Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamara Mckinney
Hi Tamara, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started my business in 2017, This is when I realized fashion was my calling. Since childhood, I’ve loved fashion and clothing, creating clothing out of household items. I learned how to sew with a sewing machine when I was 14 years old further fueling my love for the fashion world. I’ve been sewing and within fashion for over 10 years, And I now use my knowledge and talents to teach and share with others. I’m a recent 2024 Fashion Design Graduate, seamstress, designer, and educator. I enjoy every opportunity and the path I’m on within my fashion career.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
All great things do not come easily, You have to work hard and remain strong to get your desired dream. Being in business for so many years now I have learned a lot of different things. I have found a lot of information within myself that helps me grow and build my business. It has not been the smoothest road but that’s okay because I persevered through and still thrive. I think one of the biggest struggles in the beginning was trying to take advice from too many people instead of steering in my lane. I’ve paid for resources and talked to different people. I also went to classes to realize that the things they discussed did not work for me and my business. So one of the biggest struggles was finding out who I was and what I wanted for my brand.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’ve been a seamstress for a few years now and it has had ups and downs but I enjoy what I do. Sometimes it becomes a bit much but overall I’m very proud of what I do. Not only do I sew but I also teach and guide those who require an understanding of fashion and what fashion is along with teaching others how to sew. My day job is a seamstress and in my small business. I am everything, a fashion designer, a teacher, a seamstress, a pattern maker, and so many more titles. I even call myself a student as I enjoy learning new things, allowing myself to learn to become better every day. Some days are hard because I don’t believe in myself as much as others believe me but that comes with being an artist and a creative. I know that I’m good at what I do and I know that I can only grow to better at what I do. I don’t let any struggles or bad thoughts stop me, I take everything as a lesson and I take that lesson and I learn from it. I don’t run from it I allow myself to soak in that lesson and learn how to create a solution or solve the problem. It took me getting older to understand that fashion wasn’t just something I enjoyed. It is a full part of me I love fashion in every aspect not just the clothing but the math, the engineering, the science every part of fashion runs through my veins. This is where my confidence shifted understanding what I love and why I love it changed my perspective. I started my business because fashion called to me. I thought I wanted to be an interior designer but fashion design always came back to me It never left. It’s a part of me that I know I could never get rid of because that is my calling and my truth. I will stand in it. Once I realized this, that’s where my clothing brand came from it started in 2017 I started my brand “Skinflints Closet”. If you would like to know why I named my brand, there is an about me section on my website that explains where the name came from. I just want the world to know who I am, what I do, and why I love what I do. I don’t need to be rich or too famous I just want to be wealthy in what I do and as long as it makes me happy and I am making a change in my community with others by teaching them the things I love that’s what makes me happy and that’s where I want my brand to lie in. I don’t want people to just know me for clothing I want people to know me for more. I want people to learn about fashion beyond just clothing.
What does success mean to you?
I define success as a person’s true inner happiness. Always do what makes you happiest.
Pricing:
- $200+ Custom Garments
- $300+ Wedding Day Stylist
- $500+ Freelance Product Designer
- $60+ hr. Fashion instructor
- Contact for Sewing Lesson Pricing
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.Skinflintscloset.com
- Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/SkinflintsCloset
- Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/SkinflintsCloset
- Twitter: https://www.X.com/SkinflintCloset
Image Credits
photographers @ishotwithpanda @t.lucas willieMiller-@majestic.photosnc Suzanne Snuggs Photography Mkphotographydesigns Owens Daniels
