THE EMPRESS

Get your own free cool background at MySpace LayoutsThe great-grand daughter of a share cropper, this South Carolina native has grown up with the sensibility of an artist in every right. With stints as a background singer for various headliners, from Kelly Price and Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, to a well respected songwriter and vocalist in her own right. Tameka paid her dues and stayed on the grind in smoked filled studios, writing and singing hooks for well established MC'S until the grind of pursuing a career in music finally paid off. But after an ill-fated record deal at Elektra records, Tameka Holmes decided that rather than to retreat to the daily confines of a 9 to 5, which would have been a more economically safe existence, this lovely entrepreneur decided to embark on another career in the arts as an interior designer instead. Since she had always had an adeptness for visual arts as a child,Tameka decided to follow her dreams and open her own design firm, "Beautiful Holmes & Interiors LLC", over five years ago to serve her fellow comrads from her former years in the industry. "I know the the life and the style of the people in the business, whom I work with, because I was them at one time. I thought it would be great to offer them a service that would cater to their nocturnal lifestyles, where I could offer them a luxury service by overseeing their personal renovation projects, while ensuring quality goods and services for those who have the money but do not necessarily have the time."Tameka has been operating successfully out of her second home base in Queens for over five years after leaving a high-end residential design firm to strike out own her own. As an active member of the NAACP, Tameka's company has joined in the prevention efforts to stop the gentrification of New Orleans, by providing renovation services to its natives, who otherwise would not be able to afford it, so they can return to their homes and reclaim their neighborhoods. Recently expanding her business into scenic design and event production, Tameka draws inspiration from past innovators such as August Wilson, whose life and works have compelled her to deepen her commitment to the development of more relevant theatre for audiences of color, who have been so gravely underserved. "I love creating wonderful environments for people and I feel that designing sets is an extension of that." When asked what does she accredit her success to, Tameka simply says, "Love...if you love what you do and who you're with,everything will eventually fall into place."