Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamika Adams.
Tamika, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I wanted to create things, with my hands, that would make people feel pretty or handsome, happy and loved at the same time. The idea of beading came to me in October 2019. I started by watching countless YouTube videos, reading books on beading and following experienced beaders on Social Media. Then I stepped out on Faith, purchased beading material, and I have not stopped since!! I reached this point of my success by always keeping my customers’ happiness and satisfaction first. If I create a piece for a customer and I do not have “that feeling” I will re-create the piece as many times until I am satisfied that my customer will be satisfied. Late nights searching the web for beading materials and ideas, tears, hard work and dedication all make up Tamika’s Beads’ success.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road has definitely not been a smooth one… Initially, believing in myself and my brand was struggle. Starting a small business with limited funding is definitely a struggle. I am a single parent and initially, all start-up expenses were out of my pocket from the income from my full-time job. Also, beading is a very competitive business and being creative without duplicating another beader’s craft was a struggle for me. Another struggle, some days I have nothing when I sit at my beading table and I want to give up. On those days, I step away for a period of time to relax my mind and to gather myself.
Tamika’s Beads – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I customize beaded jewelry… That means bracelets, necklaces, earrings, waist beads, anklets and barefoot sandals. I am proud of my business’ growth, wisdom, knowledge and the opportunity to customize jewelry for people from all walks of life and from all parts of the United States. I have met and developed relationships with some amazing people through my craft. I do not look at a customer as “just a customer.” I look at each customer as family. They have a part of me each time they wear their customized jewelry. I take comfort in knowing that each piece of jewelry that I customize is made with 100% love. When a customer places an order and gives me the instructions “just do your thing, I trust you.” This shows that they are confident that I will deliver but I must first study them or the person whom they have ordered jewelry for. In this new age of technology, you can find out pretty much about a person on social media. I will view pictures of a customer to get a feel of them and what type of jewelry would be most appropriate for them.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success for me is not about how many packages I am shipping each week. Success to me is not about the number of “likes” or “shares” that my posts receive/reach. Although I appreciate these kind and loving gestures and they have played a part in Tamika’s Beads success but they, alone, do not define success. Success to me is keeping God first, always thankful for the good days and the bad days, continued growth and development in life and the business, remaining humble, wisdom and last but certainly not least, the satisfaction of my customers. When I have “that feeling”, when I am certain that I have delivered 100% and I have been fair in my dealings with my customers, this is success to me.
Pricing:
- Bracelets- $10 and up
- Necklaces- $15 and up
- Waistbeads- $12 and up
- Earrings- $8 and up
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/
tamikas_beads - Facebook: www.facebook.com/
tamikasbeads
Image Credit:
1033 Photography
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