Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamika Gaskins.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Deep down, I’ve always been one to share whatever I was interested in at the time with whoever would listen. For years I wanted to create an online community, but I was a little unsure of my voice. In 2018 my family and I moved overseas. My husband is military, and so he, our daughter Kennedi, and I moved to The Marshall Islands. We found ourselves in the middle of the Pacific Ocean on a tiny island 3/4 of a mile wide and 3.5 miles long, Kwajalein. Who knew that here is where I’d begin to find my lane and my voice.
Living in The Marshall Islands forced me to prepare all of our meals at home. Given the size and remoteness of the island, we had to find ways to entertain ourselves. There was one grocery store, a food court with a pizza spot, Subway and Burger King. That was pretty much the extent of our dining options. And so, these circumstances ignited creativity that I didn’t know existed.
In the beginning, I was sharing our experience living overseas and how I shopped and prepared meals. One day during a casual conversation I said to my husband I would love to have a lemon drop. He asked me what was in a lemon drop. I rattled off the ingredients. And he said we have all of that. I told him you can’t have a lemon drop without the proper glass. Before I knew it, we were on our bikes riding to the PX to see if there were any martini glasses. And this exchange is how I started making cocktails
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?
It’s been a smooth road. I can’t say that I’ve experienced many struggles. I’m doing something that I enjoy. I’m creating while also sharing my love for entertaining at home. Luckily my content has been well received. I’m sharing my life, and that can sometimes be difficult, but I’ve found a happy medium.
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?
My content is primarily centered around cocktails and entertaining at home. I’m most known for sharing cocktail ideas. I’m extremely proud of the community that I’ve managed to grow. If I don’t post for a few days, they are checking in to make sure I’m ok. My community is excited, and they look forward to seeing my content. The genuine love I have for sharing is what I would say sets me apart from others. That love shows up in the attention to detail in my content, from the music in my reels to the sunlight hitting a cocktail…the detail is there
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I have a super supportive husband, Kenyatta. He has always encouraged me to show up exactly as I am. Friends and family have all been huge cheerleaders sowing seeds of faith and confidence. There are far too many to name. But every opportunity I have I make it a point to thank them. Because I do remember every conversation, every word of encouragement. Sometimes people around you see something that you are unable to see, and so for that, I’m thankful for my tribe.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebrownbelle
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/c/thebrownbelle
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebrownbelle
