Meet Marchketa Smallwood | Owner of Keta the Diva’s Tees

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

Hi Marchketa, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
When I started my business it was because I had purchased several shirts for a few different events, and after I got the t-shirts, I became very curious of the t-shirt masking process. I started doing my homework and research all the different t-shirt processes and decided to give the process of vinyl and sublimation a try. I would stay up night late night researching. While researching I found out about the process of Drop Shipping and became very interested in it, so I put off the vinyl and sublimation for a while I learned about the Drop shipping process of t-shirt designing. I stared my first business in the custom t-shirt design through the drop shipping process.

I thought this was going to be great until I found out that through this process my creativity was cut short, and I wanted more control. This is when I decided to use vinyl and commit to learning all about sublimation. These two processes have kept me very busy with plenty of business coming in on a consistent basis.

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.
I have been a teacher and school counselor for the last 16 years. In October, my husband told me to quit my job and follow my dream of entrepreneurship. This was a very scary time for me, because although this was something I always wanted to do, I was nervous that I would fail. I was great at teaching and even better as a school counselor and I enjoyed both positions. I just knew that my life needed a change, and it was not going to happen until I had my time. Bring a school counselor was so time consuming that I felt as though I was drowning in someone else’s dream and didn’t have time to pursue my own. I stepped out on faith and have not turned back.

I have learned through this process that you need to do what your heart desires and not to think everything has to be perfect to get started. Just get started!

Another lesson that I have learned is to set your price and stick to it. Every customer may not be yours and it is okay.

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?
Living in Atlanta is the best!! There are so many dope places to see and great food plaes to eat, so if my friend came in town, the first place I would take her is to the Select in Sandy Springs. I love this place because the ambiance is laid back and very beautiful. The food is good, and the drinks are dynamic, and because of this, this would be our first place to visit. The next day I would love to maybe go to a paint ad sip or maybe go create something cool while enjoying each other’s company and catch up.

There are several nice spots we could visit a night that she is here visiting, but one place we must go is Slush on Auburn Ave. I think my friend would appreciate the fun atmosphere, great drinks, and good food.

There are just so many things that we could do, and I know the city very well. I wouldn’t have an issue showing her a wonderful time.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Throughout the process of me getting to where I currently in the crating buisness, I have to give a shoutout to my supportive husband Ulysses Smallwood. No matter what direction I wanted to go in or whatever supplies I need to buy he has always just told me to “get whatever I need”. This attitude was so helpful (and still is) and allowed me the freedom to explore, make mistakes, and even celebrate my successes without any negative judgments.

He supports is what keeps me going, because there have been times I wanted to quit. His motivation and supports keeps me going in those trying times.

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

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

Other: Crafting Cuties Free Crafting Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/imacraftingcutie

Image Credits
All pictures were taken by me, Marchketa Smallwood, and I give permission for them to be used.