Joy Ifeoma Egbejimba

Joy Ifeoma Egbejimba, born in Nigeria, was the eldest of eight siblings and grew up in the city of Port Harcourt. Her life took a beautiful turn when she met her husband on February 6, 1993, and they embarked on a beautiful lifelong journey together. They exchanged vows on December 23, 1995, in a memorable triple wedding ceremony alongside Jude's brother John and cousin Josiah. The joyous occasion was held in a basketball stadium to ensure all their loved ones were fully accommodated.

After their marriage, Joy relocated to Seattle to be with Jude, starting a new chapter in their lives. She pursued her academic aspirations and completed her bachelor's degree in accounting from Central Washington University. Her exceptional skills with numbers propelled her career, as she thrived in various roles in Accounting, Finance, and Auditing across diverse industries such as Aerospace, Telecommunications, Healthcare, and Energy and Natural Gas. With a desire for continuous growth, Joy pursued a Master's degree from Seattle University's prestigious Leadership and Executive MBA program.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Joy was a visionary entrepreneur. She established her own premium handbag manufacturing business, Nuciano, which offered luxury-quality leather handbags and crystal clutches at affordable prices. Through Nuciano, Joy aimed to bridge the gap between luxury and affordability, empowering women to express their individuality through high-quality, exquisite accessories. With her keen eye for design, Joy created thousands of concepts, sketches, and technical drawings, sourcing materials from around the world to bring her product visions to life. Managing collaborations across different time zones, she navigated design, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, and quality control with remarkable skill and attention to detail.

Under the Nuciano brand, Joy designed and produced numerous lines of handbags and accessories that gained recognition both nationally and internationally. Her creations graced the runways of fashion capitals such as Seattle, London, New York, and Boston. Nuciano handbags found their way into prestigious retail channels, including department stores in London, Dubai, and the United States. Joy expanded her business to Africa, proudly showcasing Nuciano in Nigeria and Ghana. Her talent and dedication were acknowledged by the industry, and she received multiple design awards, including the prestigious Fan Favorite award at the 2018 Independent Handbag Designer Awards.

Joy's exceptional journey culminated in the fusion of her professional and creative sides. Her experience at Seattle University's Leadership and Executive MBA program empowered her to build Nuciano from the ground up. The 2017 Seattle University business plan competition awarded Nuciano a Special Recognition - Runner-Up prize, praising its leather bags that seamlessly transitioned from a woman's desk-to-dinner companion and the dazzling crystal clutches that exuded a million-dollar look without the hefty price tag.

Joy Ifeoma Egbejimba was a remarkable young lady whose life was a testament to love, kindness, and selflessness. Beyond her entrepreneurial pursuits, Joy was actively involved in several non-profit organizations, dedicating her time and expertise to make a positive impact and giving back to the community. She mentored countless individuals, sharing her expertise in leadership, business, and entrepreneurship, while also organizing events to facilitate learning and pay it forward. Joy also served as an advisory board member of the accounting studies department at Bellevue College.

Joy's legacy extends far beyond her professional achievements. She was a devoted wife to Jude, and loving mother to her boys, TJ and Jordan, whom she groomed into exceptional young men. Her dedication to family was evident in every aspect of her life, and she created a nurturing and supportive environment for her loved ones. Her genuine love, kindness, and infectious laughter brought joy to all who knew her.

Please share your fondest memories of Joy as a keepsake for the Egbejimba family. Thank you for your support, God bless you.