Today we’d like to introduce you to Kennadya Rodgers-Archibald.
Hi Kennadya, 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?
My entrepreneurial journey began in 2014 with the birth of my first daughter. Becoming a mother inspired me to create matching “mommy and me” designs for us, and what started as a creative outlet quickly grew into a passion for fashion, design, and entrepreneurship. As a Bahamian creative who was born and raised in The Bahamas before moving to St. Louis at 18, my work is deeply influenced by both cultures and the experiences that have shaped my adult life. That passion eventually evolved into my signature fashion brand, Foreign Unlimited by Nadya, where I create pieces inspired by culture, storytelling, and timeless design.
That passion reached a pivotal milestone in October 2019 when I opened The Passport Boutique. At the time, I had two children and a dream of creating more than just a store. I envisioned a space where creativity, fashion, culture, and community could come together, a place where people could discover unique products while supporting local creatives and small businesses. The boutique also became the home of Foreign Unlimited by Nadya, allowing me to introduce my own designs alongside the work of other talented creatives.
From the very beginning, I wanted The Passport Boutique to be a platform for others, not just myself. We welcomed local artists to display their artwork throughout the boutique, transforming the walls into a gallery that celebrated Black creatives in our community. We also hosted a Black-owned Black Friday shopping event, inviting fellow entrepreneurs to showcase their businesses and giving customers the opportunity to support multiple local brands in one space.
Only a few months after opening, the world changed. Like so many small businesses, The Passport Boutique was forced to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic, just one week after I had the opportunity to showcase Foreign Unlimited by Nadya in my first fashion show. It was heartbreaking. I had poured everything into building a business I believed in, and suddenly I had to step away before I truly had the chance to see it grow.
Instead of giving up, I used that season to grow personally and creatively. I continued designing, sewing, and creating through Foreign Unlimited by Nadya while finding new ways to keep my business alive. I also served my community by sewing face masks during the pandemic, all while raising my growing family. Along the way, I’ve been blessed with opportunities that reminded me I was on the right path, including contributing to the Sista Strut fashion production, having my work featured by Neiman Marcus, and participating in the St. Louis Juneteenth Fashion Show.
Those experiences strengthened my belief that creativity has the power to inspire, connect people, and build confidence. Today, I’m reimagining The Passport Boutique with an even bigger vision—not simply as a retail and virtual space, but as a creative hub that celebrates craftsmanship, culture, and the talents of artists, makers, and entrepreneurs. As I continue to grow, I’m embracing the opportunity to evolve not only as a fashion designer but also as the founder and creative director of Foreign Unlimited by Nadya and as an artist and creative entrepreneur.
I’m also laying the foundation for a nonprofit called Started with a Stitch, which will create opportunities for underserved communities through creativity, entrepreneurship, and community engagement. As someone whose heart is rooted in both St. Louis and The Bahamas, I hope to build something that creates lasting opportunities for both communities.
Looking back, I realize The Passport Boutique wasn’t just the beginning of my business—it was the beginning of my mission. Whether through Foreign Unlimited by Nadya, fashion, art, entrepreneurship, or community partnerships, my goal has always been to create spaces where creativity is celebrated, and people feel inspired to pursue their own dreams.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
One of the biggest challenges has been balancing entrepreneurship with motherhood. Raising four children while building a business has taught me to be flexible, resourceful, and intentional with my time. There have been moments when progress felt slow because my family naturally comes first, but those experiences have also strengthened my purpose. During that same season, I was earning my Bachelor’s degree with a double concentration at Harris-Stowe State University, beginning my double Master’s program, and carrying my fourth child, all while continuing to build my business. Looking back, I honestly don’t know how I managed it all, but it taught me just how much strength, discipline, and determination I was capable of.
I’ve also had to embrace being a beginner over and over again. As a self-taught designer, every new skill from sewing and garment construction to jewelry design and exploring new creative mediums has required patience, research, and a willingness to learn through trial and error. I’ve learned that success isn’t about getting everything right the first time; it’s about continuing to show up, grow, and improve.
Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve also faced moments of self-doubt. Building something from the ground up takes faith, consistency, and the courage to keep believing in your vision long before others can see it. Looking back, every obstacle has strengthened my resilience and reminded me why I started this journey in the first place.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At my core, I’m a creative entrepreneur, designer, and artist who loves building businesses that bring people together. Through my signature fashion brand, Foreign Unlimited by Nadya, my work spans fashion design, handmade craftsmanship, creative experiences, and community-centered projects, but everything I do is connected by one purpose: creating opportunities through creativity.
The Passport Boutique was created to be more than a retail space. From the beginning, my vision was to celebrate artists, makers, and entrepreneurs while creating a place where people could discover unique products, connect with local creatives, and experience the beauty of craftsmanship and culture. The boutique is also home to Foreign Unlimited by Nadya, where I showcase my original designs while continuing to support and highlight the work of fellow creatives. During our time in our storefront, we featured artwork from local artists throughout the boutique and hosted a Black-owned Black Friday shopping event that gave fellow entrepreneurs an opportunity to showcase their businesses. Even as the brand has evolved, that mission has remained the same.
Like many mothers, my journey also included seasons where my family needed more of me. After welcoming my sons, I intentionally stepped back to focus on raising my growing family. While I never stopped creating, my priorities shifted for a time. Now that my children are getting older, I’m excited to step out of that season and move forward with a renewed sense of purpose, bringing years of growth, new ideas, and life experiences back into my work.
Today, I’m continuing to grow that vision as a designer, artist, and creative entrepreneur through Foreign Unlimited by Nadya while laying the foundation for my nonprofit, Started with a Stitch. Through both organizations, I hope to create opportunities for underserved youth, support fellow creatives, and build meaningful connections through workshops, creative events, mentorship, and entrepreneurship.
What I’m most proud of isn’t one product or one accomplishment—it’s creating opportunities for others. Whether it’s opening doors for another artist, encouraging a young person to discover their creativity, or building spaces where people feel seen, supported, and inspired, that’s the legacy I hope to leave behind.
I believe what sets me apart is that I don’t create simply to sell products, I create to build community. Every Foreign Unlimited by Nadya collection, event, collaboration, and project is rooted in the belief that creativity has the power to connect people, celebrate culture, and inspire others to pursue their own dreams. My hope is that the work I’m building today becomes something that continues to create opportunities for generations to come.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
First and foremost, my husband has been an incredible source of support. He’s always encouraged my creativity and believed in my ideas, even when they were just dreams. Having someone who reminds you to keep going, especially during the difficult seasons, has made all the difference.
My children deserve so much credit as well. They inspire many of the things I create and constantly challenge me to think bigger. Whether I’m designing something new or developing programs through my nonprofit, Started with a Stitch, they inspire me to create opportunities for underserved youth through creativity, education, mentorship, and future scholarships. More than anything, they remind me why I’m working to build something meaningful and generational. I hope the legacy I’m creating gives them the freedom to discover their own passions, build on what I’ve started, or create a path entirely their own.
I’m also incredibly grateful for the creative community around me. Every customer who has supported my work, every fellow entrepreneur who has shared advice, every local artist who trusted me enough to display their work in The Passport Boutique, and every person who has encouraged me along the way has played a role in my journey. Building a business can feel lonely at times, but I’ve learned that community is one of the greatest gifts an entrepreneur can have.
Finally, I’m thankful for my faith and for the example set by the strong women in my family who came before me. I was raised by women who embodied resilience, entrepreneurship, and service, and those values continue to guide me today. Their strength taught me to keep moving forward through both the exciting moments and the difficult ones, and that foundation continues to give me the courage to keep creating, learning, and believing in what’s possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thepassportboutique.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nadyathecreator/
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/Vid-ub-n7oI
- Other: https://youtu.be/kIiiFjul6Ss?si=c3VWXvYoUUP-ueSe
Image Credits
Church Pinkston
Roderick Evans
Craig Currie
