We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lyanne Tsikewa a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Lyanne, thanks for joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.
July 26th, 2019, our Mother Teuila Fa’auli-Samuelu was called home. From that day forward my life was a blur. I don’t remember anything, not even the days leading or the day of her funeral. It was like I was on auto-pilot, no feelings, just empty but somehow maintaining my usual daily activities. I took about 3 months of work off and honestly did not care to go back. That 3rd month the HR manager reached out and I decided that maybe drowning myself in work would somehow be good, help keep my mind occupied during the holiday season. Problem with that is, not only was Christmas her favorite holiday but New Years Eve was her birthday. What I also thought would help was drowning myself in alcohol, maybe it would help me forget. I knew better. Alcohol played a big part of my life for a long time. It started out fun, a temporary release from reality. Then my emotions at some point got attached and made me think that it helped me forget any wrong. Slowly but surely it was me doing wrong but it was cool because I was drunk and I couldn’t remember anyways. Now losing my mom, my rock, my best friend. Grieving, angry at the world, not knowing how to express my emotions properly. Outside, yeah I probably looked ok but inside, I was completely off my rocker, no control at all. I owe my masking skills to how I was brought up. Growing up in a Samoan (Polynesian) household it was not normal to express your feelings, they were a sign of weakness. I am the only girl at that, there was no time for meltdowns and time for self. You do as you’re told, clean, and take care of the younger kids on top of whatever you have going on. Please don’t get me wrong, I’m not bashing my culture nor my family.
I knew something had to change and my only motivation to continue on, are my boys.
I started to think back to my family’s many random conversations about starting a business. Our mom would hype our brother Nate up & his artwork. She would talk about how we could put Nate’s artwork on t-shirts and go from there. We never pursued the idea because we had no idea where to start. With this idea in mind I began to ask myself what was stopping me/us to finally get it started? We began to do a little research throughout the week on YouTube and our state website. November 17th, 2020 I told my brothers and our father that we’re going to start this journey. That same day I registered our business Together Everyone Unites In Love Always Unlimited LLC, for short Teuila Unlimited. I had no clue what I was doing but the feeling of learning as I go was exciting, new and maybe what I needed to get out the dark place I was in. I prayed for it to be a way for all of us to get out of that dark place.
At the time I still worked a full time job as a security officer for the Denver International Airport. I loved what I did, I have been in the security industry since 2011. After returning to work any down time I had I found myself balling my eyes out missing my mom. I dreaded going in because I would have to pretend that I was ok when I wasn’t. December 28th, 2020 I decided that it would be best to resign and focus on building my family business.
I am a mother of two boys, the eldest sibling and the only girl, on a mission. I’m risking it all to have a better life from what I had growing up for my boys. Even though she is not here physically, I want to show my mom that she raised me right and that I am going to get our family right by any means necessary.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My name is Lyanne Tsikewa, I was born and raised in Aurora and Denver Colorado. I am the oldest out of 4 on my mom’s side and the middle child, on my biological dad’s side. The only girl on both sides. I have two boys who are the definition of day and night. I am half Polynesian and Native American but grew up with my Samoan side. I just recently got back into the workforce full time while continuing to build my family business. I started our business in honor of our late Mother Teuila Faauli-Samuelu. I witnessed her go and grow through a lot of things. She never gave up on herself or us, her children/family. Once she healed herself she helped and showed so many love. The acronym for Teuila was made up by my Brother Nate, who is also the Creative Director for our business. He’s the mastermind behind all our artwork, then together we all decide on placement.
Having discipline is a major key, I’d be crazy to think that we could blow up overnight. Although possible, I didn’t want to get my hopes up too much. I can say that to this day having discipline, sticking to the plan and seeing the bigger picture is all part of my hunger to change my family’s legacy and building generational wealth. Without discipline and Our Father Above we couldn’t have came this far. I just know that He has greater for us and it will all be worth it. Until then I’m willing and able to work for my blessings.
Right now we mainly focus on clothing like, t-shirts and hoodies using heat transfer vinyl and sublimation. I have also created aluminum alloy business cards, wristlets, and polynesian inspired jewelry, necklace pendants and earrings. I’m looking to expand into cell phone cases, tumblers and so much more as we continue to grow, thus the unlimited in our name.
What I’m most proud of is everything on this journey so far. I’m proud of getting out of my comfort zone, I’m proud of being my mother’s daughter and who she raised me to be. I’m proud that in this journey I’m also building my own relationship with God. I’m proud of all the mistakes I dealt with and I know that there is most likely even more but all is a lesson to be learned.
The one thing I would like you all to know is that every piece we put out whether our own or a custom order, just how much dedication and hardwork we put in to make it happen. The only thing we source out is the garments or items being used.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Something I had to unlearn was not getting discouraged when the people close to you chooses to support someone else in the same field as me and/or people pleasing. As far as the backstory, I don’t believe it’s necessary, I’m sure we all in some way, shape or form has experienced it in their own situation. Pay no mind to any of that! Keep Going! Like my cousin Josh would say, “Head High, Heart Strong.”
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
I mentioned it before but let’s dig a little deeper. I quit my security job on Dec. 28th, 2020, in the middle of the pandemic in hopes to never return to the regular job scene and to build my family’s generational wealth. I’ve been working so hard and I know it will all be worth it in the end. Fast forward to the present, I’m four months in my current job and our company’s third anniversary right around the corner in May. To anyone who is starting any journey, please keep an opened mind and stay humble. You never know when things can go off track.
Contact Info:
- Website: teuila-unlimited.com
- Instagram: @teuila.unlimited
- Facebook: Teuila Unlimited
- Other: TikTok: @teuila_unlimited