Today we’d like to introduce you to Jecil Smith.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in Houston, Texas with my mother and father. My mother and grandmother worked in the education field so educating is literally in my D.N.A. I used to play school with my dolls and toys. I made worksheets and all. When friends came over my version of fun was playing school. I knew I would be a teacher.
When I was in 8th grade, my mother lost her battle to breast cancer and my family and friends helped me through, but also my 8th grade teacher Ms. Thompson. She showed up in ways I never had a teacher show up before. She stayed on me, but she made sure I was doing okay as a person. Ms. Thompson and my late grandmother showed me the type of educator I wanted to be. Both cared inside and outside the class. That spoke volumes.
I NEVER saw myself leaving. Houston was home. Time came for college and decided to go to Huston-Tillotson University (THE first and only HBCU in Austin, Texas). Even through college I just knew I would move back to Houston, but God laughed at my plans and 13 years later I have planted and started my life here. After graduating from Huston-Tillotson University I immediately started working in my field. I began as a daycare teacher and worked my way up. I have been a kindergarten teacher since 2016 and I love it. I love educating and building strong relationships with our future.
My Godsisters and I back in 2013 started holding one another accountable and encouraged each other to pursue our dreams. Everyone except me had a business. My dream was to simply help and educate. Back then I did not realize how much helping and educating would matter nor did I ever desire or think I would be a business owner.
One of my Godsisters had a business making shirts and other amazing things. I would always help her and it was fun, but I did not see myself doing this on my own. I learned how to do so many things related to shirts and had unintentionally learned the shirt game. I thought I was learning just to be helpful, but years later I realize it was all a part of God’s plan.
If you ask any educator they will say they love a good t-shirt. I found myself spending so much on t-shirts and then I had this bright idea to make them myself and then that bright idea turned into making it a business.
June 17, 2020, I launched my business Faithful Teacher Tees & More. Faithful Teacher Tees & More specializes in teacher tees and more (the more is coming soon). July 1, 2020 Faithful Teacher Tees & More became an official registered business. My hope and prayer is that every person that wears a shirt from Faithful Teacher Tees & More feels empowered to educate, supported, and encouraged.
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?
Becoming a business owner has many bright spots, but there are also times where it gets rough. Some struggles I have faced have been learning lessons in the end, but in the moment it does not feel good. I feel like the balance between being a wife, teacher, and business owner has been one of the hardest struggles. There are so many things to do and it feels like not enough time. I had to come up with a game plan to try and find some type of balance.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Faithful Teacher Tees & More?
Faithful Teacher Tees & More is for teachers by a teacher.
I believe something that sets me apart from others is everything is made by hand and with love.
Something that I am most proud of brand wise is the progression. I went from taking orders on Instagram, Facebook, via text, etc to having an Etsy shop.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My mom was a secretary at a school. When I was in elementary school there were days called “Take Your Child to Work”. No one really participated, but my mom faithfully allowed me to go to work with her every year. Those were my favorite days. I enjoyed it the most because I got to see my mom as Ms. Harris and not mommy.
Contact Info:
- Email: faithfulteachertees@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/faithfulteachertees/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/faithfulteachertees?utm_medium=copy_link
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/faithfulteachertees/
Credits :
Photography: Hey Mandersss
MUA: Arched Beauty ATX
Hair: Bri’elle Washington
Models: Jaime, Ashley, Jennifer, Chacole, Tasha, Pili, Terencia
