Where are they now? -with Amika Adams

Amika Adams smiling while striking a pose. Courtesy of Adams.

by R.J. HUNT
Editor

Being born and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and graduating from Huron High School, Amika Adams was ready for a change of scenery. She thought about going to college in California. She changed her mind as she decided she wanted to stay home and attend college as that made her more comfortable. Therefore, in the Fall 1990, she started attending WCC.

Amika went to WCC for a semester, but then realized that school wasn’t in her plans. “I was thinking ‘right now this is not for me, so I just went into work to make money,’” said Adams.

After focusing on just working for a few years, it then hit Amika that she wanted to go back to school. Therefore, Amika moved to Indiana to start her studies at ITT tech. There she earned an Associates degree in Computer Networking. Then she earned an Associates degree in Digital Media Design from Baker College.

Amika began working in customer service at a manufacturing job. She realized she wanted to move up the ranks in the industry, so in 2016, she decided to go back to WCC for her supply chain certificate. “I know to always bounce back using Washtenaw Community College,” said Adams. “It was very comfortable and familiar.”

Adams is amazed how much the WCC campus has changed compared to her first time at the school in 1990 compared to today. “It’s elevated to a higher level than Washtenaw Community College. I really love all the changes.” said Adams.

After Amika earned her supply chain certificate, she started using her creative skills to come up with her own inventions. This did not come without its hardships. Amika went through a divorce and found herself depressed. One night her cousin called to get her out of the house as Amika’s cousin invited her to go ballroom dancing. She started enjoying ballroom dancing and began going frequently. She realized a lot of the women were struggling trying to fit their heels into purses and ended up carrying them in their hand.

Adams pointing to her patented locking fastener, or as she calls it, “her baby.” Shelby Beaty | Washtenaw Voice

Amika wanted to change this so she started her handbag collection. Naming it after her middle name, the collection is titled ‘The Latrenae Collection’. The Latrenae Collection is a handbag that allows you to put your shoes and items you would put into a purse into the same bag. The bag is not just for any kind of shoes, but designed specifically for heels which is why they are popular among ballroom dancers. It features a divider, therefore shoes on one side and miscellaneous items on the other. They are even eco-friendly and water proof on the inside.

While the divider in the bags is patented pending, the locking fastener that comes with the bags is patented. The collection has five different styles, including: Miss Excellence, Miss Confidence, Miss Sassy, Miss Fineness, and Miss Faithful. The collection is expected to launch around June 11th.

Amika also has another business, Amika Adams the 1st, which helps women get inventions patented on a budget. She said it all started by casually offering a friend advice on how to get their invention patented. When the friend came back to Amika saying how she got the invention patented, Amika realized she could make money by giving people guidance on how to do such.

Adams still uses WCC’s Entrepreneur Center as she is getting help navigating her businesses. She loves utilizing the Entrepreneur Center because she feels the people that work there support her. “I love the resources and being able to feel comfortable,” said Adams. “If I’m lost in where I’m going, then there’s somewhere there to help me. (WCC) would notice and be willing to help me. A couple of times someone working at WCC noticed I was lost and was there for me.”

Amika’s goals for her future are to continue growing her businesses including an appearance on TV show, Shark Tank. Also, she wants to encourage women to use their resources because they are not on their own. Amika felt like after her divorce, she began to blossom in her life. “Most women have been hurt by relationships. Their self-esteem feel like they need to be connected to someone to feel validated. I want to say utilize the resources at the community college because they helped me a lot.”