Meet julie lomakka | Owner/Founder

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

Hi julie, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
I believe that a positive message on a hat or a t-shirt or a mug or anything else for that matter can have a multiplier effect. Everything we sell at tabono lifestyle be it a hoodie. tank top, bracelet, hat, journal, mug or tee shirt it is going to have an inspired message on it. This message is going to resound joy, strength, compassion or unity. When you are setting your intention for the day based on these powerful messages you are showing up as your best self and in turn you are impacting everyone you interact with throughout the day. When you show up as positive and strong and joyful others around you feel more positive and confident and strong. So you see it is not just a tee shirt or a mug with a message it is in fact a way of being in the world and impacting others in a positive way.

When you wear motivational clothing it does more than just look good it taps into a psychological effect called “enclothed cognition.” This fancy term simply means that what we wear influences how we think, feel, and perform. When you slip on a shirt that says “Joy Mafia ” or “Force Multiplier of Positive Energy” it’s not just a fashion statement. You are telling the world what you stand for and who you are.

When you wear empowerment clothing, you’re not just wearing a shirt; you’re carrying a message. These shirts often feature bold, inspirational quotes or messages that grab attention and make a statement without you having to say a word. The cool thing about this? It sparks conversations. Imagine standing in line for coffee, and someone reads your shirt saying “Let’s Be Better Humans” Suddenly, you’re chatting about positive life changes and sharing ideas. That’s the power of an empowerment tee—it connects you with others who share similar ideals or who are curious about the message you’re displaying. And in today’s world, making genuine connections is more valuable than ever. Empowerment tees aren’t just conversation starters; they’re connection makers. They help bridge the gap between strangers, create a sense of community, and encourage dialogue on important issues. By wearing your heart on your tee, you open the door to meaningful exchanges that might not have happened otherwise. So, yes, empowerment tees can definitely spark conversations and connections, making them more than just a piece of clothing but a tool for social interaction and personal expression.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I launched tabono lifestyle a couple months before turning 60. I have had many fulfilling and exciting careers and for the first time wanted to do something purely because I was passionate about spreading a positive message. I had worked in operations in the fashion industry for 24 years starting as a sales person in college working my way up to Vice President. I then worked as the Vice President of Fundraising for a Non-Profit that did clean water harvesting in Africa. For the last 10 years I have been working full time as a residential real estate agent in Southern California.

I have always loved fashion and at its core felt it was the ultimate form of self expression. My mother lost me in a clothing store when I was a little girl and I was in the window changing the mannequins. It was destiny. I was inspired by so many people doing good work in the world and because of my background in the industry it was a natural fit.

The Western African symbol of tabono represents oars and symbolizes strength, unity and perseverance. If you follow my instagram page you will notice that everything has a water theme to it. I have always been drawn to the water. I grew up in a town of 24 people in wyoming yet somehow managed to get on a swim team at a AA school that was not my own and eventually was accepted into the junior olympics. I also got my scuba diving license in a muddy lake in Wyoming. I knew the ocean had to be the backdrop for tabono.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
It depends on the friend! I am so fortunate to say that I have the most diverse group of friends you could ever imagine. Some of my friends would love to spend the day at a sound bath. Some would love to go dancing all night at boogie nights dressed up in our best version of the 70’s. Some friends would love to do a cross training workout with me or go for a long hike in the hills or at the beach. Some friends would love to go to my improv class with me and dare to fail. Some would love to go have a fantastic meal and fill the night with laughter. Some would like to just chat around the pool all day and sit in the hot tub. I love the diversity. I am blessed with amazing friends.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Hilary Bilbrey who leads my Read Inspired book club is who unknowingly planted the seed for me to launch tabono lifestyle. She is a speaker and creates and delivers training workshops for businesses and somehow on the side she also runs a magical book club. The books are mostly about self development. Rarely do we read the book. The club is unique and increadible because Hilary boils the books down to their finest points and coverts them into mini training sessions. It is truly a transformative experience and has been life changing for me.

Website: tabonolifestyle@gmail.com

Instagram: tabano_lifestyle

Linkedin: julielomakka

Facebook: tabono lifestyle

Image Credits
Wendy Shapero