Meet TJ Cheeks | Serial Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with TJ Cheeks and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi TJ, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process when starting my businesses is always what makes me happy, something I can pass on to my children and if I’m doing something I love it’s not working!

What should our readers know about your business?
Hmm where shall I start? Let’s just say I put the “S” in being a serial entrepreneur. I own a beauty brand named Glamorous Eye Candy Cosmetics where we make all natural skincare, body & bath products and cosmetics. I’m also a daycare owner, as well as a licensed funeral director / embalmer and recently added “Twilly Chateau, a glamping site.

I know it’s a lot but like I said before if I’m doing something I love it’s not working. Being a creative, a 9-5 job really didn’t fulfill me, I wasn’t happy doing the same thing day in and day out, and when I started my family I wanted to be able to be there for my children. Henceforth the reasons why I started my business.
It wasn’t a walk in the park but one thing about me is when I’m determined to do something nothing will stop me. So my game plan starts with 1-always look into what’s involved, 2-how much is the startup, 3-what’s the competition in the field and area, 4-do I need licensing & special training.

The lessons I have learned is not to go over board with buying so much inventory or start offering so many products or services at once. So in other words, don’t put the cart before the horse! Take your time, build a strong foundation and add on as you grow. I learned the hard way in the beginning and burned through a good amount of capital before I even made any profit.

Another train of thought is don’t get discouraged. Sometimes things don’t work out as fast as you thought it would or the people you thought would support you, they don’t. It’s all apart of the game so to speak, you’ll have your ups and downs, But Don’t Give Up!
As you can see I didn’t, as mentioned before I recently opened up “Twilly Chateau” it’s a Glamping site. Now I know it not a common business and very few people know about “Glamping”. So what is Glamping? Glad you asked, Glamping is luxurious camping, instead sleeping on the cold hard ground with bugs and wild life, you’re sleeping on memory foam beds inside of huge canvas tents on platforms with lighting and mini kitchenettes, private bathrooms with hot showers and the accessories you need all while enjoy nature. O did I mention we have a Garden Spa room with a soaker tub, mini gym & game room? And we decorate for all occasions. It’s definitely an amazing experience that’s catching on and many are excited to come and explore all we have to offer.

This has been the most expensive and labor intensive business (we did most of the work ourselves) to date that me and my husband have embarked on, and I don’t regret it one bit.
If there is one thing I want people to know about our brand is that “We established this business with passion and a heartfelt touch, while being a family owned endeavor”.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well first I would bring them to my Glamping site to experience that for a few days. Next I would setup reservations to Vendue, it’s a rooftop restaurant in downtown Charleston, the food, drinks and views are amazing! And since we are downtown in such an historic district we would take a horse and carriage ride while learning all the history of Charleston. We would have to do the dinner cruise, not only is the food tasty but the DJ is awesome on the one & two’s, so get ready to hit the dance floor!
Of course we have to treat ourselves to some retail therapy and shop at the Tanger Outlet and then swing by O’-Ku for the best sushi in town and the atmosphere is to die for!
Now it’s time for fun in the sun and get a tan over on the IOP beach and you can’t resist the ice cream shop on the strip!
Last but not least we need some pampering at Urban Nirvana let me tell you the scrub down, essential oil massage and wrap is so relaxing, I literally fall to sleep every time!

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?
I would love to shoutout my children, mom and my husband. They’re so supportive in my business endeavors. Whether it’s tech support, physically helping me, giving me their input on an idea and of course always cheering me on. They are always there and I wouldn’t be able to accomplish half of what I do without them. I truly love my family to the moon and back!

Website: TheTwillyChateau.com

Instagram: @Twilly_Chateau

Other: https://www.airbnb.com/h/glampingtentsinsc

Image Credits
Arrell Cheeks “Cloudy Vibez”