We had the good fortune of connecting with Tomi Adeoba and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tomi, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Growing up, both of my parents had their successful businesses and from a young age, I have always known it was something I wanted to do myself. Although my parents were against me going the business route like them I did not let that affect me or the plan that I had for myself because I already knew it’s what I wanted to do and what would make me happy. As I got older and life got a little harder, I focused more on working and making the quick, easy, 9-5 money since I didn’t go to school and I didn’t have much of a plan for myself. At the time I had given up, I didn’t have a vision for myself or what I wanted to do and I felt like a complete failure, but at a certain point I realized I could no longer live like that, on someone else’s time, planning my life around my job, having to report to somebody else, no plan, nothing just living day by day and no vision for the future I didn’t want to do that anymore. I let the fear of other people being in the hair/beauty industry longer than I control me for too long and it was time for me to break out of that shell and find myself. And that’s exactly what I did, I started doing my research, finding out everything I needed, I started working on my logo, my brand, and building my clientele all while still going to my 9-5 because I definitely still needed a job to fund my dream. At the end of the day once I got the mindset and support I needed I started to flourish and I noticed I was happier than I had been before, and to this day I am still learning because life itself is a learning process and I continue to work towards bettering my brand and my business every day.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I own a hair company called Mary Jane Minks, where I sell both mink lashes and Raw Brazilian bundles and wigs. Getting to where I am today was a huge obstacle course, the process was long and tiring from finding an affordable, responsible, and quality vendor to perfecting my logo and stocking the right amount of inventory. There were so many times where I wanted to give up and just forget about it but it was not worth it because I had come so far. With a lot of prayers and the support of my friends and family, I was able to keep my head in the game and accomplish my goals. I am a strong believer of everything happens for a reason and I feel like I needed to go through what I went through to be where I am today and I would do it all over again the same way if I had to.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’d first take her to brunch at the Hive in Atlanta, Ga and afterward we’d go and visit the Atlanta botanical garden and then the High museum of Art. After spending our day there we’d eat dinner at Maggianos little Italy in buckhead. Day 2 I’d go eat breakfast at Ihop because I hope is always fun before we go back down to downtown Atlanta and get on the Ferris wheel after that I would take her to the Georgia aquarium because it’s right next to the Ferris wheel. To finish the day off we’d eat dinner at Ike’s African grill and cafe for some heartwarming Nigerian cuisine.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I shout out my girlfriend Nijia Chester for being the inspiration I needed to switch my life around and my every day motivation to keep going and try new things, teaching me how to love myself, and reminding me the sky is my limit and I can do anything I put my mind to.

Instagram: Therealt0mi

Twitter: X0x0_tomi

Other: Business pages: @Maryjaneminks_ & Majorhairalert

Image Credits
Nijia Chester Vilma

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