Meet Dr. Tameka Maiden | Pharmacist & Owner of Cubby Love Bears

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Tameka Maiden and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Tameka, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my own business was I wanted something that I could say was my very own and it was something I could actually see the fruits of my labor. Often times when starting a business no one ever knows where you started and what it took to even accomplish the running of the business but you. I wanted to create something that my daughter one day could have something to call her own business as well. When creating Cubby Love Bears, I wanted a business that I could one day have my family helping to run, hire people from my community and help the younger generation build their future careers through my brand.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

I have created these colorful stuff animals bilingual learningbears by the name of Cubby Love Bears. These bears help children learn different concepts such as alphabets, numbers, shapes, colors, days of the week and months of the year in both English and Spanish. I have also created a Cubby Love Bear to help non-speaking kids communicate their daily needs by clicking the different parts of the bear. This bear helps communicate if the child is hungry, sleepy, need potty and so much more. Being a former elementary school teacher, I wanted to find a way to give back to kids and help advance their futures with my bilingual learning Cubby Love Bears. I wanted to created something that was all about empowering kids because my true heart bonds with kids. The saying is, if babies and kids gravitate to you as an adult there’s a heart for them that they instantly connect to and I have always had this connection with kids. I wanted a brand that makes them happy and feel loved. So, this was the main reason I created my business Cubby Love Bears. My daughter as the Co-CEO, helps me pursue the furthering of the business because I see how much she enjoys working alongside mommy. My thought process behind starting my own business was, I wanted something that I could say it’s my very own and something I could actually see the fruits of my labor. Often times when starting a business no one ever knows where you started and what it took to even accomplish the running of the business but you.

One will think how does someone start a business of this kind? There are so many difficulties in starting a business of this magnitude. Everything that has been birthed within this business, I had to learn on my very own. There so much that goes into finding a manufacturer, branding, selling, marketing and creating the products so that consumers love it. A lot of times we see toys on the shelves at stores but have no idea what’s behind the starting of producing a product of this sort. It is very hard such as most businesses in the world but when you build something from scratch the level of completion is extremely laborious. The single most important decision made that contributed to my success, with tears in my eyes many days and fear in my heart many times, I vowed to myself to never give up. I know I have so many people looking to me to display faith, strength and God works. Building the Cubby Love Bears Brand….OMG has been such a difficult road. Not to mention including the word balance in my life but when I think about it, is there a such word called balance in my life?!…as I ponder…..balance is a powerful word because even when I think I have found balance everything becomes unbalanced. But as I look deeper into my life, being a single mom, working full time as a pharmacist and running my business Cubby Love Bears, I have some what entangled these words “balance” and “completion” in my life. As I look around my storage room, I have a running business, finished products that are ready for store shelving and across the world someone has heard of Cubby Love Bears. I hear so often “I don’t see how you do all that you do on a daily.” However, in this life taking risk is inevitable. Regardless what avenue you take in life whether it’s starting a family, advancing your career through school, choosing a job or something as simple as driving a car it requires a risk. When I started my business I really thought out what type of risk was I willing to take in order to fulfill what God had placed in me. I have always been a risk taker from being the first in my family to attend college, completing a doctorate’s program and the first in my family to start a business. I always knew that my risk would build a stepping leverage for my family. My life speaks RISK on some many levels. Taking risk has its advantages and disadvantages such as everything in life but I just believe in my heart this risk will pay off in a big way.

The risk taking of this business keeps the bible scripture ringing daily in my head “Nothing is impossible with God.” This means everything to my life because even when I didn’t think things were possible God made it possible. Seeing my daughter blossom into an amazing, smart, respectful little girl and doing all this as a single mom and with so much on my plate…..how can I not believe nothing is impossible with God! I am so grateful for my daughter. Everything that’s has been put into the brand has come from the deepest passion of my heart and with great sacrifices. I grew up in a community where the things of this sort are not accomplished. But I work very hard in everything I’ve done to make sure my community and daughter sees anything is possible when you believe.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Unfortunately, I would not be the best friend to show them the best time ever. I would have to gather some of my other friends to help make this trip a good time. But if I just had to I would take them to a nice dinner and then somewhere to listen to music because I love dancing and having fun. Once I am out at a certain location/ place, I can guarantee a good time with my friend. There will be lots of fun but I just don’t know what locations to take them to have fun…lol

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First, I would like to thank the creator of this world for allowing me to do so many things in the life. Without God, I am nothing! My daughter Tori, because of her I understand what true blessings are. She makes me want to be better in every way possible. I truly thank her alone for helping me understand life and displaying to me what maximizing life looks like. My mom, I often think where would I be without her. I thank my mom for supporting, encouraging, believing and just always being here right beside me to catch me when I fall and there to lift me higher when I don’t believe there’s another level to achieve. My little sister who’s my best friend. She truly pushed me unknowingly to do a lot of things in my life. I knew she was watching me as a little girl. Therefore, I’m thankful for her because she motivated me to feel like I could conqueror the world. My grandmother who is my biggest cheerleader because of her, I am ME! Having her believe in me gives me a feeling, that no matter what as long as I’m doing good things in life, she’s proud of me. Certainly, I don’t want to leave out my entire family. I can truly say my family has always had my back and loved on me throughout my entire life. I am forever grateful for everyone’s love towards me.

Website: cubbylovebears.com

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Image Credits
George Drake