Turning Reinvention Into Opportunity
Meet Nafeesa Akbar, M.Ed.—educator, counselor and entrepreneur turning her own reinvention into a mission to empower women.
Some stories simply can’t be told in one article. That’s why this week’s Montco ProBiz Spotlight on Nafeesa Akbar, M.Ed. is the first of a special two-part series.

With more than a decade of experience as an educator and counselor, Nafeesa has reinvented herself through some of life’s toughest moments—and turned those experiences into purpose.

Following a traumatic divorce that challenged her confidence and sense of identity, she began rebuilding. That journey inspired Authentically Her, her apparel and lifestyle brand created to encourage women navigating their own difficult transitions.

“My business grew out of my own rebuilding.” — Nafeesa Akbar

But rebuilding herself was only the beginning.

Nafeesa continued developing as an entrepreneur, learning how to transform an idea into a business, pursue growth and position a company for funding. Her journey even earned national recognition when she was selected from thousands of entrepreneurs to appear on Season 17 of The Blox.

“The experiences, challenges, and lessons that have shaped me can become part of something that inspires and empowers other people.” — Nafeesa Akbar

Today, Nafeesa is using what she has learned to help other women create their own next chapter.

Connect With Nafeesa
Website: authenticallyher.com
Instagram: @AuthenticallyHer | @_theempress1115
TikTok: @akbartheempress
Facebook: Nafeesa Abdul-Akbar | 

Coming next week in Part 2: How Nafeesa and Opulent Endeavors Academy are helping women move from idea to business—and from business owner to funded entrepreneur.

Willow Grove Park Mall is preparing for a change in ownership — and that could be worth watching for Montgomery County shoppers and businesses.

The mall is expected to be sold to a partnership of three New York-based firms. While a sale doesn’t necessarily mean big changes are coming immediately, new ownership can sometimes bring fresh investment, new tenants or even different ideas for how a property is used.

That makes this more than just a real estate deal.

Willow Grove Park Mall has long been a major shopping destination in eastern Montgomery County, surrounded by restaurants, businesses and busy roadways. What happens there can have an impact beyond the mall itself.

Across the country, malls have been reinventing themselves as shopping habits change. Some are adding entertainment, restaurants, services and other experiences that give people more reasons to visit.

The big question for Willow Grove: Will new owners keep things mostly the same — or could a new chapter be coming?

For local shoppers and business owners, this is one property worth keeping an eye on.

Businesses are learning how to sell to people and their digital assistants.

Imagine someone saying, “Find me a plumber near Lansdale with good reviews and reasonable prices.” Instead of searching Google and comparing websites, their AI assistant may do the work for them.

That future is arriving fast.  AI assistants are becoming more capable of researching businesses, comparing options, answering shopping questions and helping people decide where to spend their money.

For Montgomery County small businesses, that creates a new challenge: Will AI know your business exists?

A beautiful website may no longer be enough. Business information needs to be clear and consistent online—your services, location, hours, prices when appropriate, reviews and contact information. The easier that information is for technology to understand, the better chance your business has of appearing when an AI assistant makes a recommendation.

Think of it as the next generation of SEO.

Businesses spent years trying to get noticed by Google. Now they may also need to get noticed by AI.  The next customer walking through your door might have been sent there by a robot. 

Let’s clear up one misconception: you don’t have to become vegan to enjoy vegan food.

Think of it as adding something new to your plate rather than taking everything you love away.

A hearty bowl of pasta with roasted tomatoes and garlic, black bean tacos piled with avocado and salsa, vegetable curry over rice, or a loaded baked potato can all be satisfying meals without meat or dairy. Chances are, you already eat some plant-based dishes without calling them “vegan.”

Start With One Meal
Instead of overhauling your refrigerator, try swapping just one meal this week. Order a veggie burger, make tacos with seasoned beans instead of beef, or try oat milk in your morning coffee. And August is a pretty good time to experiment.

Pennsylvania farm stands and markets are overflowing with tomatoes, corn, peppers, zucchini, peaches and other produce that can turn a simple dinner into something worth talking about.

The goal isn’t perfection or a new label.

It’s simply to dig in, try something different, and maybe discover a new favorite.

Next week: We’ll keep the series going with another bite-sized way to explore plant-based eating.

Montgomery County’s summer of 2026 brings a packed schedule of family-friendly events and lively entertainment options.

The Valley Beach Summer Entertainment Series returns to Valley Forge Casino Resort, featuring poolside fun with live bands, karaoke, and Latin dance nights from Memorial Day Weekend through August.

Enjoy live music every Thursday at King of Prussia Town Center during the Live Music on the Green series, showcasing local talent outdoors all summer long.

Upper Merion’s Concerts Under the Stars celebrates its 40th season, running May to October with both tribute performers and touring artists.

Younger residents can dive into STEAM activities at Snapology of King of Prussia or explore ongoing recreational events at the Montgomery Township Community and Recreation Center.

We remember the floors, countertops and bathroom. But what about ceiling fans, baseboards, light switches, door frames and the space hiding underneath furniture?

Those easily overlooked areas can collect plenty of dust and grime over time. And as summer winds down and schedules begin getting busier, now is a great time to give your home a little reset.

One simple trick? Pick one forgotten area each week instead of trying to tackle everything in one exhausting cleaning marathon.  And when the list gets longer than the time you have available, that’s where a professional cleaning service can come in handy.

Montco Cleaning Pros serves Montgomery County and the surrounding area residents who would rather spend their valuable time enjoying their homes than constantly cleaning them.Because sometimes a fresh start begins with a clean space.