How It All Started: A Taste of T Academy

Our first official student was 2 years ago…

…and let me tell you, I was NERVOUS! “Tosha, why were you nervous,” you may ask. Well, it was the first time I had to rely on myself and this person was a stranger to me. Officially, Mrs. J was our first student who signed up from out of state. Every other student I had taught, whether in the classroom or one-on-one, was a graduate or colleague. It was easy to stand behind the tape of an already-created curriculum and teach a class solely on what the student already knew.

I had no reason to be nervous, but I wanted everything to be right. I wanted to be the person who is typing this post right now. I had already had a nice kit, but nothing like the one I offer now. I wanted shirts and tote bags with our logo, and products that can only be found online, not just something that you could buy out of the store.

What made things easier, Mrs. J reached out prior, with a bunch of questions. If you know anything about me, I LOVE QUESTIONS! Educating, mentoring, or facilitating, whatever you want to call it, is very easy for me, especially when the learner is equally as passionate about it. What also helped, she was very excited and open-minded and offered to help me and my assistant Jenease every chance she got.

The course she signed up for, Luxe Locs is a 2-day training that teaches everything about locs (dreadlocks, dreds, locks, or whatever tickles your fancy). Regardless of your skill level, you will learn what locs are and how to start them, using beginner and advanced techniques. Although there were technical difficulties and about an hour of interruption from uninvited guests, Mrs. J and I both bonded and have maintained our mentorship ever since.

I learned a lot from that time 2 years ago to date! Many times, you sign up for a class, you learn what to do and after it is over, that’s it. Nothing! You never hear from the educator again or can never reach out about refreshers or tools. I never wanted that for any of my students, past or present. The thing I love about the academy, and what the majority of my students have always said is, “You teach us why.” Every situation is different. Since Mrs. J, I have held several group and one-on-one sessions. I LOVE being called an educator and teaching the what and why has helped the A Taste of T brand thrive for 15 years.