woman in pink pants

A native of St. Louis, Tamara Miller relocated to Atlanta in 2015 in search of a brighter future. By 2019, this self-described lifelong naturalista, unable to find natural and organic products for her highly-textured hair, decided to start her own haircare line. As a consumer keenly conscious of ingredients, she leaned on her Ayurveda training to develop her products. By November, Tamara visited Goodwill’s Pleasant Hill Career Center and enrolled in Goodwill’s GoodBIZ training program to learn about starting her business on a solid foundation. Tamara chose “deity” for its meaning – divine nature. The company’s crown logo is in honor of her mother, who told Tamara that her hair was her crown.

When she began her entrepreneurship journey, Tamara could not have anticipated the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Thankfully, she was able to continue with GoodBIZ training, which was moved immediately moved online. Tamara shared her appreciation for the knowledge she gained during the program. It helped to build her confidence and allowed her to put people in place who could help her with issues like funding.

In 2020, Tamara added a skincare line, which she created to help her grandfather, who was suffering with dry, cracking skin due to diabetes. She formulated an all-natural whipped shea butter that was lightweight and non-greasy, and designed to heal damaged skin. Now in its third year of business, Deity Body Care is a thriving online company. They strive to help each customer “find joy and sweetness in the everyday acts of self-care.” Deity’s products are targeted at the underserved market of lower to middle income African Americans and biracial persons who are experiencing hair and skin conditions.

As a result of Deity’s success, Tamara was invited to compete in Goodwill of North Georgia’s inaugural “Battle of the BIZ!” in November 2021. This program was modeled after a popular television series, and Tamara and four other GoodBIZ graduates presented their plans to grow their companies to a distinguished panel of Atlanta business leaders. Tamara’s proposal earned her $2000 in support to take her business to the next level.

To learn more about Tamara and Deity Body Care LLC visit them on the web: www.deitybodycare.com

Thanks to Goodwill’s GoodBIZ program, 130 businesses have been formed in the last four years, with over 400 people hired into these organizations.