Meet Tamara Dolcé of LaDolceVidaLLC in Southwest Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamara Dolcé.

Tamara, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’m first generation American. Both sides of my family fled from Haiti in the 1960’s. I was born in Queens New York, but soon moved to Johnson City, TN and spent my childhood, teenage years, and up until after my Freshman year of college there. I visited Atlanta at 16 years old and saw that the Mayor was a Black woman, celebrities were visible, and it seemed that almost everyone that looked like me drove nice cars and had nice homes. I had it set in my head after that trip that I wanted to move here. I decided to leave my entire family behind and transfer my job at Bed Bath & Beyond from Johnson City to Atlanta in May 2008. That wasn’t the easiest transition. Six months after moving here, I started working at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta Airport managing a few retail stores on the concourses. That April 2009, I was robbed at gunpoint in front of my apartment in Norcross- I broke my lease two weeks later and moved to the Southside in Riverdale- and that’s kind of when I felt like life had started over. I met so many influential people, celebrities, up and coming talent working at the airport and relationships that I still have to this day.

I am so grateful for those days. I felt like I was living. I got fired from the airport in 2011 and it was super hard to find another job. Maybe it was fate but I ended up being fortunate enough to meet a club promoter named Larry Johnson who hired me to make phone calls to coordinate birthday parties and take emails outside of the club on weekends. I don’t know how but I made that money work for me for a little while. I would always be trying to sell something through- from romance products to candles, Mary Kay, waist trainers, life insurance, jewelry, you name it. Fast forward through many sleepless nights, negative bank accounts, no bank accounts, car repossession, a two week stint of homelessness, 24 hours in jail, and many hungry days – the club money was able to help me keep money in my pocket. Luckily, I was able to create and have a family and support system here. The club promotion gig lasted seven years and I am so thankful. I started working at my corporate job in 2014 where I am still gainfully employed. It helped me to fund my own projects. I also started modeling & brand ambassadorships with a couple of different companies. This year I formed my own company called LaDolceVida LLC (it means The Sweet Life) which will soon morph into selling multiple things but right now, the main product is eyelashes. I have also started a podcast with a longtime connection called ATL Exposed which is a show that highlights the people that add to the nightlife and culture of Atlanta.

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?
It has not been a smooth road. Not at all. I’ve been robbed three different times. twice at gunpoint-in front of my apartment, once at the ATM. The other time a group of teenage boys tried to steal my purse and I had to fight them off in the street. I’ve been homeless and jobless. I’ve been evicted. I have had my car repossessed. I had a really bad car accident in May of 2017 and a month later my older sister passed away unexpectedly. She was 36 years old and left behind three children.

Tell us about your company. What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of as a company? What sets you apart from others?
My company is called LaDolceVida LLC. It is a product and service company. As it is today, I sell Siberian Mink strip eyelashes in 12 different styles- but also provide consulting for men and women. Such as where they should go for date night, wardrobe consulting, hotels to stay in, and where they should party. I refer people to barbers, hairstylists, restaurants. I am most proud of the part where people trust my honest opinion of things. Whether it’s me advising them to be daring in their eyelash choice or trying sushi for the first time. I think my authenticity sets me apart. I can talk to anyone, and I like to!

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment of my career? I am not sure if I have felt that yet but I think I’m most proud when I’m able to host my family to visit me in my home and they don’t have to spend a penny of their own money.

Contact Info:

• Website: Vivaladolcevida.blog
• Phone: 4045736315
• Email: ladolcevida1222@hotmail.com
• Instagram: @ladolcevida1222
• Facebook: Tamara Dolcé
• Other: @ladolcevidallc

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