Meet Takenya Rodgers | Custom gift maker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Takenya Rodgers and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Takenya, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I actually started making shirts for game day when my oldest son was in high school. I would actually call my mom to make shirts for me in when he was in junior high and she bought me my 1st machine to encourage me to make my own. It bloomed from there. I expanded to other things because of my brother. He sent me a picture of a tumbler and asked if I could make it. I told him to give me some time to do the research, and that’s how I got into tumblers and started adding other things over time.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Most people in the custom world have gravitated more to the sumblimation world. I have stuck to the world of resin. I just love the shine and sparkle you get from it. In the beginning, I was only doing for family and close friends, and they pushed me to do shows an events. You will always have people that don’t want to pay your price but I know my worth, and what I put into everything I make for a customer. I’ve had plenty of people comment that my prices are high, but some of those same people have come back and purchased for me later, if not the same day, kowning any business is never easy but believing in yourself and never giving up is key. I am the type that would never sell anything to someone that I wouldn’t miuse myself.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am a very laid back chill person that loves good food. I would say for a brunch we would visit Local tap and table. After brunch we would either go shopping or catch a local festival that’s in town. We would do a dinner at Pangea and catch a a late night lounge or hookah bar.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My mom, 1st and foremost. She has always had a business in creating since I was a little girl. The things she did back then, such as embroidery or floral arrangements, I was never really interested in . She has always encouraged my creative side. Still to this day, we bounce ideas off each other. I also want to thank my family for being super supportive. They always push me to try other things i would have never tried. They believe I can create anything they envision and I love them for that.

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