Page 9 - Florida Sentinel 11-6-20

Local
Despite Global Pandemic, Tampa Beauty Supply Retailer Celebrates Successful One-Year Anniversary
When Pamela Thompson opened the doors of My Shade & Texture in November 2019, she wanted to change the un- pleasant narrative of the shop- ping experience Black women endure while shopping in local beauty supply stores.
My Shade & Texture - a Beauty Bar for Naturalistas - was the solution to that issue. It was curated to enhance the beauty supply retail experi- ence for Black women with easily accessible quality beauty and hair products. After being opened for a short time, Thompson quickly saw her vision come to life and take off quicker than she ever could have expected, but not without a turn of life-changing events occurring back-to- back.
Within two months of opening, Thompson found herself having to make a tough decision to end her 10-year ca- reer in the federal government and become a full-time entre- preneur due to the increased demands of the store. While adjusting to the full-time en- trepreneur life and managing the busy store, Thompson found herself being hit with a few other life altering events, a global pandemic, COVID-19, and being in the crossfire of local protest stand-offs and local looting and rioting.
Despite those life-chang- ing events happening around her, Thompson found the inner strength to press for- ward and pivot through the times of uncertainty.
PAMELA THOMPSON ...Owner, My Shade & Texture
Group celebrating with Pamela at the Grand Opening.
On Monday, November 9, from10a.m.–7p.m., Thompson and staff will host a one-year celebration of the opening of My Shade & Texture. Guests can expect to connect with the owner and staff, participate in product giveaways, shop anniversary deals, and enjoy delicious an- niversary treats and bever- ages.
One customer, Natasha Goodley, who was very sup- portive and attentive during the local Tampa protests, says shopping at My Shade & Tex- ture is, “a great and fun expe- rience for natural hair. From curl enhancers, to accessories, to shampoo and conditioners, My Shade & Texture has it all.”
Besides carrying natural hair care products and braid- ing and crochet hair exten- sions, My Shade & Texture also retails beauty, skin, and apparel products. Also, cus- tomers can create their own oil and body scrub combo at
the Do-It-Yourself Self-Care station, the Blend and Glow
Bar.
“As I sit and reflect on this
past year, two words come to mind: FAITH and DETERMI- NATION. It took a lot of blood, sweat and tears to over-
come these unexpected events. However, I wouldn’t have it any other way,” says Thompson.
My Shade & Texture is openfrom10a.m.to7p.m., Monday - Saturday, and 12 p. m-6p.monSunday.
For more information, visit www.MyShadeandTex- ture.com, Email info@MyShadeandTexture.co m, or stop in at 4202 E. Busch Blvd., Unit 1, Tampa, FL 33617. (See Advertisement in this issue)
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2020 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY PAGE 9-A