We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dr. Tierini Hodges-Murad. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dr. Tierini below.
Dr. Tierini , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?
The story of my life is filled with risks (both big and small) that have challenged my tenacity, bolstered my courage, and required me to choose if I was going to listen to my fears or walk in my faith. From applying to the University of Miami (much to the chagrin of my high school guidance counselor, who stated that I wouldn’t gain admission) to buying my home at the height of the COVID pandemic and severe economic decline, taking a risk is as natural to me now as breathing…..but that does not mean it is easy.
To illustrate this, let me take you back to 2016 and the starting point of the most significant risk I’ve ever taken. The year started precisely as planned; my dream of living in Washington, DC, and working for the Department of Education finally came true. In May 2016, I graduated with my doctorate in education. In September, I got married. But in October, I unexpectedly lost my good, GOOD job. Initially, I did not worry because I had a doctorate degree, years of progressive experience, and connections with the movers and shakers in higher education. However, when October 2016 turned into April 2017 turned into January 2018, I became desperate and depressed. I applied for over 300 positions, worked with nine head-hunting agencies, and tapped all of my connections and their connections.
I was well into my 30s, newly married, and my savings were nearly depleted. My ability to thrive as an adult was slipping through my fingers, and I had no idea what to do. I was angry that this was happening to me, and I was terrified out of my mind. I thought about starting a business for a split second, then quickly pushed the idea out of my mind. The truth is, I never wanted to be an entrepreneur. In fact, I was adamant that I did not want to start my own business. I did not take business management courses in college or have a familial background in entrepreneurship. To say that I felt ill-equipped to venture into entrepreneurship is an understatement. I felt like I had no business starting a business. So instead, I wrote a book.
I started writing my book, Level Up! Living on the levels God intended and working odd jobs to make ends meet. While writing my book, I began to focus less on what to DO about my career and focused more on WHO I was. And because I am a Christian, I started focusing more intently on who God designed me to be and what He called me to do. I began working with a life coach to help me see myself in a new light. Everything changed in August 2018 when my coach, who listened to me lament about not being able to find a job for nearly two years, looked me square in the eyes and said, “You have more than 15 years of experience and a doctorate degree, why are you waiting on someone to GIVE you a job?” And at that moment, something clicked. I can create the job that I want. I can help the people that I want to help. I can use my training, talents, degrees, experience, and expertise to create the perfect opportunity for myself. But, there were only three problems: I was cash-strapped, I had no idea where to begin, and I was still unsure if entrepreneurship was for me.
At that moment, I had a choice: I could play it safe and force my way into a job at an educational establishment, or I could take a risk and forge a new path. I could choose to allow my fear to keep me on the hamster wheel of applying for job after job, long commutes, and unexplored potential, OR I could step out on my faith in God, in myself, and in my capabilities to create and conquer unknown territories.
As we know, I chose risk. I chose uncertainty. I chose to bet on myself. I took the last bit of money in my savings account and the last bit of credit available on my credit cards and started Dr. Tierini Enterprises LLC. I had no idea what I was doing! All I had was a book and an idea of what could be. My board consisted of me, God, and Google. I folded my years of experience as a coach, consultant, higher education administrator, researcher, policy analyst, author, and professional speaker into one company. I worked to get my coaching certification, built my website, learned as much as I could as quickly as I could, and prayed that I didn’t fall flat on my face!
I would be remiss if I did not mention that taking that first risky step is only the beginning. Greatness is built one risky step after another risky step. Getting to where I am now has been filled with continuously calculated risks.
Aside from the fact that I knew NOTHING about starting, running, or growing a business, one of the biggest threats the world has ever encountered happened within the first year of my business. COVID. The uncertainty we all faced was doubled for me as a new business owner. I was cash-strapped and couldn’t afford to purchase the printer my business desperately needed. Hearing about large corporations shutting down and the flailing economy terrified me to my core. But instead of giving in to the fear, I refocused my faith and took yet another calculated risk.
I began to offer free coaching sessions to anyone who just needed someone to talk to. I regularly posted inspirational messages on social media. I gave away the first chapter of my book as a free digital download. I did not run back to what I deemed to be the safety of a 9-5 job. I stuck to my risk and continued to pour into people and my business. Several months later, my risk paid off. Providing free services was the key to growing my business and securing paying clients. My business grew exponentially in 2020 and has continued to grow with each new calculated risk I take.
Dr. Tierini , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
To tell you a little bit about me, I’ll start by telling you that I am a charismatic, fun loving, analytical, creative, kind, transparent, and honest southern belle that calls everyone, especially my clients, Suga. And just like my Sugas, I am S: steadfast U: Unapologetic G: God-fearing A: Authentic. I am a Suga that loves helping my Sugas achieve their goals and live the life of their dreams. I feel so grateful that I get to do what I love every day. I get to help people who are lost, confused, and stuck ( just like I was) reach their next level of success. I get to help companies and corporations meet and exceed their goals. I get to be my full authentic self every day and help others do the same. I get to walk in my purpose every day and it feels amazing!
