Today we’d like to introduce you to T’keyah Smith.
Hi T’keyah, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Dope Kraftz started back in May 2021, a year after the pandemic started; I was thinking of ways to bring in an extra income and that’s when I thought of making creative/cool ashtrays. I like to partake in 4/20 festivities, so whenever I’d use an ashtray I would always think to myself “These are so boring, I want a cute ashtray to ash in” and that’s how I came up with Dope Kraftz. It started out as me solely making ashtrays and later expanded to me making more than just that! I got to where I am today by continuing to perfect my craft by never giving up and continuing to keep going even though there’s been plenty of days where I’ve wanted to throw in the towel. But what keeps me going is God’s grace and the vision that I’ve created for myself. I see Dope Kraftz somewhere in big letters one day and that is where I’m striving to be.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, I don’t believe anything is meant to be easy. I’m a firm believer in anything worth having is worth fighting for. A few struggles I’m having as an entrepreneur is managing my social media content and attracting more customers. I’m still exploring ways to showcase my work in creative ways to grasp my audience’s attention. Making content for your business is not easy as people make it seem, and it’s extremely time-consuming. But practice makes perfect, so I’ll keep trying until I finally get it right where I need it to be.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I call myself a “resin artist”. I specialize in creating custom molds made of out of epoxy resin. Epoxy is a chemical compound, so I have to wear PPE equipment while I’m making each item otherwise it can be hazardous to my skin and lungs. It sounds scary but it’s not, trust me! I’m fairly new to the art world and epoxy world, Dope Kraftz has only been in the game for two years, so we’re still trying new things and finding out what works and doesn’t. We specialize in creating handmade keychains, rolling trays, ashtrays, grinders, coaster sets, decorative items, picture molds, and so much more. You name it, we got it.
What I’m proud of the most is the growth that Dope Kraftz has had. I can see how much I’ve improved in my work within the past year. The first piece I ever created isn’t touching what I can create today. I love to see the progress and outcome of each item I create, it makes me happy, it’s what keeps me going and wanting to make more.
What sets me apart from others is my authenticity and uniqueness. Dope Kraftz is real and raw, our top priority is serving our customers and ensuring they’re ALWAYS satisfied. Every art piece is different from the others and I always take my time. If I don’t like how something turned out, I will redo it and resin is NOT cheap to buy! I’m a perfectionist.
What are your plans for the future?
Dope Kraftz has so many plans and goals that you guys will have to wait and see what’s in store; however, I will say that I hope to see Dope Kraftz’ art being displayed in someone’s storefront or some of my custom coasters inside of a restaurant one day! We’re prepared for whatever God has in store for us.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/dopekraftz?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Facebook: T’keyah Johnson
