Today we’d like to introduce you to Tonda Thompson.
Hi Tonda, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My name is Tonda, and I own She Slangs Wood Co., a Woman-owned and Black-owned finish and construction carpentry company. Our mission is to teach women how to be refined and confident through woodworking. I am the first Black Woman in the nation to own and operate a sawmill. I also own a building that houses a storefront for our handmade furniture store. We also spend most days teaching in our woodshop and within schools. We have been featured on shows like the Kelly Clarkson Show and featured in magazines like The Family Handyman. Black Women Hustle listed me as one of the top 20 Black Women Entrepreneurs to watch in 2024.
Here are some links:
https://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/local-entrepreneur-tonda-thompson-to-be-featured-on-the-kelly-clarkson-show
The Eleven Percent: Meet Tonda Thompson, Woodworker and Community Advocate
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No. Creating your own business, especially a Black Woman in a male-dominated field, is always challenging. But it’s also a plus because I am supported just as much. After all, I am who I am.
We’ve been impressed with She Slangs Wood Co., but for folks who might need to be more familiar, what can you share about what you do and what sets you apart?
She Slangs Wood Co. is a Woman-owned and Black-owned finish and construction carpentry company. Our mission is to teach women how to be refined and confident through woodworking. I am the first Black Woman in the nation to own and operate a sawmill. I also own a building that houses a storefront for our handmade furniture store. We also spend most days teaching in our woodshop and within schools.
We have been featured on shows like the Kelly Clarkson Show and in magazines like The Family Handyman. We are known for building fences, decks, porches, sheds, pergolas, tables, and other custom-made home furnishings by women. Black Women Hustle listed me as one of the top 20 Black Women Entrepreneurs to watch in 2024. In 2013, I lost my son to negligence at the hospital where he was born. My husband and I divorced months after that. Following that tragic time, I went through a downward spiral of homelessness and suicidal thoughts and attempts. I am an award-winning community leader in Milwaukee, WI, paving the way for many others.
Do you have any advice for those just starting?
Keep going. No matter how things look. Write that goal down to manifest it, and work at it daily.
Contact Info:
- Website: Sheslangswood.com
- Instagram: @sheslangswood
- Facebook: @sheslangswood
- Twitter: @sheslangswood
- Youtube: @sheslangswood
