Nayoka Simone
Bible I Calling & Purpose I Communication I Corporate I Designed Lifestyle I Faith at Work I Inspiration I Leadership I Women's Events
About Nayoka
An author, film production designer and award-winning Principal Interior Designer featured in Ebony, Essence, Business of Home, Forbes, Shoutout Atlanta, FOX 5 DC, iHeart Radio, Pandora, The Elegant Journal, Medium, she has walked the red carpet for events such as Essence Magazine and featured on the Billboard in NY Times Square. Nayoka was the featured Principal Designer for CIAA X LOWES collaborative event showcasing the Lowes Origin 21 collection. Nayoka Simone is also the CEO and Founder of NyRai Interior Designs, LLC, Black Design Magazine and Noir by NyRai luxury candles and scents featured at the MGM National Harbor. Nayoka strives to design unique interiors that will have a positive impact on her clients’ lives. She possesses a desire to create and design interiors that exceed clients’ expectations. With an eye for quality, a superior sense of style, and a client-centered approach to business, Nayoka Simone has proven herself as an innovative designer. She offers a balance of creativity, collaboration and forward thinking. She is also a home organization and declutter advocate who believes that physical clutter is sometimes a correlation with a mental clutter. She’s extremely passionate about helping individuals and organizations declutter both their physical space and mind to increase productivity.
As the previous VP of the Washington DC chapter United Women in Business (UWIB), a nonprofit organization she’s dedicated to empowering and supporting women in their professional careers. Nayoka is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where women can thrive personally and professionally. With a passion for equality, she leads initiatives that champion diversity, mentorship, skill development, and empowering women to break barriers and excel in their chosen careers. Nayoka Simone strives to create lasting impact, driving positive change for women across the organization.
In her previous role as a Wedding Planner with Exquisite Weddings by Simone. Nayoka Simone partnered with many mid-scale organizations. Overseeing the complete design of the wedding, organizing and personalizing each wedding throughout the entire planning process. She also implemented the full design concept for the wedding and reception location. Weddings are unique to each client’s vision for their dream wedding. Therefore, she ensured to personalize each wedding while maintaining continuity for each client.
Nayoka Simone's ability to develop client relationships based on respect, trust, and confidence has been the key to her success as a designer. Skilled at creating beautiful designs under a variety of budgets, styles, timeframes, and requirements, Nayoka Simone guides her clients through every phase of the design process. She remains committed to cultivating valued relationships and helping clients reach the best version of their overall vision.
Nayoka Simone, found her love designing homes in 2016, that’s when she embraced her entrepreneurial spirit, founding NyRai Interior Designs. Her mission is to assist both residential and commercial clients in creating timeless spaces. Nayoka Simone earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her daughters, shopping, and traveling worldwide for experiences and inspiration.
Featured Keynotes
Leap Anyway: Trusting God When the Path Doesn’t Make Sense
In this powerful and transparent keynote, Nayoka Simone shares how she stepped into the world of interior design with no formal training, no roadmap, and no guarantees only faith. Through personal stories of risk, doubt, and divine alignment, she reveals how trusting God beyond logic can unlock doors that preparation alone cannot. This message encourages audiences to move beyond fear, release the need for perfection, and walk boldly in the calling God has placed on their lives. Attendees will leave inspired to trust God's timing and take the leap of faith required to step into their purpose.
Faith at Work: Building What God Called You to Build
What does it look like to bring your faith into your professional life without compromise? In this keynote, Nayoka shares how she built a successful design company while allowing her faith to guide her decisions, leadership style, and vision. She speaks candidly about the challenges of entrepreneurship, navigating uncertainty, and trusting God through seasons of growth and adversity. This message equips audiences to integrate faith with their work, lead with integrity, and pursue success without losing their spiritual foundation.
Purpose Over Perfection: How God Uses the Unlikely
Many people believe they must be fully qualified before stepping into their calling but God often calls the willing before the ready. In this inspiring keynote, Nayoka shares how embracing obedience over perfection transformed her life and career. Through faith, resilience, and trusting God's plan, she built a platform that has opened doors to national media, speaking engagements, and impactful opportunities. This message reminds audiences that God can use anyone who is willing to say yes, and that purpose is often revealed through the journey, not before it begins.