My company, Dr. Tierini Enterprises LLC provides expert coaching, consulting, and professional speaker services that educate, encourage, and empower individuals, institutions, and companies to perform at their personal and professional best. An expert at teaching others how to Level Up, I provide the strategies that help individuals and companies gain the clarity, direction, and momentum to reach their next level of success.
• Level Up! Life Coaching: As a certified Professional Life Coach and Strategist, I help high-achieving superwomen and supermen to alleviate stress, increase overall happiness, discover purpose, and start living the life they truly desire. I combine my psychology degree, and my extensive professional training with my life experiences to provide my clients with a holistic coaching experience that is goal-oriented and results-driven. I am best known for being a transparent, authentic, and relatable coach that is easy to talk to. As one of my clients indicated in a 5-star Google review “Dr. T is a Great listener, Straight Forward, Honest, Strategic, Transparent, and easy to talk to.”
• Books: I am the author of two books: Level Up! Living on the levels God intended, and my newest book, The Goal Mapping Journal. This 30-day journal provides you with the exact steps that create the winning mindset and effective habits to achieve your goals. These two books together provide you with the tips and strategies that I teach to my clients to help you achieve the life you desire and deserve.
• Professional Speaker Services: As an in-demand professional speaker & expert storyteller, I use my expertise to motivate others toward maximizing their full potential as well as assist companies in identifying and sharing their brand story. Services include but are not limited to, keynote address, commencement speeches, panel discussions, and live TV appearances. I’ve been a featured speaker at several universities, companies, as well as featured on CBS news and the Black Star Network.
• Consulting: I provide expert consulting services aimed at assisting clients with achieving institutional/organizational, state, and federal goals, the implementation of new initiatives, collaborative problem-solving, and specialized projects. Some of my content areas include policy analysis, program evaluation, student development, program development, recruitment, and retention.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been delivering excellent products and excellent customer service. It does not matter if you have an amazing social media presence, stellar marketing funnel, or brand recognition within your industry. If your product does not deliver what you said it would, and your clients do not feel appreciated, your clientele will suffer.
I make it a habit to underpromise and over-deliver with my clients. When I am on a consulting call with a potential new client, I do not make false promises about the deliverables they will receive, what they can expect from me/my company, or what my products will do in their lives. I manage their expectations by telling the truth, even if I do not make the sale.
When working with clients, I deliver an excellent service/product to all of my clients that exceeds their expectations. I exude excellence in every interaction with the clients, from being prompt and professional with my coaching clients to timely submission of deliverables with my consulting clients and the presentation of my products during sales. I strive to create an excellent customer experience from the first interaction to the last touch point. If, for any reason, there is an issue that might negatively impact the customer experience, I act swiftly to resolve any issues to restore the customer’s trust in my company.
All of this, taken together, earns me the trust and loyalty of my clients. It is from this trust and loyalty that they tell their friends and family about my company, services, and products. This word-of-mouth marketing is still the best form of advertisement and leads to new clients, sales, etc. for my business. But it all starts with you, the quality of your products/services, and how you treat your clients.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Transparency moment: I was not fond of social media AT ALL. Before starting my business in 2018, I had no social media accounts. No Facebook. No Instagram. Nothing. I knew nothing about social media or how to use it. At that time, I viewed social media as a necessary evil for promoting my new book and business. My cousin helped establish my accounts and encouraged me to make my first post. I recorded a video where I was talking about my book, Level Up, and posted it on Instagram and Facebook. I then sat on my couch and cried. I felt uncomfortable, awkward, and terrified of opening myself up to the negative comments I had heard so much about.
Fast forward five years, and now, @Dr.Tierini is on all social media platforms. While my following is not huge, I have a stable following that I have built slowly over time by consistently showing up in this space, no matter how uncomfortable I feel. Because I was coming to social media with no prior knowledge, I invested in courses that taught me the basics of social media and the various tips and tricks to grow an audience. However, the one thing that has helped grow my social media has been my authenticity.
I refuse to post anything inauthentic to who I am or compromise my integrity to get new followers. In a world of artificial intelligence and this false perception of perfection, I’ve found that most people desire to connect with real people. So, the crux of my social media strategy is to keep showing up and just be me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.drtierini.com/home
- Instagram: @drtierini
- Facebook: @Dr. Tierini
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tierinihodges/
- Twitter: @DrTierini
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJbwKB31KLTpW9lZnh0dZTA
Image Credits
Ariel Perry Photography