Black Business Highlight: Tamia’s Table

Ugonna Ezuma-Igwe | Managing Editor

Tamia’s Table is owned by Tamia Brown who is from Salisbury, North Carolina. Tamia will be transferring from Winston-Salem State University to North Carolina Central University majoring in Biomedical Sciences with hopes to add a Nutrition major and become a gynecologist.

 

NM: How would you describe your business? What services do you provide? What’s your business’s name?

TT: I am an independent consultant for Paparazzi, which is a lead and nickel free jewelry company. I sell $5 jewelry and my business name is Tamia’s Table. 

 

NM: When did you start your business and what inspired you to start your business?

TT: I started my business at the end of February of 2020 so I am still learning the ends and outs of this business.

 

NM: Have you found it challenging to be a woman and a business owner? If so, what challenges have you had?

TT: So far I have not found it challenging to be a Black woman and business owner.

 

NM:  Where would you like to take your business?

TT: I honestly am not sure where I want to take this business. As of now, I am just enjoying selling quality jewelry for an affordable price.

 

NM: What was the most challenging part about starting your business?

TT: The most challenging part has been timing. I think it can be difficult when you’re a full-time student and a part-time employee. This semester as a whole, for example, has been the most challenging with getting content out to my customers.

 

NM: What sets you apart from other business?

TT: The personable relationship between my customers and I sets me apart from other businesses. 

 

NM:  Where do you draw inspiration from?

TT: My inspiration really comes from other Black businesses. I am a big advocate for supporting my people and when I am able to see businesses who have been around for 5+ years, I draw my inspiration from them and their process.

 

NM:  What was most surprising to you about starting your own business?

TT: The growth in such little time has been very surprising. My family and friends don’t always buy from me, but they are always recommending my business to their friends and I have built up a nice size in clientele in such a little time.  

 

NM: What business achievement are you most proud of?

TT: My proudest business achievement is when I hit my peak in sales. This was the moment that I started to really believe in myself. 

 

NM: What’s your favorite part about owning your own business?

TT: My favorite part about having a business would have to be being able to pick it up when you feel like it. There are some things in life you just can’t control, for example this pandemic and moving to online classes caused me to really focus on my school work which took time away from me advertising my business, but my customers were very sympathetic mainly because majority of them are college students as well.

 

NM: What do you wish you had known before starting a business? 

TT: Before starting this business I wish I would have known that it is okay to make mistakes. Starting a business is a learning experience, it doesn’t just happen overnight.

 

NM: What can we expect to see from you this year?  

TT: This year specifically for my college students there will be consistency on Instagram live and once this pandemic has settled I hope to be a vendor at a few events.

 

NM: For someone trying to start a business what advice would you give them?

TT: You don’t have to be perfect. The one thing that has stopped me from starting businesses has been my lack of knowledge in the field but it’s really a learning experience.

 

Tamia’s table can be found on instagram: @tamias_table. Below are images of her products