Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharicka Reddick.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
In March 2020, our world changed in a way no one ever imagined. The virus, Covid-19, took over our way of life from students going to school in brick and mortar to locating our most essential items such as toilet paper, paper towels, as well as hand sanitizers. Covid-19 is an airborne virus that attacks our respiratory system and can range from mild symptoms on contact or can cause death. Things changed for us so much. One immediate change I saw with Americans were the availability of effective mask and other protective gear that would protect us from spreading the disease to others as well as protect ourselves. However, I recall going to the grocery store at the beginning of April and noticing over half the customers not wearing a mask or were wearing masks made of headscarves.
At this time, it was only “advised” that you should wear a mask to stop the spread of the virus. I was not making face mask yet but saw a true need. I had two more masks in the car, so, after finishing my shopping I looked for the next two people that I saw without a mask and gave them my extra unused two. After I asked the mother and daughter would they like the two extra masks that I had the mother expressed true gratitude and stated she was having a very hard time locating mask and did not have much money to spend on the mask needed. I immediately recognized that I needed to learn how to make face mask to assist with the stop of spreading Covid-19.
Great, 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?
All face mask that I make are made of cotton fabric. My company began in April, at a time when fabric was hard to find as well as sewing machines. Locating the needed materials to make the products were the first struggles that was recognized. Fabrics were very hard to come by as it is still hard to find specific sports teams, colors, as well as patterns. Sewing machines were on backorder for months and were being sold for three times their cost. The world of sewing had waken up! However, my mother had her sewing machine from her days in college where she would make her own clothes. It was in the attic and broken, but luckily I love fixing things and this was going to be my next project!
As an educator, I spent my extra time after virtually teaching, my days were consumed with fixing the broken sewing machine. When it was fixed, we were in business!! This was a great time, through adversity, I conquered a hurdle that was used to stop me. But I did not let it!. The next large hurdle that has been constant is the cost of all materials. Everything dealing with fabric has increased in prices as the demand is high and supply is low. But financing all of the patterns has been a task since Contracting Companies have begun making face mask and selling them for as low as $2 dollars. It was different when the demand was higher, which I understand as economics was one of my favorite subjects in school! I am grateful that face masks are becoming readily available for all! With this change, I began to adjust the product more to fit the needs of all!
Please tell us about Enigma Creations LLC.
The name, Enigma Creations, was established from the mysterious and hard to understand events that have sparked this 2020 year, “Though facing a pandemic, some flowers will still grow through concrete.” Meaning, although many trials have been faced this year, there are beautiful things that can and will occur through adversity if you continue your stride. Be the flower growing through concrete! As this is a new company that was listed as an LLC in May 2020 it was started due to the lack of supplies of Facial Mask. Face masks were proven by CDC to prevent the spread of Covid-19 if worn properly by all people.
At this time, over 7.50 million people have been infected by Covid-19 and over 212,000 people have unfortunately lost their lives in the United States. I wanted to try to figure out a way to decrease the expected rate of infections and deaths. And that is something I was going to figure out how to do in anyway possible. By nature, I attempt to fix as much as I can. One way that I used the sewing of facemask to assist with lowering the possible outcome number of Covid-19 is for each mask that is purchased, I give one mask away. One of the locations that I donate mask to quite often is to the community members at the same grocery store that provided me with the ammunition to start. I currently have donated over 700 face mask around the Atlanta area and also in San Diego, California recently. We have to help all people during this time in whatever way possible. That is what I am most proud of about this company.
Many people look at the idea of having one products as limited. However, at this time the thing that sets us apart from others is that this one product has the ability to have various uses such as Headband + Mask Set, Personalized face mask for companies and organizations, Kid face mask Entertainment Mask for favorite sports teams, as well as the Straw Facemask that allows you to wear the face mask while still being out around others. Instead of lifting your face mask to drink something there is now an invisible hole that allows you to put straw through and is not seen to others which allows you to be completely covered. This is highly beneficial as many people are beginning to go into public areas for entertainment and eateries more often. These adjustable sized face masks reach a plethora of groups that will in turn protect others around them and their selves. Working together through this pandemic and beyond should be gathered with love and empathy. That is the way we will achieve greatness. Shout out to all the flowers growing through the concrete.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite childhood memory is traveling on the road with my family across the states as my dad was in the military as well as the fact that traveling is one of my favorite things to do. On those trips, my siblings and I would be forced to listen to Earth, Wind, and Fire, Sade, and Frankie Beverly and Maze as well as watch movies while traveling. Movies such as “Buck and the Preacher” with stars Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, and Ruby D. At the time, I was so annoyed and hated listening and watching that show over and over as my siblings and I would all complain in agony about having to listen to this “Old Time” music. Even trying to plug our ears at times.
As I got older, things begin to change about the music and movies. My music I run to when I want to add to my peace or just sing to (In private of course because I can not sing…lol) is each of those groups. They bring me a sense of happiness and peace I have a hard time explaining. And watching history in the making and not truly knowing what I was watching at the time was priceless. Traveling was one of many of my fondest memories from childhood. Our childhood has such a way of repeating itself somehow!
Pricing:
- Regular Face Mask @ $14.95 Kid Size Face Mask @ $10.95 (S,M,L are available in each)
- Headband + Face Mask Set @ $24.95 (S,M,L are available in each)
- Personalized Face Mask @ $19.95 (S,M,L are available in each)
- Straw Face Mask @ $19.95 (S,M,L are available in each)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://enigmacreations.bigcartel.com/
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Address: P.O. Box 931, Jonesboro, Ga 30237
- Phone: 404-655-4544
- Email: handmadewithlove1986@gmail.com
Image Credit:
Thank You for the use of photos: IG: @drsunshine80, @jackiestacks88, @purposelyfitllc, @midtownlaundrydb, @featherofhopecrafts, @3colorzzz, @focusncolor – None IG: Mom and Dad & Anthony Stewart
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