local storiesOctober 10, 2022

Meet Tinina Jemison of Soul Space CA

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tinina Jemison.

Hi Tinina, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have been journaling since I was a little girl. It was my way of expressing my feelings because I was very shy. My journal was my safe space and it gave me a voice. A drastic shift of circumstances in my life caused me to be very angry. I couldn’t understand why my life was that way. I started a daily gratitude journal where I would list the things I was grateful for. Slowly, but surely the anger was released. Fast forward to 2019, where I met someone who encouraged me to make a business out of my habits. When I was told this, I had no idea what I was going to do, so I prayed about it over and over.

In 2020, God made it very clear that I should sell journals to help others heal through writing the same way that I had. The ideas were flowing, the doors were opening, the funds were there and one night before bed, the name Soul Space Ca came to me. The business was born, and after a few months, I noticed another gap. With all of the clothing in the world, I didn’t see a lot of encouraging or uplifting messages on it. I wanted people to see God and I wanted them to feel inspired. Soul Space apparel came to fruition to encourage the person wearing the clothes and the person reading it.

My Instagram audience taught me that some people love to journal, but they don’t always know what to write about. I created “Soul Space: A Guided Journal For Healing, Self-discovery and Becoming The Best Version of You” to help those people and others around the world. This is now available on Amazon.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has not been smooth at all! When I first started, I ordered way too much inventory. I like to keep products on hand for faster shipping, so the business completely took over my home. I struggle with product designs. I chose all of the sayings and I created all of the designs, but I always question if what I chose will resonate with others. It’s hard to get out of my own way and trust that this business came to me for a reason.

I also have a full-time job on top of raising my niece, Sade. She is super sweet and has helped me with my business in so many ways. Finding a good balance where I’m not neglecting anyone or anything is also quite challenging. I get off one job to work on my dream and spend time with Sade. I go to bed and the cycle repeats the very next day. The mental exhaustion is very real, which is why I journal so much. I have to declutter my thoughts and release what I’m feeling onto the pages.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Soul Space Ca?
Soul Space Ca advocates for healing through writing and uplifting others through apparel. I love to encourage others as well as share my love for God with the world. With so much hate and negativity in our society, I choose to be a light. Each customer that purchases our apparel, chooses to be a light as well.

I am most proud of a day that I was at a pop up. I was wearing our t-shirt that said I can do all things through Christ. I was drawn towards a booth and when I got there, the lady read my shirt and began to cry. She told me that she was having a really rough time, and my shirt was the comforting message that she needed to make it through.

My goal is to make others smile, to be seen, to have a voice and to know that they matter. Our apparel specializes in doing just that. I want to see everyone healed, thriving and growing. We all deserve good things and if we tap into what makes our souls happy, it can become a reality. This is another reason why I created the guided journal. It is filled with questions that cover strengths & weaknesses in all areas of your life. It covers topics from love, self-care, personal boundaries, relationships and so much more.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
My relationship with God is most important for my success. When I keep Him first, everything else will fall into place. Resiliency is also important. A business will throw so many different things at you and stretch you in ways you’ve never imagined. You can either let these things stop you or you can reset and keep moving forward. I choose the latter.

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