Today we’d like to introduce you to Tameka McKneely.
Hi Tameka, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Who is Tameka McKneely? I am just a gul from MS now residing in Dallas, TX. Unashamed God Girl, Boss by day, Wife by night, Bonus Mother, GiGi, Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Godmother, Friend, Children’s Church Coordinator and Teacher, HBCU fundraising volunteer (TJF), and aka GLUE. I bring people and things together i.e., the GLUE. I am a lover of learning. I love to teach. I love to travel. I love to motivate and pour into others, I am just as analytical as I am creative, I am a lover of Life!
Professionally, Tameka McKneely is also a Multi-Passionate Entrepreneur, Purpose Cultivator, Compliance Alignment Consultant (Small Business & Corporate), Real Estate Investor, General Investor, Creative Designer, Operate an Online Marketplace for Black Cre8tvs, Motivational Speaker and Course Creator
As mentioned, I am a multi-passionate entrepreneur. Which just means I have several gifts and talents and I do not feel the world should be deprived of any of them. The world will make you think that you have to pick one or two paths and focus on those. I completely disagree. In my mind in all areas of my gifts and talents, I come in contact with different people with different backgrounds and values. If I were to choose one or two talents, I would miss out on possibly a life-changing encounter for either myself of the other party. Who am I to decide which talent is worth my attention when I have been given each of them? Therefore, I am multi-passionate and most of my talents have developed into businesses.
I became a full-time entrepreneur in 2019 following a couple layoffs and deciding I did not like others having my fate in their hand. After the second layoff within 2 years, I decided to take my skills and make them work for me.
My businesses include but are not limited to (because if I am honest, new business ideas come to me often and even maybe before I complete this interview, lol), I am a Compliance Alignment Consultant for small businesses and corporate organizations. I basically help small businesses GAIN access to millions and help corporate organizations SAVE millions through Compliance. I am very passionate about ensuring that underserved businesses are set up legally making them eligible for funding and working with the government. I teach a Master Class entitled “Look Like A Business” because there are several “businesses” that call themselves a business but do not look like a business in the eyes of the government or funding agencies. I help them ensure their business is set up compliantly giving them options. Corporately, I assist corporate organizations reach and maintain regulatory contract compliance, through gap analysis, compliance training, a custom-built contract management system, etc.
I also operate an online Marketplace for Black Cre8tvs, a place where we can be featured and showcased. As a creative, I noticed a gap in representation for Black Cre8tvs. The Marketplace is open to any Black Owned Business that cre8tes products, crafters, artist, authors media, etc. to register as a vendor to sell their products or to list their business in our directory. The marketplace is also open for patronage where visitors can shop for creative items. I not only operate the marketplace; I also sell on the marketplace. I do all things cre8tv from cre8ting bath products to building furniture and everything in between. I have been creating/crafting for over 20 years. This was actually my very first business started 20 years ago. Since the inception of my cre8tv business, I have expanded my craft to include all things cre8tv.
I also do motivational speaking as well as speak at conferences on compliance as well as being multi-passionate.
My husband and I do real estate investing, helping families get into homes in Oklahoma City, OK.
I also along with 6 other powerful women have an investment company that is dedicated to acquiring investments for the advancement of underserved communities through education and resources.
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?
My journey has been as pretty smooth. One thing has been a challenge, in building business has been being uneducated about the order of setting up a business. I have gained so much knowledge along my journey that I have chosen to pass on to other business and potential business owners. There is nothing worse than setting up your business and realizing you have missed a step and depending on the step it can be devastating depending on the step. I have become passionate about helping business owners set up their business compliantly without the learning curve based on my experience.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I enjoy being analytical just as much as I enjoy being creative. I like to say if my right and left brain were hands, I would be ambidextrous. I do not lean more to either side as most do. I am most known for my personable persona.
I think that one thing that sets me apart is my willingness to be vulnerable, which has not always been the case. The persona I exuded in my professional life before becoming a full-time entrepreneur was very confident but few know that being an entrepreneur presents soo many different emotions. There has been several new things I have learned about myself along this journey and anytime I speak about it, I find that so many others experience the same feelings and emotions but are either suffering or dealing in silence. Once I open the door and begin speaking about it creates a safe space for others to relate and release. I am very proud to be used in this way.
My brand is about helping others reclaim their time and freedom through entrepreneurship whether part-time or full-time.
Any big plans?
My plans are to continue to build my business and touch as many people as I can, either in business or personally.
I don’t have any big plans but I am looking forward to the influx of clients that are coming. My business is growing and I am excited for what is to come.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@tamekamckneely.com
- Website: https://tamekamckneely.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/tamekamckneely and https://instagram.com/got2bcre8tv_marketplace
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/tamekamckneely
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/got2bcre8tv
