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

Hi Cir, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I am a native of Atlanta who was taught early to hustle. Any means of an income is good and having more than one is absolutely necessary. Furthermore, I wanted to begin spending my time working towards my personal dream instead of only focusing on the 9 to 5 “American dream” which simply pays the bills. I have always been a creative cat that has expressed himself in many ways, yet painting was the niche that could captivate my emotions in its entirety. Though some paintings appear abstract a lot of my paintings have messages regarding joy, pain, nightmares, and treasurable memories. Slowly through the admiration and encouragement of family and friends, I chose to make what was my new favorite hobby into my next business venture. There were trials and tribulations along the way but nothing that I didn’t learn from and overcome. I just chose to keep swimming.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is my perspective about my life experiences, beliefs, equality & equity, and dreams of fantasy. I find it exciting to also paint things and hear other’s interpretations of what sometimes appears abstract. I wouldn’t say the road to owning your own business is easy at all. My main challenges were family members and teachers discouraging me to fulfill my passion and dream while I was in school. They wanted me to focus more on my degree and educational career rather than my personal business. I simply used it as motivation to show them I can do both and be good at both with the proper patience and persistence. Persistence brings dreams into reality. I believe I got to where I am today by adhering to constructive criticism, learning a lesson from every up & down, and constantly dreaming of more knowing that it is achievable.

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
I love to host when people are visiting in town. On a Sunday after church, I would visit the Original Pancake House on Memorial Drive. I am a huge fan of their special apple pancake. The afternoon is good for a walk around the Beltline and the Sunday nights are good for a bar hop around the town in Buckhead and Piedmont. On Monday nights, the Buckhead lounge has an amazing R&B night with karaoke in between the songs and there is nothing like a night of soul moving jams. Some restaurants I would take them to are Moorish Medicine on Wesley Chapel, The Beautiful on Cascade, Paschal’s on Northside Drive, or any JJ’s Fish & Chicken in the Metro Atlanta area. I love to go to visit Museums as well, especially on the first of the month for free through Museums on Us. I enjoy the High Museum, Atlanta History Center, Center of Human and Civil Rights, World of Coca-Cola, and Trap Museum. Wednesdays are good for a relaxing hump day with Wine Down Wednesdays in Centennial Olympic Park (if they are still hosted) and a night at Dave & Busters or Andretti’s in Marietta for their free video games and $5 specials. Friday nights I would typically go to Cirque Daiquiri Bar & Grill on Monroe Drive. The Saturday can begin with time at Grant Park or Piedmont Park, leading to an evening on Edgewood and Auburn Avenue and then ending with The Basement on Glenwood Ave or whatever club has the next best DJ or text message.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would first like to give thanks to the creator for without him nothing is possible. I would like to thank my main business mentor who is my father, Caston. I would like to thank a long list of loving family and friends. But most of all my main support team that I always pester for opinions and help: Bianca, Kelli, Angel, Cornelius, Johnnie, Justin, Ashley, & Noah. Additionally, I would like to thank my Phi Sigma Pi fraternity, Gamma Delta chapter, for inspiring me and teaching me achievement is only granted by creating new goals and more goals. Also, I would like to thank Taraji P. Henson for her book “Around The Way Girl” it showed & motivated me to never give up.

Website: www.cirjoma.com
Instagram: @cirjoma
Linkedin: Cir Joma
Twitter: @cirjoma
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cirjoma

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