Today we’d like to introduce you to Tam Campbell
Hi Tam, we’re so excited to have you with us today! Can you tell us a little about your story?
My name is Tam Campbell. Nine years ago, I was working as a professional photographer, specializing in high school and college senior portraits. It felt like everything was falling into place. I had spent years building a boutique portrait studio within a 1,400-square-foot space.
However, sometimes you need to be careful what you wish for. Surrounded by tons of photographic equipment, I realized something was missing.
I loved being a freelance photographer, but I quickly recognized that I was missing human connection. Working as a solopreneur felt isolating.
That’s when I started taking side gigs in what we call “Brand Ambassador aka (BA) work” in the promotional industry. I found this new way of earning a living to be both creative and fulfilling.
My first gig was with Got Milk, and I couldn’t believe I was getting paid in another industry just to be myself. The real reward for me was connecting with new friends who shared similar backgrounds.
I soon discovered that the promotional industry was the best-kept secret for making a decent living. Most gigs at that time started at $20 an hour, which is well above the minimum wage.
As an independent contractor, you’re hired as a 1099 employee, and after a few years of working for big brands like Coca-Cola, Walmart, and Nike, my journey led me to work with the Texas Lottery Luck Zone at the State Fair of Texas.
In 2012, while working at the fair for another brand, I passed by a large orange tent where fairgoers were purchasing lottery tickets. There was loud music playing and two dynamic voices on the microphone. One of those voices belonged to an African American woman, and I was blown away by her charisma and radio-like voice. I approached the stage, and she explained what was going on. But all I wanted to know was—how could I do what she was doing?
Fast forward a year, I saw an emcee audition post online for the Texas Lottery. The casting call was at the Omni Hotel in Dallas, in the largest conference room I had ever seen.
Despite having no experience, I auditioned anyway. I walked in, aced the audition, and got the gig. The pay was $30 an hour—mind-blowing to me!
After three years with the Texas Lottery Luck Zone, working under two poorly managed staffing agencies, I began to feel uncertain about my future as a lottery emcee. These agencies showed little care for their talent. We often felt overworked and had to wait weeks to get paid, which was stressful for a struggling artist like myself.
By the fall of 2015, I had grown tired of my emcee position. My voice was strained, and my excitement was fading. The long hours on stage, combined with other emcees quitting in the middle of the season, increased the workload for the faithful few.
The State Fair of Texas is a 3-weeks event, and we were on stage for six to eight hours daily, which was hard on your vocal cords. The agencies would hire 10 emcees at the start of the season, but by the end, only about 4 – 5 people would remain.
I knew I needed to find a solution to save my job.
One evening, during a break, I sought out a brand ambassador who had previously mentioned she was considering starting a staffing agency. However, when I approached her, she had completely abandoned the idea.
Feeling defeated, I headed back to the big orange tent. On my way, a lottery representative drove by on a golf cart and offered me a ride. He could tell I was upset, so I explained my frustrations about working for agencies that didn’t care about their talent. He admitted that the lottery wasn’t satisfied with the staffing management either.
Jokingly, I said, “I’m going to start my own staffing agency. I know I could do better.” He smiled and asked, “What would you name it?” Looking up at the big orange tent, I replied, “High Top Staffing. Later, I changed the name to High Top Talent and Event Staffing.
And that was the beginning of my new career in staffing management.
No experience. All heart, creativity, and passion.
I instinctively knew what it would take to build a successful emcee team. I just needed to hire more talent, pay them well, and most importantly—pay them on time.
But was I dreaming? It seemed too good to be true. Could I really create a better staffing agency? Doubts began to creep in. But after months of research and talking with leaders in the experiential marketing community, I submitted my very first proposals. Weeks later, I was asked to take on one of the biggest activities at the state fair.
Next year marks our 10th anniversary, and I couldn’t be happier. I thank God for allowing me to create opportunities for my fellow freelancers.
Today, at the State Fair of Texas, my team and I manage 20 incredible emcees and handle 80% of the staffing for the Texas Lottery.
I’m still a full-time artist, and I love combining both my passions—staffing and photography.
What’s next for High Top Talent?
We are expanding to other top lottery commissions across the country with our proven sales and staffing system. We’re branding ourselves as the “First Step to an AMAZING Event!”
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Anyone who says entrepreneurship is a smooth road probably hasn’t been in business very long.
In the staffing industry, it’s an adventure every day.
I believe we sometimes make things more difficult than they need to be. However, I’ve learned there is such a thing as “good stress.” Yes, it gets difficult at times, but I love what we have created.
Since we started the agency back in 2015, we’ve set a strong culture.
As the owner of High Top, I take pride in hiring high-quality staff and talent who care about representing the brand, and most importantly, themselves, professionally. In return, I’m fully committed to ensuring my staff enjoy their experience while working with High Top Talent.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I consider myself a serial entrepreneur. Over the years, I’ve developed many interests, and I’m extremely blessed to have the opportunities to explore the things that fascinate me.
I see myself as an artist, investor, problem solver, and explorer.
What sets me apart is that I view life differently. I am fully aware that this is my one and only chance to live my best life. Therefore, I’m going to go as far as I can to fulfill my dreams, inspire others, and make my ancestors proud.
Do you have any childhood memories you’d like to share?
My favorite childhood memory is spending time with my grandmother. She taught me how to create opportunities for myself rather than waiting for them. She was my first example of a true entrepreneur.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.tamyracampbell.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hightoptalent/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/hightoptalent
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hightoptalent
- Other: https://www.hightoptalent.com
Image Credits
Tam Campbell
TamCamPhoto
www.TamCamPhoto.com
