Meet Tamika Williams | Owner of For Color Girls™

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

Hi Tamika, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
For Color Girls Hair Care was not my idea or even a thought. I had a series of mishaps and unfortunate events happen to me, like seeing a man lose his life, a terrible car accident and a host of other eye awakening experiences. With each unfortunate event I heard God or, as some would say, my intuition telling me what to do to avoid each situation, but I didn’t listen. I could hear the voice of God clear as day. I had just got a brand-new car, had it for 2 or 3 months, I heard God telling me to go a different way, but again I didn’t listen. When I turned out, I had a terrible car accident, destroying my new vehicle. At that moment, I cried out to God, saying I hear you and from this moment on, I will no longer listen intermittently but listen every time I’m given a command or instructions. This began a series of really strange and awkward task for me. I was driving, and I heard God say to me, give this stranger at the bus stop a ride. I was ready to go back on my oath because giving strangers rides is something I do not do, but this time I listened. God really took me to task, from giving strangers rides, speaking to people, giving money to a man at a coin star machine. Even going to Burger King when I wasn’t even hungry! Just at the point when I started to question my sanity, I heard God say, write down all the ingredients from my two favorite shampoo and conditioner products (I had worked as a hairstylist for over 30 yrs) I had two brands that I absolutely loved. One brand was low end and cost about 3 dollars a bottle, and the other brand was a high-end brand that cost like 20+ a bottle. I thought to myself, I don’t have time to do that! I can’t even pronounce these words! One ingredient has a hundred letters! It’ll take me forever! I thought. But I did it. Then I heard God say, now what do they have in common? What do these ingredients do? I was back in school and didn’t know it. It had gotten to the point that I was enjoying learning and researching. Then, as the internet would have it, I started getting messages like” would you like to order a sample of xxx ingredient?” Before I knew it, I had a ton of different chemicals coming to my home to mix and play with, but I knew I couldn’t do anything with them in my home. I found an office space to store and mix products. Long story short, the storage space became my office and For Color Girls was born. I even kept hearing God say For Color Girls OVER AND OVER AND OVER again. I couldn’t understand why because the movie would come to mind, and I absolutely hated that movie! Then, when I was trying to come up with a name, I heard For Color Girls again! God took me to task, took me to school and walked me right into my purpose. I’m not even a religious woman! I couldn’t even tell you the last time I went to church. Furthermore, I vowed to never take any credit or alter the story of how For Color Girls was started and give people who don’t believe in a higher power my testimony.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
For Color Girls was created to bridge the gap between products used on natural hair, chemically treated hair and wig/bundle care. A multicultural hair care product that can be used on all hair types and textures. From straight and fine to thick and coily, virgin to chemically treated, all with phenomenal results. Creating For Color Girls was not easy. Although it was a gift from God himself, I had to do the work. Learning every aspect of the business was like being a full time college student, while working a full time job. It was important to me to be fully knowledgeable of the business, everything from marketing/advertising, accounting, to taxes. Staying focused and motivated even when no one is checking for my products wasn’t easy. I knew what I was bringing to market has value. I started a daily routine that consist of meditation and motivational speeches from others who has walked this path that I’m on. This helped me tremendously. It taught me, so many essential values like, to stay on course, stay consistent, be accountable, don’t be busy, be effective, just to name a few. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to never measure your progress to someone else’s success. For Color Girls Hair Care has grown into this healthy, viable, products of today. God would not have given me this gift, without giving me the tools I need to make it flourish. I hope my story inspires someone to believe in a higher power and to trust the Holy Spirit to guide them through whatever situation or desire they have. Dream, listen, and do.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Day 1: The Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site: So rich in history and an absolute must-see if you’re in Atlanta Day 2; The Aquarium: Over 500 different species of marine life. A jaw dropping experience and also a must-see!
Day 3: Atlanta’s Botanical Garden: Beautiful breath taken displays of floral art and lights, truly spectacular
Day 4: CNN Studio Tour: So fascinating to see what goes on behind the scenes of a big network
Day 5: Stone Mountain Park: Stone Mountain has such a rich documented history, with a lot of outdoor activities.

Where to eat:

Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen
The Breakfast Club
Mary Macs Tea Room
Old Lady Gang

Atlanta is full of personality, beauty , and wonder. Very likely to bump into the who’s who of Atlanta.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have to shoutout, Think and Grow Rich, Attracting Miracles, Florence Shovel Shin, Joel Osteen, Steve Harvey, Oprah Winfrey, Denzel Washington, T.D. Jakes just to name a few. During this process, I was completely alone. No friends, no boyfriend, no one. not a single distraction. I would listen to everyone I mentioned daily, day in and day out! I still continue to listen to this day. They’ve kept me encouraged, focused and help me understand what I was going through and what was next to come. I also have to give a shoutout to my business consultants Dennis Shaver & Daniel Hodges, who has taught me so many valuable lessons on fine-tuning and creating a viable product that ready for market and retail.

Website: https://www.forcolorgirls.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forcolorgirls/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForColorGirlsHairCare