Community Highlights: Meet Donna Morris of TGND Consulting

Today we’d like to introduce you to Donna Morris.

Hi Donna, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
So, it all started in elementary school. Throughout my childhood, I had a keen eye and passion for fashion, but when I think back, the only thing I wanted to be, career-wise, was better than the cards I was dealt. While most kids wanted to be a doctor or lawyer, I had no clue. It wasn’t until I attended a youth media program in 5th grade that I discovered and fell in love with the world of media and communications. The program left me intrigued by showing me the behind-the-scenes work that it takes to bring stories to life, both visually and creatively, and it was at that moment that I discovered my second passion. As expected, I went on to study communications at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in Communications Studies. As an undergrad, I married both passions and worked for a top luxury retail store and learned about the importance of brand image and merchandising. I then took on private clients and assisted them with wardrobe styling and brand image consulting, which I continued to do even as I worked with other companies and generated impressive results in their sales and marketing departments. In that phase of my life, I was a sponge. I wanted to grow and learn as much as I could about my passions.

As a result of that hunger to learn, I have my dream job today as the Co-Founder and Lead Brand Image Architect of TGND Consulting®, the full-service PR agency I launched with my twin sister. Though I spent years climbing the corporate ladder, I knew that it was necessary to do so in order to make my dream of being an entrepreneur a reality. As full-time mompreneurs, my sister and I work with mompreneurs and woman-led lifestyle business owners to be seen in spaces and stand out from the competition. We do this through strategic brand development, media relations, image consulting, and kick-ass public relations and marketing tactics. As the head of our brand image department, I work to assist our clients with creating a cohesive brand image and gaining valuable brand recognition and awareness.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I truly don’t think any entrepreneur has had a smooth road, me being included. As a young black businesswoman surrounded by seasoned professionals in your industry, you’re bound to have obstacles. When I first started out, I found that I didn’t fit in, I wasn’t welcomed, and I wasn’t seen as an authority. Thankfully, I decided early on to create that space for myself and pull my own seat up at my own table. As a collective, my sister and I struggled to scale the business. We worked extremely hard, but we just weren’t growing. That’s when we realized that in order to scale, we had to first niche down and get clear about our vision. To do this, we joined an accelerator program and found a mentor to help guide us through the first couple of years in business. This by far, has changed the entire game for us. Being surrounded and supported by a community of other PR and marketing professionals has truly helped us grow, create valuable relationships, and gain priceless knowledge.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about TGND Consulting?
At TGND Consulting®, we work to have mompreneurs and woman-led lifestyle business owners be seen in spaces and stand out from the competition. Through strategic brand development, media relations, image consulting, and kick-ass public relations and marketing tactics, we turn emerging brands into influencers through innovative ideas. Our approach is this: Get clear, get organized, get started.

We enjoy working with clients who have the passion and the hustle, along with the feelings of overwhelm and burnout that comes with running a business. Because we see ourselves in these women and know that all they need is direction in defining their goals, we take pride in helping them discover their identity, refresh their brand image, develop PR strategies that get them results, and find confidence and peace in their day to day.

As the Lead Brand Image Architect, I play a huge role in our clients’ creative process. I help them decide which platforms to show up for, when to show up, and how to show up. I also assist them with brand photoshoots, image consulting, photoshoot/event wardrobe styling, influencer outreach, and digital content creation to ensure they are showing up as an authority.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Though I firmly believe that work trumps luck, I do think that luck has played a major role in where I am in my business. Luck is the reason I have a twin sister to start a business with. Luck is the reason I have her to grow with and learn from. Of course, being in business with family has its ups and downs, but I’m lucky to have someone by my side who I wholeheartedly trust.

Image Credits

MaxRes Photography https://www.maxresphotography.com/