We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tamika Stewart. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tamika below.
Tamika, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
Definitely, a mission driven company…. There is always a backstory!
In short, just a Southern Gal who grew up in one of the Finest Hoods in America (New Orleans, LA). Additionally, I’m a mother of (2) girls, 11-years apart, baby of my parent’s bunch, devoted friend, family member, humanitarian but most importantly Child of the Most High.
From a child I dreamed of becoming a lawyer. Straight out of high school, I jumped into the Legal Field. As a Former Legal Assistant, (a company due to litigation I cannot name) I worked my ass off and loved it. It was something about Corporate America that made me feel successful or maybe it was the CBD and Jazzy Suits.
Yet, that career abruptly ended over my nappy hair. EEOC found wrongful termination however, due to a signed Arbitration Agreement; therefore, I was forced into Arbitration / Mediation.
Outside of growing up in Central City New Orleans, this was the most defining and pivotal periods of my life… To work your ass off for a company, then mistreated and fired was devastating, especially having bonuses & rave reviews…. The deep dark depression left me speechless for (5) years!
However, God has a way of forcing us to pull ourselves up… While driving for Uber and working as a Case Manager, I fumbled through my old notebooks and found the blue prints written for True Resources Enterprise, a Social Enterprise Company I dreamed of starting back in 2004.
In 2018, I secured a contract with Providence Community Housing and created programs that helped individuals and families connect with unknown opportunities and resources.
The evidence showed that Resident Service Program proved to drastically reduce eviction rates, stabilize tenancy and create healthy living environments. However, due to a lack of funding I had to pause and focus on the Emerging Small Business Start Up where I teach other small businesses how to establish themselves and provide tools on how to properly operate. Annually I host a Small Business Community Event in Metro New Orleans.
“Our Client’s Success is Our Goal.”-TMS
As the Lead Planner, Event Stylist & Owner of Polished & Glammed Events and Productions a Luxury Event Planning, Design & Décor Company, birth in June of 2019. My mission is to ensure each client experience a stress free, glamourous celebratory event, regardless of the occasion. Creating pretty, soft, jaw dropping, weeks later talked about atmospheres where I still finding myself excited about the tiniest of details.
Producing Luxury Weddings & Parties keeps me in my happy place. For 26 years, this mom could not wait to dive in and create special events for my daughters. That needed hobby stands as Polished & Glammed Events today. Being an Event Professional brings me pure, blissful joy it’s something I envision constantly pursuing for many, many years to come. The best moments are when I see my clients satisfied.
“Everyone should be spoiled in Elegance at least once in their lifetime” –TMS.
My companies, represents my core values and the making of me. I strongly believe:
“Passion, Provides, Professional Perfection.” –TMS
As of September 2023, I am now also a Career & Technical Education School Teacher at Edna Karr High School.
Every time I step on campus, I am reminded of being an eager, lost, young adult struggling to figure my career out.
I am beyond blessed with the new opportunity to help incredible young scholars make informed decisions in areas I know I needed help in and be the living proof that anyone can overcome the obstacles and curve balls life bring.
My multi-facet, diverse skill-set offers, innovative ideas, analytical approaches, and data driven strategies. I have fallen into a deep love affair with utilizing collaborations and building team strategies. As for my education, I hold a Master of Arts in Juvenile Justice and Legal Administration, Bachelors of Science in Social & Behavioral Science, Associate of Arts in Substance Abuse and a Certification in Event Planning and a Certification from Delgado/Cox Communications Small Business Academy Cohort.
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.
Polished & Glammed Events is definitely a mission driven company…. Here is our backstory:
Hi I’m Tamika, Event Stylist, Principal Planner & Owner. Born and raised in one of the Finest Hoods in America (New Orleans, LA/Central City). I’m a mother of (2) girls, 11-years apart, baby of my parent’s bunch, devoted friend, family member, humanitarian but most importantly Child of the Most High.
Witnessing poverty & crime created a strong desire for equality & justice, so from a child I dreamed of becoming a lawyer. After obtaining a BS in Criminal Justice, I immediately jumped into the Legal Field, started my career as a Police Officer Assistant for Atlanta Police Department. From there, I went into Criminal Defense, Contracts and ultimately Personal Injury. As a Former Legal Assistant, (for a company due to litigation I cannot name) I worked my ass off and loved every minute of it. It was something about being in Corporate America that made me feel successful or maybe it was the CBD or the Jazzy Suits, whatever it was, I became addicted to what I thought success was.
Yet, my Legal career abruptly ended over my nappy/unprofessional hair. EEOC found wrongful termination however, due to a signed Arbitration Agreement; I was forced to Arbitrate.
Outside of growing up in Central City, this was the most defining and pivotal periods of my life… To work your ass off for a company, be praised, mistreated and ultimately fired was devastating. Especially after receiving bonuses & rave reviews…. The deep dark depression left me speechless for over (5) years! However, the Universe has a way of bringing us on hidden great paths forcing us to pull ourselves up and guiding us through the dark places.
After loosing my job, I began driving for Uber and working as a Case Manager, while doing so, I fumbled through my old notebooks and found the blue prints written for True Resources Enterprise, a Social Enterprise Company I dreamed of starting back in 2004. In 2018, I secured a contract with Providence Community Housing and created a program that helped individuals and families connect with unknown opportunities and resources.
