We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dericka Tillman . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dericka below.

Alright, Dericka thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Dericka Tillman and I’m the creator/CEO of Flawless&Brwn. I am a woman of God first. I’m a wife, to my amazing husband Tim Jordan II, who has supported and encouraged me along this journey. I am a mother to two amazingly beautiful children, Virse and Lyric. I am a proud daughter, sister, aunt, niece and cousin to my beautiful family. I have recently become a Tribe Leader at my church Transformation Church, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, led by Pastor Micheal Todd (if you are a member in the Memphis area join my tribe). I am a creative. I love art, museums and feel good music! I love going to the park and having impromptu picnics. I love walking in nature. I love spending time with my family and friends. And I love talking about the goodness of my savior Jesus Christ. Without him, there is no me. So to know me is to know I am dedicated to getting better each day and doing God’s good works of spreading love!

Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?

February 23, 2024, as I was preparing to pass out samples in downtown Memphis, I heard God say, “Make a sign”. I immediately panicked because I knew I wouldn’t have enough time to perfect this sign before my desired time to be downtown, but I decided to be obedient anyway. I made the sign and it read “Want a free sample? Beard butter or Body butter?” on the back, it said “Follow @flawlessnbrwn – 100% organic skincare” with a printout of my QR code to my Instagram account for an easy follow. My first interaction was with a police officer who wanted a sample and that turned into my first sale of the day. He commended me on my efforts and expressed his love for supporting black businesses. That was the first of many encounters I experienced that day. I realized the sign gave people the ability to engage if they wanted, which allowed me to spend more time connecting with people who were truly interested in learning more about my brand. This also allowed me to see who my audience was in real time. I received some no’s that day, but I received way more yes’s and that was more than good for me. I gained over 50 followers that day and I received 5 orders by the end of the night, which put me over my monthly goal, and that hadn’t happened since opening week! At that moment, I knew this whole marketing pitch was a test of my obedience and faith. God wanted me to know he would supply all of my needs for my business if I was just willing to trust him. I wondered what would have happened If I waited until I could make the perfect sign and gone downtown anyway. Would I have hit my sales goal for the month in less than a week? Would I have met these amazing people who poured into me the way I did? I’m not sure, but I am so glad I listened to him. HE wanted to show me what HE could do for my business if I just trusted him with the same things. Quick backstory, earlier that week, I made a random Facebook post that said, “I would love to run my business from downtown” and as I walked those streets, I believed just that. I believed that God would make space for my store, on Main Street. I touched the building I could see us occupying, praying over it, and claimed the territory as mine. I prayed for F&B’s success and growth in the Memphis area and beyond. That small encounter gave me enough faith to believe that one day I would be holding a better-looking sign outside of my first store, welcoming people in to experience the wonderful world of Flawless&Brwn the Brand.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I have delved into numerous books and enrolled in various courses that have profoundly influenced my entrepreneurial journey. A pivotal work that has significantly shaped my perspective is the Bible. Its scriptures, emphasizing prudent financial management and leveraging personal gifts, have played a crucial role in keeping me aligned with my purpose and passion.

Additionally, I’ve gained valuable insights from Jennifer Allwood, an author and Christian woman. Her courses focus on guiding women in building their businesses online while prioritizing faith and family. Another impactful read is “Draw the Circle” by Mark Batterson, a 40-day prayer challenge. This book has revolutionized my self-perception and my approach to business, emphasizing divine provision.

Engaging in meaningful business discussions with friends and family has also been instrumental in aligning my vision and understanding the practical aspects of business. I am immensely grateful for the wealth of tools, resources, videos, and individuals who have poured into both myself and my business.

Contact Info:

• Website: Fnbthebrand.com
• Instagram: @Flawlessnbrwn
• Facebook: Flawless&Brwn
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flawlessnbrwn/
• Twitter: fnbthebrand
• Youtube: FlawlessnBrwn