We were lucky to catch up with Tequilla Nicole recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tequilla, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

I used my name because T. Nicole is the woman I am now; ever changing and growing. Who takes calculated risks, goes against the grain, and who is not afraid to be exactly who I am.

T. Nicole was the suppressed side of me that I am now showing. Before I was a worker with dreams who followed the blueprint given for life but I always knew there was a better and different way. I was chastised for being different all my life but now I embrace it and know I am a badass that marches to the beat of my own drum and I am going to do ish my way.

Tequilla, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I started T. Nicole because I saw a lack of high-quality well made handbags at attainable prices. For years I’ve searched for stylish real leather handbags that are timeless to no avail so I decided to create my own line.

T. Nicole was born in 2016 to fill this gap in the marketplace. I want my line to be known for quality first. I’ve had many beautiful bags that I no longer carry either because the strap broke or the bag was not real leather and crumbled.

The acrylic handle will be an element I try up incorporate in all my bags because it’s strong, durable, and gives the bag a unique look. Also, leather is a material that can last forever if treated properly.

I’m passionate about my business because there is a lack of established, legacy black designer brands in the handbag industry. Longevity is important for me and my brand. I believe success is the ability to maintain and grow a brand people will know 50 years from today. The T. Nicole brand being mentioned among the greats of fashion handbags and accessories is success for me.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

The story of my journey is unique because I did it with the odds against me. I utilized my own capital to build T. Nicole to what it is today. I designed a line of attainable luxury handbags that are still high quality and stylish without the high price tag. The cost of quality goods, though available to me through hard work, doesn’t seem feasible for everyone, and I want to change that. I truly believe everyone deserves the ability to experience quality and luxury in life. My company, T. Nicole, offers quality and luxury in the form of beautifully designed and crafted handbags for every lifestyle.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

The most recent pivot was me going back into the workforce to fund my business. I left my government position after 17 years to focus on T. Nicole but soon found out that I didn’t properly build my brand. Another pivot I am currently making is taking several courses to re- brand T. Nicole to build brand awareness, differentiate my brand from others, create credibility and trust, and motivate purchases.

When running your own business you always need to be ready to pivot by making changes on a dime and trying out new ideas. If you aren’t willing to take calculated risks it can end up hindering your progress and keeping you stuck.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theofficialtnicole.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/t.nicoleofficial/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/t.nicoleofficial/
• Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/t-nicole-handbags
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/tnicolehandbags/
• Other: http://www.pinterest.com/tnicoleofficial.com

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