Sistah’s Place is celebrating Essie Marie’s ,a Black-owned business run by a phenomenal Black Woman leaving her own mark in Black History. Black women like Tioni are the foundation of not just the family but for many small businesses. It takes faith, drive, passion, dedication, hard work, and long hours to bring their dream to fruition. We at Sistah’s Place strongly believe it’s important to celebrate women in business, especially our fellow sistas. This first Monday of Black history month, we are shining the spotlight on Essie Marie’s for others to learn more about her heart-healthy and delicious products hand-created from her very own kitchen. Get to know Tioni the owner of Essie Marie’s in our Q&A interview.
SP: What inspired you to start your business?
Tioni: I started the company in the fall of 2015
SP: What was the inspiration behind choosing the name for your business?
Tioni: I was inspired to create Essie Marie’s after much demand from friends and colleagues after taking it for work functions and they couldn’t get enough.
SP: How did you define the products for your business?
Tioni: Our products are vegan, heart-healthy, low mineralized sodium, dairy-free, gluten-free, and delicious dressing/marinades and sauces.
SP: Who is the woman behind the business?
Tioni: I am a woman that fears God, A very outgoing, loving person that loves to teach and make others feel physically better through nutrition and self-assurance. I am a licensed therapist, a mom of 2 beautiful children, a wife of 25 plus years.
SP: What’s your favorite story from customers regarding your products?
Tioni: My favorite customer story is when one gentleman sent before and after photos after switching to a heart-healthy diet. I love the immediate customer feedback after the initial taste of the product during in-store demos.
SP: What was your “power move” to take your business to the next level that would allow you to grow and expand into the market?
Tioni: The power move was when we moved from local stores to bigger retail Whole Foods. Having Whole Foods as a retailer for your brand gives you certain recognition.
SP: Did you face any challenges or barriers being a Black woman in business? If so, how are you overcoming those challenges/barriers?
Tioni: Yes, I have to prove myself even still to this day. If your product doesn’t sale, they will remove you. The big boys are way more powerful in the retail space. I am overcoming by fighting the issues as they occur. I have never been one to allow anything to stop me. With God, hard work, and the will to succeed I haven’t allowed challenges to stop me yet.
SP: Name someone who inspired you to take your dream to reality, how did they do this?
Tioni: My husband inspired me and is my number one supporter and motivator to this day. He assists in every aspect of the business.
SP: How does it make you feel being a Black Woman running your own business?
Tioni: It makes me feel important with a targeted duty to leave a legacy and serve as a role model for all my children, nieces, and nephews to exemplify.
SP: What type of impact do you want to have on your community with black women, young black & brown girls?
Tioni: The impact of education, hard work, tenacity, and perseverance pays off and leads to fulfilled dreams.
SP: What advice would you give the next Black woman dreaming of starting her own business?
Tioni: To start by first writing down your initial steps and starting the action to your goal one step at a time.
Thank you Tioni for taking time out of your busy schedule to chat with us in our Q&A to learn more about your business as well as share you with all of Sistah’s Place readers. Our readers are going to fall in love with your delicious products. Have you checked out Essie Marie’s website?
Our website is Essiemaries.com
IG- Essie Maries1
FB- Essie Marie’s
Twitter-Essie Marie’s