Meet Kayla Merritt of Nurture Soul Holistic Care

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Merritt.

Kayla, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I moved to Jacksonville, FL in 2015 determined to start a life for myself different than what I had known. I am from a very small town called Campbellton, FL where there are two gas stations, 1 Brewery, and a Dollar General all within 1 minute of each other. I use to travel often because my dad was in the Military. I would admire the city life with all the big buildings and night lights, but I was deathly afraid of bridges.

I would hold my breath and think of how to survive if the car went off the bridge. This would happen every single time we went over a bridge. Despite that, I still knew I wanted to live in the city once I finished college.

The journey to college was a rough one… I had a lot of personal struggles, mentally and physically throughout my childhood that sometimes caused me to feel as though the best option for me was attending the local college near my hometown. My family was set on that as the best direction for me as well, but deep down I knew what I wanted. My high school guidance counselor was on my side. She was determined to get me to FAMU. So she gave me the tools I needed to complete the process and held my hand along the way.

That’s where I wanted to be. It was the best decision I ever made. I learned so much about myself, was able to get free therapy from great counselors, and met mentors that I will cherish forever. While in college some of my biggest life cheerleaders passed away my guidance counselor from high school, my maternal grandfather, and one of my favorite aunts. I told my paternal Grandfather about my plans to move to Jacksonville before anyone else. His last deep conversation with me once I graduated in 2014 was to get out of my comfort zone, move to a big city, and chase my dreams.

A few months after moving to Jacksonville, he passed away. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology minoring in Criminal Justice. I worked at a rehabilitation clinic overnight and an apartment complex during the day. While at work one day, I applied for about 10 jobs in Jacksonville relating to Social Services. I got a callback for an interview and had to drive to Jacksonville (over a bridge) to get to the interview. I had to give myself a major pep-talk and drove so slow over that bridge, but I made it to my interview on time and was offered the job! The job was in Child Protection and I was overjoyed. I accepted the position.

Two weeks later, I moved to Jacksonville. My dream was to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and open up my own practice. I wanted to help others who were struggling mentally to not give up. I love people and holding deep meaningful sometimes life-changing conversations. I love helping and making people feel good. I was ready to apply to my dream program for graduate school. So I applied to the LMHC Program and was denied. I was so distraught. I didn’t get in because my test scores were not competitive enough. Then, things began to take a turn for the worst.

It seemed like everything that could go wrong… was going wrong. It took a major toll on me mentally. I began living just to survive. I stopped chasing my dreams and began to simply exist. As long as those around me were okay I didn’t care about being okay. As long as I showed up every day. I ended up quitting my job due to several reasons that I could no longer bear. I had several other jobs after that and was hospitalized twice due to not caring for myself and putting everything else before me. After my last hospitalization, I was determined to live my life instead of just existing.

I began a spiritual journey with God, which revealed so much that I needed to know and see no matter how much I ran from my truth! It was an extremely scary thing to be confronted with my own demons and the things I needed to work on. I realized that at this moment, in my adult life, the only person that was holding myself back from the life I desired to live was me. I applied to graduate school again and this time I got accepted into the Licensed Mental Health Counseling program. I attended for three weeks and realized it was not my calling like I thought. It didn’t fulfill me. So I stopped. The next semester I applied to the Criminal Justice Program, I planned to get my degree and work in Forensic Psychology.

I was accepted and I really enjoyed the program… but I found myself getting depressed because the farther along I got in the program the more I realized I didn’t want to go down this path. However, if I stopped I thought of all the people I would be letting down… so I kept going. In the midst of it all, I was a new mother to two amazing little boys from my previous relationship, began a small business, and was working a full-time job at a bank. Along with other personal obstacles it all became too much! I contemplated moving back to my hometown. I was going to give up everything that I had put in place for myself because life just didn’t seem like it was going to get better.

