Arlesia and Letecia Whitaker

So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself: where you’re from originally and where you live now.

We’re Arlesia and Letecia Whitaker, the co-founders behind TBOM Apparel. Arlesia is originally from Washington, DC, and Letecia is originally from Newark, New Jersey, and today we’re based on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Together, we’re wives, parents, creatives, and entrepreneurs who have built a life together for more than two decades.

TBOM Apparel is a reflection of the things that have shaped us: our culture, our experiences, our creativity, and our belief in the power of self-expression. What we’ve created together is bigger than simply putting designs on a t-shirt or bag. We’re building a brand that allows people to wear pieces of their identity, their history, and their story.

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now.

One thing we appreciate about living on Maryland’s Eastern Shore is the access it gives us to so many major markets while still allowing us the space to build our brand. We’re within reach of Washington, DC, Delaware, Philly, Jersey, and New York, all places where we see tremendous potential for TBOM to grow and build community.

Those cities are especially meaningful to us because they’re filled with culture, creativity, diversity, and communities that align naturally with what TBOM represents. Being able to travel to events, connect with people in person, and introduce the brand to new audiences throughout the region gives us the opportunity to grow beyond where we’re physically based.

Tell us a little more about what your company does and how it started. How does it help your customers?

TBOM stands for The Black of Me, a lifestyle brand created to celebrate identity, culture, and the stories that shape us. We created TBOM because we believe what we wear can be more than fashion; it can be a statement, a memory, and a reflection of who we are.

The brand was born from our shared creativity and our desire to create pieces that represent Black experiences authentically and unapologetically. Our mission is simple: to help people feel seen, connected, and proud of the stories they carry with them.

Through TBOM, we’re creating more than products; we’re creating a way for people to wear their voices and conversation pieces.

If someone wants to start a business, what advice would you give them?

Start the business! Do it scared, Do it broke, Do it NOW! Be prepared to learn things you never thought you’d need to know, make mistakes, pivot, and keep going when nobody is clapping yet.

Most importantly, don’t wait for everything to be perfect. We’re still learning as we grow TBOM. Bet on yourself, stay teachable, and remember why you started, because some days, that “why” is going to have to carry you.

What is one piece of feedback from a happy customer or client that you won't forget?

The feedback that stays with us most is when someone says, “This feels like it was made for me,” or when they say they will always support us, and it shows because they have bought each time we dropped. That means everything because that’s exactly why TBOM exists. We want people to see a piece and immediately connect with it, not just because it looks good, but because it feels familiar, personal, and representative of who they are. When a customer feels seen through something we created, we know we’re doing what we set out to do.

Where do you see your company in the future?

We see TBOM becoming a recognizable lifestyle brand with a strong presence in communities across the country. We want to continue growing our reach while staying true to the culture, creativity, and purpose that made us start in the first place.

Ultimately, we want TBOM to become one of those brands people don’t just wear, but connect with, talk about, and are proud to say, “I’ve been rocking with them since the beginning.”

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

One of the biggest misconceptions is that starting an apparel brand is as simple as putting a design on a shirt and posting it online. The product is actually the easy part. Building a brand people trust, connect with, and come back to takes creativity, consistency, storytelling, marketing, and a whole lot of patience. Anybody can make a product; building something people remember and talk about is the real work.

What has been one of your biggest struggles building your business, and how did you deal with it?

One of our biggest struggles has been visibility. You can create something amazing, but if the right people never see it, they can’t connect with it. We’ve learned not to depend on social media alone. We’ve pushed ourselves to show up in person, build relationships, attend events, and find new ways to put TBOM in front of people. We’re still figuring it out, and honestly, that’s part of entrepreneurship too.

Who was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?

For Letecia, it’s Sheila E. As a drummer herself, she’s always admired her energy and the way she commands the stage in such a male-dominated world. Her favorite athlete was Jackie Joyner-Kersee, an incredible example of strength, excellence, and longevity.

For Arlesia, it’s Twinkie Clark, hands down. She’s the GOAT, the musical genius and foundation behind The Clark Sisters who doesn’t always get the credit she deserves. She carried forward what Dr. Mattie Moss Clark started and helped create a sound that influenced generations.

Arlesia’s favorite athlete is much closer to home: her uncle, Vincent “Bunny” Lewis. He never went professional, but he was an incredible basketball player who competed at a high level, even playing against Michael Jordan. More than basketball, his intelligence, knowledge of the game, and the example he set have always made him someone she admires.

Any shoutouts you want to make?

For Letecia, a special shout-out goes to her brother, Cliff. He has always been one of her biggest supporters—celebrating every win, showing up without hesitation, and being the person she knows she can call at any time and hear, “I got you.”

For Arlesia, it’s her mom. Through every version of her, the good decisions, the questionable ones, the wins, the losses, and everything in between, her mom has remained a constant source of love and support. There’s something incredibly special about having someone who has seen you at your lowest and still believes in who you can become. That kind of love and support never goes unnoticed.

Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?

You can learn more about us and shop TBOM Apparel at tbomapparel.com. You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok @TBOM_Apparel, where we share new designs, behind-the-scenes moments, and the continued story of TBOM.

Come for the pieces, stay for the story. We’re just getting started.