Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamika Duncan.
Hi Tamika, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My love for skin care started in middle school. Any fragrance set that I bought had to include a shower gel, body spray and body oil. I love to layer my scents. By the time I got to high school I was into perfume. I learned to study the notes in the perfume and pair them with my less expensive products. High school is also where I learned about the importance of exfoliation and moisturizing, your skin. By the time I was in high school I was using my own money to buy all of my own personal hygiene items. And if you could imagine for a high school student that can get expensive. I began researching ingredient and started making my own sugar, body scrubs. I researched how essential oils played a major part and keeping my skin moisturize and that was only the beginning. A huge retailer sold a body butter that I absolutely loved. As a high school student it was just too expensive for me. I broke out the pen and pad again and started researching body butter ingredients. That’s why I learned the importance of all the different butters and how they compliment the essential oils that I was already used to. They opened up a whole new world for me.. I started off giving my friends a few samples, but they want more and again being a high school student money was tight so I started selling them. As I entered adulthood, I ventured off into hand crafting other items such as goat milk bar soap, shower steamers and bath salts. I studied the use of botanicals a few in my products. It was by the grace of word of mouth, I was able to start making small batches instead of just one or two containers. That’s where the fun began.
I have worn eyeglasses since I was an adolescent. When I got to middle school I got contact lenses so I ventured off into sunglasses. I love pearls so I used to embellish my sunglasses frames with pearls. I used to always get stopped and ask where I bought them from and when I let them know, I designed them they requested a pair. As time went on, I started getting more orders if we have a custom sunglasses, which I absolutely love creating. My customers started requesting holiday or sports themed frames and I showed up and showed out with my designs. I also started doing gender reveal and bridal party custom sunglasses. Those are always a hit..
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has been a smooth one with a few hiccups. Even though I did countless hours of research and testing, there was a lot of trial and error which ends in the loss of money and product. Sometimes something as simple as trying a different brand of containers or ingredients can cause a delay in orders or last minute finding out that the container doesn’t keep the product intact.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
After producing and selling my body care products over 25 years, I decided to go to school and become a licensed aesthetician. I now have my own company located in St. Louis, MO. It made so much sense, since I already had such a passion for the skin. Now I do full body waxing and facial services where I’m given the opportunity daily to educate clients on the importance of taking care of their skin. It’s a win-win.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I never followed a trends, I always mixed colors and fabrics. Being matchy just wasn’t my thing. I didn’t want to look like everyone else which caused me to re-create a lot of my accessories. I would bling out winter hats and gloves. I would put brooches on ball caps. Anything that I can throw a pearl or a brooch on I did it.. Then I would top it off with a fly pair of custom shades.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LenaPearlCreations
- Instagram: Privacy_skincare
- Facebook: Privacy Skin Care