I remember being in my room screaming and praying to God for a breakthrough! Like God, if I keep going based on this vision that I have, please just see me through! I can’t give up this time, I have two little boys depending on me. Most importantly for the first time in a long time, I began to believe in myself again despite all the adversity surrounding me. This time it was different. I was alone on the journey. The journey of healing and self-love. I had to learn to love myself more than anything or anyone else. That was my turning point. Once I began to love myself and focus on myself. All things that were not good for me had to go! Whether it was a relationship, my current job, absolutely anything that was hurting my growth.

I removed it from my life. It was the hardest phase of my life and for months I was in a very dark place but it didn’t stop me from getting up every day and putting one foot in front of the other. My business had grown and I had regular clients. That gave me all the fuel I needed to step out on my new path of Entrepreneurship.

I had big plans for my business and realized that I could literally live my dream through the business. I knew it wouldn’t be easy… but in the end, it would give me my heart’s desires. A life of freedom. A life where I can impact others in a positive way. Most importantly a platform that allows me to be ME, and expresses my passions that I know will impact those around me. I always said from whatever I do if it just reaches 1 person that’s all I care about.

So I went for it. I relaunched my business Nurture Soul Holistic Care in 2021 and it has been steady and successful every since. So much so, that I have been able to expand the business to provide services to the community. Since my relaunch, I have become a Licensed Facial Specialist/Body Sculptor and will be opening my new business, Soul Glowing Care-Tique “A Boutique for All Things Self Care” this Spring.

I use Nurture Soul as a prototype of what happens when you bet on yourself! When you began giving yourself the love you deserve, things begin to fall in place. We were not put on this earth to suffer. We are here to live a happy and purposeful life.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road by a long shot. The journey to entrepreneurship was definitely challenging. Especially, when it came to preparing for events, being a mom, and constantly thinking of ways to present/sell your products. During my first couple of pop-ups, I only sold a few of the same items, although I make a variety of products.

It was discouraging, but I learned to appreciate the positive things that were happening, which was the connections and amazing people I would come into contact with. I had to work on how I presented the items and build my confidence when it came to describing my products and my mission.

I found myself judging my level of success based on what others were doing. Once I stopped doing this and focused on my own vision, things began to turn around for the better. I had to realize that my situation was my situation, and I had to learn to make it work for me.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Nurture Soul Holistic Care?
Nurture Soul Holistic Care is my product line. All products are 100% natural and essential oil-based. Formulated with love, and made with the overall health and well-being in mind. No chemicals or additional fragrance. All items are unique because they are handmade. My philosophy and life slogan is “MEDICINE” Making Executive Decisions In Creating Internal Nurturing Eternally. ”

I had begun a journey of natural remedy living and fell in love with the progress I have made health-wise. I use to be on several medications, and now I don’t take any. I use to have issues with IBS, acid reflux, excessive migraines, cramps that would literally take me out for a couple of days, and ovarian cyst. I was introduced to detoxing and natural remedies and my life is forever changed! So I wanted to incorporate my way of life into my brand.

My best seller and the most recommended product are my Sea Moss Gel. I also sell elderberry syrup, body scrubs, purpose oils, lip care items, and affirmation merchandise. My goal of Launching my second business Soul Glowing Care-Tique was brought about as a way to expand Nurture Soul by providing services that lined up with my vision of “Holistic Health” in every aspect. I have internal health covered with my products and now I can promote external health by providing services.

I am now a Licensed Facial Specialist in the State of Florida and a Certified Body Sculptor. The very first time I touched a face in school I knew this was my calling. I love seeing how individuals light up after I have serviced them. It is everything, my soul needed. I specialize in transformations because you are sure to leave feeling and looking different than when you arrived.

What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is taking care of myself above all else, because when I am not okay, life is chaotic. When I am taking care of myself everything in my life runs smoothly.

I am able to be the best mother, businesswoman, sister, daughter, and friend that I strive to be. It feels great to shine my light on others, and actually have the energy to be of service and give as I desire. It is my life’s purpose.

Contact Info:

• Email: Nurturesoulcare@gmail.com
• Website: www.nurturesoulholisticcare.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nurturesoulllc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nurturesoulllc
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJDanhA_g5s
• Other: https://www.alignable.com/jacksonville-fl/nurture-soul-holistic-care

Image Credits
@shespeaksvisuals