Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to C. NaTasha Richburg. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, C. NaTasha thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?
How did you start – what was the process of going from idea to execution – walk us through some of the main steps that allowed you to launch your business. Tell it to us as a story – you had the idea, then what happened? What did the next day, hour, month, or feel year like to you? What did you have to figure out, look into, set up, etc., to move beyond the idea phase and launch?
I started with the idea of telling bible stories from a perspective that created an excellent attendance by youth in the church. I wanted to be able to teach people who live outside of my immediate location. I could write a book that could lend a voice to my teaching style outside of my presence. I elected to self-publish my books. I visited youth and young adults in the region and used my books as teaching tools. All the stories in the books are written to teach youth and young adults’ biblical principles. In total wrote 11 books. I wanted to be supportive in showing young people that there is hope in dark times.
I learned to become an author. I knew that I was a gifted storyteller. I realized that I could find the bright light we all hope will shine in our lives. Telling stories that speak directly to life’s problems focused on the silver lining in every cloud became a theme that drove the narrative of each level. The stories were in urban settings with trials and tribulations and exercises to teach students how to deal with challenging situations. I enjoy helping young people find light in dark times.
In 2007 I wrote my first book, “Life…What’s Up With Yours?” and incorporated my business immediately before publishing it. I pivoted as an Author because my self-published books now align with my personal experiences. In 2018, I published the book “People ask… what is the secret of our 36 year marriage?” We give the reader insight into the steps to make our marriage go strong in its 40th year of work. In 2021, my daughter and I published “Abandon Guilt and Absorbed Gladness.” The story of my daughter’s 4,718 IVF journey. My business has pivoted from storytelling to offering experiential advice, content development, and video production. Available on Prime Video is “A Conversation with the Richburg.” The TV show provides insight into marriage from the lens of the Richburgs. Since my life experiences have garnered me an expert in the Richburg marriage, I want to provide insight into what works for us.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?
Professionally, I am addressed as C. NaTasha Richburg. I have been married to my husband, Melvin, for 40 years. We have four adult children. I have an MBA from Morgan State University and an MIS from Johns Hopkins University. After 31 years of Federal government service as an Information Technology Executive, I moved to the next phase of life to work full-time as the CEO of CNR Ministries, LLC/C. NaTasha Productions. I am an Author, Freelance Writer, Information Technology & Business Consultant, Executive Life coach, Content Creator, and an Information Technology adjunct instructor at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC). I am also a Talent Manager. I am grateful to have expanded my audience reach beyond the borders of the United States. I have traveled to Germany, France, England, and Dubai to engage audiences with my positive messages.
How do you get into your industry/business/discipline/craft etc.?
Entry into becoming an Author starts with the story. I had a story to tell. Every potential author has a story to tell. The next question is, who is the audience for your book? If you know who is interested in your book, the next question is, how do you reach that audience? I pondered the question of how I would get access to my book’s audience. The audience for my early books were predominantly bible study participants. I sought opportunities to speak before groups of people at conferences and small gatherings. All new authors must prepare to speak publicly. Also, prepare promotional materials for your book.
What type of products/services/creative works do you provide?
I learned from the public speaking engagements I can reach audiences with humor. This process helps me to teach lessons with lasting meanings. I have expanded my business model to service customers through providing assistance such as life coaching, business consulting, and executive production of music, videos, and shows for social media. I am a storyteller giving life lessons that address ongoing problems on multiple platforms.
What sets me apart from others is my gift of speaking to complex issues and offering probable solutions to problems that are generally not spoken aloud. I am most proud of the uniqueness of my storytelling. For example, if you are in the IVF process and read “Abandoned Guilt and Absorbed Gladness,” you will be given the hope you need to continue on your quest to have a child. If you are trying to converse about marriage with your partner, read, “People ask…What is the secret of our 36 year marriage?”. This book (Chapter 14) will help you to walk through the process of knowing your partner. I am most proud of the referrals received from former clients.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
This is the year of the “Pivot” for C. NaTasha Productions. I understand the essence of my core customer and the uniqueness that draws them to my services. I pivoted from:
1) Writing fictional books -to -writing non-fictional self-help books.
2) Being a talent manager -to -a professional business consultant.
In this phase of business, I work with people who have a foundational knowledge of what works for them; they need help expanding to the next level. These people understand the value of the professionalism I offer, coupled with my educational background. They are grateful to utilize my ethical approach to business, usually found in a loving family member. I work with a strong sense of integrity to guide business owners to the next level of expanded services. The profession understands my “worth” and “value” of what I bring to the table. The businesses I work with are willing to pay for my services. We start with a documented agreement of the service I offer, the outcome objectives, and the success parameters they will achieve with my consultation. I constantly exceed my client’s expectations. Former clients have recommended others to acquire the services of C. NaTasha Productions.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
The best source of new clients has been word-of-mouth. Working with C. NaTasha Productions as a client requires dedication and commitment for the new client. Former clients often explain the level of commitment needed for the potential new client that will afford success. This approach has proven beneficial for C. NaTasha Production to achieve the desired outcome.The best source of new clients has been word-of-mouth. Working with C. NaTasha Productions as a client requires a level of dictation and commitment for the new client. Former clients often explain the level of commitment required by the potential new client that will afford success. This approach has proven beneficial approach for C. NaTasha Production to achieve the desired outcome.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cnatashaproductions.com
- Instagram: @cnrproductions8
- Facebook: C NaTasha Richburg
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/c-natasha-richburg-b601a448
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/TOREMZ-Vwzo
- Other: Conversation with the Richburgs on Prime Video
Image Credits
All professional images provided by Aisha Butler, Jazzy Studios, Baltimore, Maryland. All behind the scenes photos photos are taken with C. NaTasha’s cell phone.