Meet Tamika Stewart aka Mik Da Builder | Black Woman Builder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tamika Stewart aka Mik Da Builder and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tamika, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I’m born and raised in Harlem, NY. Harlem has a certain feel about it. It’s like style, confidence and swag run through the proverbial veins of 8th, 7th and Lenox Avenues. Uniqueness, strength and plenty of game ooze out of the pavement from 159th to 112th. Harlemites are go getters, hustlers, and trendsetters by nature. We are not afraid to take risk and step outside of the box. Matter of fact, we either built the box or sold it it you. If follow my lead was a person, that person would definitely be from Harlem. Growing up in the village of Harlem gave me a front row seat to one of the greatest magic shows on earth. I saw people pull themselves up and become, entrepreneurs, business owners, style kings and queens, athletes, artists, academics, politicians, doctors, lawyers, you name it. And yes, you might find that other places, but it’s never done the way it’s done there. PeriodT! LOL

The crack era pretty much devastated our community, but it didn’t take our character.

Both my grandmother and mother were hustlers and I believe that my siblings and I were the beneficiaries of that “there’s always a way to make money” and “be your own person” mentality. My mother was a very smart woman and one day she told me “Don’t talk about it, be about it. Don’t tell them to believe, make ’em a believer”. That is something that has stuck with me throughout my life and I use it as a personal compass.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Harlem Crafted is a company created to showcase inspiring and creative works by myself and my children Carter (12) and Dylan (9). They are young entrepreneurs and inventors with their own clothing line Rox and Roxy and throw pillow line (Carter’s Home Collection). Under the Harlem Crafted umbrella, I am able to display my woodworking skills and products. I am so excited about the launch of our new business because I get to fuse two of my passions: teaching and woodwork. I teach beginning woodwork classes, have monthly workshops, and host private group events called Wood & Wine.

I have always had a penchant for business; learning, executing and starting them. Was it easy, no but it also wasn’t as difficult as people might think it is. See, I believe if you go to sleep and wake up thinking about something, then that is your sign that it needs to brought to fruition. To me, that is desire. I started HC as a result of heart-break. I turned my pain into purpose and embarked on this great woodworking and building adventure. I really respect the space that I’m in because you don’t see many black female builders on display due to the fact that the field of “building” has been dominated by men. But, today is a new day!

My personal journey is furniture making and wine-inspired wood items. For someone who doesn’t drink that is really funny. But when I see my girls and guys enjoying life and kicking back, wine is somewhere in the equation. So I want my products to be apart of that vibe and mood that they need to create.

Some of the lessons I learned along the way: Don’t talk about it, be about it. failure is just a part of the game, not the end, just do it, it don’t have to be perfect, it just has to get done.

I want the world to know that I am inspired to build a nation of DIY’ers, black girls and wood, and craft enthusiast. It is my mission to teach people to use their hands making something out of nothing, not be intimidated by power tools, and make money by using simple craft skills. I want to get people hooked on tools and learn about the beauty of business. Harlem Crafted is a brand of inspiration, style, exploration and possibility. When you see us or our products one of those things will be invoked. We want you to say, I can do that too or that is dope and I salute you.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them right outside my front door. Starting with brunch at Sette Pani, evening cocktails at Barawine, walk down Lenox Avenue to feel the Harlem vibe. Take pictures in front of the Harlem sign on Manhattan Avenue. Ride on the party bus with Myke Regular. Hang out with real Harlem folks uptown on 8th Avenue. Attend a Jazz in the park session and visit the Schomburg Library. The best thing about Harlem is Harlem; take your pick. Whatever vibe you on, it’s in Harlem.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to shoutout my mother and grandmother for giving me the greatness gene. My younger siblings (TES Crew: Terrance, Tahiem, Teonni, Travis, Thein) for their love, support and respect. My sister Shelli for pretty much molding me into an amazingly confident and unapologetic species of dopeness. Watching her is like a guidebook to living your life unapologetically. My other sisters: Rochelle, for showing me what it means to be an entrepreneur, LaTeesha for always being my biggest cheerleader and protector, baby if play with me if you want to was a person, it would be her. Her strength is infectious. Danielle for being a quiet, determined loving soul. I always say I’m a mixture of the two of them. And pretty much all of my tribe, Ebone C. who continues to show me what black excellence looks like, Ms. Gwen for just being her, my Stewart tribe, my Lastra tribe that always loves and support me no matter what, my Wells Tribe, My Glover Tribe, my Cox tribe, my Koonce tribe, my Lucky tribe, my Singleton tribe, my Provet tribe, my Kendly/Wade tribe, and my Ward tribe. See I have to mention them all because, they are my biggest supporters, cheerleaders and all propel me to move with grace and strength.

Website: harlemcrafted.com

Instagram: @harlemcrafted

Facebook: Harlem Crafted