Spotlight on Business highlights fabulous business owners and their companies.
Tawana Necole, Owner of Corporate Chics, LLC
Mocha Writer: What is Corporate Chics, LLC?
Tawana: Corporate Chics is an exclusive company and brand that offers free-expert business services. It is also a novel and mindset of unstoppable, courageous women who utilize their experiences to encourage and empower others.
MW: Why did you start it?
Tawana: Corporate Chics became established when I was laid off in October 2008. I've always had a passion for writing. Sought after for writing proposals, business plans and anything that needed editing or proofread for professional purposes, I decided to take the talent and turn [it] into a profit. Corporate Chics, LLC became fully launched one year from being laid-off from my job. I decided to take all of life lessons or experiences and capture them in a novel that would be encouraging and empowering, and this is how Corporate Chics, the novel, became a product. By operating the brand as a service (consulting and outsourcing) and product (the novel, blogging and freelance writing), the company is becoming an emerging leader in the Atlanta Market.
MW: What is your business's mission?
Tawana: To empower and encourage others through utilizing three of the five senses: touch, audio and visually.
MW: What are some of your short-term business goals?
Tawana: In the next two years, there will be an audio version of the novel for sale to the public. We are also looking at inking a production deal to have Corporate Chics become visual. Besides being a novel, Corporate Chics will also be a movie and/or dramaedy. By 2012, we will either be in the beginning stages of production for the movie or wrapping up our first season of the show. My goal is to reach a mass audience with an empowering, authentic message of hope and faith. And I believe that the story is the perfect formula for a female audience.
The business aspect of Corporate Chics will soley rely on outsourcing. Small businesses and entrepreneurs will still be able to come through the company if they are looking to start a business or mature their business. But focusing on additional entertainment projects is the vision for Corporate Chics.
MW: Who and what inspires you?
Tawana: Number 1: God. He is my source.
Number 2: Any woman that is doing what she needs to do to find inner peace and happiness.
MW: What do you love most about being an entrepreneur?
Tawana: I love being my own boss! I don't take myself too seriously and that helps with building relationships and making great connections. I also don't have to deal with the politics of working in a corporate arena. I set my own hours, and I work when I am able to. I don't have to worry about being late or missing a day if my child is sick. I am not "scheduled" to work certain hours; I am not a threat to anyone-- my work and credentials speak for who I am. I don't have to conform to the culture of a company and how it is ran, and the list goes on and on.
MW: What tips/advice would you give to someone who wants to start a business?
Tawana: Talent isn't the only reason you should start a business. A buring desire and passion for service should be your main purpose for starting a business. Being focused, determined and ambitious are extremely important. You cannot allow anything to stop you from pursuing your goals. Believe that no matter what happens or how things look, you must strive to make your dreams a reality. You will be told no (at first) more than you are told yes, but if you keep knocking on doors, you will eventually receive that one yes. And that one 'yes' will trump all of the people that didn't believe in you or told you no.