Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tanisha Williams. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Tanisha, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you share a story with us from back when you were an intern or apprentice? Maybe it’s a story that illustrates an important lesson you learned or maybe it’s a just a story that makes you laugh (or cry)?

As a young leader in my community and college atmosphere you tend to learn a lot. You learn who you want to be, who you aspire to be like; but most importantly if taken in correctly you learn who you do not want to become. I learned early on that there are various routes I could have taken which would then lead me to a destination. However, I didn’t want a destination; I wanted mine.

I started my apprenticeship with The Reverend Melvin Mack. He was a very calm , but intentional man who I respected very dearly. I was majoring in Mass communications which is a broader version of journalism. ( public relations, writing in the media, news editing & writing) Etc..and Mr Mack was here to help me do just that…become very broader, but most importantly intentional in my career field.

At the time I had already made the Dean’s list 4 times over, obtained approximately 20 awards and scholarships, joined Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc of which I held the position as president, was inducted into the honor society and had at least 4 queen titles. Etc. However of ALL those things I have accomplished thus far my DREAM was to become a reporter. I would always have my borderline therapy sessions with Mr Mack whenever possible and I would tell him. “ I’m not happy” “ I’m not satisfied” he never responded. Instead he would ask:

Tanisha…What do you think makes you successful?” I informed him that My motto was “ Get Uncomfortable.” I believe in order to attain exactly what you want you have to get UNCOMFORTABLE & that truthfully is how I’ve accomplished many of my endeavors in life.. but as time would have it I learned that it was ALWAYS more to it.

In the duration of my apprenticeship Mr Mack would have me create a plan of action, draw specific schematics, go out and document certain events on/off campus by taking pictures, videos, gathering interviews, and any other necessary footage required for the specific event. Then I would come back and have to edit that same footage, those same interviews so that I may cut time but to also make sure I highlight the parts of the utmost importance. I would always ask “ What about this part?” “ Is this important?” “ How do I do this “? to which he would then respond “ What about that part ?” “ What does it mean to you?” “ I’m following your lead.” Lead. That word would rang on I would ask myself “ my lead? “ But he was absolutely correct this is what I wanted and it was time to go after it. Soon enough I realized he wasn’t just teaching me; he was TEACHING me to do it with intention. See with the help of Mr Mack I learned everything NEEDED to be a successful reporter; My work and my personal achievements was published numerous times in various newspapers and articles. I became Top Reporter on a lot of projects and I was allotted the chance to meet countless people of prominence.

Shortly after my rising he pulled me aside one day and said:

“ Now see.. the key to your success wasn’t just about you getting uncomfortable ; but it was ABOUT you doing it with intention.”

And since then I have been happy. I now do EVERYTHING with intention from picking my food to writing a speech.

I will forever be grateful for Mr Mack he wasn’t just an advisor he was my mentor. Mr Mack reminded me that I WAS a leader and to trust myself. I went on to obtain various accolades which continuously placed me in the spotlight as I continued to be the leader Mr Mack always knew me to be.

So YES, GET UNCOMFORTABLE but also..
“ WHATEVER you do in life; Make sure it’s INTENTIONAL.”

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Blessings Everyone.

I am Tanisha C. Williams. I was born in East Orange, New Jersey by the late Cheryl A Williams & Micah C. Hatcher. I am an HBCU Early grad with various distinguished honors. I have been published in the newspaper a few times as well as news articles. I love ALL animals to the point I may be banned from ALL zoos one day lol. I’m an artist and I have a very unique fashion wear when I’m not in business suits.
Though I have numerous accolades & a interesting fashion take..today I wanted to tell you about something that is truly near and dear to me; my small business.
So I thought in order to do that it’s time to get a bit more personal with you .

At an early age I was placed into various versions of foster homes to which I had to defend myself. Each home was always worse than the last one to say the least but I have survived it which is more than I can say for some of my counterparts. I will forever be grateful and I will FOREVER be thankful. As I came of age I learned that I did not have to let my past define me and that if I continued to do so it will forever confine me. I wanted to help anyone that I could or even others that may only have themselves in this cruel world ;so I constructed a plan to do it.

In August of 2021 I started a small business entitled “ EMBATTLE LLC “

EMBATTLE means to prepare or to fortify.

A lot of us didn’t have that privilege growing up or even now so I wanted to do something about it.

Here at EMBATTLE we specialize in Self Defense Keychains as well as accessories. We understand that in today’s world no where is safe and that there is no sure way to guarantee your safety entirely but what you CAN do is ARM YOURSELF. Arm yourself for the battle if one shall arise. Remember It’s not a guarantee for solidified safety but if push comes to shove “MAKE EM BATTLE. “

It’s important to know that everything I do is intentional even down to the colors. Our logo colors are “ Black & Yellow.” In the world of defense the color yellow is used to signify
“ Relaxed Alertness.” and the color black signifies that you are already prepared and in the fight. So we wanted to make sure that you are equipped and alert at all times.

Our social media handles are

•Business Instagram: make_embattle_llc_

•Personal Instagram: Iamonlytc

Our first vendor event was so powerful yet so emotional that it prompted other individuals to tell their story while at our booth & I will appreciate ALL forever and more.

Right now at EMBATTLE we are restocking for May as we have 5 events on our calendar as of now. We are truly blessed.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

One of the most effective ways I believe you can build your specific clientele is through transparency. People appreciate rawness. Be you; but be you effectively and intentionally. There are countless marketing strategies. Stop trying to “ market” and actually reach. Reach our hearts , our minds , our bodies and our souls. Most times as individual artists regardless of what you are trying to sell we know when it’s real

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Yes. I have a particular goal I have set out that is unrelated to my business but totally focused towards my artistry. I am an artist from which some may deem me as a spoken word artist. However as I always say…I just voice my thoughts. My goal is to make sure with whoever I reach in this life knows that you don’t have to hold it in and you shouldn’t. For me speaking out whether it’s through pen or out loud gives me this certain sense of vulnerability I never knew I needed until the release. I would like to be able to share that feeling. I undoubtedly know that there are others like myself that sometimes need an out let . I’m in the process of starting a platform called “ Out let To Out it. “ this will focus on giving individuals that platform so that you CAN can say whatever is on your mind and that you may do so comfortably.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Iamonlytc
• Facebook: Tanisha C. Williams
• Youtube: TalkToTc
• Other: Thank you for this opportunity and THANK you ALL for listening.

Image Credits
Photographer: Kelli Moseley