We were lucky to catch up with Tabnie Dozier recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tabnie, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

My background is Brodcast Journalism, the majority of my career was spent as a Local News Anchor & Reporter. I’m an Emmy-Award-winning Journalist. After a devastating loss of a loved one in 2021, I received no bereavement or mental health support from the news agency and management. Even after enduring racial unrest, a global public health crisis and creating unique and historical content as the market’s only Black Main Anchor. One of my dearest friends, Stavon Williams, passed away in a car wreck. How many deadly car wrecks are covered in the news daily? SO MANY! It was insanely traumatizing to have to report on those when I became a car wreck victim’s family member. To have to put on makeup and pretend I was fine when my heart was shattered…was one of the most debilitating and distressing times of my life. I wouldn’t wish having to grieve as a public figure on anyone.

It was clear I was just a number and not a human, so I pivoted and knew that no one would ever tell me how to grieve or who I could grieve, ever again. Tabnie Dozier Enterprises was birthed in May 2022. I retired from local news in August 2022. I now utilize my journalistic expertise in a multitude of positive realms, it is the freest and most impactful I have ever felt. Visual and Written Storytelling, Press Release Distribution, Red Carpet Hosting, Crisis Communication, Event Planning and Public Speaking Training are a few avenues of my media company.

The divine lining in all of this…my angel, Stavon always used to preach that while my TV career was a marvelous avenue, I needed to own something of my own. I wasn’t listening to him enough on that matter while he was on Earth, but I heard him loud and clear when God called him home. I didn’t need local news to solely be my platform. Thousands of people tuned into my newscasts on both sides of the country because of me. My authenticity, delivery, calmness, integrity and including them behind the scenes on Facebook Live. So yes, I’m an Accidental Entrepreneur. My old dream was for Robin Roberts to call me and tell me she’s retiring on ‘Good Morning America,’ and it was my turn :) My new dream was control of my schedule.

I have gained autonomy of my time for the first time in my adulthood, and story tell with no boundaries, commercials, unnecessary input or biases. There isn’t an agency in Northern Nevada that is combining journalistic expertise, public speaking and media training and MC duties as a dynamic host. God was preparing me all along for this path. And it shows. In the foundational two years of my company, we’ve secured paid collegiate interns, elevating exposure for small businesses, global contracts and federal contracts with the Nevada National Guard. By treating people wonderfully throughout my news career, that support and trust was returned to me in this entrepreneurial realm.

I’ve been feeling ecstatic to still be able to educate, uplift and provide a voice for people…that’s why I became a journalist in the first place.

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?

Tabnie Dozier Enterprises is an eloquent and effective media company that serves high-level public figures, established brands and corporate companies by amplifying storytelling and improving communication skills to further your desired impact. We offer press release distribution, public speaking and media training, event planning and MC duties, crisis communication, creative direction, media consulting, written storytelling and video production services.

My company’s impact in the lives of our customers will be achieved by elevating their excellence and providing a creative outlet for storytelling. Nothing brings greater joy than taking a client’s vision for storytelling about their products, services or journeys and bringing it to reality. Whether its in a written article for their website, visual storytelling feature for their YouTube channel or securing a media hit with our press releases. Providing exposure and a bigger voice for their brands is why we do what we do.

Our current target market consists of high-level public figures, established brands and corporate companies. Our services meet their specific needs in the realms of communication and consulting. That could be via public speaking and media training for employees and liaisons that provide quotes to journalists or speak in front of crowds. We can serve them with consulting for crisis communication and creative direction for unique projects or as a support in the realm of marketing and media exposure with press releases and storytelling.

We’re in a league of our own compared to other marketing agencies or production companies because we’re comprised of award-winning journalists, Black women and rooted in integrity and communication excellence. Very few independent companies are founded by such a decorated journalist with my vast skillset and life experiences.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Networking, networking, networking! I signed my company up to be a member of the local chamber of commerce, that is a marvelous resource of free services, training, and events to promote what we do. I search Eventbrite and Facebook for free networking events for professionals. I’ll attend events alone on purpose so I can challenge myself to meet new people. Every single person or company or brand has a story to tell. Sharing our press release success and public speaking trainings have been huge because so many people have a fear of talking in front of crowds.

I post constantly about client successes and testimonials on social media, and promos to keep our company top of mind. We ask for referrals, I always carry business cards and drop them off at local restaurants that allow for promotion as well.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Stop with the negative talk and harsh criticism of myself. Being a journalist and public figure in this digital age opens you up to despicable and rude comments from people who would never have the gall to say what they typed to your face. Scrutiny comes with the territory. When I pivoted into the entrepreneurial realm, I unintentionally carried that criticism with me. If I didn’t secure contracts, then I failed. If I didn’t have enough money to cover my bills, then I failed.

How can I be a failure at something I’ve never done before? I have no reputable business owners in my family and zero entrepreneur mentors. I’m an Accidental Entrepreneur. How dare I not give myself grace to operate in a totally new space?! The deeper backstory beyond my career is that I’ve always been a successful student and child. I was scolded too harshly by my parents when I deserved more space to navigate life as an adolescent and early teen. Who the hell knows how to live life until they experience it? I had to unlearn being so hard on myself and also the expectation that I’m going to get everything right on the first try. We are forever students and can always learn. Now that I have released insane expectations and being so self critical, I’m elevating to glorious heights and being patient along the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tabniedozier.com/copy-of-services
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tdozierenterprises/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TVTabnie
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tabnie-dozier-418970b6/
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/TVTabnie
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2hPkpJe8c18pr-2cHDo8zQ
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@tdozierenterprises