My name is Belinda Reid. I am a native from the streets of "Brick City" aka Newark, NJ but I lived my childhood in "The Valley of the Sun" -  Phoenix, AZ.  Which is a crazy combination and that's not even half, since I was raised by my mother, who is a school teacher and a strict Muslim.  Returning back to Newark my senior yr of highschool, is where I encountered many challeges, but ultimately it shaped me into who I am today. In spite of those obstacles, I managed to graduate from Essex County College and Rutger's University. At the age of 43, I am the mother of two beautiful daughters, and one lovely grandson.  I have always had a passion for fashion, food and traveling since I was a toddler. I can recall my mother packing us into the station wagon and driving across country for family vacations. She can vouch that I would go without if I wasn't able to have the specific name brand of my choosing, stubborn Capricorn.  As well as, she can also tell you I was able to cook cornbread from scratch in the 2nd grade. But enough about my mother, this is MY bio. LOL.

 

All of my life, I have lusted for designer brands, which are inside of all the top fashion magazines. As well as, I have been a foodie since birth even though I am as skinny as a twig.  In 2003, I began in the fashion industry with an internship with Vibe magazine. I was the assistant of the web design manager Reggie Miller,  where I helped develop creative content. As well as, I assisted Vibe's creative director Dwayne Shaw at fashion shows, private celebrity events and Vibe's annual conference. After the completion of the internship, my thirst for fashion was intensely multiplied. I styled my close friends, acquantances and associates. as well as upcoming local artists in the NY/NJ area. I also made some choice decisions, which landed me into trouble with the law. You name it, I have done it - in some capacity or another. From boosting to scamming. Forget about it (in my heavy Italian accent),  but we are all a work in progress and far from perfect.

 

 After much turmoil and drama, I moved to Atlanta, GA  when my mother relocated to the "Peach State", as you can tell I am a momma's girl. I took the next step towards my career goals and  founded mkuustyling.com, a life-style blog. MKUU imeans Ultimate in Swahili. Since I am proud of my African heritage and take pride in my work. I felt the name was definitely appropiate. And my family opened a Halal BBQ/ Soul food spot "Shujah's Bar-B-Q" in Little Five Points, which is an eclectic artistic/ theatre/ shopping district in Atlanta.  I honed in on my skills as a stylist and increased my client list and I also assisted my mom at her restaurant. But old habits die hard, and I eventually ran into the same type of trouble unfortunately, because I am extremely hard-headed. After Dekalb County Sheriff's dept knocked on my mother's door, I high-tailed it out of Georgia and decided to head back to NJ. Upon doing so, I came to the realization that you can't outrun your problems. It's really better to face them head on, which is what I was ultimately forced to do.

 

I finally straightened out all of my legal woes and I decided put a stop to all of the shenanigans.  I am currently expanding my brand and collaborating with other creatives in the Newark, NJ area. I have graduated from the Newark Business HUB, an affiliate of Rutger's Business School CUEED program, which offers creative entreprenuers an opportunity to build their businesses through workshops and collaborations.  I also decided to expand MKUU brand by incorporating a boutique and styling services to my website. The boutique has items procurred exclusively from sample sales in NYC.  So I am able to give my customer one of a kind pieces at a tremendous discount.  And MKUU styling services provide clients with the ultimate styling experience from head to toe. My flare for fashion and my no holds-barred access to all of the exclusive sample sales, boutiques and shops in the NYC - Metro  area gives my clients an advantage above the rest. I just want to provide my followers to have an opportunity to view a snapshot of my world. Far from perfect but striving everyday to pursue my passion. MKUU....