Today we’d like to introduce you to Micah Thomas.
Hi Micah, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was working as a supervisor for the City of Detroit until Covid-19, and at that point, I was furloughed from my job. I had been wanting to make a career change but had not thought of owning my own business until we were forced to leave life as we knew it behind. I knew that I didn’t want my kids to go back into public schooling, due to the fear of them contracting covid. I also knew that I did not want to go back to work in person within a busy call center where it was easy to contract the disease as well…so it was at that point I decided to figure out what it was that I loved to do, and figure out how I could make a profit from it! I have always had a love for natural body care items and candles, so I decided to open up a one-stop natural Shoppe at first, but once I picked up beading, I changed my LLC to focus specifically on that! I was hooked! I started off making waist beads as a natural weight loss tracking method, and then my craft expanded from there within months! I knew that this was my THING, and I haven’t looked back since!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Becoming a business owner has not been easy for me at all! I have and still continue to struggle with capital for my business, and with entrepreneur confidence. I struggled so much, that I picked back up a job for a few months in order to make ends meet! I was so unhappy, and I had zero time to focus on my business. I decided to leave corporate for the FINAL time in November of 2021, and vowed to never work for anybody other than myself going forward! I knew that I was a great asset to a company, but an even bigger asset to my OWN! I decided to push through it, get out there, and to never give up! There will always be good and bad days, but that is a part of LIFE!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am the owner of Bead It Up Detroit LLC, and I hand-bead jewelry and accessories with love! I specialize in making: waist beads, necklaces, bracelets, anklets, lanyards, face mask holders, baby beaded items, and bling and bead custom shoes! I am known for my waist beads, and for attending local vendor events within my community! I am most proud of how far I’ve come with perfecting my craft. I am self-taught, and I take pride in the products I handcraft! The fact that I make my own items, vs purchase them in bulk from a vendor is what sets me apart from the others. If there are issues with my products, I am able to fix them, vs shipping the items back to the vendor for a replacement and coming out additional fees. My customers are secure in knowing that I am local, and can assist them with issues in a timely and professional manner!
How do you define success?
I define success as setting a goal and reaching it, no matter how long it takes or how many obstacles you had to overcome to get there. The self-satisfaction of doing something you set your mind to do, no matter how far out of reach or unobtainable it seems. I believe we define our own success, and that we have the power to be successful at anything we desire as long as we put forth the effort and stay consistent!
Pricing:
- Waist Beads $15.00 & up
- Bling & Bead Custom Shoes $60.00 & up
- Necklaces $20.00 & up
- Bracelets and Anklets $15.00 & up
- Lanyards & Face Mask Holders $15.00
Contact Info:
- Email: Beaditupdetroitllc@gmail.com
- Website: www.beaditupdetroit.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beadedwithlove_bymicah/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeadedWithLovebyMicah/
