An Author, Speaker & Blogger, Tawana Lowery shares her compelling story of victory and hope to inspire the OVERCOMER in you! Choosing to recast her Oscar-worthy setbacks including childhood abuse, abandonment, date rape, 4 abortions, 2 divorces, betrayal, 3 failed businesses, poverty and the loss of both parents back to back, Tawana delivers the message of a true Serial Overcomer in her debut book, “5 Easy Steps to Life Changing Prayer” with a message of hope and triumph. Read our interview with the lovely Tawana below…
What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?
The desire for independence. Though I currently have a job I go to, I have launched quite a few businesses. Though they failed, I believe in the philosophy of “failing forward”. I teach people how to be Serial Overcomers and use their “U-Turns” as “Your Turn” to use a setback as a comeback!
Tell us about your business.
I am a speaker, blogger and author and I teach people how to be serial overcomers. In my experience, life has constantly given me reasons to overcome again and again. Being raised in Alabama as a ‘Southern Girl’, I was taught to just grin and bear it… no matter how tragic or unbearable IT was! That’s what I did. And I was good at it, until I wasn’t.
Are you currently running any promos/contests/giveaways that you would like our readers to know about?
My book is currently available on Kindle for $2.99 as an e-book!
List awards/certifications/accomplishments.
I was recently honored in NYC at the 5th Annual Women “Doing It Big Conference” this year.
Where is your business based?
I’m based in the Atlanta, Georgia region but I can be anywhere enough time to plan!
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
I’ve had a few businesses that I’ve launched:
- Real Estate Investment – I did this to secure passive income from rental property.
- Built and developed the FIRST 3-minute express car wash in Metro Atlanta
$2.3M. I started this business to build it up and sell it. - I owned and managed a residential/commercial roofing company
serving Southeast US.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?
I would say the most effective way is to let people know about it! Also, hire people on your team that are good at it if you’re not.
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
My biggest challenges have been accepting and overcoming adversity that seemed to come to me in triple doses.
How did you overcome these challenges?
A lot of prayer and being honest with myself. My 26-year marriage recently ended in divorce when I was faced with the reality that my spouse had only been faithful one short year during that entire stretch of time. That was a pivotal moment, a moment of truth, I had to make a decision to either choose myself or die on the vine of pretending. Stepping into the unknown was painful and frightening. But it turned out to be the divine setup that propelled me to the destiny I was meant to have. When I reflected on all I had gone through from childhood until now, I realized I had been given the gift of overcoming so I could help others do the same. My book, 5 Easy Steps to Life Changing Prayer is filled with powerful specific prayers that can help you overcome anything!
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
I pray – a lot! I also remind myself that storms pass and each one brings the gift of a lesson and unexpected discoveries of how strong I am. We are stronger than we know!
How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
I don’t really see competition. I know my publicist likes to talk about benchmarking and that’s smart but really, there’s enough room for everybody. My biggest frustration is that I see opportunity everywhere. And there’s just not enough of me to take advantage of it all.
What is the best advice you have received recently?
Don’t explain yourself to anyone. You are running YOUR race and not theirs. You do not need other people’s permission to DO YOU!
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
Just get started. Have faith and be flexible. Surround yourself with encouragement and great mentors. Don’t be afraid to PAY FOR GOOD ADVICE.
What is your favorite business tool or resource?
I love writing on my blog. I am so inspired to share and expound on anecdotes and things I may be struggling with that other people can relate to.
What social media outlets do you use? List them below.
Instagram @overcome4good
Twitter @overcome4good
Website www.tawanalowery.com
Email AskTawanaLowery@gmail.com
Hashtags #SerialOvercomer #Overcome4Good #TawanaLowery
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
“Choose Yourself” by James Altucher.
“How to Fascinate” by Sally Hogshead.
The Bible of course – provides the best advice on daily living out there.
What are you currently learning about for your business or looking for help with?
I’m being more strategic with long-term planning as well as new ways to partner with others in the same industry.
What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?
- Have more media interviews
- Secure more speaking opportunities
- Meet and connect with more people and encourage them to become #SerialOvercomers
