About TAMOKA Enterprise

Tamoka Enterprise is a family-based business, addressing mental illness in our community. Tamia Mckinsey is a 24yr old Cyber Security college graduate and culinary student who does the artwork. Alongside her is mother Tamoka Smith who inspired her while dealing with severe depression and caring for older sister Marishika Smith who has Cerebral Palsy. The concept of the business started when Tamia was riding around the neighborhood and noticed everyone seemed to have a depressed facial expression on their faces. From there they started to brainstorm of ways to make a change.

Company BackStory

Tamoka was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa and graduated from Roosevelt Highschool “Go Roughriders”. Shortly after graduation she had her first born Marishika. At the age of 3 months old Marishika suffered from baby shaken syndrome. Tamoka and Marishika didn’t receive the love and support from family as needed. She then decided to pack up and move to Georgia to raise Marishika around a healthier and supportive environment. While in Georgia Tamoka gave birth to her second child Tamia. The family had bumps in the road but kept their spirits high. In 2016 Tamoka got the news that her father was ill and dying of cancer. Her and the girls immediately packed up and moved to Des Moines, IA to care for him, not knowing 11months later they will lay him to rest. They decided to stay in Iowa so Tamia can finish and further her education. She had to leave her high school friends and support system that her mother build for the family over the years. One day Tamia noticed that everyone around her looked unhappy. Tamoka had an idea regarding Tamia’s artwork that would help make a difference to show the world how they handled their mental illness. Tamia was against the idea of sharing her artwork to the world. With the fear of others rejecting her creations, she felt that her work wasn’t worthy enough. Her mother convinced her that they were beautiful, and if they uplifted her spirits after a hard day then they might do the same for others. She finally agreed and went to local businesses hoping for a chance to sell her product. After all the No’s her and her mother still had hope and tried the last shop on their route. They then met Maruice from Transformations hair salon with the TikTok. He gave them their opportunity by saying yes and providing a shelf for them to advertise and sell their mugs. Also, sharing them on his TikTok and introducing them that’s how the world got to meet Tamoka Enterprise.