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Charlotte is a city brimming with newcomers.

By some estimates, about 120 people move here daily, making it one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities.

Latoya Friday arrived from Queens, New York, a year ago, and she wants a fresh start to grow her boutique business. 

Occupation: nail tech and owner of Imacculate Appeal, a clothing store boutique that sell mostly female clothing.

What are some of your hobbies?

 I’m a very creative person. I love to draw. I love to paint. I love to make my own clothes. I also make lip glosses. I’m just very creative and I’m a woman of many hats.

What brought you here?

I just got tired of New York and decided it was time for a better move. When I was in New York, I became an entrepreneur in 2018 when I first started selling eyelashes for the girls and expanded my business to an online boutique. I took a break for a while but now that I’m in Charlotte, I’m trying to grow my shop here with a brick-and-mortar location.

What do you like best about Charlotte?

 I love the hospitality here.  I’m from New York, so everybody’s so aggressive but here people speak and say hello. That’s what I do love the most.  I also like the opportunity it offers for entrepreneurs just being able to connect , make a name for yourself and blossom.

What do you like least?

I would have to say the inconsistent support of people. As a entrepreneur, people will say they are rooting for you, smile in your face but soon after they are disloyal. I would say my biggest issue would be finding people who are really willing to support me.

How do you hope to get involved in the community?

I want to go to more pop-up shops. I want to network and attend more networking shops. I would love to meet more Charlotte natives, people who are new and even people who are just visiting. I would love to just rub elbows with everybody, get my shop out there and let everybody know I’m here.

What’s been your most memorable moment since moving here?

I actually don’t have one yet. I feel like my most memorable moment is going to be me cutting my ribbon April 9th for my store because this is what I always wanted. My store will be in a suite that may not be huge but we gotta crawl before we walk so I’m so excited about this next chapter.

Editor’s note: Are you new to the Charlotte area (18 months or less)? Click here to share your story.