestic violence victims. Last year, in June 2024, we were told the unfortunate news of the church having to close its gates! We were shocked! Here’s an institution hosting 154 years of service, and they were forced to longer cease. Of course, that meant we had to close our doors, too. This is the time when I wanted to give up! I was absolutely ready to “throw the towel in”! All of our families, communities, and partnering efforts weren’t sufficient enough to maintaining the stay of our presence. We were fortunate enough to help over 1,000 families with children. We helped over 10 families flee from their domestic violence situation. We held countless of free community events supporting the needs of clients and the community. Our Kids Swag It Out Program created and distributed 200 travel friendly kits to the homeless community. We helped families during the baby formula shortage by giving them cases of formula, monthly. We expanded on our efforts to better serving our clients based off their needs. WE WERE GETTING IT DONE, and then everything stopped!

Now, we have had to resort to limited services, but we are still able to provide some assistance to families. We have not given up! We will not give up! And we are here to stay! Our main goal of being an emergency family shelter is still in front of us. The road going there is bumpy, but we are determined to make it happen.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, the public version of me is the real me! I know nothing but “keeping it real”. I was a single mother early on in life, and because of that, my view of the world has been shaped in molded. This is one of my personality attributes I use in my nonprofit organization to help build a client’s case folder.

Growing up, I was taught to have a plan and create goals. Goal setting is one of the techniques we use in our Mending Me Program. We have our clients create short term and long-term goals and show them how to apply said goals to their path of sustainability. At times, I have to present bad news as better news. The only way I know how to do that is to be honest and real. Many of my clients say they look to me as an older sister because we give them “tough love”. It is extremely personal when helping our clients. From the beginning of them reaching out to us for assistance, we work on their case as if it is affecting our lives. Being honest and straight forward is a better way to receiving damaging news because the only way you can go is up.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
The one thing I understand deeply that most people don’t is being able to relate to their challenging situation. I know what it’s like to face the possibility of homelessness, but I was blessed to have family who supported me. Some of my clients don’t have that luxury, so I make sure to place myself in their shoes, in order to relate.

I had a cousin who chose to be homeless, even though support was available. As a family, we understood his stance and still provided him with any support he desired. I grew up in a domestic violent home, at a very early age, and experienced it in early adulthood. I am able to absolutely relate to my DV clients. I remember what it’s like to receive support from a nonprofit organization, only to find out they cannot help me due to my status, income, and lack of current resources. At LalisFFC, we take the time to learn all of the partnering organizations and their programs, so we can better match them to our client’s needs.

I believe undergoing these experiences has helped mold our programs for the good of our clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lalissweetsaz.wixsite.com/lalisffc; https://lalissweetsaz.wixsite.com/lalissweets
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lalisffc/; https://www.instagram.com/nikkisnoveltiezaz/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lalisffcrestoringhope
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lalisffc/; https://www.facebook.com/nikkisnoveltiezaz/

Image Credits
Model: Bri Loyd
Photographer: Dennis Larson

Newspaper: Black Informant

Other People in Pics: Charlotte Hurley, Bri Loyd, Va’Nessa Madden, DL White, The Flores’ Family