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

Hi Tamara, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think of risk-taking like getting into a pool instead of dipping my toe in to feel how cold it is and around the cold to consume me I jump into it and that way my whole body emerges and there’s no afterthought. I allowed this mindset to take me to different heights where sometimes I’m too afraid to go on my own I’ve learned that taking a leap of faith can be a blessing and that fear is just a concept holding me back. 2 years ago I took a leap of faith and moved out of my hometown and it has been the best thing that I have ever done I have grown as a designer and seamstress and as a young adult. Taking that leap of faith has blown my business into different proportions that I would have never thought would have taken me. I advise others never to let fear hold you back take that risk, make that jump, and let yourself be free in what you love.
      

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve been a seamstress for a few years now and it has had ups and downs but I enjoy what I do. Sometimes it becomes a bit much but overall I’m very proud of what I do. Not only do I sew but I also teach and guide those who require an understanding of fashion and what fashion is along with teaching others how to sew. My day job as a seamstress and in my small business, I am everything, a fashion designer, a teacher, a seamstress, a pattern maker, and so many more titles. I even call myself a student as I enjoy learning new things, allowing myself to learn to become better every day. Some days are hard because I don’t believe in myself as much as others believe me but that comes with being an artist and a creative. I know that I’m good at what I do and I know that I can be better at what I do. I don’t let any struggles or bad thoughts stop me, I take everything as a lesson and I take that lesson and I learn from it. I don’t run from it I allow myself to soak in that lesson and learn how to create a solution or solve the problem. It took me getting older to understand that fashion wasn’t just something I enjoyed. It is a full part of me I love fashion in every aspect not just the clothing but the math, the engineering, the science every part of fashion runs through my veins. This is where my confidence shifted understanding what I love and why I love it changed my perspective. I started my business because fashion called to me. I thought I wanted to be an interior designer but fashion design always came back to me It never left. It’s a part of me that I know I could never get rid of because that is my calling and my truth. I will stand in it. Once I realized this, that’s where my clothing brand came from it started in 2017 I started my brand “Skinflints Closet”. If you would like to know why I named my brand, there is an about me section on my website that explains where the name came from. I just want the world to know who I am, what I do, and why I love what I do. I don’t need to be rich or too famous I just want to be wealthy in what I do and as long as it makes me happy and I am making a change in my community with others by teaching them the things I love that’s what makes me happy and that’s where I want my brand to lie in. I don’t want people to just know me for clothing I want people to know me for more than that I want people to learn about fashion beyond just clothing.

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?
Just moving to Winston Salem NC two years ago I’m still learning and finding gems. So Unfortunately friend we are on a scavenger hunt together. I don’t go out much and I’m very much a homebody so I currently don’t have many recommendations or spots in the city to recommend. BUT… You can check out a few of my custom-made items at a community art space downtown Winston at (606 NW Trade Street Winston Salem NC 27107) called “D.O.S.E Artist Collective Space”.

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?
Life is a journey and alone in my journey I have met so many amazing people i want to thank all of those people along with my family and friends. It’s hard to individually name so many people because as I said in my journey I met so many people along the way who have impacted my passion and my love of fashion. I like to say thank you to everyone for the lessons and blessings of you all for being a part of my journey showing me different things and teaching me different things good and bad. Thank you to my family, friends, and god for always being the best support system I’ll ever have.

Website: https://www.Skinflintscloset.com

Instagram: Skinflints Closet

Twitter: SkinflintCloset

Facebook: Skinflints Closet

Image Credits
photographers @ishotwithpanda @t.lucas willieMiller-@majestic.photosnc Suzanne Snuggs Photography Mkphotographydesigns Owens Daniels

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