So, I have been acquaintance with this beautiful soul since high school. We have always had a social media connection beyond that. I will never forget how hard I laughed when she posted something on Facebook that represented her “broke best friend”. She probably doesn’t even remember it but I could relate on so many levels. Why? Single mom life is REAL.
We both have that in common when it comes to having to care for another human at a very young age and the impact that has on your life on monumental levels emotionally, physically, sexually (because you ain’t getting NONE) and its ongoing but its also such a blessing. Teasha embodies everything it means to be a great mom putting her child before herself in every way possible. Until one day she realized that she can do both!
The date we had was therapy! Teasha had me sipping metaphorical tea and shouting like I was in church with her inspiring story. My favorite part of the conversation was her “just show up” mentality because sometimes it really is that simple.
Lets get into her interview…..
We started off the conversation talking about vulnerability and how social media perception clouds the reality of our situations.
“I learned this year…trying to not manage the perception of me in other peoples mind because the version you have is not my responsibility”
2019 was a very hard year for her. The ups and downs with friendships and family were real and Teasha owns it and uses it to push through and show up in her business. Sugarholics Desserts. Baking and cooking was basically in her genes. She had wanted to own a bakery before she was able to bake. She made it through culinary school and faced all the challenges of the food industry world. The industry temporarily killed her passion and as a mother the balance was difficult. She just relaunched the idea after a 5 year hiatus and she has hit the ground running. She’s been invited to once in a lifetime opportunities with entrepreneurs and celebrities that are willing to be near her brand in Atlanta.
I can’t live regular. I am not meant for regular. I have always believed that Sugarholics is going to be a million dollar brand. I don’t know when its going to get there but I know its going to be a thing.
How was being a young mother for you?
Niaz saved my life. Even before I knew God, he knew me. My son makes everything easier. We have moved across country by ourselves. He saved me from myself. I was 18 when I had him. I was dealing with a guy I had no reason dealing with. Its always been him and me.
What challenges did you encounter in the culinary world as a woman?
I am very outspoken and to the point. I am a black woman, I am loud and I say what I have to say.
Teasha then went on to talk about the challenges she encountered in the industry as a black woman trying to let her voice be heard in the midst of being called “aggressive”. She worked at a high end restaurant in Las Vegas and for an internship that didn’t present the best opportunity for growth and learning.
What advice would you give your 20 year old self?
I would just tell her to focus on what she really wanted….herself. I was so focused on being a good mom because I didn’t want to fall into that stereotype. I bought my son every outfit…we went to every event. I didn’t want him to feel like because he had a single mom he missed out on life. I think I would tell her you can do it for yourself too. Even now I struggle because I have this selfish feeling. You deserve nice things baby girl…and then some. I just wish she knew that.
I’d tell her to nib shit in the bud.
Tell me about Showing up?
I don’t do well with emotions. I just gotta get stuff done. As long as I show up God showed me repeatedly that something will shake. (meaning its going to happen!) My grandmother past the same day that I left Vegas. I had to keep going. I still knew I had stuff to get taken care of but that is the theme with everything. Maybe it’s not the greatest but it will be greater. I feel like when somethings bad…something greats going to happen.
If I didn’t have….I would go crazy.
It would probably be my resilience. I know I can make it through. I can literally be in my car crying my eyes out and I will look in the mirror and say you are going to be okay.
Tell me about your morning routine…
I need to get a set routine. I wake up and I woosah. I check my emails make sure my son is up and situated. I wish I could be one of those people that say I can have my drink and do yoga but girl I don’t see how people do it.
What is a day of self-care for you?
I don’t know what that is but I would probably just sleep! I just want to be able to go out and get some dinner. Light shopping, a movie, read some books, look at the water. I am a nature person so as long as I can be around some nice whether I feel full.
If you had to leave this earth tomorrow, what is the one thing you would do?
It would really just be reiterating how I feel about people. Making sure my son would be situated. A lot of the time you want to be like fuck you I don’t want to talk to you but I want to tell you I still love you even though I love myself more.
She broke down how she was in a car accident a couple while back and how she realized that you have to speak your peace because you never know what’s going to happen.
I’m going to say what I have to say.
What does women empowerment mean to you?
Sisterhood is so important. You need your sister. Were living the same lives and what we’ve been through is so similar. Being in business I know tons of women that are killing it. You have the same sauce as I have.
She talked about how inspiration can go both ways and were here to inspire each other.
God’s not blessing me for me…he’s blessing me for other people. I am going to bring so many people with me. I am talking about all the single moms who are on food stamps, section 8 and that couldn’t afford to get degrees. So man of us have gifts, you have a girl that can be on top chef tomorrow but she has three kids….that’s the women I care about.
Church!!
What do you tell someone that wants to quit?
Do it scared. Fear is the opposite if love…fear is paralyzing. Its like a rollercoaster when that drop hit, you were screaming your ass off but you got off, you did it. I believe in breaking things down to the simple task. You have to prep yourself, break it down, take a pause. Self-care is more than face masks and bubble baths, sometime
What does LOVE mean to you?
Love is when its not always. I can be honest….I have had people love me through some shit and I had no idea how or why. Its always. I may not talked to my mom for a couple of months, I may not talk to my ex ever again but that love that’s still there.
My whole life I used to write on notebooks “Love Always”