The evidence showed my Resident Service Program proved to drastically reduce eviction rates, stabilize tenancy and create healthy living environments. However, due to a lack of support and funding I took a break from the Resident Service Program and turned my focused my attention on the Emerging Small Business Start Up Program where I teach other small businesses how to establish themselves and provide tools on how to properly operate. Annually, I now host a Small Business Community Event in Metro New Orleans.
“Our Client’s Success is Our Goal.”-TMS
While working as the Resident Service Director, a coworker who knew of my decorating hobby approached me with an opportunity to turn $2,500 into a dream baby shower. Those who know me know I enjoy creating soft, elegant, jaw dropping, and glamourous atmospheres from blank canvases. Since then, I have curated over 125 special events.
As the Principal Planner, Event Stylist & Owner of Polished & Glammed Events a Luxury Event Planning, Design & Décor Company, birth June of 2019, it is my mission is to ensure each client experience a stress free, glamourous celebratory event, regardless of the occasion. Surrounded by loved ones in a beautiful setting, is an unmatched feeling, I aim to share with my clients. Approaching (5) years later, producing Luxury Weddings & Parties still keep me in my warm & fuzzy happy place.
Being an Event Professional has brought me pure, blissful joy. Planning & Decorating Luxury Events is something I envision doing for many, many years. The best moments are seeing my clients satisfied.
“Everyone should be spoiled in Elegance at least once in their lifetime” –TMS
Each of my companies represents my core values and the making of me.
I strongly believe: “Passion, Provides, and Professional Perfection.” –TMS
As of September 2023, I am now also a Career & Technical Education School Teacher at Edna Karr High School in New Orleans. Each time I step on campus I am reminded of being an eager lost, young adult struggling to figure my career out. It’s truly a blessing to be able to help incredible young scholars make informed decisions concerning career choices and be the living proof that anyone can overcome the obstacles and curve balls life bring.
As for my education, I hold a Master of Arts in Juvenile Justice and Legal Administration, Bachelors of Science in Social & Behavioral Science, Associate of Arts in Substance Abuse, a Certification in Event Planning and a Certification from Delgado/Cox Communications Small Business Academy Cohort.
Fun Fact: One day I risked it all and jumped from 10,000 feet in the air….
Guess what, I LANDED!
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Witnessing poverty & crime created a strong desire for equality & justice, so from a child I dreamed of becoming a lawyer. After obtaining a BS in Criminal Justice, I immediately jumped into the Legal Field, started my career as a Police Officer Assistant for Atlanta Police Department. From there, I went into Criminal Defense, Contracts and ultimately Personal Injury. As a Former Legal Assistant, (for a company due to litigation I cannot name) I worked my ass off and loved every minute of it. It was something about being in Corporate America that made me feel successful or maybe it was the CBD or the Jazzy Suits, whatever it was, I became addicted to what I thought success was.
Yet, my Legal career abruptly ended over my nappy/unprofessional hair. EEOC found wrongful termination however, due to a signed Arbitration Agreement; I was forced to Arbitrate.
Outside of growing up in Central City, this was the most defining and pivotal periods of my life… To work your ass off for a company, be praised, mistreated and ultimately fired was devastating. Especially after receiving bonuses & rave reviews…. The deep dark depression left me speechless for over (5) years! However, the Universe has a way of bringing us on hidden great paths forcing us to pull ourselves up and guiding us through the dark places.
I began driving for Uber and working as a Case Manager, while doing so, I fumbled through my old notebooks and found the blue prints written for True Resources Enterprise, a Social Enterprise Company I dreamed of starting back in 2004. In 2018, I secured a contract with Providence Community Housing and created a program that helped individuals and families connect with unknown opportunities and resources.
The evidence showed my Resident Service Program proved to drastically reduce eviction rates, stabilize tenancy and create healthy living environments. However, due to a lack of support and funding I took a break from the Resident Service Program and turned my focused my attention on the Emerging Small Business Start Up Program where I teach other small businesses how to establish themselves and provide tools on how to properly operate. Annually, I now host a Small Business Community Event in Metro New Orleans.
“Our Client’s Success is Our Goal.”-TMS
While working as the Resident Service Director, a coworker who knew of my decorating hobby approached me with an opportunity to turn $2,500 into a dream baby shower. Those who know me know I enjoy creating soft, elegant, jaw dropping, and glamourous atmospheres from blank canvases. Since then I have curated over 125 special events.
As the Principal Planner, Event Stylist & Owner of Polished & Glammed Events a Luxury Event Planning, Design & Décor Company, birth June of 2019, it is my mission is to ensure each client experience a stress free, glamourous celebratory event, regardless of the occasion. Surrounded by loved ones in a beautiful setting, is an unmatched feeling, I aim to share with my clients. Approaching (5) years later, producing Luxury Weddings & Parties still keep me in my warm & fuzzy happy place.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
Gratefully, my initial capital came from my trusted and much appreciated clients (a coworker). From that one event, I took every dime and put it into the business. June 2023, Polished & Glammed Events will be professionally operating for (5) years.
When I started, I was used to being broke. I figured why not stay broke until things turn around.
I have not took a vacation since I lost my job or went on a shopping spree.
I knew Polished & Glammed Events was all I had so I did not hesitate to give it my all.
Yes, this has been a struggle and when asked if I would do it all over again, the answer will be yes….
Contact Info:
- Website: www.polishedandglammed.com
- Instagram: @polishedandglammedevents
- Facebook: Polished & Glammed Events
Image Credits
Photo Credit belongs to; Renia J Photography Instagram: @reniajpix.com