Tomoka's Twists

What’s your (her)story? How’d you get involved in your hustle? How do you make a living? How long have you been doing what you do?

I started out with a blog for Sisterlocks. I was getting a lot of traffic and love from people. During that time I started making Tomoka’s Twists and just shared them on my blog. People started saying I should sale them, so I took a chance and put PayPal buttons on my blog.

What are some resources you’ve found invaluable to your work?

Twitter, word of mouth on blogs, Afrobella, people with Sisterlocks

Are most of your resources online? Are there any offline resources you use? How do you get the word about about your hustle?

On Meetup.com there’s a group in Raleigh and then a Locks/Natural hair get together in Charlotte and that’s about it. [I use] Twitter, blogging, ning.coms, Facebook.

Where do you find your inspiration and/or motivation?

Customers, other artists, family, co-workers

What are two or three things you find difficult on your path to your dreams? How do you deal with these challenges?

My time is limited, finding beads, and not enough natural hair women

How has this so-called recession affected the way you conduct business?

It has had no affect on it. I think it was the timing of the start of business and people are learning about it. I keep saying to myself, people have a little bit of money. I think with my items are so unique and I’m available and approachable that even if they are on a budget they buy. It’s reusable, fun, and cute. Hair is important to us and having natural hair has it’s stigma and we are breaking that down. Tomoka’s Twists helps. Ladies tell me that people give them compliments on them and they spark up positive conversations about our hair.

Which people or organizations do you look up to? Why?

People – I follow a few people, mostly because I like their hair. I remember trying to find a lady for the longest time because she had the most beautiful hair, just had a baby, and was trying to lock. After years I found her on Youtube.

Organizations – I don’t have any that I keep up with other than Afrobella’s blog. I frequent iseecolor.com.

What is the work you’re most proud of?

The Darling Blue set because my mother bought it from me. I gave it too her, but she sneaked a few bucks in my purse. The other set is Candy Girl because it was my first set with a necklace. After a week or two of it being on the site, I could not part with it.

What are you currently working on?

This brown set and it’s becoming a labor of laughter because i can’t seem to get it right. I’m also supposed to be doing bobby pins

‘Labor of laughter’ I like that! What is your dream project? Where do you plan on going with your business/hustle?

My dream project is to hammer out real silver and gold or steel. Soldering metal, making glass beads. I would like to do leather work, steampunk, some really odd ball stuff, graffiti paintings, male jewelry.

Thank you. How has your dedication to your hustle affected your personal life (family, school, relationships, faith, etc.)

I love my family. I’m in between boyfriends right now. The previous one is a good friend, he encourages me. My parents have their own business and they are tough. I’m more lenient in my policies than they are. My dog loves the business especially the wood beads that look like her food.

What is something you know now about the life of an entrepreneur that you wish you’d known when you were first starting out?

I really don’t talk about my personal life. I think I’m such a free spirit. Some people enjoy my company some don’t. I think that’s why people separate their business from their personal life. Beyonce has Sasha and I have Carmen and the rest of them. It’s hard to just say this is business nothing personal. It is very demanding and a lot of responsibility. It’s difficult to put a price tag on your work.

So true. Thank you. Lastly: Lots of folk are trying to reach and achieve their dreams. What is something you’ve learned on your path that you would share with anyone just starting out?

Nothing beats a failure but a try! You don’t want to wake up years from now wondering what if I had done this or that. Try to be unique but also listen to what the people want. Make the most out of the internet.

Thank you so much MiMi Fleming!