We were lucky to catch up with Tamara Brandon recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tamara, appreciate you joining us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

I think success isn’t just about talent or luck but it’s about consistency, adaptability, and staying true to your values. Whether it’s social media, modeling, or wellness, I’ve learned that showing up, experimenting, and evolving are what truly lead to growth.
One moment that shaped my perspective was when I first started posting consistently and eventually transitioned into managing social media professionally. I quickly realized that success wasn’t just about creating aesthetically pleasing content; in fact, it was about understanding the audience, testing new ideas, and pivoting when things didn’t go as planned. There were times when a post I was sure would perform well flopped, but instead of seeing it as a failure, I used it as data to adjust my strategy and try again.
Another key lesson came from balancing my work as a model, content creator, and wellness advocate. I’ve learned the importance of authenticity in an industry where trends shift constantly. Staying consistent with my brand and values while embracing change has helped me build trust with my audience and create meaningful connections. I take pride in knowing that even if I were to change industries one day or face setbacks, I’ve always remained true to myself.
I think my biggest takeaway from the past two years of developing, adapting, and overcoming hurdles is that success isn’t about a single moment. It’s about the habits you build, the way you adapt, and the ability to keep moving forward, even when things don’t go as planned.

Tamara, 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?

Of course! I’m Tamara Brandon, a model, social media strategist, and wellness enthusiast passionate about creativity, storytelling, and digital connection. My journey into the social media and marketing industry started organically. I’ve always been fascinated by branding, audience engagement, and the power of digital platforms to build communities. What really started as a personal passion quickly turned into a career when I began managing social media professionally. I realized that success in this space requires more than just posting great content; it’s about strategy, adaptability, and creating meaningful connections with others.
Currently, I work as a Social Media Manager, where I oversee public relations, campaign development, and content creation. My role goes beyond just posting. I develop marketing strategies, execute campaigns, and ensure that a brand’s voice resonates with its audience. I also create engaging content across multiple platforms, helping brands and creators build a strong and authentic digital presence.
What sets me apart is my ability to blend creativity with strategy. Social media is constantly evolving, and I thrive on staying ahead of trends, analyzing performance data, and finding new ways to engage audiences. Whether it’s building brand awareness, increasing follower growth, or creating viral content, I’m always focused on impact. I also take pride in my ability to create content that feels authentic whether it’s showcasing a product, sharing a personal wellness journey, or telling a brand’s story in a way that connects with real people.
In addition to my work in social media, I’m also a model, which has given me a unique perspective on branding, storytelling, and audience engagement. Whether I’m in front of the camera or behind the scenes strategizing content, I understand how to create visuals and messaging that connect with people in a meaningful way.
I’m also passionate about wellness and personal growth. I believe that taking care of yourself mentally and physically is just as important as professional success, and I share a lot of my personal insights on routines, seasonal wellness, and lifestyle habits that have helped me stay balanced throughout my personal social media pages @tamara_brandon.
One of the things I’m most proud of is how I’ve been able to turn my passion into a career while staying true to myself. Whether it’s launching successful campaigns, collaborating with brands, or building my own presence online, I’m constantly evolving and learning. I want my followers, clients, and collaborators to know that I’m all about authenticity, creativity, and strategy.
At the end of the day, my goal is to create content and strategies that leave a lasting impact; driving engagement, building connections, and delivering real results.

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

I owe everything to my parents and family, especially as a first-generation student from an immigrant household. As humans, we all face life’s challenges, but on top of that, immigrants and first-generation college students face additional barriers. We’re built differently, and I believe it’s important to show that people like us, those from immigrant households or first-gen backgrounds CAN be successful. My parents made the ultimate sacrifice for me, and the best way I can repay them is by succeeding.

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

One lesson I wish I would’ve unlearned sooner, and am still working on today is that life is hard, and while being a hard worker is important, you don’t always get rewarded for taking the more challenging paths in life. Whether it’s in your career, schooling, finances, relationships, self-development, or even romantically, I’ve found myself in situations where I felt that because of my background, I had to self-sabotage or take the more difficult road on purpose, thinking that I had to suffer in order to earn success.

It’s been hard to come to terms with and change this mindset, and I’m still working on it. My parents, and many other immigrants I know, sacrificed so much just to put food on the table and send their kids to good schools. While my struggles weren’t life-or-death, they came with their own set of challenges, especially navigating a path that no one in my family had crossed before, since I was the first to go through it.

Don’t get me wrong; I’ve been racially profiled, placed in lower positions, and faced disadvantages because I’m a woman, among many other things. But some of the suffering I put myself through was unnecessary. I twisted my mindset to believe I deserved to struggle. That’s why wellness is so important to me. It has helped me realize that while I can appreciate the sacrifices my parents made, I also have options. I now choose to create a path that includes both peace and success.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamara_brandon?igsh=MWk4ZzV5OGV4ZHA1Nw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamarabrandon
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@tamara_brandon?si=0m3Cwb9KPP-x6CYD

Image Credits

Emily Farthing & Nick Tamposi