[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22.3″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.22.3″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_post_title author=”off” comments=”off” featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”3.2.2″ title_font=”|700|||||||” title_font_size=”37px”][/et_pb_post_title][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.22.3″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_image src=”https://todayswomannow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Tawana0374.jpg” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”Featured Image” _builder_version=”3.23.3″][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Image Caption” _builder_version=”3.23.3″ text_font=”||on||||||” text_text_color=”#6d6d6d” text_font_size=”10px” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”90%” module_alignment=”center” saved_tabs=”all”]Tawana Bain is the 2020 Most Admired Woman in the Beauty/Fashion category. Submitted photo.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.22.3″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.23.3″]

2020 MOST ADMIRED WOMAN — BEAUTY/FASHION
Tawana Bain

Founder/owner, AFM Threads
Family: Sons Tyshawn, 24, Jeffrey, 18
Neighborhood: Downtown Louisville

As a small business owner, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced Tawana Bain to temporarily close both physical locations of AFM Threads, her fashion-forward boutiques at Oxmoor Center and Mall St. Matthews. Although she is selling the clothes online, people are prioritizing things other than fashion right now, she says. She has had to make many hard financial and staffing decisions. She filed for SBA loan assistance and was hopeful for funding during the second round.

HOW HAS THIS PANDEMIC AFFECTED YOU?
I am a positive person, but this has been a challenge to my ability to be as optimistic as I had been before the pandemic. Businesses as well as people are dying. There is a lot of mourning going on.

WHAT DO YOU SEE FOR YOUR BUSINESS MOVING FORWARD?
I have a lot of money tied up in inventory, and I could liquidate and lose so much money on the dollar and do something else. It’s really not knowing if online sales will catch on.

SOMETHING PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I was a single teen mom. I was working and putting myself through school and being a mom. I don’t say this to encourage anyone to follow that path, but just to show that you can defy the odds, too.

WHAT WORD WOULD DESCRIBE YOU?
Resilient.

PHRASE OR WORD YOU OVERUSE?
Obtuse. As in ‘What? That is so obtuse.’

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.22.3″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_code admin_label=”Ad” _builder_version=”3.23.3″ text_orientation=”center”][adrotate banner=”127″][/et_pb_code][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.22.3″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.23.3″]DO YOU SEE YOURSELF AS A ROLE MODEL?
I do because I did defy the odds. I now enjoy demonstrating how capable I am without being born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I’ve often been told how inspiring I am to others. I take that seriously, and I understand how actions can devastate or motivate an entire community.

WORST JOB?
I was five months pregnant and worked in a call center. We made calls for different types of businesses. We sat about 6 inches apart in a room. The hardest part was that after one phone call, the next number was dialed automatically so you really couldn’t even take a breath in between. I lasted three days.

SECRET SNACK STASH?
I’m a glutton for Gummy Bears.

THREE THINGS YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT?
MAC Ruby Woo red lipstick, my lashes, and MAC Candy Yum-Yum perfume.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.22.3″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_image src=”https://todayswomannow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Tawana0229.jpg” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.23.3″][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Image Caption” _builder_version=”3.23.3″ text_font=”||on||||||” text_text_color=”#6d6d6d” text_font_size=”10px” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”90%” module_alignment=”center” saved_tabs=”all”]Tawana is the owner of AFM Threads, with locati0ns in Oxmoor Center and Mall St. Matthews. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tawana has had to close her stores and sell her merchandise online. Photo by Melissa Donald[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.22.3″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.23.3″]WITH 15 FREE MINUTES?
I would give Big America a piece of my mind on how they are treating Small America during this pandemic. I would tell it on the news and tell it loudly.

CAN’T GET THE KNACK OF?
The whole eyebrow thing. How are you doing that? I have my own technique, but it is not the industry-standard.

WHAT PUZZLES YOU?
Why people make a decision to not like a person based on someone else’s opinion. You may have missed out on knowing a really cool person.

 [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.22.3″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_image src=”https://todayswomannow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Tawana2013.jpg” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.23.3″][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Image Caption” _builder_version=”3.23.3″ text_font=”||on||||||” text_text_color=”#6d6d6d” text_font_size=”10px” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”90%” module_alignment=”center” saved_tabs=”all”]Tawana is looking to publish a book Just Boss Up, which is a collection of thoughts and quotes to motivate people who have the entrepreneurial bug. Submitted photo.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.22.3″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.23.3″]HOW DO YOU RELAX?
Spending time with loved ones. I like a cocktail night out with the girlfriends talking till 1 or 2 in the morning.

I HAVE TOO MANY…
Dreams I still want to pursue. I’d like to publish my book Just Boss Up, which is a collection of thoughts and quotes to motivate people who have the entrepreneurial bug.

P.S. Read about the other 2020 Most Admired Woman winners.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.22.3″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_image src=”https://todayswomannow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/13Tawana.jpg” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.23.3″][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Image Caption” _builder_version=”3.23.3″ text_font=”||on||||||” text_text_color=”#6d6d6d” text_font_size=”10px” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”90%” module_alignment=”center” saved_tabs=”all”]Tawana was a single teen mom and wants to show others that they can defy the odds, too. Submitted photo.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.22.3″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”3.2.2″][/et_pb_divider][et_pb_comments show_count=”off” _builder_version=”3.16″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#000000″ button_border_color=”#000000″ button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_use_icon=”off” button_alignment=”center” button_text_color_hover=”#000000″ button_border_color_hover=”#000000″ button_border_radius_hover=”0″ button_bg_color_hover=”#ffffff” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#000000″ button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_border_color__hover=”#000000″ button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”on” button_border_radius__hover=”0″ button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_bg_color__hover=”#ffffff” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off”][/et_pb_comments][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]