Today we’d like to introduce you to Cyrene Tankard.
Hi Cyrene, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My dad used to make these YouTube videos. Over time he had an entire catalogue of family content from fashion shows to basketball games to plays that my siblings and I took part in. My oldest sister found a production company looking to highlight a family, she compiled and submitted the videos and next thing you know, we were shooting a pilot. I was around 15 or 16 years old. After the pilot, we were green-lit. We had three seasons of Bravo’s “Thicker Than Water” a reality show following my family and I, The show even highlighted my departure to Howard University. At Howard, I was able to thrive by being a part of homecoming committee my freshman year to working in production at the company that was filming our show. I got a major hands on experience working as a field PA, casting assistant, show developer and even associate producer.
Before graduating from Howard, I worked on a firm called “Love Dot Com,” you can check it out on Netflix! After graduation, I was open to continuing my career in production but was open to other routes. I went to a Sephora one day to grab some skincare in hopes of clearing my skin up, I ended up posting my finds and tagging the brand. They loved my post and offered me a full set of the line. Something in my head sparked from this, I realized my platform had more value than I once recognized and knew if I angled it correctly, I could monetize. From there, I began going content crazy and developing partnerships with brands who paid me to deliver curated content for my audiences. Since then, I have partnered with several notable brands, written a few articles for Essence Magazine, and began to explore and expand as a businesswoman.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road definitely has not been smooth., I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis years ago and it’s something I’ve had to live with for a while, UC causes major discomfort regarding digestive issues. So there have been times where I have lost 10-20 lbs in a matter of 1 or 2 weeks, extreme fatigue, and dehydration. Sometimes these flares can last for months and it takes a toll on more than just your body… mentally and spiritually it gets draining but I’m blessed to have a strong support system to encourage me through.
Beyond dealing with health, being a one woman show is tough. People don’t see what work really goes in behind content creation. I have no agent or no representation so everything you see that I book, every partnership that was me, The ideas, creativity, time and effort into telling a story, sending invoices, pitching and creating campaign ideas, and managing a content calendar isn’t always easy. I’m blessed to have a boyfriend who supports me and helps me pull together these ideas and projects (www.krown.media) shameless plug!
Health and entrepreneurship are just two major challenges I deal with and although it’s a pain to deal with, it has only made me smarter, stronger, and sharper. So as cliche as it sounds, embrace the challenge.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a content creator, otherwise known as an influencer in today’s terminology. I specialize in creating niche content for brands and myself to use to promote via social media.
Most people say substance is what sets me apart. I try and be personal, patient, and precise with everything I do and everyone I work with. I share a message of self-love, self-improvement and positivity. It’s not all about the money but it’s about giving people hope and spreading love and also establishing a connection with your audience. Which is why I wrote “Journey to Self,” a self-help journal for young girls to get to know themselves and develop their personal desires, goals, and create a point of reference they can always return to for self-growth and guidance. My goal is to inspire and see smiles on young girls faces when they come to the realization of all that is inside of them and what they can be,
Although I am primarily known for being on a reality show, I’d say secondarily people know me from social media (@cyrenelovette). Over the years, I have worked to build a platform highlighting beauty, health, lifestyle, travel, and fashion.
I think I am most proud of the way I’ve been able to develop my business through expressing myself and sharing impactful moments with my community.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Always have a backup plan and have more than one thing going on. Covid shut down pretty much all industries and people were unprepared. I think it’s important to remember that crisis doesn’t last always and to keep going even when things seem impossible.
Pricing:
- Story posts: 500
- In feed post: 1700
- Reels; 3000
- IGTV: 2000
- IG Video: 2500
Contact Info:
- Email: Info@cyrenelovette.com
- Website: www.Cyrenelovette.com
- Instagram: @cyrenelovette
- Facebook: @cyrenelovette
- Twitter: @cyrenelovette
- Youtube: Cyrenelovette
- SoundCloud: Cyrenelovette
Image Credits:
@kreammm @Krown.media www.krown.media Name: Dorian Kirkwood
