Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamika McNac
Hi Tamika, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Summer of 2021 I was on medical leave from my employer. My sister Shamika who is a licensed cosmetologist, and owner of Lux Beauty Salon in Westland, MI was looking for an assistant. I inquired about the position and was immediately hired. Before starting as her assistant, she invested in a 1 on 1 braiding class for me. In the meantime, she been promoting on social media that she finally had a braider at the shop. Lastly, she encouraged me to do a braid special to bring in some clients and break the ice as a newly emerged braider. Lets just say, I never became her assistant. My schedule was booked solid for 2 weeks with the braid special. I remained constantly booked after that, with clientele of my own until I relocated here to the DFW area.
Along the beginning of my braiding journey, I made wonderful connections. I would meet monthly with 3 ladies who accepted me in their friend group. I was already friends with one, the other ladies welcomed me with open arms. We met for drinks one evening and I was telling them about how I enjoyed braiding. One of the ladies told me I need to start operating as a business, the other friend started breaking down everything I needed to do. Next thing you know I had a business name, and all the information to start. I had everything completed, and Gifted Fingers LLC was completed in the matter of a week. Everything else I’m learning along this journey. As a matter of fact, Gifted Fingers LLC turns 3 on October 1st.
During the whole ordeal of transitioning into entrepreneurship I was going through a divorce. My ex-husband threw me and all my belonging out of our marital home. Luckily I was already preparing to relocate. However, I wasn’t prepared to deplete my savings by having to purchase a new car, pay for major car repairs, or pay rent to a friend who allowed me to stay at their house once I was kicked out. I refused to settle in MI so I beefed up my job search. As soon as I was hired I packed all my belongings in my car and drove down here. I attempted to negotiate with my ex-husband about our children, and he was not cooperating. I knew it was all a tactic to keep me in MI so I decided the best thing to do was to leave them with him. I mean, he is the 2nd best person for our kids to be with. I knew they would be cared for.
Once I was settled in with family, I started promoting my business and seeking for a salon/barbershop to work out of. A few months later I moved into a home of my own making $ 14.00 an hour from my employer and counting on money I haven’t earned yet with my business. I was only able to afford the rent for 2 months. By the 3rd month I was served a notice to vacate. My children were with me at the time and I was forced to send them back to their dad. I moved my belongings to storage, and became homeless, I lived out of my car for the next couple of months. I assumed it would be easy to gain clients based off always having clients in MI from the day I started. I learned later that I benefited off my sister’s clientele from her decade of being a hair stylist/cosmetologist.
I did not gain any clients until my last week of living in my own home. I also never found a salon home to work out of. I provided services at a severely discounted price, and even braided someone hair for free in exchange for promotion to their large following on IG; not once was me or my business mentioned.
The question may pose “Why didn’t you go back to live with family when you were evicted?” To answer that: My car was breaking down, and they lived too far from my job. It took me an hour to drive to work from there. I couldn’t come to grips with asking for a ride to and from work at that distance, and I definitely couldn’t afford uber. So, I stayed in my car near work and showered at the gym.
I started to gain clients shortly after that, I became a traveling braider. That wasn’t the best idea seeing that my car was not in good condition. As I was starting to gain more clients, I started telling my story and living situation. One client blessed me with a large tip that allowed me to get a room for a couple of nights, paid for all my car repairs, and a few bills.
When getting my apartment I had to jump through hoops for assistance. Which landed me in the homeless shelter. I was only able to stay for a few days because my car broke down again. So, I turned in my keys and slow rolled my car back to the spot near my job and lived out of my car for a couple more weeks. I went to the shelter because I needed proof that I was homeless to receive the assistance I was seeking. Thankfully the shelter provided the required documents prior to me leaving. Right before the cold came in, I had an apartment of my own.
Just a few months ago I signed a lease to my very own studio for Gifted Fingers. The decision was not easy to come by, I was terrified! Applying that additional expense had me shaking in my boots. I was already traumatized from being evicted and didn’t believe I could sustain. God has the final say! Though prayer, and encouragement I proceeded with renting the space and it has turned out to be one of the best decisions of my business.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Absolutely not! Many of the struggles are mentioned in other section. I face difficult challenges daily! Completing this interview was challenging in itself.
We’ve been impressed with Gifted Fingers, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Gifted Fingers LLC offer stitch braids for both children and adults, specializing children, including those with tender heads and special needs. With patience, gentle care, and the occasional “mom stare” I provide a positive experience curated around getting receiving braiding services. My main clients are busy professionals and entrepreneurs seeking quality and convenience. In addition, I also teach and promote healthy hair habits. Gifted Fingers ultimate goal is to maintain healthy hair while wearing protective braid styles.
I am known for my “patience of an angel.” Because I accept children as young as 1 year old, tender head, and special needs I am often praised for how well I am able to handle children, make them feel safe, comfortable and allow them to express themselves (within reason).
What matters most to you?
What matters to me is having a positive, meaningful, genuine impact on every individual I meet. I truly believe this world would be a better place if we simply treated one another how we want to be treated. No one really wants negative interactions. We just want to be understood, and respected. Including children.
Just recently I volunteered to offer full braiding services to children in the homeless shelter for 3 simple reasons.
1. Because I was once homeless and had to experience living in the shelter. I understand the challenges that come along with residing in one. Having multiple children in there as well is stressful in itself.
2. To offer the parents a break. Offer the opportunity to remove the stress of doing hair everyday so they can shift their focus to a different problem they need to resolve.
3. To leave a positive imprint on the children. While servicing them I made sure to treat them the same as paying clients, and took the opportunity to share my story so they can see that trouble don’t last always.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://giftedfingers.as.me
- Instagram: @giftedfingers_braids
- Facebook: @giftedfingers_braids
