Today we’d like to introduce you to Bisa Lewis.
Bisa, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was naturally blessed with full lips long before they became a trend. During my elementary and middle school years, my peers would often poke fun at my “big lips.” Daring in nature, I took on this criticism as a challenge and would apply Vaseline and lip-gloss to make my lips shine and stand out even more.
By my preteen years, I was confidently embracing my full lips and enjoying the compliments from peers, especially the boys. 😀 I found joy in lipwear, experimenting with a variety of colors and textures to express my unique trait. As I reached the teenage years, I often used my allowance and money earned from babysitting to purchase even more lipwear products. I would make up my dolls and make up myself, applying assorted lip colors while singing in the mirror. As I grew older and as beauty trends advanced to embrace diverse cultures, I continued to experiment exploring different lipwear application techniques.
In the mid-1990s, while I was teaching first grade, I accepted a direct-selling beauty business opportunity and became an Independent Beauty Consultant. As I learned more about the value of the beauty industry, I eventually grew my business and advanced to the level of Independent Sales Director, earning three career cars and higher monthly income than I’ve ever experienced, even as a college administrator…
Now north of age 50, I’m enjoying this day and time when the beauty industry has exploded! Women are just now exploring techniques I played around with and received compliments for back in the early 1990s. Over the years, I have purchased more lipwear than I can adequately store… And it’s still difficult to find colors that look AND feel natural on my lips with skincare benefits.
In 2023, I grew tired of spending thousands of dollars per year on lipstick and lip glosses, from home-shopping channels to expensive department stores, and still not finding or feeling what I wanted and needed. As women of color, we like to know products are made with our diverse beauty needs and skin tones in mind. This path led to the creation of the B Tamu, where my journey is at the heart of our brand, celebrating beauty as a source of confidence, not conformity.
B Tamu stems from my birth name, Bisa Tamu, which means “Prosperity in the Future.” My father carefully and intentionally chose my name, believing the meaning of a child’s name is connected to life’s path and manifestation.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There were two big struggles of starting my beauty business: (1) How can I make my product stand out from others? (2) How can I afford the manufacturing of quality formulas with cruelty-free ingredients? Thank goodness I waited until 2023 to start my own beauty company…
Along with major advancements in technology, a plethora of opportunities are available to support private label products – in a variety of ways and in many industries. It took me a while, but I was finally able to secure formulas privately manufactured to look good, feel good and include ingredients that provide moisture and skin care benefits. The ingredients in B Tamu’s beauty products, in addition to the personal brand I’ve personally built over the last three decades, enabled my company to boast a successful launch in February 2023 – the week before Valentine’s Day. We continue to enjoy an increase in clientele and monthly sales. Our customers express high satisfaction with our products, primarily the way the lip colors feel on their skin and the assortment of colors.
Aside from securing the quality manufacturing of fairly unique and healthy formulas, I struggled with graphic designing of the logo, product labels, and artwork to prepare for a new website and business launch. My marketing team saved the day by stepping up to ensure all the needed files were available to design a new company brand and create a stunning website. It truly pays to work with small businesses because they often understand your plight and resonate with the challenges of starting a new business with limited resources. White I believe in paying everyone what they deserve, I find value in companies who work from a vantage of passion and equity.
Thankfully, I did not experience some of the struggles in my previous education companies founded in 2000 and 2008 because technology has advanced with a wide variety of opportunities to access and hire professionals to complete daily business tasks and provide necessary services.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about B Tamu Beauty?
My professional background lies in early childhood and adult education. I am a best-selling author, public speaker, philanthropist, and a successful serial entrepreneur. With a rich educational background, including a Doctorate, two master’s degrees, and a diverse career spanning from classroom teacher to college administration, I consider myself a well-rounded individual with experiences engaging with diverse individuals around the globe.
A passionate advocate for self-love, education, equity, and empowerment, I founded the B Tamu beauty brand as the culmination of a lifelong journey of self-discovery and celebration of the uniqueness of each individual. Our ultimate goal? Elevating your vibration to enhance your natural beauty.
At B Tamu, we believe beauty is more than skin deep. It’s an elevation of your vibrational energy – a celebration of your natural elegance. Each product is crafted with care, embodying our values of trust, inclusivity, and quality. B Tamu is about looking good so you can feel good and do good. We recognize positive energy manifests positive results.
Our products are designed for the modern woman – complex, ever-changing, and always on the go. Quick to apply, long-lasting, and made with ingredients that care for you. With B Tamu, every application is a step towards a more prosperous future.
We promise more than just exceptional products; we promise a commitment to integrity, inclusivity, and quality. We offer a range of cruelty-free products, including vegan, paraben-free, gluten-free, and EU-compliant formulas designed with your well-being in mind because we believe in beauty that cares. With B Tamu, you’re not just enhancing your external appearance; you’re nurturing your inner self, boosting your confidence, and elevating your daily life.
At B Tamu, we seek to infuse my deep understanding of education, nurturing, and empowerment into every product. Our team ensures the brand reflects my integrity, experience, and dedication to inclusivity and quality. As a global speaker and mother of two adult sons who are college graduates working in their respective industries, my life’s work resonates with the mission of B Tamu — to elevate every individual’s natural beauty, aligning with their inner power while remaining culturally sensitive.
I invite others to experience B Tamu beauty products, which embody trust, quality, and a journey of self-discovery. This company is truly grounded in my life story. Each product is a testament to our journey of enhancing natural beauty while fostering a sense of community and respect for diverse cultures. Our approach is not just about looking good but feeling empowered and connected.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory is selling various products to my peers, primarily candy and gum. I also styled hair and produced shows/musicals in our backyards with my sister and friends. Of course, a fee was charged for all services and productions. Unbeknownst to me, I’ve been an entrepreneur for most of my life. Living an entrepreneurial lifestyle has enabled me to enjoy regular treasures and travels, even when I was only earning minimum wage working in a restaurant from ages 13-20 and making even less babysitting as a teenager.
As an adult, it’s been a pleasure learning how to officially launch and scale businesses, enjoying multiple streams of income.
Pricing:
- Lip Liners: $14
- Lip Glosses: $16
- Liquid Lipstick: $18
- Creme and Matte Lipsticks: $20
- Lip Care Essentials: $14-$18
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.btamubeauty.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/btamubeauty
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/btamubeauty/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@btamubeauty
Image Credits
OMS Studios
