Meet Tamyia Lott of Iconic Brand in West Side of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamyia Lott.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Tamyia. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born and raised in Rochester NY. As a young girl, I was always into fashion. My mother was only 15 years older than me so she made sure I had the latest fashion and colors of the season. I always had my own sense of style. I remember a time when I was about five years old my mom laid out an outfit for me to wear for the day. I wasn’t too pleased with what she picked out so I rearranged the whole outfit and added a pair of ruffled socks. My mom said to me “you put that together nice I’m proud of you.” From then on, I became my own stylist. Now I’m not saying that I’m some fashionista but I do know a thing or two about fashion. My grandmother is who inspired me. Catherine Hammond was the classiest woman of her time in my opinion.

At the tender age of 94, she still seems to coordinate everything that she wears to a T. I modeled everything that she did. I admire her strength. I always wanted to be around her. I had a lot of cousins and she took care of all of us with minimal complaints. She had our back no matter what. I would only get to spend weekends with her so I made sure I soaked in all that I can. While my cousins were outside playing I would be in the house helping her prepare dinner or just conversing with her about life. My time with her is what helped mold me into the woman I am today. Volunteering was very important to my grandmother. She would wake us up every Saturday morning and make us go to the open door mission so that we could help feed the homeless. She made sure that we played a part in the community. My cousins and I would get signed up for summer camp and during the school year, we would be apart of the recreation centers that were open to all children around the city. Being involved in the community meant being subjected to being around different cultures. I always paid close attention to the new kids that were different from me. I wanted to learn something about every culture. I would ask tons of questions to form some kind of relationship.

I’m the oldest of four girls and one boy. My mother put all four girls in dance and cheerleading. Dancing is my second love. I absolutely love dancing. I took modern dance classes and while practicing we had real live drummers playing. I couldn’t wait to get into the groove when it was my turn to freestyle. After about five years of dance, I moved on to cheerleading and that’s where I learned my physical strength. We worked out five days a week. I cheered all the way up to the 10th grade and from then on I joined the step team. Stepping inspired me to want to go to college. My coaches were college students who helped build my confidence and made me feel as if I can do anything that I put my mind to. They were great mentors. Unfortunately, by the time I reached the eleventh grade, I had lost interest in school. My mother decided to move to the suburbs and it caused a shift in my attitude towards my education. I was forced to leave all the relationships that I had obtained over the years. I was upset and angry. Like most teens, I rebelled and did everything in my power to make sure that I did what I had to do to get out of that school. Shortly after at the age of 18, I got pregnant with my daughter. Honestly, I felt that I was ready to be a mother. I wanted something to care for. I had minimal support but it only made me stronger and with the knowledge that I obtained from my mother and grandmothers, I was able to maintain. Five years later I got pregnant with my son. I was excited to be having a boy but in the second trimester of my pregnancy, their father was sentenced to 15 years in prison. I was hurt and afraid to raise two kids alone but I did it. I chose to be happy because I didn’t want to cause harm to my baby.

A few years after having my son in 2009, I decided to sign up for college and excelled despite my shortcomings.
In 2010, my daughter was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure. Our lives completely changed. She went from this perfectly healthy kid to needing dialysis three times a week draining everything she had. Despite it all, she kept pushing through school and all of the other extra curriculum activities. After a few years of treatment, her health started to decline and I felt that it was time that we look into other hospitals out of state that will get her the proper care that she needed. In 2015, I decided to pack my bags and move to Atlanta Ga. I chose to take her to The Children’s Hospital of Atlanta. After nine months of treatment on January 13th, 2016 my daughter was transplanted with a new kidney. We were so relieved things were finally easing up for us.

Unfortunately, on October 10th, 2018, my mother passed away from breast cancer. I’m still in disbelief but I manage to get through. At the beginning of this year, my daughter transplanted kidney failed. She is now back on dialysis. I must say, it is a roller coaster dealing with these struggles with trying to maintain a business but I’m making it work with God on my side. On January 9th, 2019, the love of my life was released from prison and he has lightened up my load.

If I didn’t have my mother and grandmother to look up to, I wouldn’t be the entrepreneur that I am today. They allowed me to tap into my creativity and to not be afraid to take a chance and for that I am grateful.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Honestly, at first, it started off GREAT. I had tons of love and support from my home town. I would literally be in the print shop every day putting in five or more orders. It was gratifying knowing that I was bringing a different flavor to the culture. Things started to shift when my daughter became extremely ill. She was diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure four years prior to me starting the clothing line but as time progressed he became more and weaker due to her dialysis treatments. I wasn’t able to produce a product in a quick enough turn around because I had to make sure that she was getting the proper care. I can’t lie it had me slightly depressed and anxious. I had to choose what was important at the end of the day and, of course, my daughter is my number one priority.

Iconic Brand – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I started my business back in 2014. I and a childhood friend was having a conversation about investing in our own business. should come out with a clothing line that would highlight African American women who made a name for themselves but had little acknowledgment. We decided to print them on t-shirts. I branched off and randomly started making earrings. I take fabric and freestyle designs on hoops and asymmetrically shaped earrings. I call them dream catchers. I’m most proud of the consistency of support from my hometown. What set me apart from the rest is that my style is unique and that’s the beauty of creating. So, what if people are doing something similar, I know that what God has for me is for me and that’s that.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is just a word. Hearing the word can bring anxiety. When I’m faced with challenges that are meant to set me back, I literally embrace it and redirect it to work for my good. I guess you can call that success.

Pricing:

• $12-25 dreamcatchers earrings
• $25-40 for t-shirts

Contact Info:

• Email: tamyialott@yahoo.com
• Instagram: iconic_14
• Facebook: Tamyialott Iconicbrand Lott

Image Credit:
Photo credit Tai Flowers, Albert Jones

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