WNBA star Tamika Catchings has kept busy since retiring from her 15-year career as a player with the Indiana Fever. In addition to continually working with her youth empowerment organization Catch the Stars, she took on a new role as director of player programs and franchise development with Pacers Sports and Entertainment, where she works with the Indiana Fever, Fort Wayne Mad Ants and the Indiana Pacers. When she’s not hard at work creating programming and events for those teams, you might find her enjoying a cup of tea at Tea’s Me Cafe, a bistro she purchased earlier this year. Tea’s Me aims to be Indy’s premier tea bar and cafe, offering a high quality selection of teas from around the world alongside breakfast and lunch options.
The Recorder recently met with Catchings to learn more about her new endeavors.
Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper: What inspired you to purchase Tea’s Me Cafe?
Catchings: I’ve been a customer for about 10 years. Last year, I was talking to one of my friends at the cafe, and he said you better come in much as you can before the new year because they would be shutting down. I asked why, and long story short the owner was moving. They hadn’t found anybody that they trusted to keep it. A couple of weeks later, I asked my husband, “Do you think I could do this?” and he said “Why not?” It’s been great; it’s a blessing. I love seeing the diversity that comes through the door. We get people from different walks of life, and every day I meet somebody new in here.
Tell me about your new role with Pacers Sports and Entertainment.
In this industry, you get pushed to do so many different things, but sometimes you don’t realize what you are truly passionate about. I was really blessed because I had a great circle of people that were around me, and they pushed me to try different things from a young age. So my hope is that I learn the players and figure out what they are passionate about and direct them in those ways.
As a business owner, what are your thoughts on the importance of supporting Black-owned businesses?
When I look at Black-owned business, it wasn’t necessarily just (the owners) that drove me to come in here; it was what they created and the environment with diversity. For our younger generation, it’s good to have something to aspire to be. Most African-Americans are raised to go to school and get a job. When you look at different cultures, they will teach them to go to school so you can own a business. I’m an entrepreneur now, and did I ever dream about this? It wasn’t something I grew up thinking about. But now that I’m here, I’m thinking, why couldn’t it be me?
Tea’s Me
140 E. 22nd St., Ste. B
open from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
For more info, log on to teasmeindy.com.
