Today we’d like to introduce you to T.M.R Woodford.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am originally from Newark, NJ, where I was born and raised. Growing up, if it were not for my mentor Dr. Kevin West of Phi Beta Sigma, providing a platform known as the Sigma Beta Club, I would have never discovered my leadership skills early on. The most valuable lesson I learned then that continues to propel my life and career was that sometimes you have to work hard, push, pull and fight for what it is you want. In this process, I also realized that by not giving up, you ultimately reach the goals you’re aiming for or better. My early career consisted of sales jobs, at which I greatly excelled, and working as a recording studio manager, vocal coach, songwriter and consultant for recording studios and record labels. It was my work with record labels that brought me to Atlanta in 1998 during a golden age of music in Atlanta to work with the likes of LaFace Records artist Pink and Tony Rich. Although the plan was to only come to Atlanta a few weeks to work, circumstances and a vision in which I saw a greater opportunity kept me here much longer.
Coming from The Tri-State area, being new to GA and knowing little of the people and land, I found myself having to start all over once my project ended. This is when I learned that music, like most industries, requires 90% business skills and 10% talent. While in pursuit of a career in entertainment, I found myself working most any job to further my knowledge of the business of music and survive. It was during this period that I began to hone and develop my business acumen. It was then that I found myself at a crossroads as to where my focus needed to be. It dawned on me to consider spending more time on what came effortlessly to me rather than that which gave more resistance. Sales and networking were a cakewalk, whereas people widely liked me, trusted me, asked for and listened to my advice. Aha!! Consulting!! Whether it was my 18-year-old self walking world-class talent into record labels like Bad Boy Entertainment or my 28-year-old self with a direct sales average of 83%, I found that the ability to be trusted with people’s time, decisions and money was my greatest skill.
Years of sales management/executive experience and a mathematical mind allowed me the wherewithal to learn a system or process and deduce how to optimize and enhance it for increased ease of use and productivity. I had always done so in any job, yet I just saw it as my way of making my job easier to drive results. In essence, I would create a bridge to more efficiently reach the desired goal. It was in those moments in 2007 that Woodford Consulting was born. All businesses have the same core needs being increased productivity yielding liquidity and a fresh mind that can perceive a more efficient way. Having consulted the gamut of clients, I realized there was a point where I could no longer help them in an area of yet greater need, finances. Everyone needs financial risk mitigation and access to capital and oftentimes, a potential client’s ability to pay someone to help them is their greatest obstacle for growth. It was then that one of my best friends, business partners and advisors Reginald Crossley introduced me to fund managers looking to invest in viable projects and businesses.
Going down the path of helping businesses and individuals get access to capital was yet another amazing extension of growth in our service offerings, yet led to another quickly realized harsh reality, you still have to qualify to get funding. During this time period, I met one of my mentors, who is a Financial Strategist. He introduced me to advanced financial modeling, whereas by looking into someone’s micro-economic picture, you can find out where they’re losing money unknowingly or unnecessarily. It’s this same micro-economic picture that reveals apparent risk that can be eliminated or mitigated to make an individual or business more attractive to a potential investor. I began consulting alongside my mentor, CEO of Drive Planning Todd Burkhalter, which led to being promoted to Managing Partner only after four months. Two years later, I head operations at our Midtown and Greater Atlanta offices where our clients and members range from Entrepreneurial Nurses on the front line to Multi-Platinum selling artists. Being partnered with Drive Planning to ensure we can provide financial protection, savings and growth for our businesses and individuals in need is indeed an honor.
I stay grounded outside of business, being a present, aware and active person in family and community. As a proud father, the businesses I create and reputation I build are part of the legacy I pass on to my children, who are my living legacy. Since 2012 I have been hosting an internship program that teaches young adults from high school to college how to hone their talents, build relationships and navigate the business, personal and financial worlds. We team up with some of the best in their fields in various industries to provide our mentees some of the best mentors and access. The TMRW Enterprises Internship program is now partnered with the City of Atlanta for our 3rd year, not only providing guidance but a working job and pay for our interns who qualify. Had it not been for those who were willing to mentor and step in to lend a hand, I would not have had the successes that make me who I am today and who I am becoming. To this day, I still work closely with some of the world’s best entertainers with the most creative parts of their process to the most technical and now finance. As a creative, I have been designing clothing since highschool, which last year was reborn into The WDFRD Brand. Our shoes and accessories are available online with our t-shirt and clothing line launching July 2020. Stay tuned! Amazing abounds!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Oh no, it was rough. I was homeless after only 2-3 months in Atlanta. I was homeless again after the market correction of 08. I have been robbed at gunpoint 2x and my home was robbed and emptied while out of town once leaving me with nothing.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I could start all over, I wouldn’t change anything as I’ve learned and gained wisdom or traction from everything.
Contact Info:
- Address: 715 Peachtree St. NE Atlanta, GA 30308
- Website: www.driveplanning.com www.thewoodfordfirm.com www.tmrwenterprises.com www.thewdfrdbrand.com
- Phone: 4048401433
- Email: tmrwoodford@gmail.com
- Instagram: iamtmrw
- Facebook: tmrwoodford
- Twitter: tmrw
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