Today we’d like to introduce you to Tara Jae.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born in the Bronx, NY and raised in South Jamaica Queens, NY. In 2009, I decided that New York was not for my son and me any more and relocated to Atlanta, Georgia. When my only son turned nine years old, I realized that having a son and trying to raise a son in New York was not at all feasible for his well being nor mine. I never planned on being a single mother and was in shock when I became one. I was traumatized by the situation and decided to never do it again. And, at 39 years old. I still only have one son.
I came to visit my sister for my birthday in February of 2009 and packed up my son’s and my belongings and was living in Atlanta, Georgia by April of 2009. It was the best decision I’ve ever made. By moving to Atlanta, I was taught to dream and realized that I can have a career and be an entrepreneur at the same time. Growing up in New York, you are taught to finish high school, work hard, take a citywide test to work for the city and retire with a pension. Which is not a bad thing for most. But, for me, it wasn’t enough. Many people see New York as a city where dreams can come true. Which is somewhat a true fact. But growing up there, you begin to have a different view of the city. If you can make it there, as they say, you can make it anywhere. And, with that in mind, I uprooted my small family of my son and me and relocated to Atlanta.
When I finally got settled in Atlanta, I felt like I was home. I felt a sense of belonging, a sense of this is where I was supposed to be. I was with my people. The road was not easy. What I am about to say in this article is something I rarely talk about, to anyone. But, I feel it’s time. As I begin to speak my truth, I feel that it will liberate me. Because in a sense, I feel that it’s holding me back. Though I am not afraid, I am starting to understand that it has definitely made me not a person to take risks anymore. When I think back before that time, I was a risk-taker. And, I miss that about myself.
In the early year of 2010, I was robbed, my car was stolen as well as my car keys. All the while, while I was in the car. I remembered an episode of Oprah, when she said never get taken to the second destination. As the robber slowed down the car at a red light and was beginning to drive off again. I jumped out of the car. I fell out of my shoes, my purse went flying and I hit my head. No other injuries occurred. Only by the grace of God. All I could see in my mind was my little nine year old son, who had turned ten that previous November. The images of him being born up until his age at the time flashed through my head. I knew I had to get out of that car. I didn’t know where I was or what time it was. As he had taken my cellphone as well. When I jumped out of the car, I just began to run, I was on a secluded road where the houses seemed as if they were miles apart from each other. I ran from house to house as I heard him turning around the car to catch up with me. Finally, someone’s house I had knocked on looked through the window and saw that I was in distress and called the police. Meanwhile, he is getting closer, and I hid behind this very large tree. Where he could not see me. He finally drove off. The police told me I was 45 minutes away from my house. This is all public knowledge. He was found by Detective Bell and arrested. I went to court to testify and gave my statement. They could not prove kidnapping, so he only received two years in jail.
In that same year, I somehow put the situation out of my mind and continued on with my dream of becoming a business owner and obtain my doctorate in Psychology all the while making sure I am raising my son right and making all the necessary sacrifices for him. Which, in turn, has paid off. As he has graduated from high school, he is in his second year at Alabama State University. A proud member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. And as of October third of this year, a member of the National Guard as an engineer. I first started my business purchasing swimwear from different vendors and selling them online. My business was initially named LC Swimwear. As the swimwear started coming in, I realized that they were not true to size as stated by the vendor. I could not afford to have the swimwear made and designed. That is when I decided to shut the business down and do a complete revamp.
At the beginning of 2018, I re-branded the business and called it L.C.B Accessories. The website is www.lcbaccessories.com. Which stands for Life, Christ and Blake. Which is my son’s name. I hired a photographer, ordered my own photo studio off of Amazon, designed and made my own website. All by myself, working two regular jobs. After the incident with the robbery, I found myself always waking up between the time of 2:00 am and not going back to sleep until after 5:00 am. Which is around the time the robbery happened. This went on for a few years. I took that time and energy to work on the business and do school work. I was a walking zombie at work. Not realizing that I was suffering from what they called functioning depression. As I could not afford a therapist, I obtained free therapy from the Georgia Department of Mental Health.
In 2011, I completed my Associates Degree in Medical Assisting. I took a break to work and make sure my son had everything he needed. I could not let him down. It was just him and me against the world. In 2016, I began the B.A program online at Ashford University. Completed my B.A. on August 26, 2019. As of September 10, 2019, I began the Master’s program at Ashford University to obtain my Doctorate by 2021. I am happy, and I feel a sense of inner peace that I have never felt in my life. I’m so grateful and thankful that God saved me. I am still working on myself and where I want to be in my life. But I never gave up and will never give up.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has not been a smooth road. But, what road in life. We are taught that if we work hard to finish school and do the right thing. We will be rewarded. Which is true. But, we will never be prepared for life itself because life happens. At any given moment, a person’s life can be turned upside down. When life gets you down, all that matters is how you get up. In the words of Cardi B. “Get knocked down nine times but, get up ten”.
My advice to my younger self and the younger generation now is that to focus on your education and dream big. A dream can become your hobby than it becomes your passion. You will be rewarded.
We’d love to hear more about L.C.B Accessories.
I am an aspiring Doctor of Psychology and Applied Behavioral Sciences with a passion for accessories. My brand motto is ” Accessories Are To Life Like Breathing”. You can have a plain t-shirt and a pair of jeans. Once you add accessories, it becomes a totally different outfit. it becomes you. What I am most proud of about my brand is that it is a brand that has grown and that has been re-vamped. But, yet and still; we are still here. I am proud to be an Afro Latina that has overcome many trials and tribulations but did not give up. And, that is what my brand represents.
What sets me apart from others is the fact that we are a brand that represents a dream that was never dreamt of. it manifested itself through my experiences and my love for jewelry.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
The advice I have for finding a mentor is to become your own mentor. If you are capable and have the strength to do so. Then, become for the younger women behind you what you needed for yourself at the age. My own experience didn’t provide me with any mentors or anyone that was even slightly interested in what I wanted or needed. If I had a dream or what aspirations I had. I had to discover myself and who I wanted to become by myself. Though I was in two long term relationships throughout my life. They were relationships that was for the benefit of themselves. I was obsolete. And, that was something I had to change and did change.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lcbaccessories.com
- Phone: 678-499-1354
- Email: lcbaccessories@gmail.com
- Instagram: @lcb_accessories
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