Meet Tiaria “TeeTee” Johnson of FabFramez in Lagrange

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiaria Johnson.

Tiaria, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Hello, my name is Tiaria Johnson and I am the owner of FabFramez. The home of the fun, fashionable & affordable sunglasses! Born and raised in Lanett, Alabama. It’s a small town on the GA/AL state line. I am based out of Lagrange, GA but I live in the Atlanta area. I started out back in 2018 wanting to do more in life than working my 12 hours seven days a week job, that I hated. I knew working for someone else just wasn’t for me. I had to do something! So I made myself my own boss rather than listening to one. It all started just by posting on Facebook! I knew nothing about running a business, I just stepped out on a prayer and asking my mom, who has runned a wedding planning business for many years for help.

My first drop was March 19th, 2018 after losing my great grandmother who was 93 years old. Before her passing, she used to always tell me to do what makes you happy so I consider myself doing that in her memory. I posted my first pair of shades on Facebook and it went crazy! I had so many people from all over wanting to buy fabframez. As the months went by, my life flashed before my eyes. In May of 2018, me and my four-year-old son were in a life-changing car accident. I was traveling down 85 south when another driver clipped me sending us airborne over four lanes, having my car rolling over down an embankment leaving me with a broken pelvis, a broken sacrum, airbag burns and glass cuts from having to kick the door open to save me and my son. Yup, can we say traumatic! My son walked away with no injuries just a few minor scratches but no broken bones or fractures. If you ask him today he says “an angel saved us”.

As the word got out, I had my city praying and my family as well. I was down for seven long months not being able to walk. I was confined to my room, and my way of getting around was a wheelchair and a walker. I fell into a deep depression and felt myself giving up. As all of this was happening, I still had my business to run. I had just started. It was my 2nd month in and I couldn’t give up. I used to have events every weekend to sell my framez called “pop up shops”. With me being in the accident, I lost my job so FabFramez was all I had left. I had pop up shops every weekend in a wheelchair doing what I had to do. I didn’t stop! Going through recovery, I graduated to crutches so I was more mobile.

From March until October I went to Lagrange every weekend making the best of my situation. My first year I made 10,000 dollars selling sunglasses. Only sunglasses! I was amazed and shocked at the same time because I never knew I would take over in such a way like I did. I took a break in November up until January to learn more about the business world and to find out more ways to market, more ways to gain customers, and more ways to make money. I even learned the legal side of running a business because I knew I was about to do way more in 2019.

In March 2019 I opened my first store! I had been quiet about it and just let my social media know that it was about to be a grand opening for FABFRAMEZ. I had people from everywhere come out to support me and I sold out within the first two hours. I still can’t believe it! My first store has been a success. Like any business owner, I faced some adversities but not enough to quit or give up. I love what I do and I love seeing my customer’s whole mood change just by placing a pair of framez on. You have to see it to believe it! In closing, This year I gained customers from Texas, New Orleans, Florida and evening New York just to name a few just by doing better marketing skills! I’m just a small-town girl from Alabama who wanted more out of life. I’ve learned a lot just by being a two-year business owner. It’s not about what you sell, it’s how you sell it and how you sell yourself.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No, it has not but the good outweighs the bad. Some of my struggles have been balancing being a mom and an entrepreneur. Sometimes I’m open late or I am gone every weekend at my store so that means no playtime with mommy! Another struggle I would have to say is that it’s hard to stay stocked. No matter how many pairs I have, I always sell out! It’s a good thing but it’s all coming together.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about FabFramez – what should we know?
I specialize in selling sunglasses better known as FabFramez for women, men and children. I’m known for my famous slogan “Shop Fabframez” & my affordability! Yup, I try to make my products affordable for everyone especially being based in a small town! I market so that everyone will be able to buy a pair of shades. I’m most proud of my clientele! It grows over time just by word of mouth. I have met so many people within the last two years just by being the girl who sells sunglasses! I think my style and taste of framez set me out from others just by keeping up with the latest trends and my customer’s request. I try to have new arrivals every week.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Hmmm. I would have to say my mom is my biggest fan besides my family and friends. I have a mom like non-other. She is always two steps ahead of me when it comes to anything that I need. She has helped me in so many ways that saying thank you is never enough. She showed me all the legal sides of having a business and is always pushing me to go harder! Shouts Out to her! Also, I have a great partner by the name of Wesley Bailey who helped me in any way that I needed help with. He has seen me start from the bottom, literally. My customers play a big role as well! I build relationships with them along the way.

Pricing:

• $10.00 men and women fabframez
• $5.00 kids framez
• $5.00 FABBANDZ

Contact Info:

• Address: 2170 West Point Rd Suite 33 Lagrange GA 30240
• Website: Www.fabframez.com
• Phone: 470-316-3377
• Email: info@fabframez.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/fabframez
• Facebook: Facebook.com/fabframez

Image Credit:
Alexia Hugely (Brand Ambassador)
Demone Mason (Detailed Imagez)

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