Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaie Tatum.
Hi Jaie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I think I’ll start with the fact my story hasn’t been easy, but it has definitely been a blessing. Stories tend to have a beginning, middle, end and plot, right? Well, when I speak of mine, I like to think of my story as a constant continuation… a sequel maybe! (*laughing*) I say this because I don’t see my story ever ending or, actually, I hope it never ends. I hope to continue experiencing different pages every day. I am so blessed to have been able to take my dreams that were just ideas at one point and make them into something that is bigger than myself. I have worked so hard to create my story and I am so enamored with the fact that I was able to see my ideas come to fruition. My clothing line, besides my son, friends and family are my biggest blessing. I’ll always have the drive to continue doing something I love, not only for me but for everyone else on this journey with me. I’ve had many ups and downs, celebrated many victories and took a few losses, but naturally that’s life and I’m grateful for all that I’ve experienced when it comes to being an entrepreneur, host, model, podcast voice, etc. My positives always outweigh my negatives and I’m just blessed to be at the place I am today. God willing, I will have many many more pages to add to my story.
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?
Definitely. I, at no point, want to come off as a person who acts or seems like I haven’t experienced any challenges while on my entrepreneurial journey because I have come in contact with many. My good always outweighs my bad, but the bad has definitely kicked my butt a few times. (*laughing*) I have experienced things such as vendor issues, products not being produced in a way that fits my personal definition of quality, being really just overwhelmed, facing MANY deadlines looming over my head, and a plethora of other things. There is a condensed version of something that happened to me when I was first starting out that was not funny THEN, but is hilarious now that I love to share with people to express things I’ve gone through. I actually took on clientele who were pre-ordering products that weren’t even in the works for manufacturing yet just because I was so excited that my clothing line was getting the exposure I had wanted. I look back and wonder what in the world was I doing selling something I didn’t even have made, at all, with no vendor, no article of clothing to make it with, etc! NOW THAT was a challenge, but you always have to take a chance on yourself if you see a goal and dream written in the stars for you!
All-in-all, I am so grateful to say every challenge I have ever faced to this day has worked out in the end. Challenges will never disappear, but a positive outlook will always help me overcome them. I’ve also learned plenty of lessons along the way, but the main lesson I have learned is, nothing that is worth having comes easy. No matter what you want in life, especially dreams of a large undertaking like owning a business, mean you will have to put in a ton of work. Like I said a couple of minutes back, another lesson I learned is, challenges will always always always come up and preparation is key. Just be ready at all times to work hard. There will be a point where you can rest and reap your benefits, but always be ready to put in hard work for what truly means something to you. In retrospect, my timeline hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it. In retrospect, my journey definitely has been smoother than I’d thought it’d be, but my team I have behind me is who I owe that credit to. They make sure I am good at all times and everyone is always there when I need them no matter what, so I am blessed in that sense.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’d just like to share that my clothing line, regardless of how important it is to me, is not the only thing I would like to be known for. I’d like people to know that I’m a woman of many hats. I want to present myself as a positive figure in my community who lends a hand to any person, business owner, a small business looking for exposure, bigger businesses than mine look to network with me, etc. I want people to know that if there are opportunities out there, I want to push myself to take them. I’ve been so blessed to be a model for other businesses, a podcast personality beside amazing other people, a host for many fun events and so much more. I genuinely love working with others and love any open doors and opportunities out there for me. I truly believe in being a community and working together. At the end of the day, I want to be known as someone that others can always go to.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Happiness is being able to wake up every day doing something I love, showing those who have a dream similar to mine that it’s possible, making clothes for people to feel comfortable in their own skin, loving those who love me, helping those who’ve helped me. Happiness means many things to me and all having nothing to do with materialism, regardless if I have a “clothing line,” or not. Happiness to me is being able to show my son he can accomplish anything he puts his mind to and that he can be a successful man, day in and day out. He is truly who I do this for. I work so hard because I’m his role model. He is truly the one who keeps me going and reminds me why I do this thing called life every day. He is my happiness and knowing I’m raising an amazing young man makes me happy. I could have nothing in this world besides him and my definition of happiness would solely be his existence.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jaieboo.com
- Instagram: jaieboo & jaieboodaheartbreaker
- Facebook: jaieboo tatum & jaieboodaheartbreaker
- Twitter: jaieboo
- SoundCloud: jaieboo
