We recently connected with Tamisha Guy and have shared our conversation below.
Tamisha, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
As a professional dancer, tape has always played a vital role in supporting and enhancing my performance. However, a few years ago, I encountered a frustrating obstacle in my search for a tape brand that truly understood and catered to the diverse needs of melanated skin tones. This setback ignited a deep passion within me to create a solution that not only met my professional requirements but also celebrated and supported individuals from all walks of life. Motivated by my unwavering dedication to serving others and drawing from my personal experience as a performer, I embarked on a journey to develop a kinesiology tape product to support people with darker skin tones. This skin toned kinesiology tape brand reflects our commitment to inclusivity, designed to cater to the diverse range of skin tones and provide the necessary support for those engaged in physical activities. My commitment and dedication to serving others aligns perfectly with my reasons for being a business owner. I yearned to find a way to serve my community of dancers and extend that care to individuals beyond, ensuring that those with darker skin tones feel acknowledged, cared for, and included in conversations surrounding tape brands. Presenting this tape fills me with immense pride, knowing that it will not only enhance the performances of dancers and athletes but also serve as a symbol of unity and support for individuals from all backgrounds.
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 journey began in the professional arts, where I honed my skills in teaching, performing, and choreographing. Now, I am proud to have expanded my career to include building the HUETAPE brand. I firmly believe that entrepreneurship runs in my veins. Coming from a lineage of successful business owners, I have drawn inspiration from their achievements. I can clearly recall daydreaming about making a more significant impact in my work, and I have always had faith that the right opportunity or my passion for helping others would lead me to the perfect business venture. I feel incredibly grateful to have brought HUETAPE to life.
By establishing ourselves as a valuable resource and support system for our community, we have opened up numerous opportunities to connect with individuals who are embarking on their journey with kinesiology taping. Through our library of instructional videos, we have successfully imparted invaluable knowledge, empowering everyone to approach their taping routines with confidence. Central to our company’s values is a strong dedication to embracing and honoring the beauty of diversity. Since the beginning, our goal has been unequivocal and impactful: to create a product that caters to the varied requirements of individuals with melanated skin tones while also highlighting and celebrating the distinct beauty in every individual.
Though we are a relatively young company, I have already witnessed the profound impact we have had on dancers and the buzz our products have generated within the dance industry. My vision for HUETAPE is for it to be a safe haven for artists, athletes, and individuals from all walks of life, offering them the support, care, and representation they deserve through products that genuinely enhance their well-being.
Every heartfelt message we receive from individuals who finally feel seen and represented serves as a poignant reminder of why I embarked on this entrepreneurial journey. Our mission goes beyond just tape; it is about empowering individuals to embrace confidence, comfort, and pride in their skin tone. The stories shared by supporters of diverse backgrounds who have struggled to find tape that matches their complexion, and how our product has positively impacted their lives, are truly humbling. These moments underscore the transformative power of inclusivity and the importance of representation in all aspects of our lives. Moving forward, we are committed to ensuring that our tape products and future offerings continue to make a lasting impact and promote unity within the dance and sports industries.
Crafted to mirror the flexibility of your skin, HUETAPE allows you to move freely with your complete range of motion. Its medical-grade adhesive is both water-resistant and durable, ensuring it remains securely in place for three to five days, whether you’re exercising or showering. Upon application to your body, the tape gently recoils, delicately raising your skin. This action is thought to generate a minuscule gap between your skin and the underlying tissues. Our skin toned kinesiology tape is a testament to inclusivity, designed to cater to the diverse range of skin tones and provide the necessary support for those engaged in physical activities. It is a product that celebrates the beauty of diversity and ensures that no one is left behind in their pursuit of excellence. Along with supporting you in your healing, our tape blends with your skin, making your ailment less visible as you engage in physical activities or social gatherings.
Whether you’re a professional athlete, dancer or simply looking to support your body during physical activity, HUETAPE can be the perfect solution. Its high -quality materials ensure comfort during wear, while the elastic adhesive provides full range of motion support.
For a limited time, we’ve added compression socks and cotton socks to our collection. These additions aim to enhance the well-being and recovery of our expanding community. Our compression socks are designed to reduce inflammation, improve blood flow and circulation, while also being comfortable, supportive, and stylish for all-day wear. The positive feedback we have received on the benefits of our compression socks has been overwhelming, and we look forward to continuing to provide this support.
HUETAPE is a brand anchored in community; community is who we are; what we are; how we are. We make it a point to stay constantly engaged, and support our burgeoning community via social media platforms, monthly newsletters, and in-person community engagement. We hope that you all will consider joining our community. We cannot wait to welcome y(HUE)!
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Currently, I am in the process of making a slight adjustment as I embark on rebranding HUETAPE. Initially, we marketed our tape as “Elastic Athletic Tape,” thinking it could encompass all our tape products. However, we received advice to change the name as it might cause confusion since athletic tape and kinesiology tape are distinct in their properties and purposes. I anticipate the complete rebranded soon. I have already started the process by renaming one of our tape colors, and I am looking forward to updating the remaining two colors with the descriptive term “Tonal Kinesio Tape.”
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
HUETAPE was launched using funds from my personal savings, which I had diligently accumulated through saving habits. When I finally had enough capital, I knew it was the right moment to bring all the elements together and establish the groundwork for my business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.huetape.com/
- Instagram: huetape_
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/huetape-llc/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@huetape?si=x5V7wEMqvGCf4urS
Image Credits
Photo Credits: Kim Avendano & Alexander Diaz & Nexus Sports Medicine