Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiliwannia Thompson.
Hi Tiliwannia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
So a little bit about my journey… I’ve been a licensed cosmetologist since 1998, but my path hasn’t been straight or predictable. When my kids were little, I did hair off and on, and eventually I stepped into Corporate America for stability. Even then, I still did hair here and there, mostly for family, because that passion never really left.
At one point, I opened my own salon in Morrow, Georgia, and ran that for a while. But life shifted again, and I went back to Corporate. So hair has always been in my life, but in different seasons — sometimes full-time, sometimes paused, and sometimes just quietly in the background.
In 2017, I got into making cupcakes and treats, and people loved them. It reminded me that I’ve always been creative in more than one way.
A little later, I started playing around with popcorn — not the regular kind, but infused popcorn. I created flavors made with Hennessy, Ciroc, and Patron — fun, grown-up flavors — and I actually sold them on Etsy. And those orders came in consistently. That was really the first sign that popcorn could be something bigger.
Eventually, I shifted into gourmet popcorn for everybody — kids, families, events, fundraisers — and that’s when The Popcorn Box Atlanta started coming to life. What began as unique, infused popcorn on Etsy grew into full-blown flavors, holiday boxes, pop-ups, and now a fundraising platform.
At the same time, hair called me back. I became Microloc Mastery certified, and now I have a private in-home salon suite where I service clients by appointment only. Balancing both beauty and gourmet popcorn honestly feels like the best representation of who I am — creative, hands-on, and purpose-driven.
So today, I’m a licensed cosmetologist with over 20 years of experience, a microloc specialist, and the owner of a growing gourmet popcorn brand. My journey has had pauses, pivots, restarts, and new beginnings, but every single part of it led me right here.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road. My journey has had a lot of pauses, pivots, and full restarts. When my kids were small, I did hair off and on, and eventually I stepped into corporate America for stability. I even owned a salon in Morrow for a period of time, but life shifted and I returned to corporate again.
Every transition meant I had to rebuild from the ground up. And even now, after becoming Microloc Mastery Certified, I’m still in a season of re-establishing myself in the hair industry and proving myself again to clients and the market.
On the popcorn side, I went from treats, to infused popcorn on Etsy, to now running a full gourmet popcorn and fundraising brand — and none of that came without trial and error, financial setbacks, and moments of doubt.
So no, the road hasn’t been smooth. But every challenge has taught me resilience, patience, and how to grow through each stage. Those experiences are a big part of what shaped me into the entrepreneur I am today.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My business is actually a blend of two worlds that both reflect who I am at my core: creativity and service.
On one side, I’m a licensed cosmetologist of over 20 years and a Microloc Mastery Certified professional. I operate a private, in-home salon suite where I provide microlocs, natural hair care, and healthy hair services by appointment only. I’m known for being patient, intentional, and extremely detail-oriented. I don’t rush my services, and I specialize in the kind of care and education that helps clients grow their hair, not just style it. My clients appreciate that I honor their time, their journey, and their hair’s health.
On the other side, I’m the owner of The Popcorn Box Atlanta, a gourmet popcorn brand that offers unique flavors, event packages, and a full fundraising platform for schools, teams, and organizations. I started with infused popcorn on Etsy, and now I create bold, creative, high-quality flavors. What sets my popcorn apart is the flavor experience — it’s fresh, handcrafted, and made with care. Customers come back because of the quality, the creativity, and the consistency.
But what truly makes my brand different is the heart behind it.
The Popcorn Box Atlanta is built on purpose. Schools and organizations earn 50% through our fundraisers, and I love knowing that my product is helping groups reach their goals while still enjoying something delicious. It’s popcorn with impact — not just a snack.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of how far the business has come with me being a one-woman show. Every recipe, every label, every event, every fundraiser, every improvement — I built it from the ground up. And I’m proud that both of my businesses reflect the same values:
• quality
• creativity
• service
• consistency and excellence
I want readers to know that whether you’re booking microlocs or ordering popcorn, you’re supporting a brand that cares about people. You’re getting something handcrafted, intentional, and full of passion. And you’re supporting a woman who built her businesses from faith, skill, and the desire to make others feel good — whether through beauty or flavor.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is to trust God’s timing. Every pause, setback, and restart in my journey wasn’t a failure — it was preparation. God used every season to build me, strengthen me, and position me. When I stopped forcing things and truly surrendered my path to Him, everything started aligning the way it should.
Pricing:
- Microloc Installations start $600
- Popcorn: Dozen 1/2 cup favors start @ $24
- Popcorn: Dozen 1 cup favors start @ $30
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thepopcornboxatl.com
- Other: Hair by Tiliwannia: https://hairbytiliwannia.setmore.com
