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

Hi Kanisha, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I never really thought I was a good employee. Sure I could get the job done, but I usually started hating the job. Finally I was tired of jobs making me choose between caring for my son and coming in. I needed the work to pay for our needs, but he also needed ME. I had always had some side hustle, I just needed to grow into full time entrepreneurship.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I stared Tutus & Tennis Shoes thinking it would only be a children’s salon. Even that thought seemed too big for me to achieve, at the time. I did fail and lose the salon, but I failed forward. Tutus & Tennis Shoes turned into something much greater than a local small city salon! It is now a hair care educational company that reaches transracial adoptive families world wide. I get to connect and guide families through proper hair care, and introduce them to being antiracist. I am recognized by kids who have literally grown up before my eyes, even though I have never met them in person. I am Auntie Kanisha, The Hair Care Extraordinaire.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Can we go back in time? I would invite my friend to come to town during the National Black Arts Fest. We would go see plays at Alliance, and 7 stages. We would hear some spoken word at Apache, and catch some live music at the clubs in the middle of the Underground. She would be amazed by all the vendors set up with their African art, sculptures, and body butters all around the city. We would stop through the West End for some books, but not pass up a fruit cup and bean pie for later from the NOI men at the intersection. Sunday we would take an African dance class in Decatur. I miss that 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?
Lisa Nichols saved my brain!! I was at a crossroads in my life and I needed a mentor/auntie. I didn’t have access to one, but I could YouTube and read the heck out of anything. For about two years at the beginning of my business Ms. Nichols was my guiding star and a comforting voice. As she shared her story and how she built her success I breathed more life into myself.

Website: Tutustennisshoes.com

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

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