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

Alright, Tacora thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

I signed up to be a vendor for an event this past summer and it was a COMPLETE disaster! When I arrived at the event, I was in a super cheerful mood because of the foot traffic and it was a beautiful day. I knew I was in the right place at the right time. Once I checked into the event, I was reminded that I should have my own table. I was looking so crazy because I did NOT bring my own table and had no idea this was required for the event. Now you see where I’m going with this! It was super-hot outside and I was completely frustrated once I realized my dilemma. It’s so funny now because I never run into these types of issues but on that particular day- I was a mess! Unfortunately, I made the decision to leave the event because there was nothing I could do at this point. By this time, my whole mood shifted because I couldn’t believe I missed the “Bring your own table memo”.

There was an individual who witnessed everything and knew this was an obvious loss for my business. Before I could leave the parking lot, this individual blessed me with a generous donation to my business! It caught me completely off guard and, in that moment, I felt like crying. There are many silent struggles in entrepreneurship, and in that moment, I was experiencing that emotion. So I will never forget the act of kindness that was shown that day and I’m super grateful.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My entrepreneurial journey started in 2020 during the pandemic. I was faced with a ton of challenges that year like many others, and the truth is, I didn’t like the direction I was going in mentally. I did something that’s never been done before in my family and started a jewelry line known as Corashamale! 3 years later I am still in business and walking by faith! I’ve met some amazing people along the way and I’m super grateful for my experience! You can find Corashamale online and at local pop-up events. I love meeting customers face-to-face at local events and seeing their reaction to my jewelry! It’s the best feeling ever because I pour so much into my brand!!!

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced this year is finding trust-worthy people to bring on board as I continue to grow. I’ve come to the realization that I need a team and I can’t do this alone! I am a woman of faith so I know God will provide resources and put the right people in my path! Be sure to check out the full interview to get the link to my store :)

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

Well this is a loaded question for sure :) When I first started out, I used a third-party site to locate jewelry manufacturers. It required a ton of research, and it seemed like I was searching for a needle in a haystack. The process was definitely rocky in the beginning but eventually I found my way. I’ve had 2-3 manufacturers take my money and send the wrong products in the mail. I’ve also received broken inventory in the mail and the manufacture refused to issue a refund. The list goes on but these things make you stronger. If you want to be business you have to task risks so I learned early on for sure! I’m in a great space now because I know how to negotiate prices for certain material and I focus on my target audience. I don’t waste my time anymore on certain things because I know what my customers like. I’ve met some amazing vendors in LA over the years and I have two local vendors in Atlanta so we will see if anything changes.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

I saved up the money to fund my business and made a set budget. For my first year, I ordered a ton of things from Uline and selected their net 30 option. This allowed me to purchase materials from their store and work on credit for my business. This journey will teach you that it takes money to make money :)

Contact Info:

• Website: www.corashamale.com
• Instagram: _corashamale

Image Credits
Photography: Akilma B Photography