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

Hi Tamica, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I wanted to start a business with a low start up cost to inspired girls of African descent through culture and to connect them to Africa, I knew of venues who carried affordable earring prices and I knew I could create art with them. I have always had a love for earrings and when I learned the history behind earrings I loved them more. I knew I wanted a business to inspire women also, therefore I choose a brand I could market through sisterhood. I know women of all ages love earrings and I knew earrings were started in Africa. I learned the importance of them to women and men in African tribes and villages. Earrings shares the status, wealth, tribe, different parts of Africa and more. Earrings let you know if a woman martial status, her position in the tribe and more. Therefore, I knew earrings would be a great business because women love them at walks of life and ages.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Our art is inspired through Africa and African culture from imported African art beautifully painted by the gifted and talented Ghanaian people. This collection teaches African culture , African symbols and African language from west Africa. Our own pieces are hand painted, wood burned and hand designed pieces which is a collections for women of all ages and ethic backgrounds. Our brand is not like most African centered business in my area because most of our products are hand designed and handcrafted. Most African centered shop doesn’t offer custom vintage wear, handcrafted organic skincare made mostly by the owner. Our collections are limited editions collections which sets us apart from the rest. The challenge we have overcome was selling African culture and African products in a market that has little to no diversity in culture and very little celebration of African culture. However, this was one of the reason for starting the brand. We have over come the challenge by re-branding, adding non-African merchandise and by creating custom vintage and wearable positive black cultural pieces, We a overcame our challenges by traveling to different cities who celebrate and embrace African culture by selling at African cultural events, black business expos, pop up cultural markets and African art cultural events. Our most proudest moment was diversifying our brand which extends are local markets base and now we sell to women of all ethic backgrounds and we are now selling to a younger geographic. We worked a lot of local pop up markets in our area, worked with different local business organizations and, lots of social media marketing to raise brand product and brand awareness. The lessons I’ve learned is to value your customers, value their input and to sell to everyone. I want the world to know managing a small business takes hard work, discipline, consistency and a lot of scarifies to build a brand and to keep a business growing. I am a person who loves family, passionate about the community and love seeing others win. I love African culture, inspiring women and being out in community taking pictures, listening to live music, enjoying the culture and networking with other women owned businesses.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am a natural lover and I love parks and being around water so I would take them to Cahaba River Walk in Irondale, Alabama. If they requested soul food I would take them to eat at O’Taste & See Restaurant located close to my neighborhood Irondale.

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?
I like to shoutout the women in my family. My grandmother was truly a remarkable women who raised me when my mother passed away at the age of eight. My mom was a beautiful reflection of my grandmother and so are my two aunts. They have inspired my love for sisterhood and still inspire it to this day. I enjoy holidays, vacations, road trips and more with them. They have inspired and supported my brand and business through family and sisterhood. My love of sisterhood started with my aunt who made sure we spent weekends together, because my grandmother raised me during the weekdays. They have inspired me, my brand and my love for sisterhood. I also like to recognize my son who also plays a major role inspiring me and is my number one motivator and number one critic. He inspires me through his goals, work ethics, business and academics. I wish I had his wisdom when I was his age. He inspires me to still dreams and to work to make my dreams come true, He keeps me going and inspires me to work on my personal goals and self development to live a healthy and successful life.

Website: https://soulsistah30.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulsistah3.0_/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soulsistah-bhm-146a1721a?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoulSistah3.0?mibextid=kFxxJD

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@soulsistah3.0?si=d6pAHufA0v4T1hFB

Image Credits
The Birmingham Times, Shout Out Atlanta, Community Votes Birmingham Best Boutique Award, Global Recognition Awards, interviewed by the National Association of Black Journalists NABJ Highshool Journalism Workshop students,

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.