Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tamara Mitchell-Davis, Founder of TM Davis Enterprise LLC., located in Berlin, CT, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I'm in the online book and business coaching industry. I'm an 8x bestselling author, book anthologist, speaker, podcast, and conference host. I help aspiring female authors and entrepreneurs write, publish, and build their author platform and business so they can make the impact and income they desire.
Tell us about yourself
What first got me started in business was realizing the impact of my story. I struggled for several years with the writing and publishing process due to doubt, fear, and just overthinking everything.
I would start and stop over and over again, never finishing. It wasn't until I experienced the death of someone really close to me that I wondered if her dreams were fulfilled. Suppose she lived her best and blessed life to the fullest. Pondering those questions and many more lit a fire under me to start, finish, figure things out and build. I was determined to turn my dream of writing a book into a reality with books in the marketplace. The only thing stopping me was me. It wasn't until my first book was published that I was able to witness the impact it had on others and how our stories can truly connect, motivate and inspire others. Women were reaching out to me, sharing story connections, and requesting assistance with getting their stories written, told, and sold, and I started marketing myself as the "go-to person" for them.
My book birthed the business TM Davis Enterprise LLC, an empowerment company that teaches women how to turn their stories into success that creates fuller, richer lives for themselves and their families. But my work went beyond books -- it was building businesses, creating additional streams of income, and living out my assignment to help women envision big dreams and push past their fear to make them come true.
Statistically, I was labeled as an "at-risk" kid, but I soon learned as an adult that I was at risk. I was At-Risk for Success. It was up to me to heal, get out of my own way and dig into my own fears, doubt, and emotions that kept me frustrated and overthinking.
So what motivates me has a front-row seat to watch women heal, write their stories, start businesses, birth their books and transform before my eyes. From shy and doubtful to confident, from hiding in the shadows to showing up and making the book and business impact they desire. It truly is a powerful and mind-blowing experience to watch and witness. I am so honored and grateful for it.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
One of my biggest accomplishments is publishing a book series, "Blessed Not Broken," and helping over 40+ women become best-selling authors with this project alone. Another big accomplishment for me is hosting our annual Pen to Profit conference for authors, speakers, and coaches. This conference is an all-time fun and learning event for the writing, publishing, and business-building space. We have speakers, work sessions, and tons of fun because we do believe in a healthy balance of work and play. For info: www.pentoprofit.live
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
It's hard to narrow it down to one, so I would have to call out two of the hardest things that come with being a business owner. First, I would say there are "unlearning" habits and beliefs that might have been picked along the way. The second is the mindset. I believe unlearning, and mindset go hand and hand, but I wanted to call them out separately. Mindset is a crucial part of being a business owner. Whether you are creating something out of nothing or continuously testing that ONE thing, your mindset will either have you all in, giving up or in between both. Once you have a made-up mind, there's no stopping you. Because even though you might question yourself along the way, giving up is not an option. You will figure it out, make necessary decisions, keep pushing through, and explore all options.
This is where unlearning and relearning can be complicated. We can tend to be creatures of habit and comfort, so it's important to reprogram our mindset, challenge ourselves, venture outside of our comfort zones, and be mindful of the spaces and places we venture into.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
The top 3 tips I'd like to give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today are:
- Be clear on WHY you are starting the business. Your WHY will keep you focused, mission-driven, and motivated at times when you might feel weary. If you lose your "footing" and go off course, reflect back to your WHY.
- Understand the problem you are solving and who you are solving it for (ideal client). Businesses exist to solve problems, meet a need and fill a gap. When you have an understanding of the problem and the individual(s) with the problem, then you can market more effectively through your messaging to attract those you wish to serve in your business.
- Track your KPIs. Key performance indicators can help you measure business success or lack thereof. Data doesn't lie. Your business data (revenue, performance, customer satisfaction, to name a few) will tell the story that can guide you with goal setting and other business decisions. Decide which KPIs to track for your business and track accordingly.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.theceowife.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theceowife
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theceowife860/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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