Meet Tequila Kearney | Entrepreneur & Humanitarian

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tequila Kearney and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tequila, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
Inspiration is in every living thing. Everyday we wake is a miracle so every day there should be a new inspiration. I am a mom so I draw inspiration from my 13 year old daughter London Williams. I am a lover of the arts therefore I draw inspiration from music, dance, museums , sound, nature. One of my favorite quotes is “Your life is already artful,- waiting, just waiting for you to make it art.” – Toni Morrison Inspiration is limitless. When you find what inspires you, you will find joy and freedom.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am so excited to be a delegate for the Ms Fullfigured NC pageant. It is my very first pageant ever. I am Tequila Kearney and I hail from the Durham NC. My platform for the pageant is parental awareness agains grooming, molestation and human trafficking. Questions to ask and what signs to look for. I am currently an Engineer Design Associate for Duke Energy a fortune 125 company. The journey has not been easy. I am very artistic by nature so I have worked in many fields because I easily become mundane in the same role as I am an aggressive learner in that way. How does a young woman with a fashion and design background end up in engineering viewing infrastructure layouts and right of ways. I believe everything that you experience on your journey to success all of the hardships, setbacks and mistakes strengthen your capacity to lead, have strong work ethic and give you the motivation to always press ahead full steam. One hard thing for a creative sometimes is shutting off the little engine that wants you to do all things at once. That’s why launching Threaded by Thickeila is very important because of inflation the cost of living has increased. One day I was thrifting and I paid $14 for a pair of jeans at the Durham Rescue Mission. I have made an intentional decision to open Threaded by Thickeila to help the working middle class and homeless population to have affordable stylish clothing and the end goal is to take 10% of the annual proceeds and donate them to an non profit organization that assist with homelessness, food deserts, housing insecurities and victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. My hearts desire is to become a full time humanitarian.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am the friend that likes to plan and always have a little itinerary ready. If my bestie was coming in town for a week I am most definitely a brunch girl Beyu Caffe, Snooze AM, GRUBDurham and Press Coffee would be my go to. Sexy girls night out dinner at ORO, Sullivans, Perry’s, Ruth Chris Cary location and La Mala! My favorite museums are Ella West Gallery, CAM Museum, NC Museum of Art. If you are a wine connoisseur Melanated Wine is a hidden jewel with poetry nights, ZincHouse Winery and Brewery and last Barcelona Wine Bar. Live music at The Durham and Unscripted.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Every chapter of my life there have been people sent for a reason, season or a lifetime to help me to navigate what’s next. There have been so many beautiful people who have touched me in some way and provided mentorship, love and experiences good or bad to mold me into the person I am today. However, there are just a few that I can list that have been consistent pillars in my life Rickiea Perry, Christina Johnson, Therisa Means, Cristal Rouse, Erica Parker and Zoe Walker. Each one of these ladies have been a listening ear, mentor or coach and have shown me so much love. Zoe Walker I have to shout her out she’s been published so many times and recommended me for this interview so Zoe I’m sending my love and shouting you out Queen!! Projects of Hopes organization provided me the opportunity to travel to Kenya for my first missions trip. Renovating a school building relationships with strangers and learning a new language was an amazing experience. I left Africa forever changed and inspired. I am an avid reader but the most recent book that I’ve read that has allowed me to learn to successfully set boundaries is “Good Boundaries and Goodbyes” by Lysa Terkeurst”

Instagram: @tequilacurel

Linkedin: Tequila Kearney

Facebook: @Keila Kearney

Image Credits
Tequila Kearney