We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tamara Carruthers. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tamara below.

Alright, Tamara thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you have a hero? What have you learned from them?

My mother is my hero. I learned so much from her growing up. I watched her every move. I watched how she handled herself. I watched how she handled other people. But most importantly I watched how she let or didn’t let people handle her. She worked hard. That’s why I have the work ethic that I have. And she let me be me. If wanted to dance, there she was at every competition. If I wanted to sing, paint, run track, whatever it was/is, she just lets me be. I think her ability to just let me be lead me to the space that I am in now! I am just unapologetically being me. And I have her to thank for that! So you’re either going to “blame my mother, or thank my mother” ! LOL

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?

I am a Nashville Tennessee native, but I have been living in Memphis Tennessee off and on for the last 20 years. I’ve been here consistently since 2014. I am a wife (Teddy) and mother of 3 amazingly beautiful children. One son (Teddy Jr) and two daughters (Talynn and Trinity). I am an international best-selling author, amateur freelance photographer, Broadcast Co-Host on the Thriving Women’s Network, and event planner. I am also a licensed financial provider and coach. AND a colon (6-year) colon cancer survivor! I am currently really passionate about my creative side. That includes, writing, photography and event planning. I am my full, happy and confident self when I am creating. I think what sets me apart is my passion and my attention to small details. I love taking photos or capturing videos of people in real moments in real-time. There’s so much beauty in just being! I also love decorating and creating beautiful spaces! As hectic as it can be, event planning calms me in a weird way. One of the things that I am most proud of this year is that I started a second business (Vivid Eye Events and More) with my sister-in-law. This year I planned, coordinated, decorated, and hosted a sold-out Women’s Empowerment Event (Empower and Inspire) in Memphis, Tennessee!

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

My best advice would be to not manage but LEAD. I have found in general people don’t like to be handled or managed. People look for leadership. Leaders look for leadership! So for me emotional intelligence is a big deal! Learning how to manage your emotions and how to react to other people’s emotions is a game changer. I try my best to think like the other person in a scenario, so that I can really understand how something I said or did may cause them to react. Leaders evoke change managers can sometimes stunt growth. So lead and lead by example!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Entrepreneurship is a game of resilience! You have to have tough skin to run your own business. If you fail you are essentially responsible for not just yourself but your business partners, employees and clients. On one occasional a client rented our Bubble Tent setup. The client wanted to have the tent set up and decorated for a nice sunset picnic at a local park. I knew the location well and even had the perfect spot in mind. Only to find out when I arrived that park hours had changed and my client would not have time to enjoy their evening. I immediately called my client and offered a new location as well as a discount. The client was appreciative that I had found an alternative. The new location allowed me to offer a more personalized experience as well, so the client was extremely happy. I was sweating bullets and a nervous wreck because I did not want to let my client down. It turned out to be an amazing experience. The client even referred me to family and friends!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tamara-carruthers.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/messy_canvas_tc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tamara.smith.3557440
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamara-carruthers-mba-80738b203/
• Other: https://vivideyeeventsandmore.com/

Image Credits
Photo credits: Tamara Carruthers