Today we’d like to introduce you to Sonya J. Grant.
Hi Sonya, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I guess I consider myself one of the few pandemic success stories. In the midst of deaths, a collapsing economy, and vast depression, I found a light crack in a dark cave that bloomed into my passion. I’ve wanted to be a fashion designer since I was 8 years old but, in an attempt, to remain traditional and play it “safe” I went on to graduate from Spelman College in Atlanta, Ga with a degree in theater. I got hired as a flight attendant just days before graduation and dedicated my life to the sky for 8 years. When the pandemic hit, I was working for Lancome cosmetics in a department store. After being laid off and growing restless during quarantine, I decided to go back to my first love, design. I printed Gullah phrases on shirts for me and my friends and later purchased my LLC to start Gullah T’s N’ Tings. Gullah T’s N’ Tings is where fashion and culture collide. A sleek, fresh way to represent Gullah culture with pride.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
To me, the road will always be the smoothest when you’re working on your purpose. Problems arise when you resist the natural flow of progression. However, nothing is perfect, right? I think I’ve struggled the most with having to “wait’. My mind is 20 years ahead of my current reality and I have to constantly remind myself that everything takes time.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I created Gullah T’s N’ Tings to honor my culture and fulfill my dreams at the same time. I come from an entrepreneurial family so this path was only natural. My grandparents had been in business for themselves for over 50 years, a general store turned Gullah seafood restaurant on Hilton Head Island. I grew up watching my family work hard and sweat bullets in the kitchen. I also watched the faces of the customers as they enjoyed their meals and return day after day. Whatever it was that I did in this world, I knew I wanted the same response. Instead of following their passion, I leaned into my own dreams. I am proud to be a part of such a beautiful culture and have the ability to teach others about the culture through my designs.
What was you like growing up?
Growing up I made a lot of noise. I am told that I’d ask for quarters to play songs on the jukebox in the restaurant and then climb on top of a table and sing at the top of my lungs. I began dance lessons at the age of 3 and my teenage summers were booked with musical theater rehearsals and shows. Somewhere in between, I was given a sewing machine when I was 13 and I began taking a part in jeans and other garments to mix the fabrics and sew them back together. My style was eclectic and expressed and I loved to perform.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.etsy.com/shop/gullahtsnings
- Instagram: @gullahtsntings
- Facebook: @gullahtsntings
