Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamara Austin.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My brothers and I were homeschooled and had the wonderful opportunity, while also learning our regular coursework, to learn about things that really interested us that were not being taught in our curriculum. My passion was “all things animals.” As a 90’s baby, I grew up on a multitude of amazing educational television shows. My favorites were Stanley, Zoboomafoo, The Wild Thornberrys, Prehistoric Planet, Crocodile Hunter, and The Most Extreme. I learned a multitude of facts about animals, both domesticated and exotic. I loved to collect caterpillars, lizards, frogs, and worms and would make custom habitat enclosures for them. Unfortunately, I wasn’t the best at making enclosures, the animals always got out, lol. As I grew older, I was introduced to Animal Planet and instantly fell in love. I began to realize that my life would always revolve around animals and that we, as a society, could and should conserve their natural habitats. Spearheading my exotic animal passion was the late Steve Irwin, The Crocodile Hunter. Through his extraordinary work, passion and over the top enthusiasm for all animals, he inspired me to take up the charge to become an advocate for animal conservation and to help people understand they do not have to be fearful of animals as long as you respect their space and stay in yours. So, by starting Totally Enchanting, my Exotic Animal Education program, along with my YouTube Channel, I am doing just that.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My biggest struggle has been applying for internships. I continue to apply to various animal sanctuaries in hopes of becoming an intern so that I can continue my desire to learn more about exotic animals and to get more hands-on experience working with different species. Unfortunately, most, if not all, internships are reserved for college students, so I don’t qualify. The other struggle has been finding other people to collaborate with who share my passion. Collaborating with other exotic animal lovers is a great way to bring more excitement and variety to our educational programs. Fortunately, I continue to believe, the perfect opportunities will present themselves and I will be ready when they come.
Totally Enchanting – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Totally Enchanting is an Exotic Animal Education Program and YouTube Channel that educates people on wildlife conservation and the care of exotic animals. Our program covers the habitat, diet and the care of exotic animals, in particular, Leucistic and Mosaic or White Faced Sugar Gliders, commonly known as, Gliding Possums, although they are not possums at all. My unique educational program offers an interactive, fun and hands-on approach to animal education, engaging people of all ages. My program is fun and interactive for ALL ages, because, believe it or not, adults are just as interested and fascinated with exotic animals as young people are!
I patterned my educational program after my own learning styles, a combination of interpersonal (I prefer to learn in a group with other people) and kinesthetic (I learn faster when I use my hands and sense of touch.) As part of our program, I bring my Gliders to classrooms, after-school programs, summer camps, libraries, fairs, and birthday parties where I teach children, in a super fun way, the many interesting facts about gliders, including how to touch, hold and feed them in the proper way. Our Sugar Gliders are so unique, we have also had requests to showcase our gliders in photo shoots, music videos, and other media events.
As a young woman of color, that grew up loving all animals but finding myself drawn to the more unique, unusual ones, I was often laughed at and told, “black people don’t mess with weird exotic animals, that’s not what we do!” So, I was determined to knock down that ridiculous stereotype. Now that I am able to pursue my passion, to educate as many people as possible about wildlife conservation and exotic animals, I strive to inspire others to pursue their passions also. My ultimate desire is to encourage people to ignore the naysayers and go for their dreams, no matter how different they may be.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment of my career so far was when I was FINALLY able to hold my sugar gliders. After the excitement of purchasing my first gliders from a breeder in North Carolina and bringing them home, I realized that no amount of research could have prepared me for the different temperaments gliders could have. Unfortunately, the gliders were not so welcoming, they crabbed (a defense mechanism used when they are frightened) and bit me often. Because of this, I stopped holding them with my bare hands and wore gloves whenever I dealt with them. Admittedly, I was scared of them. For months, I played with them and bonded with them but never touched them with my bare hands. Desperate, I sought out a sugar glider professional for some tips and tricks on how we could get over the fear of each other. To my utter amazement, the glider professional had no problem holding them with ease and confidence. Thankfully, after he worked with me and my gliders, I was FINALLY able to hold them without being fearful. Today, no one would ever believe I was once fearful of these amazing animals.
Pricing:
- School Events, Summer Camps, Parties, Holiday Events, Media Engagements and more. Please contact me for more information and pricing.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 770-742-8228
- Email: totally_enchanting@yahoo.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/totally_enchanting
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TamaraTashay/
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV91qOJKS6MAAg6V6xE6wQQ
Image Credit:
Jeri Austin, Caramel Craze Popcorn, BJ Henderson
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
