Today we’d like to introduce you to Tetnika Williamson.
Hi Tetnika, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born & raised in Greensboro, NC, where I completed high school and received my undergraduate Bachelors of Arts degree in Public Relations from North Carolina A&T State University in 2000. Upon graduation, I moved to Charlotte, NC, to start my corporate professional journey by working for a fortune 500 corporation, while obtaining my (M.B.A) Masters in Business Administration from Pfeiffer University in 2004 as an evening graduate student. After working seven years in corporate, I knew that there was something more I should be doing to impact the world. In 2007, I made one of the biggest leaps of faith in my professional career and pursued a new career in the field of education. Once I became an educator, it opened opportunities for me to venture into coaching, consulting, and becoming a successful small business owner.
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?
I was born into extremely humble beginnings, which taught me resilience at a very young age. I am a proud 1st generation HBCU graduate on my maternal side of the family. My humble beginnings taught me how to hustle and go after my dreams without always fully having the resources or ‘Know How’. Growing up as a first-gen college student was not always easy, because no one gives you a blueprint on how to navigate life’s obstacles and experiences as a young adult. One of my first ‘tough’ life lessons occurred during my sophomore year of college, and let us just say I was quickly introduced to entrepreneurship! In my sophomore year of undergraduate school, I was placed on academic probation and was forced to sit out of school for one semester. I shamefully hid the embarrassing situation from my family and closest friends. From that moment forward, I decided that I was not going to allow this imperfection to keep me from achieving my goals.
During my semester of probation, I immediately enrolled into Dudley’s Cosmetology School to become a licensed nail technician. After becoming a licensed nail technician, I worked in three different nail salons that allowed me the flexibility to continue attending undergraduate school as a full-time student, while paying for 60% of my tuition and books. A negative situation that could have easily put my life on a different trajectory taught me resilience and a wonderful skill-set of being an entrepreneur. Fast-forward to almost a decade later, my skill-set as an entrepreneur & nail technician came into a full circle working in the field of education. I had the privilege to work in a high poverty school setting, which sparked my interest in doing something to make a difference in the lives of female students in those demographics. In 2012, my non-profit Poise & Co. Inc. was founded, and I created one of our signature programs; ‘Pearls Closet Prom Project’. Pearls Closet Prom Project provided hundreds of junior and senior high school girls from underserved communities with free prom dresses and accessories. In addition to receiving a free prom dress, the girls attended a workshop session with a focus on self-esteem and life skill development. I facilitated the workshop sessions on proper dining etiquette and how to save money by properly doing manicured nails at home.
My passion for educating the girls on confidence and life skills motivated me to become a certified etiquette coach and consultant. From this passion, I have been afforded the opportunity to speak and train individuals on the topic of etiquette and personal branding. Unfortunately, initially the non-profit did not generate revenue, which forced me to come up with another avenue to make a consistent profit. After careful thought and research, I came up with my small business venture; ‘Cutie Pie Pampering Mobile Spa Party’. Cutie Pie Pampering Mobile Spa provides spa-like services to girls between the ages 4-14 years old. Our three-key principles are to build Confidence, Etiquette, and to have Fun! I am proud to say we are still in business and have served thousands of girls in the state of North Carolina and South Carolina. I often cannot help but think that I would not have had a successful business today if the academic probation situation never led me into taking the course to become a licensed nail technician and entrepreneur.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have an extensive career in education, spanning over 14 years in different capacities. Currently, I am an Instructional Facilitator and Coach for the largest school district in North Carolina. In addition, I am a certified life coach, etiquette & Personal Image consultant, and newly published author of ‘Modern Day Etiquette For Everyday Living’. Fueled by my passion for education and serving others, In 2012, I founded a non-profit Poise & Co. Inc., an agency that thrives to promote educational services for youth and adults, with a focus on Life Skills & Personal Development. The agency serves as a hub for my other business ventures, Cutie Pie Planning Spa Events and Charlotte Children’s Business Fair. In addition, I launched my coaching services in November 2019, with the goal of assisting people to thrive in various aspects of life. Most recently, I proudly launched my podcast ‘Tet Talks’. Our Mission: It is a place where ordinary people with extraordinary ideas, skillsets, and talents can connect to make a difference in the lives of people in our community. Tet Talks launched in June 2020, and we have interviewed some amazing guests on our show! You can listen to us on Apple iTunes, iHeart Radio, Pandora, GooglePlay, Spotify, and TuneIn Radio. We also have a YouTube channel, so please go like & subscribe!
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
One of the greatest lessons would be to know when to ask for help. Just because you can do it yourself does not mean your way is the only successful route. It is amazing how much more you can create, learn, and how many lives you can touch when you develop relationships with the right connections. Invest in a mentor or coach to serve in your personal and professional life. Learn to make genuine connections within your network and to know when to expand your network. There are so many resources left on the table due to ignorance.
Contact Info:
- Email: tetnikamarie@gmail.com
- Website: www.tetnikamarie.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tetnikamarie/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tetnikamarie/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-kvNrjgn7X-lHfxWSOqSuA
- Other: www.poiseandco.com
Image Credits
1) Ebony Stubbs of Rae Images (www.raeimages.com) Note: Photographer images are the main photo and images of me without the braids. 2) Kysa Love of Oseye Studios (www.oseyestudios.com) Note: Photographer images are of me wearing the braids.
