Tamara Garrison-Thomas is the Chief Boss of Garrison Prosperity Solutions Enterprises which consists of success teaching services and Mane Elementz LLC. Having been in business since 2005, her mission is to help entrepreneurs find and SUSTAIN a successful and prosperous business. She is dedicated to helping ordinary people live prosperous lives through personal development. Tamara received a Bachelor of Arts from Loyola Marymount University and a Master of Business Administration from Argosy University. She has been featured in Mocha Writes! and in the Businesswoman Review published by People You Need to Know Magazine. Tamara has also been a guest on the Onyx Women Network Radio Show. Tamara is motivated by helping others achieve success and prosperity. Within that motivation, Tamara organized “Girls Out to Lunch” which consists of business discussions and advice for young women in business. Tamara also spoke in Toronto, Canada for the release of her collaboration publication entitled, Love+Lifestyle. Tamara loves to speak on the topic of getting rid of excuses, saying yes and empowering oneself to achieve their dreams. One of her favorite quotes from Henry Ford is, “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right”. Think you can! As always, she hopes to SEE YOU AT THE TOP! Read our interview with the lovely Tamara below…
What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?
I grew up watching my mom run a successful businesses from home. This allowed her to be available for everything my siblings and I did and I wanted the same for my child. I was always entrepreneurial, starting in elementary school where I would sell candy and do whatever else I could. I got started on my online business in the early 2000’s and connected with someone who was in a hair extension MLM. I decided to join and started building my business. I had a big team of excited entrepreneurs but the company couldn’t keep up with demand and ultimately shut down. I saw the interest in this industry and started my company, Mane Elementz (ME) and the goal is still the same: help people start hair extension businesses. From there, I started Sell Hair and Grow Rich University which is the platform I use to teach online classes for hairpreneurs. I also have a women’s empowerment network group that meets twice every quarter called, Women Who Prosper (WWP) which is a networking soiree where ladies can come and network, connect and offer/gain business advice from each other.
Tell us about your business.
Mane Elementz helps people start the hair extension business of their dreams. We are the #1 resource for hairpreneurs providing resources from educational materials to business coaching. I provide several books and classes for the hairpreneur on a budget to one-on-one business coaching for the hairpreneur that wants it all.
Are you currently running any promos/contests/giveaways that you would like our readers to know about?
Currently I am running a strategy session call promo at a discounted price of $29 for 30 minutes to ask questions! I also currently brought back a popular class I started called, HAIRpreneurship 101. For those who want to learn everything they need to know, this class is for them!
List awards/certifications/accomplishments.
- I have been featured in Mocha Writes! and in the Businesswoman Review published by People You Need to Know Magazine.
- I have also been a guest on the Onyx Women Network Radio Show.
- In 2015 I was awarded the Business Woman of the Year from by the WMS.
- I have been a Keynote Speaker at several events including a Xango Leadership Event and Women Who Prosper Soiree.
- I have had the pleasure of being an author in the compilation book, LOVE + Lifestyle: Inspiration for Women.
- I have also authored the following best seller books, “The Official Guide to Starting a Hair Extension Business Online” and “The Little Black Book of Hair Vendors”.
Where is your business based?
We have offices in Phoenix, Arizona and Moreno Valley, California.
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
First, I had to find out what my customers needed and my company developed from there. I literally asked emerging HAIRpreneurs what they needed to know to be successful. I had to work with a lot of vendors (and spend a lot of money) to find the best hair to offer my customers and then offer the best supportive materials and programs to help them start their business and be successful. Then I marketed to everyone around ME. I sold products and services and focused on getting feedback to share with others so they would want to work with ME too.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?
I use social media (particularly Instagram) to spread the word about my company and make sure that I am highlighting the value in what I have to offer. I find that the more I share, the more people trust me and want to work with me.
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Making sure I am continuing to offer what customers want. There are waves in the business and what was popular last year at this time may not be the same next year.
How did you overcome these challenges?
I started asking my customers what they wanted constantly and then I use their words to market the product.
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
When times get difficult, first, I pray and thank God for what He has already done and ask Him to show me what I need to do. Then I always ask myself, “before you quit, did you do everything you could?” And I always say, if I walk into a store and no one knows my brand then there is still work to do! One of my favorite quotes is, “if you will do for a season what most won’t, you can live your life like most can’t”. I enjoy the freedom of being available for my daughter’s activities and I want to do everything I can to maintain it.
Another thing I like to do to stay motivated is to read past notes to refresh on my mission statement and what I want to accomplish. THEN I cry to my husband and he says, “You can do this. Don’t give up. I believe in you”.
How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
There aren’t many that do what I do, but I pride myself in being affordable and helping newbies understand how this business stuff works. We cater to the new business owners looking for guidance and support. Be in business for yourself, but not by yourself.
What is the best advice you have received recently?
That my expertise and time is valuable and I need to remember that. It’s crazy because I teach this to my clients but sometimes I forget it about myself.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
You won’t know what to expect in business until you try. If you let fear of the unknown take over your thoughts and actions you will be in the same position a year from now.
What is your favorite business tool or resource?
My apps! I am always on the go so I have to be able to operate things on the spot! I have an app for my websites, for my email marketing program, for my website chat feature, for my shop, for everything! The best thing for on-the-go entrepreneurs.
What social media outlets do you use? List them below.
Instagram @maneelementz
Facebook www.facebook.com/maneelementz
Website www.maneelementz.com www.tamaragarrisonthomas.com
Email Tamara@maneelementz.com
Hashtags #maneelementz #luvinsumME #hairpreneur
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
“Sister CEO” by Cheryl D Broussard. I found it at my parent’s house – it’s an older book but the strategies still apply. And I loved comparing my mom’s notes from 1997 to mine in 2017.
What are you currently learning about for your business or looking for help with?
I always reach my milestones and then find something else to get better at. That is the thing about entrepreneurship. You are never satisfied where you are. You can always be better. So, right now I am working on streamlining my processes and incorporating sales funnels into my niche.
What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?
I am looking to increase my monthly income by a few thousand and increase my reach. I want to help 1,000 hairpreneurs make money selling hair this year! I am already at about 200 for the year (that have shared with ME).