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 its 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 I could one day have my family helping run the functionality of the business and my daughter one day having something to call her own business as well

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 colorful stuff animal bilingual learning by the name of Cubby Love Bears. These bears for kids helps children learn different concepts such as their 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 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 this my business Cubby Love Bears. My daughter helps me pursue the furthering of the business because I see how much she enjoys working along side mommy. My thought process behind starting my own business was I wanted something that I could say it is 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. When creating Cubby Love Bears, I wanted a business that I could one day have my family helping run, hire many from my community that needs a head start in life and have teenage employees building their futures through my brand. I also want my daughter one day to have something she can call her own business as well.
There great difficulties in starting a business of this magnitude and all it entails. Everything learned in the birthing of this business, I had to learn on my very own. There so much that goes into finding a manufacturer, branding, selling, creation of the products so that its loved and felt worthy to purchase. A lot of times we see kid’s 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 was with tears in my eyes and fear in my heart at times I vowed to myself to never give up. I know I have my so many people looking to me to display faith, strength and God working through me. Therefore, I have to stay steadfast through the process so that success of believing in yourself is shown. And most importantly my daughter contributes to a lot of not only my success but the many decisions I make in my life. I have to lead by explain if I want her to do great things in this life. The most difficult decision I had to make in this journey was knowing when to let go. Understanding the importance behind creating a brand and not just selling a products. This makes a world of difference because even though you may sell lots of products I have to understand the importance of will long term attachments be a good fit for what your brand represents.
OMG this has been such a difficult road. Not to mention including the balance but 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 this word” balance” and completion in my life. As I look around, I have a running business, complete and ready for store shelving products 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 doctoral program and the first 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 of in a big way.
My daily verbal and mental bible scripture that I say to myself and others “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. My faith and believing in Him has helped me through pharmacy school, my career, business and my now adult life. 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 want to be remembered for my love for God, helping people, my kind heart and whenever I called on her she did her best to help me. I was often times the underdog but I want others to remember that I always fought through everything and in the end I was rewarded for sticking to the process set forth for my life. But the single most important thing I want to be remembered above all while on this earth is that I love my daughter and the blessing God gave me by giving me her I displayed my gratitude but being the best mommy I could be to her. I would like the world to know that my brand is a brand all about empowering kids. 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 hence this is why all my friends live here in Houston, Tx. 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 some my friend 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 Thomas because of you I understand what true blessings are. You make mommy want to be better in every way. Thank you for helping me understand life. My mom, where would I be without you. Thank you for your support 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 grandmother my biggest cheerleader because of you I am ME! Forever grateful for your love towards me.

Website: cubbylovebears.com

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Image Credits
George Drake