BOSS Spotlight Feature: Tameika Jackson

Tameika is a Chicago native, Tameika is the creative mind behind En’Style Occasions. For years, Tameika was often complimented for her innovative ideas and detail-oriented work ethic in regards to planning events. She decided to merge all of her skills together and En’Style Occasions was born. Event planning for Tameika comes naturally.

1. What were some obstacles that you faced in the beginning process of starting your business or career? My biggest obstacle starting was my pricing. I was shortchanging myself to book an event. I was so excited to do an event I was charging little to nothing to where I was losing money. My vendors were walking away paid and I went home broke but excited I killed the event. I quickly learned I would not stay in business doing that. I have worked with my mentor and learned how to properly price my events so I could turn a profit. My second obstacle was fear. I love to do events but I was scared to put myself out there. I always found a way to stay in the shadows. I initially was only doing events for family and close friends. It terrified me to do events for outside people. Friends started referring me to their friends and I started getting more leads. Then the flood gates opened and I couldn't hide anymore. A friend told me "you are stunting your own growth". From that point, I knew I had to put myself out there and accept the blessings of being able to do my passions. 

2. What inspired you to break into your particular industry? As a child, I grew up watching one of the aunts throw elaborate parties and I was always in awe. I always said I can't wait to grow up so I can throw parties. From that grew my passion for events. As far as weddings, every little girl dreams about her wedding day. How it would look, who would come, her dress, etc. From my parties, friends and family members asked me to do their weddings. So I turned my dream wedding into everyone's dream wedding and the rest is history.

3. How do you balance your personal and professional life or have you been able to find a balance? It's always a challenge when you have a family and a business. I work a 9-5 job, my husband owns a State Farm agency and we have 4 children. Thank God my amazing husband helps me balance my home life and work. I can't forget to mention I have an amazing team that makes sure we flow smoothly.

4. What is an inspirational quote that you live by? "She was powerful not because she wasn't scared but because she went on so strongly, despite the fear. - Atticus

5. Who were some influential people or mentors that helped or encouraged you along the way? My amazing mentor is Desiree Dent. She's my event planner crush. LOL  

6. What are your "must-haves" to keep your career or business going strong? Strong faith, great support system, and the ability to network.

7. What is your definition of a BOSS? My definition of a BOSS is a woman that is able to balance home/family and being an entrepreneur and being great at both. 

8. Provide us with two words that describe you?  Goal Getter

Learn more about Tameika at https://www.enstyleoccasions.com/

My Word for 2020 by Dr. Sharice Bradford

In last month’s blog, I talked about New Year, New What?  I shared how I now come up with a word to guide me through the year.  I also stated that this month I would share what my word for 2020 is.  But before I share my word with you let me ask a question.  How are those resolutions coming?  How many people can honestly say that they have stuck with their resolutions and are just as on track and excited as they were when they made those resolutions at the end of the year?  Do you even remember what the resolutions were? 

Well as I shared, I thought long and hard about what my word for the year would be.  My process of choosing the word was a result of years of failed resolutions but also reading Shonda Rhimes' book The Year of Yes!  The year after reading that book my word was yes.  For those of you who haven’t read the book, it is a must-have for your library. 

Anyway, on to my word for 2020.  My word for this year is DONE!  Yep, DONE!  Not as in done with life, or done with living, however, done with the people, places and things that no longer serve my life and those people, places and things that have contributed directly or indirectly to me not living up to and owning my full potential. 

I have to make a disclaimer here.  I am not blaming anyone.  My life, my choices.  However, I realized as I was deciding what my word would be that there was a lot that I allowed, and a lot that I accepted that was not serving me, or my purpose.  So I decided to purge.  Just like cleaning my closet, or spring cleaning the house, I decided that I would rid my life of some things and some people that needed to be released.  I decided that I would be DONE and that I would let the word DONE by my guide for 2020. 

I have to admit, DONE was a scary word.  I required some restructuring of some relationships.  It required a change in employment, which became a change in economic status.  It required me to sit in some things I had allowed to get out of control and fix some things that had been broken. 

DONE required that I restructure my entrepreneurial efforts.  Entrepreneurship may be hard, but it is worth every effort, every failure, every setback, every sleepless night.  The victories and the successes made it so much more worth the effort.  I also decided to be done with happiness and regret.  The victories and successes make my choice worth the effort. 

I decided that DONE would guide me through 2020.  The reality is that my 2020 will be whatever I make it and that starts with being done with everything that does not serve my greater and/or higher purpose. 

If you decided to choose a word for the year, what is it? 

Learn more about Dr. Sharice Bradford via her website at  www.structuredsoulwellness.org and follow her on Twitter @CoachSharice7 

How to Go From Unknown to Known In Your Industry by Pam Perry

The currency today is attention. Everything is on speed dial; moving fast in nanoseconds. If you get someone's attention that's the key to getting them interested in your brand, business or book. 

I've been in business for two decades and I know what it takes to build a brand. But trust me, it does not happen quickly. You want to construct a brand that can be not only recognizable but trusted, preferred and recommended. 

Here's my "checklist" of some of the things that you must do to go from unknown to known in your industry:

1. Go to trade shows and conferences in your industry. Be seen. Network. Have great marketing materials to share.

 

2. Sponsor events.  Yes, quit asking for sponsorships... go and sponsors events where your target audience would notice you. Be a giver - sponsor charity events; take out ads in church bulletins. Yep. Old school. But it works. 

3. Blog.  Don't roll your eyes. The reason why blogs work is that it keeps you top of mind and top on google. You have to have your SEO going and blogging does that with RSS power. Blog with video too!

 

4. Write and distribute press releases.  You should have something to pitch to the media at least once a quarter.  Getting press can bring you visibility and name recognition plus credibility. Get to know the media. Follow them on twitter. Retweet them. 

5. Join associations. Become involved. Join The BOSS Network and come to their events. Volunteer to help. Be a "go-giver." 

6. Serve on a Board.  Yes, the Law of Reciprocity will be in effect. Very affluent people serve on board. Learn how to serve and you'll get noticed. 

7. Testimonials. If you're good at what you do, ask your clients and customers for endorsements. Ask them to record a video and put on your website and ask them to do a review on Google. 

8. Public speaking.  This is where you'll shine.  Don't worry about getting paid - just show off your expertise and brilliance. Take not on how people respond. Serve first. 

9. Joint venture. Collaboration is better than competition. Find a colleague in your field and host an event together - either online or in-person. Be resource. 

10. Write a book. A GOOD book and promote the book with a podcast series. If you are worth your salt, you should have a lot of content to share - and it'll pick up steam the more you share your knowledge. 

Remember, givers, get. So give your best to the world and the world will notice you and give the best back to you. 

Pam Perry is an award-winning communications professional. She teaches and mentors authors, speakers, and entrepreneurs on how to build a platform and attract major media and publishing contracts. She is also the publisher of SPEAKERS MAGAZINE and co-founder of Digital Business Acceleration. Download her free PR Mini-Course at www.pamperrypr.com