Today we’d like to introduce you to Takiesha Jarmon.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Takiesha. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
In 2013, I was diagnosed with chiari malformation, a condition in which brain tissue extends into the spinal canal. This occurs when the skull is misshapen or abnormally small. Having this caused excruciating pain throughout my body and migraines, leaving me unable to do daily living activities. After a couple of years of attempting to control the effects through pain management, I was left with no choice but to have a major decompression brain surgery. While I was going through this, I was working in the tech industry full-time as I was a single mother taking care of three young children. In opting for the surgery, I was informed I would be out of work for a maximum of six weeks. On February 3, 2015, I had the surgery. Unfortunately, the surgery did not go as smoothly as they had anticipated, which caused me to be hospitalized for a month. After being in the hospital for that full month, I had to go through extensive physical and occupational therapy to learn how to walk and write again. On June 16, 2015, during my recovery process, my younger sister, Gisele “GiGi,” was tragically killed in a hit and run incident. Not only was I dealing with the physiological pain, I had to endure the mental and emotional pain due to the loss of my sister. With all that I had going on, my recovery regressed, and my FMLA had run out. Due to the regression in my recovery, my physicians would not clear me to start work, thus causing me to lose my job. Now I was a jobless, single mother of three who had to battle physical and emotional struggles. During my good days, I would assist a close friend who had an up and coming print and press company. The first shirts I created by myself were for my sister’s memorial, which was instrumental in me choosing GiGi’s Customs Creations as my company’s name. This was a learning process for the both of us as we both had no knowledge of the business. Thanks to trial and error as well as YouTube, we learned how to properly print and press shirts. I began to post my creations online via social media accounts, which caused me to gain interest and inquiries. I eventually ventured out and started my own print and press company. Through my postings and word of mouth from my customers, the business grew. Currently, my business continues to grow as I now have customers nationwide. I have also ventured out into another business that I hope to grow as well in which I am mixing being a working, single mom in a shared household with a friend who is also a working, single mother. Given that we combined our families without being in a romantic relationship, we have deemed ourselves Kinda Blended with a docuseries coming soon.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Unfortunately, my journey had not been smooth. When I originally started the business, I was in a co-partnership. I found that though we were partners, I was doing the majority of the work. Eventually, we agreed to part ways which set forth another set of obstacles as I had to practically start over. As many entrepreneurs know, businesses have their good and not so good seasons. There are months where business is nonstop, and I am working twelve to fifteen hours days. However, there are times when business is slow and have to ensure I balance finances to keep my business in the black.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the GiGi’s Custom Creations story. Tell us more about the business.
My company is GiGi’s Customs Creations. I specialize in customized shirts and apparel. However, I am able to customize tumblers, cups, and personalized accessories. My customers appreciate my ability to understand their needs and create their visions. What makes me the proudest is knowing I’m a double minority business owner. I am a single mother, and it’s important to me that my children see a strong work ethic. Knowing they watched me start and create a successful business, makes me proud of all long days and sleepless night I had to endure. What sets me apart is I am able to materialize a person’s idea. They tell me what they want, and I create.
What were you like growing up?
My childhood was blessed as I grew up in a two-parent household with loving and supportive parents. As a child, I loved playing outside and riding my bike around the neighborhood. Though I played with other children, I considered myself an introvert as I had “middle child syndrome.” My older sister was eight years older than me, and my younger sister was born when I was ten. My parents were awesome in guiding me through life. They gave me the freedom to learn from my mistakes. Yet, they ensured I did not get myself into situations I couldn’t get myself out of. As I grew older, I became more sociable and creative. I started to realize that everything was not black and white. I believe this realization helped mold me into being to understand my customers’ visions, thus me having a successful business.
Contact Info:
- Website: GiGisCustomCreations.com
- Phone: 512-954-7255
- Email: takirsha@me.com
- Instagram: @GiGiCustomCreations
- Facebook: Facebook.com/GiGiCustomCreations
Image Credit:
Shanita Ross
Kimberly Fore
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